As she watched the red tail lights of the car turn the corner off her street and head towards the airport her heart shatters. She was standing in the middle of the street staring off into the empty street where the car is no longer there. Tears streaming down her face that's as red as the street light, Mascara staining her cheeks, and swollen eyes from crying rivers in minutes.

Not only did the car leave her street. But the person inside the car was the love of her life. The person who understood her the most. Her best friend. But as she watched him leave she thought to herself and realized. That the past year has meant nothing to him, And that he did not love her the way she loved him. Because if he did he wouldn't have left the way he did.

And at that moment she only wished that she could go back to Before Him.

~A year before~

In the middle of October, Torrie Mattews was sitting at her desk going through cases that were beginning to pile up on her desk. Lawson law firm was at its prime busy season. For some reason nearer to the holidays was when they were at their busiest.

Torrie shared an office with two other people. Franklin Jones's desk was to the left of her, was the executive assistant to the chief legal officer. He is the life of the office, He struggles with his sexuality of trying to find a man who understands his hard-working personality. Often times he struggles with a commitment to people who don't make their career their main priority. Outside of the law firm, he is the life of the party, however. When a party is boring he finds a way to spice it up. His spicy personality also ties with his appearance. He styled light brown hair, with a slight stubble on his chin and jawline. And light brown eyes. He always spices his appearance in a fun colorful suit jacket with usually navy or black jeans.

On the other side of the office is Margaret Davis. A beautiful, strong, independent, and quirky woman. Her light hazelnut skin is flawless with her beautiful curly light brown hair. Her dark blue eyes tie everything in together. Margaret is a Family Lawyer as her goal in life is to help families who have been in the same situation as her. She is career-driven but also a bubbly woman. Her romantic life does not have specifics. Man or woman she does not matter because to her what matters is where your heart is. She is more of the mom in the set of the three of them. Even though she lets loose every now and then, She has to make sure that everyone gets home with all of their belongings.

And last but not least, Torrie. Torrie Mattews is a Patent Attorney at the law firm. Career driven as well she worked hard for where she is today, Independent, Curious, and intelligent. These are some of the ways to describe Torrie. As well as her gorgeous looks Torrie is a brunette with gorgeous light green hazel eyes, pale skin, Gorgeous figure.

As Torrie sighs, while she looks down at her papers Magaret looks over at her. Torrie speaks up and looks at Margaret, "You know when I applied for this job opportunity, I thought I would be doing actual cases, not random cases that no one wants to do." She says and Margaret laughs. "Well, at least you aren't dealing with petty parents fighting over the littlest things and deciding they need a divorce," Margaret Says looking over at Torrie with a cocky smile.

Franklin who is working on scheduling court dates and meetings for lawyers looks between the two women and laughs at their struggles. Torrie rolls her eyes turning back to her cases. A lot of businesses are suing each other for copying their trade marketing and stealing customers. As much as Torrie loves her job she wishes it was more than just petty business wars.

Torrie let out a yawn slightly as Katherine popped her head into the room causing all three of the Lawyers to jump. "Matthews my office now." She says and walks out as quickly as she came in. Franklin and Margaret turn their attention to the awkward Torrie who was sitting in her chair staring at the other two. "What was that all about?" Franklin asked in a curious tone. "What did you do now?" Margaret laughs. Torrie Shrugs and gets up.

"Who knows, I bet the intern didn't make her coffee right or something. And because I trained the intern she has come to yell at me." She says getting up from her desk. Pulling down her Black dress since it rode up from sitting. She started to walk off towards Katherine's office. As she neared the hall the smell of coffee hit her nose. She breathed it in as a sigh of relief.

Down the hall, She comes to a stop near an office. 'Katherine Lawson Cheif Legal Officer' Was on a plaque outside a large black wooden door. Before she can touch the handle the door is swung open and a crying young woman is running out. As Torrie watches the Intern run away crying she sighs. Third one this week. Torrie knocks on the door walking in. "Hey, You wanted me?" She asks and the stressed-out Katherine looks up at her.

"Please sit, We have something important to talk about." She says and Torrie takes a seat. Nerves starting to pile up and her anxiety coming through. "You have been assigned to a case by me." She says and Torrie's mouth drops slightly. Katherine takes a file and drops it in front of Torrie. The File was small and When she opened it only had a picture and a piece of paper.

As Torrie looked at the photo there was a picture of a family of six it looked like, All in different poses. All wearing Black which helped blend in with their brown and black hair. "Who are these people?" Torrie asks and looks back at Katherine. "This is the Veneti Family. They are very up in social class and own several industries. They are even invested in this firm." She says and points down to the photo. She points two to what looks like the oldest son. "Mr. Veneti needs a Patent Attorney, And asked for my suggestion." She says and Torrie looks at her.

"What are you saying?" Torrie asks and Katherine looks down at her. "They want you to spend the next year working with Mr. Veneti on his case." She says and Torrie starts to look back down at the photo. She looks at the man that Katherine pointed to. She couldn't help but feel attracted to him. He was indeed very Handsome. She was shaken out of her thoughts.

"Do I have time to consider?" Torrie asks and Katherine looks around. "Well as seeing as they want you to fly in tomorrow I'm guessing not." She says and looks at Torrie waiting for an answer. Torrie wondered for a very long minute about how there were some pros and cons. "Where are they located?" She asked and Katherine straightened in her chair. "They live in Chicago." She says and Torrie gulps. Torrie looks down at her hands and thinks for a minute.

Katherine shifts in the uncomfortableness and sighs. "If you do this there will be a big promotion in the stands for you." She says and causes Torrie to lookup instantly. And as any sane person who hears something like that she says. "I'll take it." She says and Katherine breathes a sigh of relief. "Oh thank god! You will do amazing Matthews I believe in you!" She says giving Torrie a genuine smile which Torrie returns.

Katherine hands Torrie the file and speaks out again. "Your flight leaves at noon tomorrow, Pack anything you need for a year worth and be ready for when the car comes and gets you." She says hurrying Torrie out the door. "Now go pack your office before I kick you out, And then Do amazing things!" Katherine says smiling before shutting her door before Torrie says anything. Torrie smiles to herself and basically skips over to her office. Opening the door. She causes both the attention of Franklin and Margaret from their work to her. "So what happened who did she have to fire," Franklin asks and Torrie smiles wide.

"She fired the third intern this week." She says causing the three of them to erupt in laughter. Torrie looks over at the two and smiles they both look at each other confused. "What is it there is clearly something else," Franklin says that makes Torrie smile even wider. "I got a big case!" She says excitedly as she turns back to her desk and starts to pack her things. "What!" Margret and Franklin both say with excitement. Torrie turns back to them and smiles. "What's this big case about?" Margaret asks and Torrie looks back and bites her tongue.

"Someone named Niall Veneti Hired me to be their Patent Attorney for the year in Chicago." She says and Margaret and Franklin exchange a look. "Who's that?" They ask at the same time. Torrie shrugs. "I don't know Katherine says that his family was invested in the law firm." She says and Margeret turns towards her computer and types the name into the computer. "Huh, that's weird." She says and Torrie and Franklin look over at her. "What is it?" Franklin asks. "Well, The only rich Veneti is Angelica Veneti, and she's a real estate CEO for Veneti Agencies."

She says and Torrie looks at the article. "Hold on," She says and looks over at the photo. She hands the photo over to Margeret. And points to a woman sitting in a chair. "Look is this the same woman?" She asks and Margret looks between the photo and the site on the computer. "I think so but why wouldn't the rest of her family be on the internet?" She asks and Torrie just shrugs her shoulders.

"Well whatever it is it's probably some random rich person thing, But I do know that this calls for a celebration!" Franklin says nodding towards the exit of the building. As the three of them walk into the familiar bar Torrie can't help but look for a specific person. It's not long before she makes eye contact with the blue-eyed brunette that's working behind the bar. She can't help but smile when he looks her way. He returns her smile.

As they walk up Franklin shouts. "Josh a round of shots for us! It's a celebration time!" He says and Josh nods and laughs before pouring four rounds of shots, handing it to all of them and keeping one for himself. "What's the celebration for?" He asks and Margret looks over at Torrie. "Torrie here has an amazing case and a promotion coming her way!" She says with a smile to Torrie. Josh looks over at the woman and makes eye contact. He smiles warmly and lifts his shot glass pointing it up to the sky. "To Torrie's career and a promotion to come!" Everyone raises their glasses. "To Torrie's career and a promotion to come!" Everyone says. Before knocking their shot glasses back and letting the stinging liquid burn their throats.

"Alright, I'm on for a beer!" Torrie says and Josh smiles handing her, Her usual beer before going and helping other customers. "Why haven't you tried dating yet?" Margaret asks Torrie who looks at her and sighs. "It would be unfair to him, I'm busy all the time work is hectic, I still am going through shit with my family and I thought when I left everything would go back to normal. But instead, it's not." She says and Margret sips on her old-fashioned. "Doesn't mean you can't try, You never know unless you try Torrie." She says and Torrie shrugs her shoulders.

"Besides Haleigh talks my ear off about how she regrets marriage when they fight, No thank you I don't want that." She says and Margret laughs. "I'm not saying Marry the guy Torrie, It doesn't hurt to be in a relationship though," Margret says and Torrie turns back and looks at Josh. Watching the way he was joking with the drunk college kids who got wasted on three shots of the lightest vodka.

"It's funny really, I'm leaving for a year tomorrow and I just now recently excepted my feelings for him, but by the time I get back he will probably be married with children," Torrie says causing Margret to roll her eyes and laugh. "This is why your single, and have commitment issues." She says and Torrie looks at her. "No, My past is why I'm single and have commitment issues," Torrie says taking another sip of her beer.

Torrie looks around realizing Franklin isn't around. Looking around in a slight panic Josh comes up and speaks out. "He's over there making out with Dean on the pool table. Or David someone with a D?" He asks and the women turn their attention towards the pool tables. Sure enough, Franklin is making out with someone. "I think that's David this time," Margret says with a laugh Torrie and Josh joining in.

Margret clears her throat. "Hottie at the bar how do I look?" She asks and Torrie looks at her. "You look amazing now go!" Torrie says while winking as Margret stands up and walks over to a beautiful woman on the other side of the bar. "Well so much for celebrating," Torrie says and Josh laughs. His laugh sends shivers down Torrie's spine. The way he smiled at her and looked away before looking back caused butterflies in her stomach.

"So what's this case?" He asks her and she turns her attention away from staring at him. "Some business guy hired me for a year to be his Patent Attorney, I'm under contract to help him with any legal business he needs." She says and Josh nods his head.

"No that sounds cool! Congrats!" He says and Torrie smiles warmly. "So where are you moving to?" He asks and Torrie feels her stomach sink just a little. She sighs and looks up at him. "Chicago." She says and Shock washes over Josh. "What? Chicago? When?" He asks and Torrie looks at him. And he looks away. "Tomorrow." She says and he looks right back at her. "Jesus Torrie, is this a good idea?" He asks and Torrie nervously takes a sip of her beer.

"I have no idea, But I would be stupid not to take the job offer. The pay rate is out of the roof and when I come back the chance of a good promotion is waiting for me." She says and Josh nods in agreement. "You have a point it would be dumb to decline it." He says and Torrie nods. "Of course it would and you've known me for two years don't you think I would do this if I thought it was a bad idea." She says and he looks at her. "Okay, Okay you have a point." He says and she laughs.

Torrie finishes her beer and looks down at her watch. "Speaking of which I should probably start going I need to pack." She says and Josh looks down at me sadly. "Alright, one second let me get on the other side of the bar." He says walking around. Torrie gets out of her seat and stands there looking around. She remembered the nights the three of them used to get drunk and dance around at the bar. Or the time on new years one year when she started making out with Josh.

That night would have been one of the best for Torrie. However, she and Josh never talked about it again after that. She was interrupted when Josh came around the bar. "Be safe Torrie. For real." He says to her and she smiles. As he pulls her into a hug. "I will and when I come back you owe me a beer!" She says laughing as does he. "Be back soon I don't want to have to kick Franklin out every night because he's wasted and hits on my bartenders." He says causing the two to laugh.

They stand there for a while and she looks at him. It's not long before a drunk at the end of the bar calls for him. They both exchange a laugh. "Call me." He says and Torrie nods. "I will." She says with a smile. "Be safe and Kickass Matthews!" He says and she laughs. "Goodbye, Josh." She says. "Goodbye, Torrie." He says before he heads off towards the bar.

As Torrie leaves the bar the cool afternoon wind hits her skin. The sound of the busy streets with cars honking and people yelling drowning out her worries of what's to come next. And as she walks off towards her apartment she's stopped. "Wait, Torrie!" Someone shouts. She turns around and sees Josh running after her. "Yes?" She asks and before she can finish his hands cup her face and he's pulling her in for a kiss.

It's short and sweet but at the same time, it meant more to Torrie. With shivers down her spine and butterflies flapping around she felt as if she was on top of the world. Josh pulled apart first. "What was that for?" She asks and he smiles. "In case I don't see you again." He says and she rolls her eyes laughing. "Your such a cheesy person!" She says and he laughs. "Okay actually Goodbye." He says and she smiles. "Alright, actual Goodbye." She says and Turns around walking up to her apartment. But not before turning around and noticing he's not there anymore.

When she gets to her apartment's door she unlocks the door and the smell of island breeze and coconut hits her nose. As quick as lightning she rushed over to her living room table to blow out the candle she left burning this morning. After shouting at herself for her clumsiness she looks around at her empty apartment. She opens her fridge to takeout boxes and a case of beer. She sighs taking the beer and opening it. She walks to her room and looks around. Realizing the amount of work she had to do started to stress her out before she even began.

As she starts to back her iPad in the living room goes off. On the screen was the caller I.D of her Dad. She answered it right away. She answers it to see her whole family. "Hey, Auntie!" A little girl says on the other end. "Hi, baby girl! How are you!" She asks as she smiles making the young girl laugh. "Good! Are you coming to my birthday next week?" She asks Torrie who feels uncertain as the question leaves the girl's lips.

"Am I invited?" She asks and the young girl laughs as Torrie jokes with her. "Of course you're invited! But I'm going to go play love you bye!" She says running off as Torrie shouts. "I love you too Taryn!" She says as the young girl disappears into the house. "You are going to try to come at least right?" Haleigh Torrie's older sister says. Torrie rolls her eyes and couldn't help but feel hurt by her sister's words. "Haleigh I said I would be better about family stuff, This year I will be there," Torrie says but Haleigh looks over at the older man next to her who just shrugs.

"How is work doing Torrie?" The man asks her. She smiles and starts to ramble. "It's going well dad, I got a brand new case today! Someone hired me under contract to become their Patent Attorney for a year. So I am moving out to Chicago for work tomorrow. And Katherine says when I get back there will be a promotion waiting for me." She says and her eyes brighten up as she shares her news to her father.

"That's amazing Torrie congrats but-" The facetime call starts to cut out and soon ends up hanging up. Torrie sighs and gets up looking around at the mess she has to pack in one night.