Into Thin Air Page 16

  It’s hard not to reach for his hand, so I fold mine behind my back. “Of course, especially on nights like this. I know the best place for a good beer. Do you mind walking another fifteen minutes or so? There’s a boardwalk up ahead. We can get something to drink, stuff our faces with Seattle Dogs, and maybe play some games. Sound good?”

  “I don’t know. You’re asking for a lot,” he jokes.

  We walk along the water while I tell him more about Seattle. He’s not like I thought he was. Because he’s with Jenny, I’ve been assuming he was like her. He hasn’t mentioned her at all. But when we talk, and with how easygoing he is, I can’t imagine him any different. Every once in a while, someone turns their head as if they recognize him, but he doesn’t react.

  “See those blinking lights?” I point ahead. “That’s where we’re going. Are you ready to get your ass kicked in knocking cans over? I bet I can blow up a balloon with a water gun faster than you can, too.”

  “Bring it on, girlie. Bring it on.” He high-fives me.

  “I need to eat first. If I want to win a stuffed animal, I need energy. I’m pretty competitive.”

  We approach a food truck that’s known for its Seattle Dogs. We order two each because we’re both starving. He pulls out his wallet. I brush his arm. “Can I ask you something? Has anyone ever paid for you before? I mean, a meal or something.”

  He thinks for a moment. “No, not lately. Not that I can recall anyway.”

  “Then let me treat you. It’d make me happy. I know it’s only hot dogs, but I think you deserve to be treated to something instead of people always expecting stuff from you. And don’t play the old-fashioned type who won’t let a woman pay.”

  He looks at me like I’m an alien. “That’s really not necess—”

  I press my finger against his soft lips.

  “Nope. I don’t want to hear it. I’m paying.” And before he can pull his money out, I pay the guy behind the window.

  “You’re smooth.” He smirks. “I’m buying the beer then.”

  “All right, twist my arm. Follow me.”

  After we get our beer, we find a bench to sit on. We’re quiet while we wolf down our hot dogs.

  “It’s all your fault,” he complains.

  My fingers stiffen around the hot dog. “What did I do?” I grab a napkin with the other hand and swipe some stray cream cheese off the side of my mouth.

  “These hot dogs—they’re fantastic. Now I have to move to Seattle.”

  He got me there. My grip relaxes. “Does that mean I’ll see more of you?” I bat my eyelashes.

  A corner of his mouth quirks up. “Would you like that?”

  “I don’t know. Can I get your signature across my chest?”

  He coughs on a piece of hotdog.

  I burst out laughing. “I’m only kidding. I’d never ask for that.” I would ask for his lips to explore my chest with kisses, but that’s for me to know.

  We hang out a while longer on our little private bench, watching the sunset. It doesn’t compare to the sunset in my dream, but it’ll do. We ball up our garbage, and he walks it to the nearest garbage can and tosses it in.

  When he comes back, I ask, “What are your plans for tomorrow? Do you have appointments set up to look at apartments or whatever sized place you’re looking for? Would you buy or rent if you decide to move here?”

  “I have three appointments lined up to look at rental properties. The realtor wanted to show me massive houses. I don’t need a lot of space. Just because I have money doesn’t mean I need a mansion. A two- or three-bedroom place is good enough for me. A view of the water is my only must have.”

  “Why didn’t Jenny come with you? Doesn’t she want to help you choose?” The curiosity is killing me. He hasn’t said a peep. I had to ask.

  “I broke up with her.” He pauses as if he’s waiting for a response.

  YES! I guess a happy dance is out of the question.

  “I should’ve done it a while ago, before I flew to Seattle the first time. She was with me for all the wrong reasons, and I guess I was too. She denies it, but it was obvious in the end. We were never in love.”

  I have to hide my grin. I guess he hasn’t seen her posts about their wonderful relationship. Gag. If he’d said he loved her even for a little while, it would have set off an alert in my mind. He could never love someone like me if he loved someone like her. But he did love me, in the dream anyway.

  “Why were you with her? The person you are, the one sitting next to me right now—you don’t match her type. She was all spotlight crazy. You’re a regular person just like me, trying to blend into the crowd. Anonymity can be a blessing, you know.”

  “Yeah, but I wasn’t always like this. When I was younger, I had fun in the spotlight. I worked hard to get here, so I enjoyed the attention. Yes, I dated different types of women. Fame crept up on me. It was a great feeling, but for a reason you probably wouldn’t understand.”

  I scoot closer, but I’m careful not to touch him. “Try me.”

  He props his elbows on his knees. “I’ve trained for soccer since I was little. Not a day went by that I didn’t practice. I knew my goal was to become a professional soccer player. Then I finally made it, and all this craziness came with it. Women threw themselves at me.”

  A flood of jealousy washes over me, and I hate it. He has a history, and so do I, but I despise the thought of another woman touching him or making him happy. Then again, if they had made him happy, he wouldn’t be here with me.

  We’re talking together like we did in my dream. In our own element, not paying attention to anyone or anything. But with his status, it’ll never be like that for long.

  “At the time, I thought that was what was expected of me,” he continues. “Photographers followed me everywhere and posted pictures of me on social media, TV, and in the magazines. And not all good, by the way. The perks get old after a while.”

  “I can imagine. The attention would drive me nuts. I get enough with some of the cases I work on, but once I’m out of the office, I love my privacy. I don’t mix my personal life with business. I leave that at home.”

  “Well, I met a lot of women who didn’t mind it at all.” He grins at me. “My sister couldn’t stand most of my girlfriends. Especially Jenny.”

  “I think I’d like your sister,” I joke.

  “I’m sure she’d love you.”

  I can’t help but feel giddy, almost childish. His sister would like me, but she doesn’t like you, Jenny.

  “When I first started dating Jenny, she didn’t act like she wanted to be in the spotlight like she does now. I knew she enjoyed my money, but that was okay. I have more than I need, so I’m generous. She loved it when we went out, alone or with the team. She never paid for a thing. Then pictures of us started to circulate in the media, and that’s when things went to her head. I didn’t pay much attention because I was busy with training and games.”

  “How did she handle the breakup?”

  “She pleaded a little bit before she finally gave up and left. I’ve never felt more at ease than when she walked out of my door for the last time.” He leans on one elbow with a cocky grin. “Hey, you say Jenny isn’t my type, but what about that crazy guy, Cole? Cooper? I could say the same about him.”

  I pretend to wipe crumbs off my white capris. “Cooper. Yeah, I don’t have a good track record when it comes to men. I gave him a chance because I thought he was different, but again I made the wrong decision. My job consumes most of my time, so I don’t care anymore. I’m married to my job. Not happily, though.”

  He switches position and his knee rests against mine. Neither of us moves away.

  “You know, you’re my first friend here.”

  Nice change in subject. I adjust my glasses to distract me from staring at our knees. “So I’m your friend now, not your legal consultant?”

  “I’ll be honest—” He stops and looks down.

  We both burst out laughing because
a pigeon stands in front of him, bobbing her head nonstop like she wants to jump onto his lap.

  “Looks like birds are big fans of yours too.” I giggle again. Petie.

  He shoos it away gently. “Well, that was weird. Anyway, what I wanted to say was that I didn’t need your help. That was just my excuse to see you again.” A smile dances on his lips. I can’t help but smile back. “As soon as my agent suggested I have a lawyer review the offer, you popped into my head.”

  “Hmm. I was wondering why you emailed me a couple of paragraphs that were self-explanatory. I knew it was something we could’ve discussed over the phone. But”—Should I say it?—“I wanted to see you too,” I confess shyly.

  Now our shoulders brush against each other’s, and my insides tingle with excitement. I could stay like this all night.

  He continues. “I don’t know if it’s because we experienced the explosion together or maybe I just like you, but I’ve felt a connection with you since I saw you again at the law office. You’re easy to be around. You’re different somehow.”

  I search his facial features for signs of lying—it’s an ability that comes with my job. He’s being honest, I’m sure.

  “I’m glad you called me. I thought I’d never see you again.” I’m surprised by the relief that transforms his adorable face.

  “I like this side of you. You seemed pretty uptight and angry with me when I saw you last.”

  “I’m sorry. That was a tough day for me. I can’t explain it, so let’s leave it at that.”

  “You know, if you hang out with me, I can’t guarantee that pictures won’t be taken of us together. That doesn’t sound like something you want.”

  That’s true, but I’ll sacrifice my privacy for you. I just hope I don’t regret it in the end.

  “Maybe I should wear a baseball cap like yours when you’re around.” He takes his off and puts it on my head. We laugh because it’s too small with all my hair. “I’ll need to adjust that one with this crazy hair of mine.” I place the cap back on his head.

  “Next time I’m here, I’ll buy you one. I don’t want to make assumptions, but I do hope things will change with this new job. Maybe people won’t care so much who I am. It’d be nice just to be treated like a new coach instead of a—”

  “Superstar or sex symbol?” I tease.

  He guffaws.

  “Seriously. Is that what you want? To blend into the crowd? I’m not sure that’ll ever happen—apparently, you’re quite the catch. Media says you’re one of the most successful American soccer players in the MLS. I read about your injury.”

  “Ah, you’ve done some research.” The corners of his mouth rise. “I thought you weren’t a sports fan.”

  “I’m not, but ever since I met you, everyone has been making such a fuss about you. I had to know why.” I extend my hands toward him. “I mean, look at you. What’s the big deal?” We both chuckle.

  “And what’s the verdict?” His hand inches toward mine, but then he pulls back.

  “I’ll tell you one day. I’m still trying to figure you out. Maybe you’ll be my next bad decision.”

  Chapter 28

  Sam

  “Your next bad decision? Maybe it won’t be bad. What if I’m on my best behavior?”

  “Hmm. Let’s see how that works when I kick your butt in some games now. Let’s go play. Burn off some of those hot dogs.” She stands up from the bench and smooths down her pants.

  I love it that she’s a woman who doesn’t mind eating junk food. She doesn’t seem to count calories and wears little makeup. She doesn’t have long fingernails—not that there’s anything wrong with that. She doesn’t dress like she’s constantly in a fashion show, yet she has her own unique style. She’s comfortable in her own skin, not flashy. She speaks her own mind; she’s a lawyer. She’s independent and confident in herself. Best of all, she doesn’t need me to make her shine. She does that all by herself.

  We walk around, looking for a game we want to play. I zone in on one that has stuffed animals hanging from the ceiling. “How about that one with the sea turtles?”

  She stops short, then turns to me. “Why would you say sea turtles?”

  Think fast. “I saw one on the back of your phone the last time I saw you.”

  “Oh.” Her shoulders droop, and she looks down. “I didn’t realize you saw that.”

  I lift her chin with my finger. “Did I say something wrong?”

  She shakes her head. “Not at all. I was surprised you asked, but it’s no big deal. Let’s go play, tough guy.”

  Interesting. Why would she look surprised? But it is another link to my dream. I know we have a connection. I feel it in my bones. Maybe it was already there when I met her in the airport. Maybe I don’t remember the entire conversation we had. Maybe she brought up sea turtles because of the brochure we looked at. I don’t know—that’s a lot of maybes. Like Cass said, people or events can appear in our dreams. Will I ever reveal my dream to Ellie? It might scare her away. I don’t know, but for right now, I’m just going to enjoy the evening.

  “Yoo-hoo!” She waves her hand in front of me. “You seem lost in space. What’s up?”

  I shake my head. “Sorry. It just occurred to me, you’re one of the lawyers on Carlotta’s divorce case. Will it cause a problem for you at work if you hang out with me, since I am—or was—connected to them? I wouldn’t think so, but you’d know better than me.”

  “Since we made it clear that we aren’t here tonight for business purposes and I don’t have to report this as a client meeting”—she winks at me—“I don’t think so. But if you don’t want Jenny to know that we’ve hung out, it’s better we keep it quiet for now. It wouldn’t affect the divorce case, but who knows what Jenny would do, since she knows me. She also knows we were at the airport together. Well, not together, together, but you know what I mean. And the media would love that, I’m sure. Two people injured in the airport explosion who’d never met before but get together—I can imagine the stories they’d come up with. They’d have us falling in love. Blah, blah, blah.”

  I nod. I’m already in love. “You have quite the imagination.”

  “I’m a lawyer. I have to look at everything from all directions to provide an unbiased opinion or decision and to predict what could happen next. And I’ve seen and heard everything. They don’t call me the Tiger Lady for nothing.”

  “Tiger Lady, huh?” I grin. “I’m feeling a little intimidated.”

  She raises her eyebrows and grins back.

  “But what if your imagination comes true? When will the divorce be final?”

  She purses her lips to the side. “A little less than three months. Carlotta only recently filed for the divorce; that’s how long it takes. This is a case that gives marriage a bad name. Or let’s say Carlotta Weis does. But I’m not allowed to discuss cases, so that’s all I’m going to say.”

  I squeeze my eyebrows together. “Are you against marriage?”

  “I wouldn’t say that. It’s just that marriage doesn’t seem sacred anymore. People get married like they’re buying a shirt. If they don’t like it, they return it. You get married, have a few problems, and divorce is the quickest answer. States like California and Washington make divorces faster because they’re fifty-fifty states. Assets get split right down the middle.”

  “Do you think you’ll ever get married?”

  She looks away from me. “I thought I found my happily-ever-after once, but it was taken away. Gone in a single second.” She snaps her fingers. “It’s hard to believe I could find anything better than that. I haven’t lost all hope yet, though.”

  It’s so hard not to touch her. Soon she’ll have to tie my hands behind my back. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  She shakes her head, making some of her curls bounce like springs. “No. Not really. It’ll only make me sound crazy and sad.”

  A crowd of teenagers with loaded hotdogs in their hands squeeze between us, bumping us to either side
of the boardwalk. One kid does a double take when he sees me, and I look in the other direction.

  I hear him say, “Hey, guys. I think I just saw Samuel Moore.”

  “You’re crazy. Why would he be here? That wasn’t him,” another says. I peek over my shoulder, and they are farther down the boardwalk.

  I chuckle and, by instinct, I extend my hand to Ellie. She studies it, then her eyebrows rise. She shakes her head slightly. Shit! I shove my hand in my pocket.

  “Well, then, let’s go win you a sea turtle.”

  She doesn’t move and her face transforms into something I can’t read.

  I point my chin to the game. “Come on. If I have to pop a lot of balloons, we might be in trouble. I have better aim with my feet or my head. I’m not very good at darts. I’ll give it a try anyway.”

  Slowly a smile forms on her face, and her eyes brighten. She inches toward me and the awkwardness disappears as fast as it came. Phew. I wish I could read her mind.

  I spent a lot of money at that little booth because I sucked at that game, but Ellie’s got her arms wrapped around a giant turtle now. Her smile couldn’t be more perfect, and I’m the one who put it there.

  “Thank you so much again. I love it!”

  “You’re welcome. You’re worth every penny.”

  Chapter 29

  Ellie

  I need to go if I want to get to Mom’s on time. I save my book file and close my laptop. I jump a little when the doorbell rings. I’m not expecting anyone. It’d better not be Cooper.

  I push the button for the intercom. “Hello, who is it?”

  “It’s me,” Gale responds coldly.

  My stomach flips. I’ve been ignoring his text messages. He keeps asking about my weekend and what I did. But maybe he’s here to talk about his sort-of date with Christy. My gut’s hinting at something different, but it could be the guilt I feel for lying to him.

  “Come on up.” I buzz him in and open my door. His heavy footsteps echo on the stairs.

  When he reaches my floor, I say, “Hey, big guy. Did you come here to tell me about your date with Christy? I want all the juicy details.”