VERSUS (Second Chances 2)

“Where are you staying?” I’m not asking because I’m about to offer an invitation to my place. Curiosity is feeding my need to know where she’s going to end up tonight.

“With Kurt’s daughter.” Her gaze falls to her watch. “Noelle. She has an extra bedroom. I’m sleeping there while I’m in the city.”

I’ll take her back to wherever the hell that is but first I want to know when she’s planning on heading home to Buffalo.

Until now, I haven’t given any thought to the fact that her time in New York is temporary. Our time together is fleeting.

“Kurt drafted you to be the star of his Manhattan dream team. What’s the plan after the Alcester case?”

“You have it all wrong.” She shakes her head. “Kurt treats every person who works for him as though they’re the star of his dream team.”

“Kurt Sufford does that?” I ask, sarcasm edging my tone. “You’re serious?”

“What do you know about being the star of a dream team?” Her lips purse and I want nothing more than to reach across the table, tangle my fingers in her silky hair, and pull her in for a kiss.

She knows the dream, my dream, when I was eighteen and high on myself was to wear an NFL jersey.

Unfortunately, my skills weren’t a match for my lofty ambition.

“I’m here until Mr. Alcester gets his due and his divorce,” she says with a sweet smile. “After that, I’ll go back to my open cases in Buffalo.”

I start mentally drafting requests for continuances in my head. I don’t like when a case drags, but this is an exception.

“We can settle this here and now, Dylan.” Her voice drops to a more seductive tone. “The last offer Kurt presented to you is more than fair.”

“That’s a reach, and it’s a no,” I stress the last word. “You’re in for a fight, Eden.”

“I look forward to it.”

I look forward to every day she’s in Manhattan. I intend to take full advantage of our limited time together.

“Let’s have dinner tomorrow night.” I point at the plate of half-eaten fries. “I’ll bring you back here for something more substantial than this.”

“Why?” Her head tilts. “You don’t want to talk more about high school do you? Because I don’t think there’s anything left to talk about. We’ve both changed since then and I, for one, prefer to focus on the present.”

I’ll close the door on high school if that’s what she wants. Hell, I’ll gladly bolt it shut so I never have to think about it again.

“Taking you out to dinner has nothing to do with the past,” I say firmly so there’s no question about my motivation. “This is about getting to know each other better now.”

“Are you suggesting we go on a date?” She reaches for the empty glass in front of her but stops herself before she makes a play for mine again.

“I am.”

Her arms cross her chest. “We can’t date each other.”

I mimic her stance, crossing my arms over my chest. “Why not?”

“Pick a reason.” Her hands fly into the air. “The Alcester case, our busy schedules, the fact that I’m leaving town in a few days.”

“A few days?” I chuckle. “You were always an optimist. We’re going to be tied up in court for weeks arguing every fine point.”

“You’ll settle when you see what I have up my sleeve.”

I train my gaze on her brilliant blue eyes. “I won’t settle. Dinner tomorrow, Eden.”

“And then what?” Her finger circles in front of her. “We’ll date until I leave for Buffalo? Why throw that complication into this?”

“The sex was that good.”