Leah sighed. “I don’t know. I mean, this is what happens, right? It’s part of the job. The lawyer always gets the blame.”
“But it’s bugging you this time.”
She hated that Tilly knew her so well sometimes.
Leah took her plate and the phone into the living room and sat on the couch in front of the TV, which was already tuned to the Hallmark Channel. “It is. It bothers me that Teddi is holding something professional against me personally, but I don’t know why, and that’s bothering me even more.” This was par for the course of being a lawyer in pretty much any capacity. It was not news. Not to Leah. So why was she edgy about Teddi refusing to even look at her? Why couldn’t she just blow it off like she would with any other person?
“I’ve got an idea. It’s kind of out there. Brace yourself, okay?”
“Fine. Braced. Hit me.”
“Maybe you and her could, oh, I don’t know, talk about it?”
“What? Where do you come up with these weird-ass schemes?”
“I don’t know, man. They come to me in dreams.”
Leah laughed. Lightening things up was Tilly’s specialty.
“I mean, you’ve gotta work with her on and off for the next, what? Year?”
“Pretty close to that, yeah.” Leah poked the yolk of her egg so it ran, then dipped the end of her bacon into it and took a bite, thought about earlier. “She kind of brought it up as we were leaving.”
“Yeah? What’d she say?”
“Just that our past history shouldn’t affect the current business.”
“History? She called it history?” Tilly gave a snort.
“Yeah. I mean, it kind of is.”
“You never even met the woman. Your history is a few pieces of paper with your signature on them, Lee. That’s it.”
Leah blew out a breath. “I know. It’s fine. I just want things to be okay for Kelly. If I need to spend the next year’s worth of meetings avoiding eye contact, so be it.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Comfortable silence reigned for a moment before Tilly said, “All right. I’m gonna go watch a movie. What’s on your TV? She Returned to Her Small Clichéd Hometown and Realized Love Had Been Waiting There All Along?”
“Yes, that’s exactly the one. What will you watch? Idiot Teens Spend the Weekend in a Cabin in the Woods and Are Killed One by One?”
“You know that’s my favorite.”
“I do.”
They said their good nights. Leah finished her dinner and nibbled on the last slice of bacon. Tried to focus on the movie. Kept having her thoughts interrupted by the gorgeous brunette who wouldn’t look at her.
Maybe Teddi hadn’t looked at her, but she had certainly looked at Teddi. Even surrounded by the icy exterior she’d crafted, Teddi was still beautiful. She’d had her dark hair pulled back today. Black pants and an emerald green top had given her a sleek, sophisticated air that made her seem almost untouchable. But, God, did Leah want to touch her.
And there it was.
Yeah.
It wasn’t like she didn’t know, right? It wasn’t like this was a surprise to Leah. She found Teddi Baker devastatingly attractive. The pull was nearly magnetic. That was a fact. And nothing would ever come of it. Also a fact.
“Okay, Ms. Bennet,” she said to her cat, who’d climbed up onto the back of the couch and lain down directly behind her head, one paw on her shoulder. In love or warning? I love you so I touch you or If you don’t share that bacon, I’ll open your jugular? Leah played it safe, held some bacon up for the cat. “I just have to accept this. Yes, she’s gorgeous. Yes, she might play on my team. No, it doesn’t matter because she hates me now.” She turned to look into the enormous green eyes above her. “Right?”
Lizzie chewed, flicked her tail, looked off into the middle distance.
“Right.” Leah snuggled into the couch and went back to watching the television. She’d lose herself in the romance on her screen, like she always did, like she always had, and she’d stop thinking about Teddi Baker.
After all, she didn’t have to see her again for a couple weeks. That would definitely help her clear her head.
Chapter Five
Leah whispered the last line of the movie along with Julia Roberts as the end of Pretty Woman played out on the big screen. The theme song of the same name started up, and a few people in the theater applauded. Leah smiled. She’d never clap in a movie theater. Ever. But she loved that the film gave somebody enough joy to want to.
She inhaled deeply and let out a very satisfied breath. Pretty Woman was a definite favorite. A classic. She waited for another moment before she stood up, gathered her things, and strolled up the aisle, feeling lighthearted.
The Classic Theater was one of her favorite places in town—they knew her by name there. Next door to the theater was the Classic Café. Leah didn’t always stop, but they had amazing desserts, and the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee tickled her nose, tugged at her as she passed the concessions counter, then the box office. A glance out the front doors told her the November wind had kicked up, ready to bite right through her olive green jacket, which was super cute but not nearly heavy enough to actually keep her warm out there.
Decision made, she turned and allowed her nose to lead her through the large archway that led from the theater into the café so patrons didn’t have to go outside at all. The small line wasn’t at all a surprise. While the theater rarely drew a huge crowd on Classic Night, they had a steady contingent of loyal patrons, and it seemed like the brisk weather had convinced more than Leah not to go home just yet. She put in her order for an Irish coffee and a slice of cherry chocolate cheesecake, took her receipt, and had turned to scan the space for an open table when her breath caught.
Teddi Baker sat alone at a table for two, large mug near her left hand, phone in her right as she scrolled. Dark hair down. Black sweater that looked thick and soft even from a distance. Leah stood frozen, uncertain. Run? Should she do that? Just bail? A glance at the door, debating. A glance back at Teddi.
Snagged.
Teddi was looking right at her, expression unreadable.
When people said time stood still? Leah never understood it until right then, until she locked eyes with Teddi Baker across the Classic Café and couldn’t move. Couldn’t look away. Interestingly, Teddi didn’t either.
The spell was broken when someone jostled Leah from behind.
“Excuse me,” he said, though his tone made his annoyance clear. What he probably wanted to say was Stop staring, lady, and move it, you’re in the way.
Leah blinked rapidly, glanced around at the occupied tables. The only seats available were single stools at the counter. Whatever. I can sit there. But when she tossed one more look Teddi’s way, Teddi was making a rolling come-here gesture with her hand. And though part of Leah suddenly thought the stool might be the safer option, her feet started moving as if she had zero control. In four seconds, she was standing at Teddi’s table. She noticed that in addition to the sweater, there were light blue jeans and black ankle boots. Yeah, so Teddi Baker rocked casual just as well as she rocked sophisticatedly dressy. Unsurprising.