Library
Search
Home / LGBTQ+ / SECOND VERDICT / Chapter Twenty three: Almost doesn’t count

Share

Chapter Twenty three: Almost doesn’t count

Author: Nana writes
last update publish date: 2026-04-27 19:15:14
Tuesday Afternoon

Emma stood outside Alex's office door, hand raised to knock, heart hammering.

She'd been avoiding this all day. Finding excuses. Staying in her own office. Taking calls. Reviewing documents that didn't need reviewing.

But Morrison had just emailed. He wanted an update on the Bennett case. Wanted Alex and Emma to coordinate on the trial strategy memo. Wanted it before end of business.

Which meant Emma had to actually go into Alex's office. Had to be alone with her. Had to preten
Nana writes

Wow, damn the phone call, it was a game spoiler. If that call hadn’t come in when it did, do you think Emma would have allowed the kiss?

| Like
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Previous Chapter Next Chapter
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • SECOND VERDICT   Chapter Thirty: Reality Check

    Present Day - Thursday AfternoonEmma woke with a gasp.Her bedroom. Her apartment. Alone in her bed with sunlight streaming through the curtains.She sat up, disoriented. Heart racing. Body still humming with the memory of...A dream. It had been a dream.Alex's apartment. The fire drill. The confession. The way Alex had touched her. The feeling of finally, finally being together.None of it had been real.Emma pressed her hands to her face. Her skin was hot. Her pulse hammered. She could still feel phantom touches. Could still taste Alex's kiss.God, what was wrong with her? Dreaming about sleeping with Alex when she was supposed to be taking things slow. When they'd agreed to be professional.Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She grabbed it.2:47 PM.The strategy meeting was in thirteen minutes.Emma had fallen asleep at her desk during lunch. Had dozed off for maybe twenty minutes. And dreamed an entire evening that felt more real than anything she'd experienced in years.She spl

  • SECOND VERDICT   Chapter Twenty Nine: Alex's Apartment

    Present Day - Thursday AfternoonThe fire alarm went off at 2:45 PM.Emma was in Conference Room B, setting up for the three o'clock strategy meeting. Files spread across the table. Laptop open. Ready to prove she could be professional.Then the alarm blared. Loud. Insistent."Attention. This is a fire drill. Please evacuate the building immediately. Use the stairs, not the elevators."Emma grabbed her laptop. Left the files. Joined the stream of attorneys heading for the stairwell.Twenty-two floors down. Her legs were burning by the time she reached the street.Outside, the entire building stood on the sidewalk. Hundreds of people. Morrison employees mixed with tenants from other floors.Emma found David in the crowd. "How long do these usually last?""Hour minimum. Sometimes two if they're being thorough." David checked his phone. "Building management sent an email. Scheduled drill. They're testing the sprinkler system too. We're not getting back in until at least four thirty."Emma

  • SECOND VERDICT   Chapter Twenty Eight: Morrison's Office

    Present Day - Thursday MorningEmma arrived at Morrison's office at 7:55 AM.Alex was already there. Standing in the hallway outside Morrison's door. Looking as exhausted as Emma felt. Dark circles under her eyes. Coffee cup in hand like a lifeline."Morning," Alex said quietly."Morning."They stood in awkward silence. Not looking at each other. Both staring at Morrison's closed door like it was a guillotine."Did you sleep?" Alex asked."No. You?""Not really."More silence.Emma wanted to say something. Wanted to acknowledge the texts from last night. The way they'd stayed up until two AM trading messages. The way Alex had made her laugh despite everything.But this was Morrison's hallway. Other attorneys were arriving. Walking past. Watching.The gossip had already spread. Emma could see it in their eyes. The knowing looks. The whispers."Whatever happens in there," Alex said, not looking at her, "I want you to know something.""Alex, don't...""I'm going to tell Morrison the truth

  • SECOND VERDICT   Chapter Twenty Seven: Fallout

    Present Day - Wednesday EveningAlex stood outside Emma's locked office door, hand raised to knock.She'd been standing there for five minutes. Unable to move. Unable to walk away.Inside, Emma was crying. Alex could hear it through the door. Quiet, broken sobs that made Alex's chest ache.This was her fault. Sarah's public breakup. The scene in the hallway. The whispers that had already started spreading through the office.All of it. Alex's fault.She knocked softly. "Emma? It's me. Can I come in?"The crying stopped abruptly. Silence."Emma, please. I know you're in there.""Go away, Alex.""I'm not going away. Not until I know you're okay.""I'm fine.""You're crying alone in your locked office. You're not fine." Alex pressed her forehead against the door. "Please let me in. Please."More silence. Then footsteps. The lock clicked.The door opened.Emma's face was blotchy. Eyes swollen. Makeup smudged. She looked destroyed."Happy now?" Emma's voice was raw. "You wanted to see me? H

  • SECOND VERDICT   Chapter twenty Six: The Breakup.

    "Sarah please..." Emma managed."You told me about her back in college. Someone who broke your heart. Someone you almost dropped out over. You never said her name but you said she was your mentor. That she was older. That she left for New York." Sarah's eyes were wet now. "That was her. Wasn't it? That was Alex."Alex took a step back. "I should go. This is obviously a private conversation.""No. Wait." Sarah's voice was stronger now. "I think I deserve to understand what's happening here. Emma, is this her? Is this the woman you've been..."Sarah stopped. Looked at Emma's face. And understood."Oh my god," Sarah whispered. "You're still in love with her.""Sarah, let's go to my office. Please. Let me explain.""Explain what? That you've been working with your ex for weeks and didn't tell me? That the stress and the distance and the distraction has all been because of her?""It's complicated.""It is right?" Sarah laughed. A broken sound. "God, I'm so stupid, so gullible. I thought. I

  • SECOND VERDICT   Chapter Twenty Five: Sarah Arrives

    Wednesday AfternoonEmma was hiding in the bathroom.Again.She'd been doing that a lot lately. Finding excuses to escape her desk. To avoid the hallways where she might run into Alex. To delay the inevitable moment when she'd have to face what they'd done last night.The kiss. God, the kiss.Emma splashed cold water on her face. Stared at her reflection. She looked exhausted. Guilty. Like someone who'd cheated on her girlfriend in a supply closet and then lied about it.Because that's exactly what she was.Her phone buzzed. Text from Sarah.Sarah: Can't wait for tomorrow! Packed my bag already. This is going to be so good for us. ❤️Emma's stomach twisted. Tomorrow. The Napa trip. Two days alone with Sarah while Emma worked up the courage to break her heart.She typed back:Emma: Me too. See you tomorrow morning.Another lie. They were piling up now. So many lies Emma was drowning in them.Emma dried her face. Straightened her suit. Walked back to her office with her head down.David

More Chapters

You may also like

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status