Roma passed their table on his way out, that menacing smile still in place. “Always a pleasure, Ms. Valenca.” His eyes moved deliberately between her and Daniel. “Though I do wonder about your choice of… professional alignments.”

Every move in this case feels like some kind of trial, Juniper thought as she watched him leave. But she wasn’t sure anymore if the real test was in the courtroom or in her heart, where professional boundaries seemed to be crumbling like fresh snow under summer sun.