“This isn’t your fault,” I continue. “Everything that’s happened is one hundred percent on me. I chose to lie to the firm. I convinced you to lie on my behalf. Now I need to accept the consequences of my actions. End of story.”

She gives me a small nod. “Even so, I feel awful about it.”

“Because you care. I appreciate it more than I can say.”

We drift to the couch and sit side by side, our thighs pressed together. She strokes my hair, and I lean into her, desperately seeking her calming touch. I’m still agitated, though, and I doubt this feeling will be going away anytime soon. How the hell did everything go south so fast? Or is this how it was always going to play out? Did I miss the signs? Or did I ignore them?

I let out a harsh breath and drop my head. “You know, I’m seriously questioning if partnership was ever on the table. Maybe they would have promoted me eventually, but I don’t think they really wanted to. I didn’t bring in enough clients. Spent too much time on pro bono. Couldn’t even land Kimberly Bailey.” I draw back and meet her gaze. “I suppose the writing was on the wall, but I refused to see it.”

“Well, they don’t deserve you,” she says fiercely. “And one day, they’re going to regret letting you go.”

My heart swells. If there’s a scrap of joy I can salvage from this crap day, it’s that Solange and I are going to be okay.

“So what’s next?” she asks.

“I need to figure out what to do about my pro bono cases. I don’t want to abandon my clients, but who knows if the firm will help me through the transition. As for money, I have enough saved to cover my expenses for the rest of the year. Being a planner has its advantages.”

Still, I need to find a job. Help my mother get a new place. Figure out what the hell I’m going to do with my life now that being a partner at Olney & Henderson is no longer an option.

Solange takes my hand in hers. “You know, I think it’s telling that your first concern was your pro bono work. My mother once told me the things we value the most are the things we’re most afraid of losing. Keep that in mind as you sort out what to do next.”

I appreciate her insight, and I’ll take that into consideration as I overthink my life in the days ahead. But right now, I want to hear about her. “Tell me what’s going on with you. Have you decided what to do about Ohio? Or about your offer here?”