Chris laughed. “Man, you’re dating a wholevibe.”
Beth tilted her head. “What does she do?”
I took a sip of my drink.
“She works at Hagen & Kane.”
That landed.
Forks paused.
Mark blinked. “Wait.Hagen & Kane?”
Chris let out a low whistle. “Jesus. That’s not just a law firm. That’sthelaw firm.”
Beth stared at me. “So… she’s a lawyer?”
I didn’t answer.
Just took another sip.
Let the silence do the work.
Tony watched me over the rim of his glass.
A look I knew well.
Theyou’re omitting somethinglook.
But no one pressed.
And I didn’t correct them.
Didn’t sayparalegal.
Didn’t sayadmin.
Didn’t saysupport staff.
Because it didn’t matter.
She was smart.
Sharp.
Successful in her own way.
And if they thought she was exactly on our level?
Fine.
Let them.
Because somewhere deep down, something old and uncomfortable twisted in my chest.
The part of me that still counted worth in titles and paychecks.
The part that remembered where I came from.
