VERSUS (Second Chances 2)

“Let’s talk about high school.”

I have no idea if this is the right time for us to stroll down memory lane, but there’s only one way to find out.

“High school?” She spins in a circle. “I know that you couldn’t let go of Barrett. No surprise there, but who else do you still see?”

“No surprise there?” I reach forward to brush a strand of her hair away from the side of her face. “What the fuck does that mean?”

She laughs aloud, the sound clear and pure.

“You two were always like this.” She crosses her middle finger over her index finger. “You’re like peanut butter and jelly, or soup and sandwiches.”

“You’re hungry,” I say with confidence, taking some pride in the fact that I still remember things about her that should have been easily forgotten. “You used to talk about food whenever you were hungry.”

“Only for fries.” She glances over her shoulder at a car stopping next to the curb. “I haven’t had fries in forever and a day.”

“I’ll take you for fries, and we’ll talk about high school.”

“About Barrett?” She laughs. “He’s hot so I get the appeal.”

“He’s not hot.” Chuckling, I shake my head.

“Not as hot as you,” she says quietly.

I’ll gladly take the compliment. I’ll also take the beautiful soft smile that came with it.

***

“Show off.” She takes a bite of another fry. “Why am I not surprised that we’re eating truffle fries and drinking champagne? I would have been happy with soggy fries from the fast food place across the street and a diet soda.”

I would have been happy feeding her those soggy fries in my bed, but I’m trying to keep my aching dick out of this, for now.

Nova is co-owned and operated by a friend of mine.

Tyler Monroe is the head chef and the guy who can whip up a heaping plate of truffle fries on a moment’s notice.

I sent him a text message on our way here.

We walked over since the restaurant is only a few blocks from the club, and Eden insisted that she needed the fresh air to sober up.

The champagne won’t help with that, but I expect my explanation for why I ordered it will bring another smile to her face.

I lift my glass in the air. “Here’s to my taking your client for every penny he has. I can already taste the sweetness of victory.”

Her glass stays on the table even though the corners of her lips are tugging up into an almost grin. “I thought that you didn’t want to talk about my pending win in the Alcester case. I’ve never lost in court, Dylan.”

“How many cases have you tried? Two? Three?”

That parts her lips in a soft laugh. “Who else besides Barrett do you still see from school?”

“No one,” I answer honestly. “I broke free of Chicago right out of the gate.”

Her gaze drops. “New York City was calling your name?”

“NYU was.” I reach for a fry. “That’s not news to you.”

“I remember.” She watches as I chew. Her gaze slides to my neck when I swallow.

I like that she’s interested enough to stare.