My sister gives me major side eye when she sees me, and then a minute later Liam, emerge from the maze of bookshelves. I glare her down, warning her with my stare that if she says anything, I will murder her. Luckily she is fluent in all my nonverbal eye-isms and remains silent.

Our tour guide continues to lead us through the library, still completely oblivious to the fact that Liam or I are also part of his tour and instead directing all his attention to Daphni. Truthfully, I’m used to it, so it doesn’t really bother me. Plus, I am way too distracted by the fact that I am in one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever visited.

If I am being entirely honest, however, that is clearly not the only thing distracting me. Liam completely surprised me when he had followed me into the stacks. Shows me for letting my guard down.

Well, he was right about the being-an-asshole part. God, I was at minimum expecting a half-assed apology, but instead he decides to give me a lecture. Seriously, this guy has balls. But it was for the best. Now I’m even more determined to focus all my efforts on making sure that I never have to spend any time with that Neanderthal again. Good riddance.

I decide to finally banish Liam from my thoughts and follow along for the rest of our tour. Trailing behind Daphni, I dutifully listen as our guide drones on about the architectural history of the building. It’s not until we abruptly stop outside a large black, wooden door that I finally tune back in.

As we walk inside, we are greeted with large, floor-to-ceiling windows letting in bright rays of sun onto a dark, ruby carpet. A large desk faces the door and an older woman in a pencil skirt and white blouse, buttoned up to her chin, welcomes us.

“You must be Daphni,” she exclaims as she reaches out to shake Daphni’s hand. “And that makes you Gabby! We are so excited to meet you.” She grasps my hand tightly, pumping it up and down.

“You all wait here, I will let her know you’re here,” she offers before escaping through an adjoining door.

I shoot a confused look over at Daphni, who offers only a sly smile in return.

A moment later, the woman returns with an older woman following closely behind. Daphni immediately walks over, offering her a warm embrace.

“Georgia, thanks so much for taking the time to see us,” Daphni says.

“Oh hush, Daphni. Anything for an old friend,” the woman replies.

I stand aside, still not entirely sure what is going on here. I didn’t know Daphni to have many friends, especially ones who had stable jobs and were over sixty.

“Gabby, I want to introduce you to my good friend, Chief Justice Georgia O’Neal.”

My eyes widen as I glare at my sister. How could she not prepare me to meet the chief justice of the Ohio freaking Supreme Court? I decide to kill her later and pull myself together.

“It is such an honor, Chief Justice O’Neal,” I manage to spit out, despite wanting to melt into a puddle.

“Nonsense, call me Georgia, dear. I have heard so much about you. Your sister is so proud of you. I hear you’re thinking of becoming a lawyer?”

I shoot a look of surprise over at Daphni. How the hell did my sister casually rub elbows with the chief justice in Ohio? And what had she actually said to her about me? What kind of alternate universe had we stepped into?

“Uh, yes. I’m planning on taking my LSATs at the end of the summer, actually.”

“Very good. Well, from what your sister tells me, I am sure you will do quite well.”

I decide I can’t hold in my questions any longer. “I’m sorry, but exactly how do you two know each other?” I ask.

“Well, your sister here received a letter from my granddaughter when she was in a tough spot in her life. Daphni flew out to meet her and spend some time with her, gave her some good advice, and got her into some counseling. Thanks to your sister, my granddaughter is still alive.” She wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. “I owe a lot to Daphni.”

I can’t help but shoot a surprised look at my sister. She turns away from me, and I feel my head spin. I was seeing a whole side of my sister I had never known. A wave of guilt washes over me as I remember all the times I would get so frustrated with her for being so vapid and self-centered. Had that all been some act? Why would she hide this side of herself from the world? From me?

“That’s incredible,” I reply, not knowing what else to say.

“Well, she’s an incredible woman,” Georgia replies as she squeezes my sister’s hand. She clears her throat and offers me a bright smile. “So, I understand we have some reservations?”

“Reservations?” I respond.

“Yes, at five o’clock. You should be heading out soon,” Daphni chimes in.

“Right. Let me just go grab my purse and we will be on our way!” Georgia says before she darts back into her office.

“Okay, I feel like I am five steps behind,” I say to Daphni.

“I booked you and Georgia for high tea at the Plaza. I thought it might be a nice opportunity for you to pick her brain and hear more about her career,” Daphni tells me.

“Wow, Daphni. That’s so sweet. And so thoughtful. Thank you.”

A blush races up her high cheekbones. “Whatever, Gabby. Go geek out. But text me when you’re done so we can meet up for dinner.”

I nod in response and she gives me a quick peck on the cheek before heading out with Liam at her side. Georgia reemerges a moment later and we decide to walk to the Plaza.

After a few moments in Georgia’s company, I finally begin to relax and ask her about her career, her history working as a prosecutor, and eventually how she became a judge and then chief justice.

Only after two hours did I finally take a break to check my watch. “Oh my gosh, I’ve kept you for so long, Georgia!”

Georgia glances down at her own watch and arches her brow in surprise. “Oh dear, we certainly know how to kill an afternoon!”

“Georgia, thank you so much for this afternoon. It was such an honor to meet you, and thank you for being so patient with all my questions,” I gush.

“Of course, dear. And please, think about coming next summer for that internship,” she adds.

“Of course,” I say, still in shock that she had offered me such a prestigious opportunity.

We settle the bill—Georgia insists on paying, though she does let me leave the tip—and we make our way outside. We part with a hug and a promise for me to call her once I decide on which law school I will be attending.

I feel like I’m on cloud nine as I text Daphni. She replies letting me know she is back at the hotel bar and tells me to come join. I grab a cab and fifteen minutes later, I’m back at the hotel. The bar is attached to the lobby and I instantly find Daphni and her blue hair at the end of the long bar. To my annoyance, Liam is in the seat next to her. I push away any negative feelings, determined not to let Liam take away my high.

I grab the seat next to Daphni and drop my bag onto the ground.

“You look delirious,” Daphni comments when she sees me.

“Daphni, you are amazing. That was so incredible. She is so smart and had such good advice. And, she even offered me an internship!”

Daphni beams over at me and hands me her drink. “Celebrations are in order, then!” She orders another drink and then clinks her glass with mine. “Cheers!”

I drink the contents, letting the rush of the warm vodka sooth my giddiness. I let my eyes drift toward Liam. He’s looking down at his drink, a sullen look on his face. He looks miserable, and I can’t help but feel the smallest bit responsible.

“You’re not going to congratulate me too, Liam?” I ask.

He looks up in surprise. When he sees the smile on my face, his own face brightens a bit and he lifts his glass to touch it to mine.

“Congrats, Gabby. You’ll do great,” he says.

“Well, I don’t have it yet,” I concede. “I still need to pass the LSATs and actually get into law school.”

“Pfft,” Daphni adds. “Like you aren’t going to get into law school. You’re like, a genius, Gabby.”

“Well, yeah, I guess you’re right,” I respond with a smile. Daphni rolls her eyes and Liam lets out a quiet chuckle.

“Shit,” Daphni suddenly mutters and I force myself to tear my eyes away from Liam. Daphni slinks down in her seat, pulling me down with her. “Hide!”