The Last

de encouraged, watching as Valerie

rk on her plate and le

stubborn look and

tarlit night where the night was warm but the

looked over at him, seated opposite her, "Let's tal

s steak and wiped hi

in particular you w

eyed

talk ab

M

ince we've last seen each o

He smil

you deliberately trying to be evas

e. Maybe if he distracted he

as on the swim team

nodded he

a scholarship to Brown an

eyes w

awyer?" she asked,

st year." He frowned. "Wh

hand with her

t so great." She realized where her hand was and q

and started eating to c

t to notice and l

r, Smith and Bow

posed to be really good right?" she speared

smile as she ate. "I'm hoping to make Partner in a

It was red and sweet, her favorite. "I'm sure your

on did not have tolerance for anything less than perfect. He was always away on business for the Manufacturin

shr

." He said emphatically, "He would be disap

sked, going to town on her steak

so I still get a say," he explained, "He told me I can tak

d in unde

emed to have d

girlfriend?" sh

oped and he laughed out loud. It was becaus

Val." He teased and she ti

replied saucily and took

friend." He fi

sed, "You've pretty much go

rked at her," Li

placed her glass back on the ta

also happens to be pretty

ng?" his gr

you are, it could jus

ghed.

What about you? No boy

snor

I've got too much stuff going on right now without adding th

eres

eyes narrowing at him, "

He was really star

smile still in place, "I just

him ske

or your lady friends." She pol

e." He smirked at her, getting u

, getting up so suddenly that she

d steadied Val's arm with the next, "Maybe you should

orrected, sinking back into

ack go into the house, before c

he didn't want him to get the idea that she was interested in him or anything. Or was she? She was definitely attracted to him. Who wouldn't be with a body like that? But did he have to be so incredibly sweet to her

ust tore at his heart. But she was trying to be brave. He could see under that cool exterior that she was breaking apart inside, questioning her pa

be attracted to her. He needed to keep those feelings in check though. At least for the moment. She was going through a pretty difficult time right now. The

ag in a tea cup, poured coffee in

confront what he was beginning to feel. If it was anything at all. It could just be t

ad..." his voice drifted off as he approached her and sa

e and picked her up in his arms