Well, he figured that Crash’s apparent idolization of a man with an uncompromising hardline on crime was Richie’s problem. All John had to do was play nice. He surveyed Crash’s face, which looked like he was smelling something bad and pretending he wasn’t. John internally sighed.

“I take it you’re here, in my office, attempting to make amends, because you have a crush on my best friend.”

Crash’s cheeks went electric pink, but he didn’t drop eye contact. “I think my odds with Richie are gonna be drastically improved if you and I aren’t enemies.”

John could respect that logic. Especially as his mind flicked momentarily over to Tyler. He actually might have to follow Crash’s logic himself pretty soon. “We’re not enemies. And as long as you treat Richie well, then we’re not going to have any kind of problem.”

Crash wilted a little bit, but it seemed to be with relief. “You’re not going to whisper in his ear about what a snake I am?”

“Richie’s a smart person. If he wants to date an ADA, that’s his business.”

“You say ADA like your father isn’t the most famous district attorney in the United States.”

John shrugged. “Justice is supposed to be blind. I try not to inflate my father’s ego too much.”

“Fair enough,” Crash said after a moment, as if what John said actually made sense to him. “Congrats, though, on your win today. I mean that. There are too few days when I feel the way you looked when I walked in here.”

John stood, draped his messenger bag over his body and held out a hand to Crash. “True.”

The men shook hands and parted ways in the hallway.

The adrenaline from the win still buzzed in John’s veins and even the interaction with Crash was buoying him. He was happy for Richie, to have found someone who liked him enough to make amends with an enemy on his behalf. He was blindingly happy for Hang and her mother, who he hoped were going to celebrate tonight.

There was sparkling water in his blood, and suddenly, John wanted to celebrate tonight. He wanted a freezing-cold drink. Or two. Or three. He wanted to share this bubbling, blazing feeling with the world. He didn’t want Ruth to be the only being who knew just how freaking happy this made him.

He pulled out his phone. Without too much thought, he called Mary.

“Hi!” she answered, this greeting sounding significantly sunnier than her last one had.

“I know we don’t have plans until tomorrow, but I had some good news, and I’m over the moon.” And I just wanted to hear your voice. He could hear those words in his head as clearly as if he’d said them out loud. He wondered if Mary could as well.