off the freckles, and the tiny half-moon birthmark Jack had the habit of
tracing after they had finished making love, she asleep and he watching
her.
He smiled as she walked toward him. She must have gone home to change.
This was clearly not her courtroom armor; these clothes represented a
far more feminine’ side to Kate Whitney than any of her legal opponents
would ever witness.
They walked down the street to the small deli, ordered and spent the
first few minutes alternately staring out the window watching the
approaching rain as it whipped the trees around, and exchanging awkward
glances, as if on a first date and afraid to make steady eye contract.
“I appreciate your making the time, Kate.”
She shrugged. “I like it here. Haven’t been for a while. It’s nice to
get out for a change. I usually eat at my desk.”
“Crackers and coffee?” He smiled and stared at her teeth.
The funny one that curved inwardly slightly, like it was giving a quick
hug to its neighbor. He liked that tooth the best.
It was the only flaw he had ever noticed about her.
“Crackers and coffee.” She smiled back. “Down to two cigarettes a day.”
“Congratulations.” The rain came at the same time their orders did.
She looked up from her plate, her eyes swept over to the window and then
abruptly to Jack’s face. She caught him staring at her. Jack smiled
awkwardly and took a quick gulp of his drink.
She put her napkin on the table.
“The Mall’s a big place to accidentally run into someone.”
He didn’t look at her. “I’ve been having a run of good luck lately.” Now
he met her eye. She waited. His shoulders finally collapsed.
“Okay, so it was less of an accident and more premeditated. You can’t
argue with the results.”
“What are the results? Lunch?”
“I’m not looking ahead. I’m just taking it one step at a time. New life
resolution. Change is good.”
She said with more than a little contempt, “Well, at least you’re not
defending rapists and murderers anymore.”
“And burglars?” he shot back, and then instantly regretted it.
Kate’s face turned gray.
“I’m sorry, Kate. I didn’t mean that.”
She pulled out a cigarette and matches, lit up and blew smoke in his
face.
He waved the cloud away. “Your first or second of the day?”
“Third. For some reason you always make me feel daring.” She stared at
the window, crossed her legs. Her foot touched his knee and she quickly
jerked it back. She stabbed out her cigarette and stood up, grabbing her
purse.
“I have to get back to work. How-much do I owe you?”
He stared at her. “I invited you to lunch. Which you haven’t even
eaten.”
She pulled out a ten and tossed it down on the table and headed for the
door.
Jack threw another ten down and raced after her.
“Kate!”
He caught up to her just outside the deli. The rain had stiffened and
despite holding his jacket over their heads they were quickly soaked.
She didn’t seem to notice. She climbed in her car. He jumped in the
passenger side. She looked at him.
“I really have to get back.”
Jack took a deep breath, wiped the moisture off his face.
The heavy rain drummed on the car’s exterior. He felt it all slipping
away. He was far from sure how to handle this situation. But he had to
say something.
“Come on, Kate, we’re dripping wet, it’s almost three o’clock. Let’s go
get cleaned up and hit a movie. No, we can drive out to the country.
Remember the Windsor Inn?”
She looked at him, absolute astonishment on her features.
“Jack, by any chance, have you discussed this with the woman you’re
engaged to marry?”
Jack looked down. What was he supposed to say? That he was not in love
with Jennifer Baldwin despite having asked her to marry him? Right at
that moment, he could not even recall asking her.
“I’d just like to spend some time with you,” Kate. That’s all. There’s
nothing wrong with that.”
“There is everything wrong with that, Jack. Everything!”
She started to put the key in the ignition but he held her hand back.