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Casey scrunched her nose. “Next door?”
“Do you remember when I told you that my law firm was considering opening a branch in Chicago?”
“Oh, my God! No way! Are you saying it’s happening? You’re moving here?”
“They asked me today if I’d lead the effort.”
“No fucking way! Austin! Congratulations!” The excitement bubbling in her chest exploded like a jack-in-the-box bursting from its tin prison.
“Thanks!” He snickered. “I really can’t believe it. They’ve been talking about it for months, but I never expected them to ask me.”
“Well, I mean, you’re umm, kind of impressive, sir.” She giggled.Did I just say that out loud?“They made a good choice. And I can’t wait to celebrate with you. Drinks on me, okay?”
“Oh, hell no. I get to choose next time, remember?”
She smiled, the recall of Old Style night replaying in her brain. Her skin tingled at the memory of his hands wrapped around her waist, swaying to the music... and waking up beside him in bed.
“Oh, my gosh, it wasn’t that bad!” Her cheeks flushed, the grin on her lips widening.
“Not that bad? I had a hangover for like three days!”
“Oh, California boy, you’ll have to learn how to hang like a Midwesterner now.” She laughed again and reached for the remote, scanning the channels for the tail end of the Cubs game. “When are you coming?”
“Umm... next week sometime? I don’t have any real plans yet.”
The Cubs led Milwaukee by a run, and Casey smiled, a bad day officially reclaimed on many levels.
“Well, you’re welcome to stay here. It’s not much, but I’ll be glad for the company until you want your own place.” Her gaze jumped to the apartment door and the dead bolt she neglected to lock. Rising from her seat, she tiptoed to the door and twisted the metal. “I kinda hate living alone.”
“Call it done, roomie. You really don’t mind?”
She snickered, the wordroomieringing in her ear. The broken boy from California tugged at her heartstrings—his sweet grin and battered soul colliding with her own to smooth the edges.
“Definitely not, Austin. And hey, congratulations again. You can pick the pizza topping when you get here.”
“Pineapple it is, Cinderella.”
––––––––
Sleep evaded her. Tossingand turning, Casey flung the blanket from her body.
I can’t believe he’s moving here...
She laughed and tumbled out of bed, giving up on a night of any true rest. Lifting the window open, she poked her head outside and lit a cigarette. The silence of the city streets echoed in the early morning hours, the rattle of public transit closed until dawn. The ash danced in the wind as it floated away in the spring air—a bad habit persisting since her father passed away. She drew in a puff of smoke, letting it fly from her lips in a single exhale.
The ping of a text message broke the stillness of the moment, her screen lighting up in the darkened bedroom. Casey smashed the cigarette into the windowsill and tugged the glass down as she lunged for the phone. Her heart surged with adrenaline as she tappedopenon Austin’s latest text. “You can’t sleep either, can you?” she asked, eyeing his kissing face emoji.
She hitreplywith a wild grin.Is that you kissing up to me after turning down my job?
Austin quickly replied.LOL. No, that’s for making this move a little less daunting. How will I ever thank you?
Casey’s mind jumped straight into the metaphorical gutter, running away with a few naughty ideas. Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment as she shook her head, ridding her body of the images flooding her brain.Oh, I’ve got a few chores waiting for you, don’t worry.
Her phone buzzed a few seconds later with his reply.Well, I am good at cleaning, but I also make a mean cheesy sandwich!
Casey laughed and sent a chef’s cap emoji with the words,You’re welcome in my kitchen anytime, Gordon Ramsey.
He responded.Those grilled cheeses fueled many late nights studying for the bar. They’ll get you through a political science class too, Casey girl.
