Chapter 12: Comparing NotesMaggie wasn't sure why she hadn't mentioned to Michael that she was meeting the other new hires for drinks at Doc Watson's. She supposed she didn't want him to wonder if she was talking about him. Nate had texted her shortly after five to say that he and the others were heading out. She'd replied that she planned to keep working until she was finished and to let her know if they left the bar. She'd also texted Ben to see if he'd meet her there. His new office was only a few blocks away.As she reached the black awning in front of the pub, she heard someone calling her name. "Hey Flynn, wait up!" Ben grinned as he strode up to her and gave her a peck on the cheek. "So how's tricks?" he asked her."Not too shabby, how about you?" she asked as they made their way inside.He grimaced, running a hand through his thick brown waves. "Well, I made it through the first day without any major fuck-ups. I hope I'm not bored to tears by real estate law."Inside

Chapter 14: A Wedding on Martha's VinyardMaggie settled back in her seat beside Ben as the plane reached altitude. The flight to Martha's Vineyard would be barely over an hour. When the flight attendant came by, she ordered a chardonnay. Ben ordered tequila. He'd seemed moody since they shared a cab to the airport."So what gives?" she asked him. "What's going on?"He stared at the untouched drink on his tray table. "I think Alex is seeing someone else." His voice was barely audible.Maggie placed her hand over his and squeezed reassuringly. "Oh, please, don't be silly. What makes you say that?" If she was honest, she'd thought it odd that Alex had dropped out of the trip for the wedding at the last minute, but he'd said he had a big project at work."All the sudden he's working this weekend?" Ben asked bitterly. "He gets texts and leaves the room to answer them. He was late coming home from work three days this week. I think he's seeing someone he met at the gym.""Oh, s

Chapter 16: Off the ClockMichael stepped out of the elevator into the dim reception area. The files he needed were on his desk, but he looked down the hall in the opposite direction from his office. Maggie's door was open and golden afternoon light filtered into the hallway from her window. He heard the sounds of movement coming from the open doorway of the library and he headed there.A mountain of books covered the table, and a few had even slid to the floor. It was as though someone had gone out of their way to leave a mess for Maggie to deal with when she returned. No way could anyone possibly use that many books in one day. Standifer and Hemphill, he guessed. He knew they always tried to give her a hard time.From deep within the rows of shelves, he heard her humming. He recognized the song immediately. Maggie appeared from around the corner, her back to him as she pulled a cart piled high with heavy leather volumes. The cord to her earbuds snaked up from the back pocke

Chapter 18: Buyer's RemorseMichael excused himself and stepped away from the table for a few moments to get away from Jana and her incessant yammering. He generally tried to match his dates with the appropriate outings. This event had Veronica written all over it and he'd tried her first, but she'd been unavailable. Bringing Jana to a fundraiser featuring classic rock music had been a mistake. The twenty-two-year-old had dropped out of school at the age of fifteen to pursue a career in modeling. She'd spent a few years in Paris but had never bothered to learn French. She was undeniably hot, a trait required for her current job as a swimsuit model, and she was always a fun fuck, but she was too young to appreciate the evening.He wandered toward the house in a vague effort to give credence to his intention of finding the restroom, but he was scanning the crowd. Where is she? he wondered. He knew Maggie was coming. And bringing a date. He wondered why that fact irritated him,

Chapter 20: Ride Back to the CityMichael and Maggie applauded with the rest of the guests following the finale of the fireworks display before returning to the table to collect Ben. She shivered a bit as they walked. "Are you cold?" Michael asked, running a hand down her bare arm. "You are!" When they reached the table, he removed his suit coat from the back of the chair where he'd left it and draped it over her shoulders. "Here, that should be better."Maggie pulled the coat around herself and as she did, his scent enveloped her. "Thanks! I didn't realize how chilly it had gotten."Ben was conscious and blinking in confusion. "Holy God, I thought we were being invaded," he said. "Where is everybody?"Maggie laughed. "Yes, we were invaded by aliens and they beamed up everyone except us. Come on, it's time to go. We've dodged a bullet. Michael has kindly offered for us to ride back to the city with him rather than taking the train."Ben cocked his head and looked adoringl