VERSUS (Second Chances 2)

I wait for him to point out that I know that, but he falls silent.

I assumed that he’d be at his office by now, so I thought grabbing a cup of coffee here was safe.

I was wrong.

“Next.” Impatience taints the barista’s cheery tone. “Ma’am, your order please.”

“Have a safe trip back home, Barrett,” I say before I spin around.

Sucking in a deep breath, I move to the counter and order the largest coffee they have and two blueberry scones. I have a sinking feeling that I’m going to need all the help I can find to get me through today.

Chapter 11

Dylan

I’m not arrogant enough to think Eden walked into this coffee shop with the hope that I’d stop in before work.

Kurt’s office is a block over on Lexington. I see his staff here regularly, including the man himself.

It was purely coincidence that we ended up here at the same time.

Typically, I’m in my office before seven. The clock is approaching nine, but Barrett’s in town, so work can wait.

I take a seat at an empty table by the window. Barrett offered to grab two coffees after Eden took off. I don’t know if he thought I was going to give chase as she pushed her way through the crowded café to the exit.

This isn’t the time or the place to corner her.

Barrett places a large cup in front of me before he takes the seat across the table. “Eden looks great.”

I take a sip of the black coffee. It’s potent. I look forward to the jolt of caffeine it offers.

Barrett went to sleep after his second glass of scotch last night. I stayed up staring at the yearbook picture of Eden.

Jesus, she was such an angel back then.

Pure and innocent. Smart and kind.

I used her to hurt someone else, never considering the toll that my actions would have.

“I can’t believe she’s a lawyer.” He rests his back against the wooden chair. “She was smart enough to get it done. She skipped ahead a grade, didn’t she?”

“In middle school,” I say with a sharp nod.

It was never what Eden wanted. We met during sophomore year when she transferred to the honors program in our school. She felt out of place. She was out of place. She was too good for all of us.

“I didn’t see a ring on her finger.” Barrett glances at two women who pass our table. “Has she mentioned Clark at all?”

Fifteen years have passed, but the sound of that name still makes my fist clench.

Clark Dodson symbolizes everything I hate in this world.

He was the quarterback of the rival high school’s football team, the dick every girl wanted, and the reason Eden planned to go to Ohio State instead of coming to New York to study at Juilliard.

Barrett’s phone buzzes in the pocket of his jeans. He fishes it out while I take another sip of coffee. I don’t want to discuss Clark. I try to forget he exists most of the time. I would have taken that same approach in high school, but the bastard was in my face all the fucking time.

“I need to make a few calls.” Barrett skims his finger over the screen of his phone. “I won’t be able to walk you to your office. I’m a shitty date.”

“You’re a busy COO.” I chuckle. “Thanks again for the yearbook.”