Page 65 of Love, Rekindled

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“I have a theory,”Gretchen says as we sit at the table.

Me too, that I’m a complete idiot to think I wouldn’t want another date with her. I thought I would show her a good time, go home, drink a beer and be done.

Instead I’m jerking off in the shower and thinking about how to get a second date with her. Not one to show her a good time, but because I want to show her that I want her.

I rub the back of my neck and focus on work. “What’s that?”

“The contracts are all worded differently. I’m starting to think whoever was drawing them up was trying to give the client a loophole depending on what the company was doing. Look...” She points to a line in another contract. “…I’m fairly certain this line shouldn’t be here.”

I read it over, not really sure of what it means. “Why?”

“Because if we’re drawing up the contracts, which it appears we are, we wouldn’t want any possible openings for lawsuits. Thankfully, you guys are really good at what you do, so there hasn’t been a fuck up, but...”

“But you think someone was hoping for it?”

“Yeah, it’s the only thing that makes sense.” She gnaws at the end of her pen.

God, she’s gorgeous. Her blonde hair is down and curled at the ends today. She’s wearing a light pink top with a black skirt. I can’t stop looking at her legs, wishing they were wrapped around my waist.

It’s been almost two years since my divorce and I haven’t given a shit about women since Charity left. She fucked with my head so bad. I was only good enough for her when I was a SEAL. She loved the military life and wanted to bask in the glory that came with it. Not that I think there is much glory. It’s a lot of time away, fighting, dealing with being alone, but Charity enjoyed it. I’m just glad we never had kids.

I think about the words the bitch said when she signed the divorce papers, which left her with nothing.

“It’s fine, Ben. I don’t need your money because no one wants to sleep with only part of a man.”

“Ben?” Gretchen’s hand touches my arm. “Did you hear me?”

“No, sorry.” I shake my head, coming back to the present.

She gives a soft smile. “I asked if the lawyer who was drawing up the contracts is still on staff. I’d like to just poke around a bit.”

“He’s not, which is why Jackson needed you so quickly.”

Now I’m starting to wonder if there’s more. Why would the lawyer put any kind of loophole in? There should be nothing that would leave us open for a lawsuit.

“Okay,” Gretchen says, tapping her pen. “I just?—”

“Have a weird feeling?”

She nods.

“Me too. Let’s go talk to Mark.”

We get up and I wince. My leg is screaming today. The skin is still raw from rubbing against my prosthetic more than usual.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“You look like you’re in pain...”

Then I hear Charity’s words in my head again.

“I’m fine.” My voice is sharper than I intended.

“Sorry.”

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