Page 35 of Maverick

Judging by the dopey look on their faces when they look at each other? No, they don't regret anything. "Holly only let Micah take care of her because of the fire."

Ransom props his elbows on the bar and absently rubs at his chin. "So if we judge based on the experience of our brothers, the way to get an employee to date you is to ride to the rescue, then show her how good it could be, or to pick someone who knows exactly what they're worth."

"Where the fuck does that leave me? Cadence doesn't need rescuing. That woman is more together than almost anyone I've met. Yeah, she's having a little financial hiccup, but it seems to me like she has life figured out. She doesn't need me at all."

"So you've got nothing?"

"Nick told me to spend time with her so she gets to know the real me, whatever the fuck that means, and hopefully she'll come around."

"Hopefully she'll come around?" he repeats, doubtful. I don't blame him, I am too. The plan doesn't seem to be working at all. "You could just write her a big fucking check, then she can quit, and you can take her on a date."

Simple. Clean. I like it. "Would that work? That's not a bad…ah fuck, its a bad idea."

Ransom chuckles. "Listen, I'm not an expert on women, but I do know how to get what I want. Nick's idea isn't bad, but I don't think standing back, playing the good guy is going to get you that woman. I think you need to be a little more obvious in your intentions."

"And get sued for harassment?"

"You're a fucking lawyer. Don't be a creep. But let her know you think she's beautiful, and you'd like to spend more time with her, in a romantic way. Just don't do it at work. You're never there, anyway."

Cheeks hot, I take a sip of my drink and stare at a black labeled bottle of whiskey. Ransom's low chuckles make my ears burn.

"Well, well, well. Seems you've been spending a little more time at the club? You swinging by every evening? Helping polish silverware?"

I turn and glare at him. "No, I'm not going every fucking night. It's just…sometimes."

Ransom's laughter turns heads. He makes eye contact with a brunette in the corner and winks. Her lips curve in a smile, and she winks right back. I'm guessing he’s going to have very willing company tonight. "So what you're saying is you brought me here to waste my time, because there's no way you're going home with anyone tonight. You have your mind set on one woman, and there's no changing it."

"I didn't know I was doing that, but yeah, I guess."

He shakes his head, still grinning. My phone pings in rapid fire, and Ransom shoots me a look, then sighs and rests his elbow on the bar.

I frown down at my phone, flicking through the messages. More work, more people needing my help. It never ends.

Ransom's watching me, his expression unreadable. "You're taking on a lot of extra cases, aren't you?"

I shrug, trying to play it off. "It's what I do. People need help."

"In your free time, though? When do you have time for anything else?"

The question hits a little too close to home. I have been working a lot lately, taking on cases that no one else wants. But what am I supposed to do? These people need my help.

"I make time for what's important," I say, but even I can hear the defensiveness in my voice.

Ransom raises an eyebrow. "And a relationship? Where does that fit in?"

I open my mouth to respond, then close it again. He's right. I've been so focused on work, on helping others, that I haven't really thought about my own life. My own happiness.

But the thing is, I want that. I want a relationship, someone to come home to at the end of the day. Someone to share my life with.

And when I think about it, really think about it, there's only one person I can imagine filling that role.

Cadence.

I know it won't be easy. I'm overworked, stretched thin. But for her? For the chance at something real, something lasting?

I'd find the time. I'd make the time. Hell, I'm making the time right now. I've been at that shelter three times this week.

Because she's worth it. Worth the effort, worth the sacrifices.

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