“Tessa?” I say softly. “You okay?”
She looks up at me, and her eyes are wet. “I just… I can’t believe it’s really over.”
“It’s really over,” Penny says firmly. “Preston Vale is going to prison. His father has promised to keep him away from you when he’s released. You’re safe, Tessa.”
A tear slips down Tessa’s cheek, and she quickly wipes it away. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Penny says, her voice gentle. “You survived. That’s enough.”
Tessa nods, more tears falling now, and I pull her into my arms. She buries her face in my chest, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs—sobs of relief, I think, more than sadness.
I look at Penny over Tessa’s head and mouth, “Thank you.”
She just nods, her expression soft.
After a few moments, Tessa pulls back, wiping her eyes. “Sorry,” she says, emotion lining a forced laugh. “I just… I didn’t think this day would ever come.”
“Don’t apologize,” Penny says. “You’re allowed to feel whatever you need to feel.”
Tessa takes a deep breath, visibly collecting herself. “So what happens now? Do I have to testify or anything?”
“For the New York case, no,” Penny states. “You’re not involved in any of that. For the assault charges here, you may be called as a witness, but given the strength of the evidence, there’s a good chance Preston will take a plea deal to avoid trial. If that happens, you won’t have to testify at all.”
“And if he doesn’t take the deal?”
“Then we go to court, and you tell your story,” Penny says. “You’ll have great lawyers, and Logan and I will be with you every step of the way. You won’t be alone. But, honestly, I’m almost positive he’ll take the plea deal. His father has made it very clear that he wants to put this mess behind the family as quickly and quietly as possible.”
Tessa nods slowly. “Okay, good.”
Penny gathers the folders and stands, signaling the end of the meeting. “I’ll keep you updated on any developments. But for now, just… live your life. You’ve earned it.”
Tessa stands, and I follow. “Thank you, Penny. For everything. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
“You don’t have to repay me.” Penny walks around the desk to pull Tessa into a hug. “Your happiness is payment enough.”
We leave Penny’s office and walk through the quiet arena hallways.
We exit the arena into the blazing afternoon sun. Neither of us speaks as we cross the parking lot to my SUV. I open the passenger door, and instead of climbing in, Tessa turns toward me and circles her arms around my neck.
I pull her close, and she melts against me, her face buried in my chest.
“I can’t believe it’s finally over,” she murmurs.
“I know.” I run my hand up and down her back. “It’s incredible news.”
She pulls back enough to look up at me, and there’s a playful spark in her eyes that I haven’t seen in weeks. “I guess you don’t have to hide me away in your condo anymore. I could get my own place.” She raises a brow, clearly testing me.
“Absolutely not.” I squeeze her sides, making her laugh. “I’d be lost without you there.”
“Good, because I’d be lost without you too.” She grins. “We’re pretty pathetic, aren’t we?”
I consider that. “Yeah, probably. But maybe that’s just what love looks like.”
“Well, I’m not complaining,” she says.
“Me neither.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “You ready to go home?”
She nods, her smile softening. “Home. I like the sound of that.”
