Page 16 of Counterfeit Connection

“Wait… what?”

“Clue number two into the type of person you are. Your friends are willing to go to jail, or connect with someone who will, to protect you. I found it both amusing and terrifying in the best of ways.”

A flushed tone radiates across Kaitlyn’s cheeks. “I’m going to be the one going to jail after I kill her.”

I slide my hand across the table to cover hers. When I do, a warmth beams through my hand into my entire body. It takes all the willpower I have to not show it, although I have the sense she can feel it too. The redness of her skin only deepens, and I can feel her pulse through the pads of my fingers.

“If you end up in jail, Kaitlyn, you won’t get dessert.”

We spend another twenty minutes savoring the sweets she recommended. The topics were less personal. We spoke of current events and her love of racing, specifically Formula One. She is a conundrum in the best way. Nothing seems to be cookie cutter about her. It’s simply fascinating.

When the table we’d taken over for nearly the entire afternoon is needed for the dinner service, Kaitlyn and I walk side by side to the street. I toy with the idea of offering to drive her home. However, me knowing where she lives and having to explain how, would all but kill the progress we’ve made. I don’t want that for her…or myself.

“Well…” I say quietly.

“Yeah. I did have a good time. I can safely say it was the best apology I’ve ever gotten.”

I smile. “I was aiming for you not to be angry anymore. I’m glad I overachieved.”

The toe of her shoe traces a crack in the sidewalk. “If you need another good meal while you’re here, you know a sure thing.”

“Yes. Indeed, I do. Maybe I could convince you and your friend to join Tobias and me once more. Would that win you favor?”

The corner of her lips turns up. “I think it would win me a years’ worth of points in the bank.”

I pull my business card from the pocket of my jacket. “Here’s my card for you. It has my mobile number and email address.” I’d like to ask for hers, but I don’t want to offer the wrong impression.Fucking hell.I don’t even know what impression Iwantto leave.

Kaitlyn wraps her slender digits around the paper as her yellow chariot arrives. I reach down and open the door for her. “Enjoy the rest of your night, Kaitlyn.”

With only a smile, not a goodbye, she slides her hand from my elbow to my wrist before gliding in the back seat. I watch as she disappears into the New York City traffic, feeling an emotion I can’t even describe, or want to.

Chapter 6

Kaitlyn

Even when I’m knee-deep in case prep, I’m still thinking about Griffin and his business card that’s been burning a hole in my bag since our very long brunch yesterday.

I’ve even taken it out a couple of times to look at it. Should I email him? Text him? Should I actually take him up on his offer of spending time with Katarina and me? I haven’t even told her about this yet because I know her immediate response would be,“Jesus Christ, bitch, of course the answer is yes. Let’s go see them right this second.”

I need to prepare myself for that level of enthusiasm.

“Is everything all right?” Mika asks when she peeks her head in my office door at the end of a very long Monday. “Are you stillwanting to go get some drinks? By the look on your face, I’d say you could use them.”

I look up at her and smile. “Yes, please. The stronger, the better.”

“A cosmo for me,” Mika says when she returns from the bar, drinks in hand. “And an old fashioned for you because, apparently, you enjoy drinking something that tastes like a campfire.”

“Don’t drink shame me. That’s not nice.” I take a sip of my old fashioned on the rocks and nearly moan as the smoky liquid coats my throat. “It gets the job done.”

“Then who am I to question it?” she says. “Is Katarina still coming?”

“As far as I know. She had an audition this afternoon uptown, and said she’d be here a little after us.”

As if we said her name too many times like Beetlejuice, Katarina steps through the front door of the bar and looks around for us, spotting us immediately and waving.

Mika leans in. “Oh shit. Either she got a call back or this is way too aggressively cheery for a Monday.”

“Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. I made it to the next round!” Katarina squeals.

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