Saturday (Timeless Series #6) (15 page)

There were times when I knew what he was referring to, especially the first time we met. Simple touches felt explosive and hot. I trusted him when I didn’t think I could trust anyone as long as I lived. So much had happened in such a short amount of time. It was unbelievable.

“No,” Kyle said. “We aren’t going our separate ways. End of story.”

Despite the truth of everything he said, there was still other problems on the horizon. He didn’t know the truth of what happened to me. And if he did it would change everything. He wouldn’t be fighting for me so hard. He wouldn’t look at me like that anymore, like I was the only person who mattered in the world. But selfishly, I didn’t say a word.

Saturday

Kyle

Rose and I already had obstacles coming our way, and I couldn’t afford any unnecessary hurdles.

Florence was an unnecessary hurdle
.

Her jealousy wasn’t going to come between us, and I certainly wasn’t going to let her make Rose feel guilty for being with me. Or worse, manipulate her into breaking up with me.

What the hell was Will thinking when he first set me up with her?

Rose could defend her and claim Florence was there for her when she needed her most, probably after the trauma happened, but I knew friends wanted their friends to be happy—not break up with the man they cared most about.

If we didn’t have the strong connection we felt every day, it might be easier just to throw in the towel and walk away. But I wasn’t walking away from Rose—not now and not ever.

I approached Florence’s door and knocked. I came here in the hope of fixing this situation so Rose could do whatever the hell she wanted. If I patched things up, then Rose could move on guilt-free. If I didn’t take care of this now, it would only haunt us later.

Florence opened the door looking pissed—as usual. “What do you want?”

I ignored her rudeness. “If you’re free I’d love to take you out for a drink.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re asking me out?”

Did she assume that every time someone wanted to spend time with her? She reeked of desperation, and that was such a turn off. “No. I wanted to talk about something.”

“Rose?”

“Yes.”
What else could I possibly want to talk about?

“Oh…”

Apparently, we were going to have this conversation right outside her door. “I understand how you feel about Rose and I. Honestly, I get it.”

She listened, her attitude still at an all-time high.

If I were going to get her on board I’d have to play on her enormous ego. Confidence was sexy in a woman, but arrogance was a boner killer. And she was definitely arrogant. “We both know you’re out of my league. It never would have worked between us. Somewhere down the road, you would have found someone better and I couldn’t handle that kind of rejection.”

Her eyes immediately softened, clearly not expecting those words to come out of my mouth.

“Rose and I are more compatible. We both have issues, similar ones. Maybe she’s not as good as you, but I think we can really have something based on friendship. I know she’s been through a lot and so have I.” Acid emerged from the back of my throat but I ignored it. I didn’t believe anything I was saying, but I was willing to do anything to get her off Rose’s back—even if I had to lie.

“So, you want me but you don’t think you’re good enough for me?”

Whatever you want to hear
. “Exactly. You’re meant for Prince Charming. Me?  I’m some lawyer who’s losing his firm.”

“You’re losing your firm?” she asked in surprise.

“Yeah…business has been terrible so I’m going bankrupt. I’ll have to sell my beach house and everything.” I pouted my lips and tried to look as desolated as possible.

“That’s terrible…”

“Yeah. My credit is terrible too. I’ll never be able to get another loan.” She only wanted me for my looks and my money, so if I made myself look as undesirable as possible she’d probably lose interest. In fact, she’d probably be grateful it didn’t work out.

“I’m so sorry…”

“Well, what are you going to do?” I said with a shrug. “Rose will probably support me.”

She cringed.

“So, if you really think about it, you dodged a bullet.”

“Yeah…I’ll say.”

Now I wish I’d said this crap a long time ago. “One minute you’re at the top, and the next minute you’re at the bottom.”

She took an involuntary step back, disgusted.

“So, I hope you can get on board with this. I’d really like it if we were friends.”

“Yeah, sure.” She prepared to close the door like she couldn’t get away from me quick enough. “Rose is probably a better fit anyway.”

Much better.

“Yeah, she’s pretty great. I think we go well together.”

She shut the door.

The conversation was finally over and I took a deep breath. Then I smiled.

***

Rose opened the door, surprised to see me stop by. “Hey.”

“Hey.” I stepped inside without being invited, finally getting to a comfortable point in our relationship when I could do that sort of thing.

Rose was closed off all over again, probably because the issue with Florence was still bothering her. “What’s up?”

“I just talked to Florence.”

“You did?” She stiffened in surprise.

“Yeah, I fixed everything with her so we’re good.”

“What do you mean you
fixed
everything?” she asked.

“I played to her ego a little bit.” Okay, a lot. “I told her she was way out of my league and I was settling for you…”

Rose tried not to laugh.

“And if she asks, my business is going under and I don’t have a job.”

“What?” she said with a laugh. “Are you serious?”

“I knew she was only into me for my looks and money, so when I told her I was losing my beach house she looked at me like scum. She couldn’t get away from me fast enough.”

“Oh my god.” She covered her mouth and chuckled to herself.

“Whatever. It worked.”

“I can’t believe you did that.”

“I had to get her off your back. She shouldn’t make you feel guilty for being happy. That’s not what real friends do.” I was surprised Rose continued to stand by Florence when she was so exhausting. But she must have really done something to deserve it.

“I can’t believe you threw yourself under the bus.”

“I don’t care. Better me than you.”

She smiled at me, the look reaching her beautiful green eyes. “Well, thank you for doing that.”

“I’d do anything for you.”
In a heartbeat.

Her cheeks slightly reddened and her gaze shifted to my chest. Whenever I was particularly sweet to her she blushed.

“The Warrior game is on right now. Want to watch it?”

“Yeah, I’d love to.”

I put my arm around her waist and walked with her to the couch. “I got here at the perfect time.”

***

The trial had been scheduled. It was exactly two weeks from today.

A part of me was nervous. But the bigger part of me couldn’t wait to get started. My arsenal was packed with ammo, and I was eager to rip that guy to pieces. I wouldn’t settle for anything less than life in prison, and since this was his second offense there was a good chance I would get it.

Mark walked into my office. “I heard the good news.”

“What good news?” I just finished emailing the district attorney. We were supposed to golf together on Saturday.

“That the trial is scheduled. Sometimes these things take forever to take off. Good thing they were quick on this one.”

“Yeah.” I was prepared for that trial. I didn’t stop until I had every little detail ironed out. I was going to wipe the floors clean with his dead body.

“You’re sure you don’t need any help?” He approached my desk with his hands in his pockets. “Two minds are better than one, right?”

“Thanks, Mark. But I’ve got this.”

“Is Rose Perkins going to testify?”

I tried not to react to her name. “No.”

“Really?” he asked. “I assumed she’d want to.”

“Since her case was dismissed, I don’t think her testimony will have any real impact.”

“It doesn’t hurt to try.”

“No, I’m keeping her out of this. She already suffered through it once. No need for her to go through it again.”

He paused in front of my desk, his eyes glued to my face. “You’re telling me she doesn’t know?”

I wasn’t purposely keeping it from her. She could find out in many other ways. But I didn’t think it would do her any good if she knew. It would bring back a lot of painful memories, and if I lost the case it would just make her feel worse. After I wont the case I’d tell her the truth. “No.”

“Don’t you think she has the right to know? Her assaulter is on trial again?”

“You really want to put that sweet girl through that again?” I asked coldly.

Mark gave me a new look, full of suspicion. “Do you know Rose or something?”

“Not personally.” I lied through my teeth, not wanting to make this a conflict of interest.

“Because you’re behaving oddly. I’ve never seen you handle a case like this.”

The third degree was starting to burn me. “Mark, I’ve been practicing law for a long time now, and I worked in this office all through my education. I learned from the best in the business, and I’m not in it for the money. I do this job every day to help people. Right now, I’m trying to help Rose and Audrey. Maybe if you got off my ass I’d be able to do that.”

***

Mom was in the city so she asked me to have dinner with her. She was probably shopping downtown, and she would have invited me if shopping were a hobby of mine. My sister used to do that sort of thing with her all the time. Even all these years later, her absence was still noticed.

Rose texted me as I was getting ready.
Want to come over for dinner tonight?

There was nothing I wanted more.
I’d love to. But I already have dinner plans with my mom.

Oh. That’s too bad.

But I can come over afterward. For dessert.
By the time I realized how that message sounded it was too late. I already sent it. Shit.
I mean, we can hang out afterward. Watch a movie or something.
The paranoia was settling and I was afraid I really screwed this up.

Yeah, that sounds good.

Thank god. That could have gone over much differently
. Alright, I’ll see you then.

K.

I stared at the phone and typed another message
. Come to dinner with me.

With your mom?

Yeah, why not?
I hoped she planned on meeting her anyway.

I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Why not?

It’s short notice and I’m just not ready.

Fair enough.
I was disappointed, but if I pushed her too hard I might make things worse. I’ll see you when we’re finished.

Okay.

***

We chatted quietly over dinner, making small talk about work and the case I was working on. She told me she was going to a charity event next weekend, and she needed a new pair of shoes for her dress.

“So…anyone special in your life?” This question always came up—every single time. “Anything happen with that girl who stayed at your place?” All she wanted was for me to settle down and be happy. After Francesca left me she thought I was a wounded dog that would never get better.

“Actually, yeah.”

“Yeah what?” She dropped her fork onto her plate, making a loud clanking sound.

“I’m seeing someone—that girl from the beach house.”

“That’s wonderful.” Her voice went up a few octaves. “Absolutely wonderful. Why didn’t you bring her along?”

“I wanted it just to be us.”

“Tell me everything about her.”

I appreciated my mom’s enthusiasm, but she took it too far sometimes. “She’s an architect in the city. She’s a brunette with green eyes, and she has the soul of a nun. She’s beautiful, to say the least. And I really like her.”

“Awe, that’s so wonderful.”

“But whether I have a girlfriend or not, I’m okay.”

Mom looked away, guilty.

“Francesca and I have been broken up for a long time and I’m in a good place—so is she. I’m happy for her. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“She’s a two-timing little bitch, if you ask me.”

“Mom.” I didn’t owe Francesca anything, but I still cared about her. She was always faithful to me, but her heart couldn’t deny what it wanted. She should have been with Hawke to begin with—and I should have bowed out the second time. “Don’t talk about her like that.”

“What?” she said innocently. “It’s the truth.”

“She made the right choice.” Not just because she was clearly destined for Hawke, but because I knew she wasn’t the right person for me. When Rose walked into my life everything became clear. I was grateful things didn’t work out with Francesca—because I never would have been as happy.

Mom picked at her food, the hostility still hovering around her.

“Anyway, I really like her.”

“What’s her name?”

“Rose.”

“Oh my god, Kyle.” She clutched her heart. “That’s such a beautiful name.”

“I know.” It suited her perfectly.

“So, do you like
like
her? Or do you like
love
her?”