JAMES’ POV

“Why are you celebrating?”

Her voice cut me out of the little celebration I was having in my head. It came sharp and sudden, making me pause mid-thought. I cleared my throat quickly and forced my expression back into something calm, something composed, like I hadn’t just been riding a wave of excitement.

“I know some people might see probation as a bad thing,” I said, taking a step closer to her, careful not to push my luck, “but personally, I think anything is better than a no. Including probation.”

It was true. More than true. When Mom forced me to come here today, I had been against...