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Yeah, I am. Defence Attorney. It’s not for everyone, but I’m good at it, and it pays the bills. How about you? What are you doing with yourself these days?
She finished off her glass of wine and navigated back to his page. Scrolling through his pictures, she noted the lack of a Mrs. Kahurangi, and a tingle of promise settled in her stomach. It amazed her that all these years later his smile could still have that effect on her. She felt like a teenager all over again.
Construction mainly. I’ve been helping my uncle out with his building firm. Ever since we went into lockdown, the housing market has gone nuts and everyone wants to build.
Good with his hands? Check.
Kate chuckled to herself. She was being ridiculous. It was just a casual conversation with someone she used to know. That was all. Nothing more, nothing less. There was no point getting ahead of herself.
She placed her laptop on the coffee table and swung her feet onto the floor. She needed to play it cool.
That’s nice of you to help out. I’m sure he appreciates it. Fortunately for me, crime never stops, so there’s always a need for lawyers.
True, true. Still, it must be difficult to do. I don’t envy you.
You have to be good at compartmentalising. I have to put aside my beliefs and focus on the evidence. Some cases are harder than others.
She sighed, closing her eyes. Monroe Wilson’s smarmy face grinned out from the darkness. She’d wanted to get away from her work for a moment, not rehash it.
But enough about me. Are you still playing rugby? Married? Father to a team of All Blacks?
Smooth. Real smooth.
Three dots danced across the screen then stopped. They started up again, then stopped. Kate bit her lip. She’d ruined it already.
Not married, and no children unfortunately. Never did find anyone who matched my… expectations. As for rugby, I play the odd social game now and then, but nothing competitive in years.
And you? Is there a Mr or Mrs on the scene?
She couldn’t help the way her heart jumped into her throat at his question. He was only being polite, responding in kind. It didn’t mean he was fishing.
But a part of her wondered, no, hoped that perhaps she could be mistaken. What were these expectations of his? And why did he say it like that?
Instantly images of herself wrapped in his arms conjured in her mind, and though she knew it was silly, she let herself bask in it for a moment. A girl could dream after all.
No. No Mr on the scene. I’ve never really found the time to date.
She stared at her fingers as if they’d betrayed her. “What are you doing?” she hissed to herself. It was true, she hadn’t had time to date with all the studying she needed to do to pass her bar exams, but that was years ago. She had no real excuse other than the fact that no one measured up to Anaru. No one made her feel the way he did, and that was saying something considering they’d barely spoken in the past.
It was ridiculous really. She was a fully grown woman now, and still she held onto her childhood crush, forever comparing how people made her feel to those intense emotions she’d felt in school. She’d watched him from afar, forever hoping he would one day notice her, and though it’s been years, she couldn’t help the giddiness she felt at finally being seen. Anaru Kahurangi had reached out toher. They were having a conversation.
No one? I always assumed you’d be snatched up by some high-flying jet setter. You always were worlds above everyone else.
Worlds above? Kate hardly thought so. She was intelligent, yes, but when it came to anything social, she felt awkward and out of her depth. Most of the time she preferred to stay out of it. It was easier than pretending to be something she wasn’t and making a fool of herself.
A sting pierced her heart. Of course it was too good to be true. He had her confused with someone else. Someone more in his league.
I think you have mistaken me for someone else. I was the one with her head stuck in a book all the time.
You always were funny ??
Now she knew he was wrong. She didn’t have a funny bone in her body. And as far as she was aware, she’d never made anyone laugh before, not unless it was behind her back or at her expense.
Maybe you’re thinking of Kate Cassidy? She was… more outspoken.
If by outspoken you mean loud and obnoxious, yes she was. And no, I’m not talking about her. I know who you are, Kate Richardson. You showed me around the school on my first few days. You were top of almost every class we had together, and you were awarded Dux in our final year.
Kate sat back, staring at her screen. Shehaddone all those things.
