“So that must be the reason he’s interviewing for a job in New York, then,” she says as if a great mystery was just unveiled to her. “That’s just great. Way to chase him off, Leary.”

Interviewing for a job in New York? What the hell?

I glare at Vanessa but don’t bother to respond. Instead, the minute I get in my car, start it up, and put it in reverse, I’m dialing Ford.

“What’s up, buttercup?” he asks amiably when he picks up.

“Reeve is moving to New York?” I screech.

“Easy there, Miss Pterodactyl,” Ford laughs. “You about busted out my eardrums.”

“Cut the shit,” I snarl. “Is Reeve moving to New York?”

“I have no clue,” he says, his voice not so humorous now. “He said he might look for work there when I talked to him the day of the verdict.”

“And you didn’t think to mention that to me?” I demand.

“Well, no,” Ford says sheepishly. “I didn’t think it would matter to you.”

“Oh, come on,” I gripe. “You know me better than that. You know Reeve is for me and that I needed to get my head out of my ass. If you knew there was a potential for him to leave, you should have pulled my head out of my ass two days ago.”

Ford chuckles and I grit my teeth. “Sorry, babe. My bad.”

I blow out a frustrated breath. “He’s apparently in New York now. Interviewing for a job.”

“So call him,” Ford suggests.

“No,” I emphatically deny. “What I need to say to him has to be done in person. It’s too important to do by phone.”

“Then just wait for him to get back. I’m sure he’ll be home in a few days.”

“No, it’s too important,” I argue with frustration.

“Then get on a damn plane and go see him,” Ford says with exasperation.

“Exactly,” I affirm. “Call him, find out where he is, and let me know. But don’t tell him I’m coming.”

“You’re awfully demanding,” he grumbles, but I hear the affection in his voice. “I’ll call you back as soon as I know something.”

Smiling, I drive out of Reeve’s neighborhood, hit the beltway, and head toward my house. I call my secretary and ask her to book me on the next available direct flight to New York. She asks me if I’ll need hotel accommodations, and I tell her no. I’m going to bet on love prevailing and that I’ll have sufficient accommodations in Reeve’s room tonight.

Then I call Midge’s direct number.

I have a huge favor to ask her.

CHAPTER 26

REEVE

The bartender sets a glass of Woodford Reserve down in front of me, and I slide my credit card across the bar to him. “Start a tab. I’m meeting a friend for drinks before I head out to dinner.”

He nods at me, glances at my card, and says, “Of course, Mr. Holloway.”

Picking up my glass, I raise it in salute to him and take a healthy sip. It burns nicely but does nothing to settle my stomach.

Fucking Cal offered me a job today. I met him and his partner, MacKayla Dawson, for lunch, and by the time I made it back to my hotel, he’d called and offered me a position at their law firm.

And now I have a choice to make.

Take the job, move here to New York, and start a new career.

Or stay in Raleigh and hope to God that one day I’ll find my way back into Leary’s good graces.

Decisions, decisions.

Pulling my phone out, I shoot a quick text to Ford.

I’m here. Just ordered a drink.

He called me yesterday to chat, and ironically happened to mention he was in New York for depositions. I suggested we get together tonight for drinks before I have to meet up with Cal, Macy, MacKayla, and her husband, Matt, for dinner, which I expect might be an attempt to schmooze me more as an inducement to take the job.

I poured the rest of the sordid story out to Cal last night when we hooked up for dinner. Macy had other plans, so it was just me, Cal, and some good whiskey. We caught up on old times, and I bitched and whined over my Leary situation.

And while Cal was empathetic to said situation, he didn’t have much advice to offer. Only sympathized with my plight and said that he hoped I got what I truly wanted.

Now I just have to determine what that is.

New York or Leary?

Fucking decisions.

My phone vibrates and I see Ford has texted me back. Running a bit late. Be there in about ten minutes.

Setting my phone back down, I swirl my drink and ponder the almost insurmountable wall before me.

Leary is hurt. She feels I betrayed her. The trust has been damaged.

The question is, how do I fucking repair all that shit?

I made an attempt with Rhonda Valasquez, but I never heard a word from Leary about it. I sort of expected her to call after the verdict to, I don’t know, maybe thank me, or tell me to go fuck myself. Something. Anything.

Instead, I got nothing but silence, so I made an impromptu decision to head to New York and discuss job options with Cal. He’s been hinting for months that he wants me to move here and has been telling me how great his and MacKayla’s firm is. They do the same exact type of work that Leary does, and I’ve been in the game long enough to know I’m better suited to representing the downtrodden over the wealthy.

Didn’t expect a job offer so fast, though.

I take a healthy slug from the whiskey and set it down, gritting my teeth as it travels downward. I should just accept the job. Get it over with. Cut ties with Raleigh and what could have been and move on.

Except that every molecule in my entire being screams at me, Dumbass!

Someone pulls a stool out to my right, and by the scent of perfume, I know it’s a woman. Ordinarily, I would sidle a glance over her way, see if she’s worth checking out. See if I can buy her a drink, let nature take its course. Get laid, in other words.

No interest now.

Leary completely fucking ruined me.

Twisting my wrist, I look at my watch and then turn my head toward the front of the bar. Ford picked this place and since it’s close to my hotel, I agreed. It’s nice and small, quietly cozy and filled with hip, young New Yorkers stopping by for a drink with friends after work.

It’s actually getting a little crowded, so I take a quick glance around to make sure I didn’t miss Ford walking in. My gaze drops first on the woman who just sat down next to me, and yeah . . . she’s pretty hot. She gives me a coy smile and I move right past her. I look around—everyone’s in smart business suits with harried expressions on their faces as they slurp at their overpriced drinks and complain about their workdays.

Did I mention that I really, really don’t like New York?

My eyes roam the bar area, every person looking like the next. I do a complete 360 of the entire bar.

I pass over men and women, seeing but not really seeing them, because frankly I really only want to see one person.

And holy fuck, there she is.

I have to do an actual double take.

Walking in the door is Leary.

My heart seizes up in disbelief and shock, and I’m wondering, what are the chances that she would be in the same bar as I am in a city of almost 8.5 million people?

I wait for her to see me as she glances around, and almost like a magnet, her gaze is drawn to me. Her expression immediately morphs into one of relief, and in that instant, I know she’s here for me.