25. CHANCE

“I don’t know how your plan’s been going, but it doesn’t seem to be having an effect on Sara’s investigation,” says Tre. “She’s going about her business the same way she has since this whole thing started.”

She’s kept our conversations almost completely professional the last couple days, too, but I’m not going to give Tre the satisfaction of knowing that.

“I’m telling you,” I say. “Things went really well the other night. We reconnected.”

He holds up a hand. “Spare me the details, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t kiss and tell.”

“See, just saying that is telling.”

I grin. “Okay, I’ll leave it at this: we were acting like when we were kids again.”

Tre fixes me with a lecturing look. “Under other circumstances, I’d be over the moon about you guys getting back together. I can’t think of anybody who deserves happiness as much as you two. But doing it this way… I just don’t know, man.”

A knock at my office door interrupts what I’m sure would have been my clever comeback.

“Yeah,” I call out.

Karen pokes her head in the door. “Sara’s here to see you, Chance.”

“Speak of the devil,” I say with a smile. “Send her in.”

Sara walks in looking perfect, as always. Today she’s in a sleek pants suit that shows off her legs and makes her look like a power executive. My cock gives a little throb under my own pants as I imagine having a special board meeting with her.

“What can we do for you?” I ask.

“I was just wondering if you two might be free tonight,” she says. “I promised Grace that I’d set up a get-together with all of us soon. She’s been dying to see you guys again.”

Tre grins wide. “Absolutely,” he says. “I’d love to catch up with little Gracie.”

“She’s not so little anymore,” Sara cautions. “She’s a grown-up now. Well, as much as Grace is ever going to be, anyway.”

I chuckle. “I’d love to see her, too.”

And if it gives me another opportunity to spend time with Sara, so much the better. I’m excited now – not just for catching up with Grace, but at the fact Sara isn’t walking on eggshells around me anymore. If she’s inviting us out, it means she’s not feeling weird about the other night.

At least, that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself.

“I’ve got another friend I’d like to bring along,” Sara says. “She’s my BFF, my therapist and my mixed martial arts instructor.”

“Sounds intriguing,” says Tre. “The more the merrier. Where should we go?”

“Well, with you two moneybags buying, I suppose we could go anywhere in the city,” she grins. “But there’s an English pub near my apartment called the Toad & Turtle that we’re sort of regulars at. So if you guys don’t mind slumming it in Riverdale…”

“We’ll be there,” I say a little too quickly. Way to play it cool, Chance.

“Perfect,” she says. I’d like to think her smile is all for me.

“What time?” Tre asks.

“How about eight?” she asks. “And please bring your significant other, Tre.”

“Oh, I’m single.”

“Is that right?” Sara says, arching an eyebrow. “Grace and Kelsey will be very interested to hear that, I’m sure.”

I can’t see it in his skin, but I’m a hundred percent positive Tre is blushing right now. For a guy with his looks and success, he’s always been oddly shy around girls.

“We’ll be there,” I say. “We’ll start at your pub, but who knows where the night will take us? We’re young, single and rich.”

Sara crosses her arms and sizes me up. “You sure you two can keep up with us? We’re semi-pros at this.”

“Challenge accepted,” I say with a smug grin. “Last one standing has to get the other ones home safe.”

Tre sighs. “You know that’s going to be me.”

I drape an arm over his shoulders. “Yes, I do. Sorry, buddy.”

“All right, then,” Sara says. “We’ll meet you there.”

“I can’t wait,” I say, hoping she picks up on the lewd thoughts I’m trying to telepathically send to her.