Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
You don’t have to give your partner everything. You should always leave enough for yourself. Love, energy… Connor would add: And sex.
From the self-help book for self-pitiers by psychologist Rachel James
That is correct. - Connor
What do you mean, he’s dropping the lawsuit?” Rachel asked, irritated, as she locked her car. She definitely wasn’t going to drink anything on this date, so she was driving there.
“I have no idea what happened,” her lawyer admitted. “He just called out of the blue this morning and said he was withdrawing it. That he was wrong, that you didn’t assault him, and that you should definitely keep your license.”
Stunned, she stopped in front of the Galette door. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“No. But that’s okay, just be happy. You can practice again, so congratulations. See you, Rachel.”
She hung up, and Rachel shook her head as she stared at her phone.
Today was a very strange day.
Not only had she admitted to herself that she was wrong – which she never did – but she had a father who would go to therapy, two sisters who were there for her, and one less lawsuit to deal with.
She closed her eyes, put her phone away, and took a deep breath. She quickly texted Connor again, asking him to let her know when he was back and squared her shoulders.
She would go on the date so that, at least for her, the bet would finally be over. But she would be honest with her date and tell him that her heart already belonged to someone else. Honesty was more important than she had previously admitted. How ironic.
She pushed open the door and looked around. Maddie had forgotten to send her a photo of her date, but the waiter who appeared in front of her assured her that her date was already seated at the table Maddie had reserved in her name.
They worked their way through the tables until they reached a small booth at the back of the room…
And Rachel stopped dead in her tracks.
Her date was dressed entirely in black and white, wearing a shirt that was too tight. Dark jeans. His expensive watch screamed money, his short, dark-blond hair angel, and his dark brown eyes…were focused only on her. And infinitely warm.
“Hello. I’m Connor,” he said, standing and holding out his hand. On the table in front of him were a Gin Buck and a small, delicate cactus.
But all she could do was stare at him.
She swallowed, and her eyes began to sting as she ignored his hand. “What are you doing here?”
“I have a blind date. My last one. But I have a feeling it’ll be with just the right woman.”
“Is that so?” she whispered, just standing there. She didn’t dare get too close to him. There was so much hope in her heart, it felt as big as a balloon. And she was afraid of bursting it.
“Yeah. You know, I signed up at that dating agency. I always thought it was bullshit. But I guess it’s worth a try. And then I was told I have a 91 percent compatibility with the woman I’m meeting for a date.”
She swallowed. “Compatibility isn’t everything, Connor.”
“No. But the chemistry with her is right. She’s the smartest woman I know. The bravest woman. The funniest woman. And since I already love her, I thought…what do I have to lose?”
Her lips trembled, her fingertips tingled, and she nodded. Then she sat, not across from him, but next to him. “Okay. Keep going.”
He seemed to fight a smile. “You know, I once said that there is no right person for true love. There’s just the right time. But I was wrong. The right person makes any time the right time.”
“Really?” She swallowed again. “So now you suddenly believe in Match Me!, huh?”
“I believe everything that tells us that being together is a good idea,” he replied simply.
She had to laugh. “Very pragmatic of you. But…you don’t have to believe in Match Me! You might think the agency is stupid. That's okay. You’re entitled to your opinion. I’m so sorry I may have given a different impression.”
“I know. But I wanted to at least deal with it. Give it a chance.” He scratched the back of his neck, his gaze still taking in her appearance.
“I honestly didn’t expect us to be compatible when I signed up.
I just wanted to try it out because it meant so much to you.
God, you should have seen the self-righteous expression on Maddie’s face when she told me we were over ninety percent. ” He sighed and rubbed his face.
Rachel laughed and let her knee sink against his. “That must have been hard on your ego.”
“No, not at all,” he said without batting an eyelid. “I have no idea if the questionnaire actually works, Rachel. Or if I can believe in it. But at least with us…it seemed to know what fits together.”
Her eyes burned. It was okay if he didn’t believe in the questionnaire. All that mattered was that he’d bothered with it for her. “You couldn’t have told me that as soon as you found out?”
“Unfortunately, no. I had things to do.”
“Oh yeah: Where were you?”
“Chicago,” he replied hesitantly.
“Why?”
“I had something…to take care of.”
She opened her mouth in disbelief. “You did that? You convinced that bastard to drop the lawsuit?”
“Um, convinced isn’t the right word. I think threatened is more appropriate.”
“Connor!”
“That’s my name.”
“Connor!” she repeated louder. “That was my fight. You didn’t have to fight it for me.”
“Yeah, I know. But I’m a lawyer. I know what to threaten other lawyers with, and…isn’t having each other's back what you do? In a…relationship?” He cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck. “We have each other’s backs, right?”
“Relationship?” she whispered. “That’s a big word coming from you.”
“Oh, I used bigger words on that idiot in Chicago.”
“Are you sure they weren’t just louder words?”
“That too.” He pressed his lips together. “But that guy also made me incredibly angry.”
“You don’t know him.”
“No, but I love you.”
She bit her lip. “It’s a good thing I love you too. Otherwise, I would be mad that you didn’t ask if you could threaten that guy for me.”
“I thought it would be more romantic if I just did it,” he explained matter-of-factly, taking her hand in his. It was warm, just like the rest of Rachel’s body.
“It might have been,” she whispered. “And Connor…I’m so sorry.
I preach that everyone has the right to take as much time as they need, but I didn’t give it to you.
I pushed you, and…I’m sorry! I was just so insecure and so afraid of getting hurt.
Not knowing. Losing you sooner or later.
But I ambushed you and didn’t give you time, and… ”
“It’s okay,” he whispered, stroking her cheek with his free hand.
“No, it wasn’t. It wasn’t fair and…”
“Okay, you’re right. But I love imperfect Rachel too, you know? So I forgive you. Because you made the effort to see my point.”
She sniffed. “I was afraid it might be too late.”
“No. It was exactly right. It gave me time to think…and I want children as long as they have your eyes.”
She snorted, but a smile broke out on her face. “I can’t control that.”
“You’re smart, you’ll think of something!
” he replied lightly. “About marriage.” He took a deep breath, but didn’t take his eyes off her.
“Honestly, I need time to think about it. I’ve known all my life that I don’t want to get married.
Rachel, it was never even up for debate.
Until you came along. So I’ll think about it.
I don’t know if I can overcome my aversion to it, but I’d try for you, and… ”
She kissed him. He didn’t need to say another word.
She pressed her lips to his until no sound came out.
“We don’t have to get married,” she whispered.
“I don’t need any more proof that you love me.
Really. I just need the promise. Not the ring.
I know how you feel about marriage. And why you feel that way. And I love you the way you are.”
Connor frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “I just wanted to know that you were serious, and that you wouldn’t back out. But…I trust you. If you change your mind in a few years, fine. If not…that’s okay. This here – us, the way we are – is a fair compromise, don’t you think?”
He refrained from answering and just kissed her, again and again until he murmured against her lips, “I can’t believe you wore one of your summer dresses for this stranger!”
“You are the stranger.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t know that.”
“You’re being silly. I’ve been wearing this dress all day.”
“Because you were hoping to meet me and knew that they drive me crazy?”
She smiled, her heart growing with every word and every touch. “Something like that. And I bet that’s why you wore that stupid white shirt! I bet you knew I couldn’t say no when you look like that, and…”
“No,” he muttered, shaking his head. “No more bets. I’ve had enough of those. Only promises.”
She smiled. “I can do that.”
“Good,” he whispered, gazing into her eyes. “You know, I’m sorry I didn’t directly say the right things. I was terrified of not being able to make you happy, but even more terrified of not even trying.”
“That’s okay, Connor,” she whispered. Smiling shakily, she put her arms around his neck and pulled him close. “It’s not your job to make me happy. It’s mine. And I’m happier with you.”
“How…fortunate?”
“No, I think it’ll be hard work,” she admitted with a grin. “But that’s okay. At least it’ll never be boring. As it turns out…I prefer my life a little chaotic.”
He smiled, brushing his lips against hers. “Then I’m the right man for you.”