Chapter Twenty-Nine
Craig sits across from me at our favorite Italian deli, and for the first time since the big showdown yesterday, I feel like I can breathe. He tucks into his meatball sandwich as I spoon dressing onto my chopped salad.
“You know how to make an exit, lady. Care to fill me in?”
“It was amazing. Scary at the time, but I feel great.”
“As you should. Congrats.” He takes another bite of food. “I can’t believe Kenneth, though. He apparently contacted clients that weren’t even his. It’s bizarre. He should’ve known better. So what’s next for you?”
“You know how I started volunteering at the Holden Center?”
He nods. “Yes. You mentioned it once or twenty-five times.”
I laugh. “I didn’t tell you all of it. The woman who ran the training, Valentina, and I clicked pretty much from the start. She and another woman have a firm together, and I’m interviewing there today. They do victims’ rights and family law.”
He whistles. “Whoa. Bold move to quit before you have another job.”
“I know. But I’ve been unemployed before. This time, though, it’s on my terms.”
“Kicking ass and taking names.”
I smile. “It kind of feels that way. I mean, it could all blow up in my face, but I have a good feeling about it. And,” I say, pushing my salad aside, “their offices are a block away from Janks and Lowe. We can still have lunch together if it all works out.”
“Thank God. I need my lunch buddy.” He smiles and takes my hand. “Seriously, you’ve become one of my favorite people.”
I stand and give him a hug. “You’re one of mine, too. You’re awesome, Craig.”
As I return to my seat, he says, “Speaking of awesome men, any dates lately?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact. I’ve started dating someone.”
He widens his eyes, chewing quickly before dabbing his mouth with a napkin. “Seriously? You give me the exciting news when I have a mouthful of meat?”
“That could sound really gross if I had a dirty mind.”
“I know. It was meant to. Who’s the lucky man?”
“Edward Benner.”
He drops his napkin to his lap. “Edward Benner. Really?”
“Yeah. Why do you say it like that?”
He smirks as though I’m missing something obvious. “He’s a little vanilla.”
“He’s a gentleman. It’s refreshing.”
“Lemonade is refreshing. Does he talk about anything besides the law?”
“Of course. That’s just mean. He’s very well-rounded.”
“I can imagine.” He pauses. “I was keeping hope alive you’d end up with your trainer.”
“Never going to happen.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“Let’s just say I don’t want someone who doesn’t want me. I’ve been there, and it’s not fun. Edward is great.”
“So are you going out with him again? Is this becoming a thing?”
“Maybe. Would it be weird to invite him to Hannah’s wedding?”
“Ah, yes. The wedding. Do you want to invite him?”
I look away, thinking. “I don’t know. I’m pretty sure he’d say yes if I asked, but I don’t know if I’m ready to take that step. There’s something about bringing someone to a wedding that ups the stakes.”
“True.”
I study his face. Craig would be a great date for the wedding. “Will you go with me? We’d have fun.”
He drops the pick from his sandwich onto his plate. “I thought you’d never ask. I’d love to go.”
“Really?”
“Katie, I adore weddings. Where else can you feast your eyes on such a wide variety of fashion faux pas? I’m going to make a coffee-table book one day, dedicated to wedding guest attire no-nos. And you know I’ll be a lot more fun than Edward Benner.”
He may be right. “Thanks, Craig. You’re wonderful.”
My hands shake as I type a text to Craig.