A half hour later, Solange and I are in bed. She’s reading a novel; I’m reviewing my notes for a hearing in one of my pro bono cases. But nothing’s sinking in. Because I can’t stop thinking about the woman beside me. I can easily imagine our being together this way each night. Even when Ana and Carlos are no longer here. But that’s ridiculous, right? Solange and I already agreed this isn’t that kind of party.

After a period of comfortable silence, she drops the book onto her lap. “What are you reading over there?”

“I have a hearing in a landlord-tenant case on Tuesday. I’m preparing a cross-examination.”

“That’s when you question your opponent’s witness?”

“Yeah. This time it’s the landlord.”

Solange turns on her side, snuggles into the blanket, and rests a hand against my chest. “Can you tell me what the case is about?”

For a moment, all I can do is stare at her. She’s looking up at me, her dark eyes alert and curious, her lips parted as she waits for me to respond. She’s so damn lovely. And she’s interested in my work. And I’m interested in her. And holy shit, my pulse is racing, and my brain is fuzzy right now.

“Dean?” she prompts.

I rub my temples, then take a calming breath. “Sorry. It’s a typical scenario. Landlord claims he gave proper notice that my client violated the lease by handing the notice to my client’s teenage son. Which was impossible since the kid was at an orientation for his new job at the time.”

“Oh, wow. The landlord flat-out lied. Will the hearing be open to the public?”

“Should be. Why?”

“Would it be okay if I told my students about it? I keep thinking of ways to make the class more interesting. Maybe seeing you in action would do that. Or would that be too embarrassing for you?”

I’m touched, actually. Solange has never seen me in the courtroom, yet she has enough confidence in me that she assumes it won’t be a disaster. “I wouldn’t mind at all. I’ll send you the hearing info. I can even chat with them if they find me afterward. So long as they promise not to snore in the courtroom, that is.”

She grins. “Thanks for being receptive to it. I mean, I’m not sure anyone will show up, but I’d like to offer it as an option. They’d be doing it on their own time.”

“And I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. It never goes unnoticed when someone goes the extra mile. Your students are lucky to have you.”

“If not me, it would be someone else. With the right curriculum, another person could do what I do in their sleep.”