VERSUS (Second Chances 2)

If I had known that Kurt and his wife, Thelma, were coming to dinner tonight, I would have found an excuse to be out.

Not that I have anywhere to go in Manhattan, but I feel like I’m intruding on Sufford family time. Given the gravity of the surgery that Kurt is going to endure in less than two days, I feel guilty for taking any of his attention away from his wife and daughter.

“She didn’t,” Noelle answers with a lilt in her voice. “Who did you see, Eden?”

“Someone from high school.” I shrug it off like it’s no big deal, even though seeing Dylan in court this morning was jarring.

Having sex with him last night rocked me to my core, but no one sitting here has any idea that I went home with the man.

“He’s more than someone,” Kurt mocks my voice. He tosses me a wink before he continues, “Dylan Colt is his name. He’s the second best divorce attorney in this city.”

“Who’s the first?” I joke with a wink of my own in Kurt’s direction.

Kurt waves a finger at me. “That’s the sassiness I expect from you in the courtroom. Going up against Dylan Colt isn’t an easy task, but I sense you have an advantage that I never had.”

I clench my jaw to keep my mouth from falling open.

Dylan used to boast about his conquests in high school. I pray that he’s matured since then and has stopped telling anyone who will listen to him who he took to bed.

“What advantage does Eden have?” Noelle smirks.

“I’ve never seen Dylan so rattled before.” Kurt cuts into a piece of the roasted chicken breast that Noelle prepared. “He looked about ready to faint when he realized that Eden went to high school with him.”

Before Noelle can ask another question, I attempt to steer the conversation in a different direction. “I’m feeling great about the case. I had a meeting this afternoon that I think will help us.”

“I knew it would.” Kurt shoves a forkful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.

“So you and Dylan were friends?” Noelle reaches for her water glass. “You never mentioned him to me.”

During the weeks following graduation, Noelle met a handful of my friends from school. Dylan was off backpacking in Europe.

“Let’s not talk about that right now. Tonight is about family, not work.” Thelma says, picking up her water glass and holding it in the air. “Here’s to a happy and healthy future.”

I glance over at Kurt. He can’t take his eyes off the woman he married almost forty years ago.

“To the future.” Noelle raises her glass too.

Kurt and I follow in a toast to tomorrow and every day to come.

***

Noelle turns the lock on the door of her apartment and spins to face me. “Tell me more about Dylan Colt.”

I could tell that she was curious when she cornered me in the kitchen after dinner to ask about Dylan. I avoided answering by focusing all of my attention on the dishes.

I loaded the dishwasher and scrubbed down the counters and the sink. I was just about to roll up the sleeves of my white sweater to start cleaning the oven when her parents announced that they had to take off.

I gave them both a hug and a wave as they walked out the door to make their way back to their apartment on the Upper East Side.

“We went to high school together back in Chicago.” I try to change the subject again. “Where did you get those jeans?”

Noelle glances down at the faded, ripped jeans she’s wearing before she points at me. “Wherever you got your jeans. We’re wearing the same brand and style.”

Dammit.

I should have complimented the floral blouse she’s wearing.

“You blushed when my dad said Dylan’s name.”