She claps her hands together. “Then, hell, yeah, I want to eat like this, just once.”
Just once. Like last night.
I round the counter, sitting next to her, so our knees touch. “What you want doesn’t have to bejust once, you know?”
Her cheeks go pink. “Are you flirting with me, Mav?” Bittersweet threads through her voice.
“Reminding you,” I answer, leveling my gaze on hers.
She nods, feeling the sudden heaviness of the moment.
“I won’t forget.”
I’m counting on that.But I don’t say it. The last thing Mia needs is more pressure.
Grayson sits behind his desk,jaw tense. “The conservatorship hasn’t been dissolved … yet. But an emergency advocacy group has stepped in. They’re citing a conflict of interest. Maybe enough to freeze Crowe’s authority, at least, temporarily.”
Mia shifts in her seat, side-eyeing me before looking down. Hope flickers, though she says in low tones, “He won’t give up that easily.”
“No, but a judge has stepped in, allowing legal counsel for you and housing pending review.”
I straighten, bracing for impact.
Grayson’s forehead furrows as he scrutinizes me. “Not here. At a property associated with the advocacy group.”
“Oh,” she huffs, fingers twisting in her lap. My hands ache to comfort her.
“Holt, take her back to the cabin, help her pack her things. Jack’ll be around in about an hour to collect her.”
Mia’s eyes snap to me, her mouth working.
Grayson’s eyes narrow. “There a problem?”
“No,” I say flatly. “But her safety. Has the court weighed in on that?”
“No longer a Lone Star matter,” he grits out between clenched teeth. “Will need to regroup with you later about … next steps.”
“Next steps?” I ask.
He grimaces, running a hand through his hair. “A new assignment. Away fromthis.”
Grayson delivers the last words like he knows. Guilt tangles behind my chest, a fast-growing vine thick with thorns.
“So, the judge didn’t rule in Edwin’s favor?” the curvy blonde says next to me, like she’s still trying to process everything.
“No.”
“And I can have an attorney?” She arches a perfectly trimmed eyebrow. Her hands twist. “Edwin still controls my finances, though.”
Grayson clears his throat, glaring at me. “The court will have to sort that out. All I know is the advocacy group has offered representation—pro bono. They’ll be able to tell you more.”
She presses her palms against her knees, stilling them. “Okay,” she says softly. “Then, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe.”
He nods slowly. “Your parents would like to see you at some point, Mia. Be prepared.”
We drive in silence,my heart breaking at the thought of her doing all of this alone. But she doesn’t need a savior. She needs steady, strong, patient. I can be those for her.
Mia doesn’t take long to pack, her overnight bag still full from last night. The clock gives us forty more minutes. Not nearly enough.
