Compass (Second Chances 1)

Her gaze drops to the watch on my wrist. “I punched out thirty minutes ago. Sebastian has a meeting, so I’m hanging out here until he’s done.”

I suddenly realize that I just assumed that Tilly would drop everything to counsel me about what I should do next. I should have asked if she had plans tonight when she responded to the text I sent her announcing that I’d kissed Gage.

She told me to get my ass down to Premier Pet Care, so that’s what I did.

“It’s always a zoo on the nights we’re open late.” She points at the waiting room. “I thought I might be able to help Dr. Hunt, but two other vet techs are here, so I’m free to go. Let’s grab a drink.”

I need a drink. I need anything that will take the edge off.

“You have time?” I reach for her hand. “I don’t want to take you away from your husband.”

“He’ll be at least another hour.” She shrugs. “We’re going to grab some Italian take-out, hold hands on the subway and then eat spaghetti before we practice baby-making.”

I laugh. “Are you still in practice mode with the baby-making?”

“I’m still on birth control.” She pats her flat stomach. “Next year we’ll put all our practice to good use.”

Tilly’s desire to have a child is buried beneath the joy she’s experiencing being a newlywed.

Sebastian is on the same page. A baby will happen when they’re both ready.

“One martini.” I hold up my index finger. “My treat.”

“I’ll grab my purse.” She rounds the reception desk to head back to the staff room. “I’m dying to know about this kiss, Kate. I think you just took the first step toward your second chance with Gage.”

I reached out to Tilly for a reason.

She won’t tell me to put Gage in my rearview mirror and move on with my life. There won’t be any warnings about the high probability that he’ll break my heart again.

She’ll talk about true love, throwing caution to the wind, and exploring all the possibilities.

I need that tonight because that kiss sparked something deep within me that I thought had died five years ago.

Reaching up to touch my kiss-swollen lips, I feel hope fluttering in my chest.

Chapter 27

Gage

“You kissed your old flame?” Dylan Colt, my attorney and friend, lifts the bottle in his hand in the air. “That sounds like a reason to celebrate.”

I tap the side of his beer bottle with my water bottle. “Give me more of a reason, Dylan. Tell me you’ve got good news for me.”

I didn’t plan on

meeting up with him tonight. I would have been just fine on my own, reliving that kiss I shared with Katie earlier.

I had to rest my ass back in the chair after she left Palla on Fifth. My dick was hard as stone and my vision was blurring from the constant thundering of my heart inside my chest.

I almost took off after her, but I knew she needed space.

The kiss impacted her just as much as it did me.

When Dylan called to tell me that he was here at Tin Anchor looking for me, I got on the subway.

“I’m doing everything in my power to bring you good news.” He sets the bottle on the bar.

“Good,” I reply, wishing he had something more to offer today. “I need to see my daughter.”