Chasing Love (Dark Love 1)

“So, basically, children from the Bronx area, the ones who normally won’t be able to afford a class, come by every Friday night. We go through the basics, but I tell you they are extremely talented kids,” Elijah mentions.

“I admire you, Elijah, for following your dreams and passion for helping others.”

“But you do that as well, Charlie. Don’t you love what you do?”

“I do. Family law is hard and emotionally draining, though. It’s difficult not to allow emotions to cloud my judgment.”

We talk a little while longer, checking our phones to see the time. It’s a little after seven, and Adriana has been gone for forty-five minutes. Her lack of consideration for time drives me insane. Some things will never change.

“What on earth is taking your fiancée so long?”

“Me.”

The voice sends shivers down my spine but finds its way back up to my heart.

It’s him.

We haven’t made eye contact, but already I can’t hide my happiness. I slowly turn around, and there he stands in front of me, looking as perfect as ever. His eyes soften when he sees me, and I do the most unexpected thing by jumping up and hugging him tight.

“I can’t believe you came.”

He runs his thumb down my cheek, very un-friend-like, but I don’t push him away. I’ve missed him, and watching the smile grace his beautiful lips I know he feels the same way.

“Let’s get this show on the road. Lead the way, Char. Where did you park?”

“You have a car?” Lex asks, confused.

I ignore his question on purpose.

“Behind my building is the parking garage entrance. I’m lucky to get a car spot, but that was a bonus to my apartment,” I ramble on then stop myself as Lex gazes at me strangely.

“You have a car here in the city?”

“Yes, Lex. Why is that so hard to believe? It’s a twenty-first birthday gift to myself, although I bought it two years ago for my twenty-sixth birthday plus, it’s a tax write-off. I have many clients in Long Island, Jersey, and a few in The Hamptons as well, so I often travel out to see them.”

He chuckles like a private joke is inside his head. Well, the joke’s on him, assuming like every other man, he expects I drive some little pink hatchback with Hello Kitty stickers on the bumper or some shit like that.

As we leave the café with our belongings, we walk to the parking garage. I press the remote to the main door and motion for them to follow me.

“Bullshit,” Lex mouths.

“Oh, Char, super awesomeness. Love, love, love it!”

Adriana jumps up and down, clapping her hands.

Elijah whistles as he runs his hand along the paint job, rambling on about car stats which I already know.

“Cat got your tongue, Lex?” I tease.

“This isn’t yours,” he says adamantly.

“Would you like to check my license and registration, Officer Edwards?”

“Charlotte, how on earth did you get this car? There was only a limited number of them, and not even I could get one.”

“I don’t know… batted my eyelashes a little, showed a bit of leg. You know, the usual,” I answer, playing dumb.

Okay, I did flirt with the dealer, but nothing happened. He was a naïve, middle-aged man probably going through a mid-life crisis, and so when I worked my magic, my name was bumped to the top of the waiting list.