VERSUS (Second Chances 2)

I follow suit and slide up to my feet. “What?”

“Forgive yourself.” He pats the center of my chest. “She’s obviously thriving if she’s set to beat your ass in court. Let the past go. It’s time.”

I manage a smile. “Who said she was going to beat my ass in court?”

“You couldn’t keep it together after sleeping with her, so you’ve got no chance of coming out of this with a win for your client.”

“I’ll win.”

He laughs. “Eden’s still got you wrapped around her pretty little finger, maybe now she’ll finally realize it.”

Chapter 10

Eden

Just three more people.

When I got to Palla on Fifth ten minutes ago, more than a dozen people were already in line. If my calculations are correct, I should be at the counter in the next four to six minutes depending on how many coffees or teas the people in front of me order.

Back in Buffalo, I make my coffee at my apartment, pour it into a travel mug, and walk to work every morning.

My Manhattan routine is different since the smell of coffee makes Noelle nauseous.

I glance down at my phone. I’m supposed to be at my office in the next twenty minutes although Kurt made it clear that I can set my own schedule as long as I get my work done. I’m only a block away so as long as no one in front of me orders a dozen coffees, I’ll make it there on time.

The brown-haired woman in front of me glances over her shoulder and smiles. “If I had saved every dollar I spent here, I would be retired by now.”

At home, I’m the first to engage in idle conversation with people. Two weeks ago at the grocery store a woman asked if I knew how to tell if a pineapple is ripe. Thirty minutes after she asked the question, I was helping her take her groceries to her car while she bounced her toddler on her hip. We met for lunch a few days later.

You never know when you’re going to run into a stranger who will become a friend.

“I take it you’ve been coming here fo

r at least a week?”

A laugh escapes her. “I was here the day they opened, and I’ve been here almost every day since.”

“This is my first time,” I confess as the line edges forward.

“Prepared to become addicted.” She winks. “If you’re taking recommendations, add a blueberry scone to your order. The second you bite into it, you’ll know why I told you to get one.”

“How can I resist?” I take another step forward as she does.

“I’m Sadie.” She turns completely around.

She’s wearing a light blue dress that’s tied at the waist with a white belt. A hospital badge hangs from a lanyard around her neck.

Dr. Sadie Reynolds.

“I’m Eden.” I point at her badge. “My friend works out of the same hospital as you.”

Her brows pop. “What’s your friend’s name?”

“Noelle Sufford. Dr. Noelle Sufford.”

The prettier half of the Sufford siblings.” She glances over her shoulder toward the counter. “I know Noelle and her brother.”

Manhattan suddenly feels a little smaller to me. I can’t help but smile.