“Okay, I need your help. You cannot let her come in here. I need you to cause a distraction. Anything you need to do, get it done. Got me?”

“I’ve got you covered, Army. On it.”

“And Kate, give me a heads up if you can. I’m gonna try and find what I need before I bail.”

I slide the cabinet door shut, and pull open the last drawer. If I don’t find anything here this treasure hunt is a bust. My fingers inch across the tabs of manila folders, eyes scrutinizing each label. Virgo. The title causes me to pause. Buried in a collection of addresses, vendors, and customers, an astrology sign stands out of place. I pull the folder to skim the contents.

Jackpot. Inside is a collection of ultrasound photographs, blood tests, paternity results, and a notarized legal document that I want to study in greater detail.

“Jon. There’s a man here. He just pulled up and hugged the chick. Looks like he’s got keys.

I pull my phone from my pocket and proceed to snap photos of everything in the file.

“Kate. This is your time to shine, babe. I need five minutes, ten tops. Cause a scene.”

“What should I do? Jon, they are two steps from the door! I’m still parked four cars over!”

“Shit. Kate. Anything! Do not let them inside!”

Screeching tires drift through the walls. Shouts. Metal on metal scraping. More shouting.

“Kate? Kate! Are you okay?”

Silence. I finish taking the last photo and shove the documents back into the file before I slide it in place. Slamming the drawer shut, I glance out the front. All I can see is a crowd gathering around two vehicles. Kate’s Acura is bent into a street light as well as the back bumper of a black Equinox. I don’t want to waste any more time so I jog my way out the back door.

“Kate? Are you okay? Tell me you are okay!”

“Uh. I’m fine. But, I uh, I had a little fender bender. I think we’re gonna need a ride home.”

“Shit, did you really just crash your car?”

“You said to make a scene!”

“I said cause a distraction, not endanger yourself with a wreck! You could have just flashed your tits!”

“Nice advice now!”

“Hey, hey. I’m sorry. Thank you. I can’t let the couple out front see me. I’ll meet you down the street at Sozo okay? We’ll figure it out then.”

“Uh. I might be a while. Cops are here. I should probably get out of my car now.”

“Shit. Okay. Look, I’m glad you’re all right. I’ll wait as long as it takes. I’m not going anywhere. Tell them you fainted or forgot to eat breakfast. You can fake it, right?”

“I can fake it, but I prefer not to.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

“Seriously, Kate?”

“Sorry. Don’t worry, I’ve got this. I’ll meet you at the coffee shop. Gotta go now.”

“Bye.”

Taking long strides, I keep my head down until I’m out of the back alleyway and onto a main street. It takes me five minutes to reach the rendezvous location. I select a seat facing the front door and wait, tapping my right heel up and down.

I cannot believe Kate slammed her car into McAllister’s SUV. She could’ve been seriously injured. It was stupid and irrational, but something about her actions warms my heart. That woman, crazy as she might be, will do anything to keep me safe if I ask. I don’t have many people like that around me anymore. Her actions, although a little misguided, prove that she cares more than she lets on. I mean, who the hell causes a collision with their own car for someone else’s benefit?

I can’t contain the satisfied smile that pulls at the corners of my lips. I haven’t stopped thinking about my night with Kate. Maybe she hasn’t either. Maybe—just maybe, she’s interested in more. I sure as hell hope so because I’ve tried everything to forget. I can’t get the image of her ass out of my goddamn head. That and the feeling of sliding in and out of her pussy. The sweet sounds she makes when she’s about to come. There’s one thing I haven’t tried, though, and maybe I’ll man up and give us a shot.

Walking over to the counter, I order a green tea for Kate and a coffee for myself. When I get back to my seat, I pull out my phone and swipe through the documents I photographed. Holy shit. Mrs. McAllister isn’t going to like what I found today. Fucking A. I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news to a woman who looks like she’s about to pop. I’ll wait until Monday when Evie’s working to deal with that.

I continue making notes on a small notepad from my back pocket, glancing at the door each time someone new enters the cafe. I’m anxious for Kate to come back. I worry she’s downplayed the crash. What if she’s hurt? I hope she knows she can call me if that’s true, screw the case.

I look up once more and she breezes into Sozo’s, smiling broadly when she finds me waiting. I stand and reach out, rubbing a hand up and down her arm. She seems fine, but I’m still concerned. All joking aside, she is good at faking it when she wants to.

“You okay, Speed Racer?”

“I’m fine. Swear on my Jimmy Choo’s. I did get a ticket though for destruction of public property. Probably should have steered clear of that light pole. My car’s being towed to a shop. I’ll have to deal with that and my insurance for hitting that asshole you’re investigating.”

She’s talking a mile a minute and gesturing wildly with her hands. I pick up the tea I ordered.

“Here.” I shove the mug in her hands. “Just breathe.”

Her eyes widen and she takes a long sip from the cup.

“You got me tea.”

“Of course, I did. That’s what you like to drink when you’re stressed. Now, sit down a sec, I’m calling a cab. We need to get you home to rest. Are you sure you’re okay?” A smile tugs at the corner of her lips as she eases into the seat adjacent to mine, setting her mug down.

“Yeah. I’m fine. My neck’s a little sore. I’m sorry I made a big mess of things. I hope you got what you needed.”

“I got what I needed and more. Thank you, Kate.”

I call a cab. A driver should pick us up in about fifteen minutes. I look at the time, it’s just after noon. My stomach growls in response. Kate’s quiet as she sips her tea. She relaxes into the big chair and her eyelids flutter closed. She’s being tough but I’m sure this morning has taken its toll. When we get home I’m taking care of her. She needs to eat and rest, and even though it was only a tiny crash, I bet her body will feel it later.

“Oh shit.” She curses under her breath, eyes still closed.

“What is it, Lightning McQueen?” Her eyes flash open, narrowing.

“I was just thinking how in the hell I’m supposed to get to work this week, thank you very much. I’m already out money, God knows how much, for the damages to my car, plus insurance, plus the ticket. And if I lived at my home it wouldn’t even be a big deal because I can walk or take the bus, but from your place it’ll take me over an hour to navigate our shitty public transit system. And of all weeks because I’m in charge of a really important account with these supposed rock stars. God!” She bangs her head back against the edge of her chair and the ceiling. “I want to say things can’t get worse, but I know for a fact they can. I’m riding a streak of bad luck here and it sucks!”

“I’ll take you.” Her spine straightens and she pins me with a look I can’t read.

“What?”

“You heard me Miss Bryant, I’ll be your chauffeur until you get your wheels back. It’s the least I can do for you saving my ass today. You’re a good woman, Kate, you didn’t leave a man stranded and you could have.”

She blinks rapidly and I wonder if she’s trying to hold back tears. I pick up her mug and place it in her hands. She slowly brings it to her lips and sips. My phone sounds from where it sits atop the table.

“Our cab is here. Let’s get you home. You’ve had a busy day playing super sleuth.”

Yep. I’ll show Kate that what we have deserves a chance at more than friends. Maybe. The word holds so much possibility. Excited energy fills my body and I can’t wait to see what our maybe holds for the future.