Page 2 of Begin Again

“True. How about you? Hot date this week?”

Vivian snorted. “Of course. He’s cute, loves to cuddle, and adores me.”

Chloe lifted a brow. “Rufus?”

“Correct. My pup is better than another crushing disappointment. If you find another Chris Evans, do me a favor. Throw him my way. I know exactly how to work his shield.”

A laugh bubbled from her lips. She loved how Vivian worked hard and played harder. “Got it. When is the suit coming?” she asked.

Vivian glanced at her watch. “Tomorrow. Let’s get our crap together so we can dive right in when he arrives.”

“Pizza, tacos, or sushi?” she called out.

“Comfort food, Lake. Pizza all the way. With pepperoni.”

Her boss disappeared down the hall. Chloe glanced at the lit-up phone lines, overloaded inbox, and endless piles of papers. Then she took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind so she could be her best for the fur babies who needed her. Most of the lawyers in animal welfare were good intentioned, smart individuals who took the job for the cause rather than the pay, but Chloe had come across many who seemed to own inflated egos and an entitled sense of power. Nothing pissed her off faster than a man who believed a law degree trumped all the other workers who tirelessly sacrificed their time.

She’d do everything in her power to stop another abuser in this world.

She hoped the suit held the same goal, because she’d be stuck with him for a while.

Pushing the thought aside, Chloe got back to work.

two

Owen Salt paused outside the door, his hand clenching into a death-grip around his briefcase.

His life was about to change.

He took a few moments to calm his thundering heart and hoped he hadn’t taken the ultimate gamble for nothing. All his hard work over the past few years to transform not only his career, but the man he was had been concentrated into a single goal.

Chloe Lake.

He squared his shoulders and knocked.

“Come in!”

This time, he didn’t hesitate. He walked into her office, set his briefcase down, and waited for her to tear her glance from the computer.

His gaze swept over her cramped office, the finely organized chaos a staple of an overworked rescue agency, but it was the woman behind the desk who commanded his full attention.

Time stopped, then raced backwards until he was once again that awkward, young kid, staring at the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Even now, prepared for the shock of emotion that punched through him, he was struck a bit dumb and mute as he greedily took in her appearance.

Her hair was shorter now, barely touching her shoulders, a dark sable brown with deep hints of mahogany. He remembered running his fingers through the strands, the silky pull and dance of silk rising to meet him. Her face was turned toward her screen, red lips pursed as she silently read. A pair of trendy black glasses perched on her nose. He’d memorized every angle of her face until she haunted his dreams. Heart-shaped face. Sharp, angular cheekbones, rounded chin, and a pert nose she’d always groaned about. He remembered kissing it while she fought to get away, her giggles rising to his ears like music. Remembered rolling in the green grass of the meadow, limbs entangled, lips pressed together, the haunting scent of sunshine and daisies permeating his senses and wrecking him for anyone after her.

His throat tightened but he remained still and stoic. Waiting.

She looked up.

The naked flash of vulnerability and searing pain almost made him stumble back. Shock flared in those cobalt blue depths, but he dove beyond the surface, desperate for the other emotions that he could build on; desperate for any type of hope.

There.

One precious, fleeting moment of longing flared pure and bright. And he knew he’d do everything in his power to exploit that lingering feeling because it meant she hadn’t forgotten him.

She pushed back in her chair and stumbled to her feet, eyes wide in her face. “Owen? Wh—what are you doing here?”

He offered a small smile. “I’m back in New York. It’s been a long time.”