Chapter 2

Pulling the throw blanket over my lap, I adjusted my glasses and aimed the remote control at my television as I settled into the corner of my couch. Then I stretched my legs out on the cushions next to me and scrolled through the options on my favorite streaming service. Snowball, my Persian cat, curled up on my lap with a purr.

As a sophomore in college, I should have more exciting things to do on a Friday night than watch shows with my cat. I'd overheard a couple of girls in my ethics class talking about a big party at one of the frats, but that definitely wasn't my kind of thing. Neither was hanging out in a bar, which I couldn't even get into since I wasn't old enough and didn't have a fake ID. Since I was already a week ahead on my homework, I didn't need to hang out at the library like usual.

Instead, I planned to catch up on a few of the newly released shows I had missed out on because I'd been too busy studying for a couple of exams over the past two weeks. Now that they were done—and I had aced them—I was looking forward to getting a little rest and relaxation this weekend.

After selecting a reality dating show about people who fall in love and get engaged before they actually see each other, I set the remote control on the side table. I was hoping the third season was as entertaining as the two that had come before it and planned to devour all twelve episodes before tomorrow night, even though it would take a dozen hours.

I grabbed the big bowl of popcorn I'd made and placed it next to Snowball. He flicked his tail in annoyance, so I stroked his back with one hand while I plucked a few buttery kernels with the other. Settling in to watch the first episode, I was quickly pulled into the newest season. I was trying to figure out who all was going to pair up when my cell phone vibrated.

Although I wasn't expecting anyone to call—my mom touched base with me on Sunday mornings—I had silenced my ringer so I wasn't bothered by any other notifications. My curiosity got the better of me. I brushed my bangs out of my face and pushed my glasses up my nose, then glanced over at the screen, quickly wishing that I hadn't.

If it had been anyone other than my direct advisor for my internship calling, I could have ignored my phone. Instead, I paused the show just as it was starting to get good and answered. "Hello."

"Oakley? It's Miss Stuchy."

"Yes?"

Her voice was impatient as she said, "I need you to go into the office and make three copies of the Tinley file."

"Now?"

"Yes, now," she snapped.

My brows drew together as I lifted my bowl of popcorn off my lap to set it back on the table. Having worked with Victoria—who insisted I call her Miss Stuchy even though we'd been working together ever since I started my internship two months ago—I knew she wasn't the kind of person who accepted excuses for anything. Even reasonable ones. "Does it have to be tonight? It'll be easier for me to pop into the office in the morning."

"Do you think I would've wasted time on my Friday night calling you if it wasn't necessary for this to be taken care of right away?"

I barely held back my retort about how she didn't seem to have any issue with me missing out on my Friday night. I didn't have any hot plans besides watching television with my cat, but she had no way of knowing that I didn't have a life outside of school and my internship.

"No, probably not."

"Definitely not," she corrected. "Judge Timkins needs those copies first thing tomorrow morning, and I can't trust that you'll get this done in time unless you go in right now."

Her explanation didn't make any sense. Court wasn't open during the weekend, and the judge normally cut out early on Fridays. When I'd gotten the internship, I had been excited at the opportunity to learn from someone who had snagged a seat on the bench. I was studying pre-law with the hope to get into a prestigious law school after graduation.

At least the internship looked good on paper. It would still increase my odds of landing a clerkship once I reached that point in my education, which meant I couldn't risk getting fired. That wouldn't only blow my shot at a clerkship…it could ruin my chances of attending a decent law school. I couldn't let that happen when all of my future plans hinged on it.

"How will I get into the office?" I asked. "The courthouse is closed until Monday morning."

"Just because the courthouse is closed doesn't mean it's empty. There's still a security guard on duty. I'll call and ask him to let you inside so he's expecting you. Don't dawdle."

"I'll head over right away," I assured her. "Should I let you know when it's done?"

"And interrupt my Friday night even more?" she scoffed. "Absolutely not."

"Alrighty then," I mumbled when she ended the call without saying goodbye or thanking me for running this errand outside of the hours I was assigned to work. Although I was the lowest person on the office hierarchy, mine was an unpaid internship. The least she could've done was call someone who would earn time and a half for going into the office on a Friday night.

I shifted Snowball off my lap to set him on the floor, and he let out a plaintive meow. "Sorry, buddy. It looks as though Mommy has to go to work for a little bit."

Getting to my feet, I padded over to my closet and switched out of my cozy pajamas and into a slightly less comfortable outfit of black leggings with a black sweatshirt pulled over a gray T-shirt. Then I dumped the unpopped kernels out of the bowl and rinsed the butter and salt out of the bottom. Once that was done, I shoved my feet into my shoes and grabbed a bottle of water.

As I gathered my purse and keys, Snowball wound around my legs with a meow. Bending over, I picked him up to cradle his furry body against my chest. I gave him a scratch behind his ear and headed into the kitchen to grab his favorite treats. Pouring a couple into my palm, I moved my hand under his mouth so he could nibble on them. "There you go. Don't be too mad at me. I wish I was still cuddled up with you on the couch, too."

I walked over and dropped him onto a cushion, giving him another scratch.

"Keep my spot warm for me, Snowball." I kissed his nose, laughing softly at his grumpy expression. "Hopefully, this won't take too long, and we can get back to our binge-watching soon."