Judge Donahue leaned forward slightly. “The court thanks the jury for their service. The verdict will be entered into record and-”

The rest of his words were lost in an explosion of sound as the gallery erupted. Bodies surged upward, papers flying like confetti through shafts of snowlight. The young aspiring lawyer who had nearly tripped earlier was now sobbing openly, clutching her tabs to her chest as she bounced on her toes.

Juniper felt herself lifted off her feet, Daniel’s arms wrapping around her waist as he spun them in a circle of pure joy. His laughter rumbled through his chest where she was pressed against him, making her dizzy with euphoria.