I sucked in a mouthful of Lance-scented air as our hands clasped. It wasn’t a shake. This was a way for him to touch me without worrying a hug was too much.
“You’ll hear from me.”
“I hope so.”
It was nothing more than a whisper, but I had a feeling he’d heard it.
Especially when a smile came across his face.
God, he is so sexy.
His fingers released mine, and he said, “Good-bye, Chloe,” before he was gone.
My face tingled like I’d been out in the cold for too long, the sensation moving to my chest and arms. I breathed through it, trying to ground myself again, the last few minutes almost dreamlike.
Once I had my bearings, I got up from the couch, and as I got closer to the table, Molly saw me and rushed over.
“Holy shit,” she said, looping her arm through mine. “That was chemistry like I’ve never seen.” She was walking me back in the direction I’d come from. “You guys were literally so transfixed; I don’t think either of you even realized I was standing there.”
“It almost didn’t feel real; it was so good.”
She stopped at the first empty nook, and we sat inside.
And once we got settled, I said, “If the guys are colleagues, you must have all the details on him?”
“Colleagues?” She studied my face. “He didn’t tell you?”
I turned my body toward her but kept my legs crossed. “Tell me what?”
“Lance’s grandfather opened the practice a million years ago; his father now runs it, and he’s grooming Lance to take over.” She laughed. “Hamilton Law Group—the name ring a bell now?”
“Jesus.” I felt my eyes widen. “He didn’t mention a single word of that.”
He was humble; it was such an attractive trait. But I could tell he had money; the signs had been everywhere.
“He doesn’t usually go out with the guys. I mean, he’s about to be their boss, so it’s a careful line to balance. I was surprised to see him here, but clearly, I picked the right evening to drag you out.”
My heart still hadn’t calmed.
And to think, I had almost missed this for sleep.
I swallowed. “Tell me everything you know.”
She used her fingers like a checklist. “He’s twenty-eight, and I heard he has a place in the Back Bay. His parents have a penthouse in Beacon Hill. Marshall was there for a Christmas party and said it’s insane. They also have a mansion in Connecticut and a corporate jet and probably vacation homes.” She chewed the corner of her lip. “They’re the real fucking deal, Chloe.”
I waved my hand in the air. “You know I couldn’t care less about any of that.” When my arm dropped, I wrapped it around my stomach. “I gave him my number. Who knows if anything will even come of it?”
“Excuse me,” I suddenly heard, and Molly and I turned our heads at the same time.
A waitress was standing in front of us with two glasses of Prosecco on her tray. “Mr. Hamilton wanted me to bring these over. He apologizes again for having to leave so early.” She gave one of the drinks to me and the other to Molly, and she left.
A grin moved across Molly’s lips. “You’re not sure if anything will even come of it?” She clicked her glass against mine. “You want to retract that statement now?”
I took a long drink and finally breathed, “Fuck.”
“Because you want to get fucked? Or because you’re in over your head, and you haven’t even dipped in your chipped toenail?”
“Well … both.”
We laughed, and a chill ran through my whole body when she said, “You’re going to hear from him soon. Lance Hamilton isn’t the kind of man who waits for anyone.”
Twenty-Three
Since Molly went home with Marshall after the bar, I returned to our apartment alone, immediately climbing into bed, bringing my laptop with me. Once it was open, I typed Lance’s name into Google, and the first thing that appeared was Hamilton Law Group. From their website, I was able to see the history of the business and how it had been passed through the family, the same way Molly had described.
Under Lance’s bio, I learned he had also studied a semester in London, getting experience with international law. He had graduated the top of his class from Tufts and Yale and had been the captain of the lacrosse team.
Since his social media accounts were public, I took my time scrolling through his pictures and posts and all the ones he’d been tagged in. I just wanted to get a feel of him beyond what I had experienced tonight, and this was the biggest window into his life.
I became so lost in Lance, at the photographs of him around the world and the pictures of him with politicians and businessmen and athletes, that the sound of the text coming through my phone made me jump. I giggled as I looked at the screen.
Molly: Googling the fuck out of him, aren’t you?
Me: I thought you’d be getting laid by now.
Molly: You’re peeing with me.
Molly: But say it … I’m right.
Me: Of course you’re right. ;) Brunch in the morning?
Molly: I’ll meet you at Stephanie’s on Newbury at 12. LY.
Me: xo
“Hello, this is Chloe,” I said as I held my phone to my ear. I had no idea what time it was, and the number hadn’t shown up on caller ID, but I had to answer in case it was a client.
“It’s Lance.”
My eyes burst open, air swishing through my chest, and I pushed myself up in bed. “Hi.”
“Did I wake you?”
How is it possible that he sounds even sexier in the morning?
I glanced at the nightstand to check the time; my room was far too bright to even guess. It showed a little past nine, and I’d gone to bed at two. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept that many hours straight.
“No, no, I’m up,” I said, not wanting him to feel bad. “It sounds like you’re a morning person.” I climbed out of bed and walked straight to the coffeemaker.
“You’re not?”
“Only when I have to be.”
He laughed, and the sound made me smile as I popped in the coffee pod.
“Are you saying I should rethink inviting you out for breakfast?”
This time, he made it hard for me to breathe. “Nope, I’m not saying that at all.”
“Then, meet me in an hour.”
My finger hovered over the brew button on the coffeemaker. The idea of seeing him again so soon was causing my body to pulse.
An hour?
And just then, I remembered the brunch I’d scheduled with Molly before I went to bed, and I quickly pulled up our texts, surprised to see one had come in from her before I woke up.
Molly: Don’t hate me, but rain check. Love you hard.
“I think I can make that happen,” I replied.
The excitement was far past building in my chest, and now, it was exploding.
“What’s your address?”
I hit the button, hearing the coffee start to heat, and I gave him my address.
“A car will be there to pick you up.”
My entire closet flashed in my head as I tried to think of something to wear.