Chapter Thirty

I KEEP WAITING FOR that feeling of uneasiness to creep in as I sit here engaging in a conversation that moves from top television shows to favorite ice cream flavors. But there is none.

I catch Donovan glancing over at me a few times; is he looking at me as a client or as a woman?

Because let’s face it, I’m stealing peeks of him as well, and it’s not as my therapist.

There’s something about him, something I can’t put my finger on. When we met five years ago, he seemed so sure of himself. Not in an arrogant way. Well, maybe a little. But now, I look at him just as a man sitting across from me in a light blue shirt that pairs well with his ebony skin tone and a pair of dark denim jeans.

I don’t see that trace of standoffishness that once lingered around the corners of his eyes. What I see now is how softness frames his face, and I wonder what changed.

Briana picks up her phone and taps on it. “Sorry guys, I don’t want to disrupt the flow of this amazing conversation the three of us are having, but I just got a text from a client I need to meet.” She stands up and grabs her empty cup.

“Put that purse down,” she says as I grab my purse to leave. “The two of you don’t need to leave just because I need to run. Stay. The next latte’s on me.”

“I can’t drink another latte, and it’s getting late.”

“It’s two o’clock, and the sun is shining. Why don’t the two of you go for a walk? There’s a nice little park about two blocks or so from here.” She looks down at my shoes. “You’ve got flats on, so a nice walk to the park is perfect. Don’t you think, Donovan?”

“Raine is right; it’s late.”

“You two act like old people.” She leans over the table and stares Donovan in the eyes. “I’m sure you could use the walk and the sunshine as well.”

He looks over at me. We both know she isn’t going to give up on this.

“I’ll go for a walk with you if you’re up to it.”

“I can walk,” I say, kicking myself for giving such a simple response.

Briana stands back up. “Perfect.”

She stuffs her phone in her purse and then leans over to hug me. “I can tell he likes you,” she whispers before letting me go. “All right, I’m off to show a property and make enough money to pay my mortgage off.” She gives me a wink. “You two have an amazing time at the park.” She hugs her brother, and when he smiles, I know she’s whispered something similar in his ear.