For You I Will

Harrison’s bushy right brow rose to an arch. “I can’t afford any of your cowboy antics in court. I have no intention of tallying up any losses. Especially now.” He gave Anthony a cool green stare.

“I won’t lose. This is the type of case I’m known for winning. You know that as well as I do,” he returned with the same purposeful stare.

Something rumbled deep in Harrison’s chest before the words rolled out, like a train in the distance before pulling into the station. “There’s a first time for everything, and my point is, I cannot afford to let this case be that first time. Our conviction record is solid.”

“Thanks to me,” Anthony interjected.

Harrison pursed his lips. “It needs to stay that way. For my sake as well as yours.”

Inwardly, Anthony smiled. That was about as close to a compliment as he was going to get from Harrison Blumenthal.

“Find a way to make this case go away.” He put his glasses back on, a clear indication that the meeting was over.

Anthony pushed back from his seat and stood. He buttoned his jacket. “I’ll see what I can do...when I get back from vacation.”

“See that you do. When are you leaving?”

“Saturday afternoon. Crystal is dropping Jessie off in the morning.”

Harrison’s rocky countenance softened. “How are things...with you and Crystal?”

Harrison was one of two people who knew how hard he’d been hit by the divorce. The other was his lifelong friend Lincoln Davenport. It was Lincoln who’d convinced him that he needed some downtime to think really hard about where he wanted his life to go, and a great place to do it was Sag Harbor. He could relax, spend time with his daughter, put the job on hold and enjoy the company of his friends. It had taken a lot of convincing, but Anthony had finally given in.

He’d gone to visit a few months earlier, really liked the place, and after having lunch with Melanie Harte—who was equally as eager to find him a new love as she was finding him a place to stay—he found a great house that was on the market, priced to sell, met all of his needs and would definitely give him a sanctuary when he wanted to get out of the city. He’d gone back a couple of times on weekends to get the lay of the land, check on the repairs of the house and even stumbled onto a book signing at the local art gallery during a last-minute trip a week earlier. He was really looking forward to getting out of Manhattan and “setting up house” with his daughter—even if it was only temporary.

“Better,” he finally answered. “At least, as good as it probably will ever be.” His expression darkened.

“Hmm. It gets easier. Take it from a man who’s been through it...twice.” He held up two long fingers.

“Yeah.” The corner of his mouth curved into a half grin. “So you have reminded me.” He headed for the door.

“Try to enjoy your time away. You know, when you get back, this office will be pretty much all on your shoulders as my campaign will be in full gear.”

Anthony nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ve been trained by the best,” he said with a wry smile. “I can handle it.”

“See that you do.”

Anthony tucked in his smile and closed the door quietly behind him. He was lucky to have a man like Harrison in his corner, paving the way. Often the D.A. was a megalomaniac driven solely by ambition, political polls and winning at any cost. Sure, Harrison loved to win just as much as the next man, but it was more than that. He had a true passion for justice and doing the right thing no matter if it was politically incorrect. And he wasn’t always looking over his shoulder to see who was trying to move up the ranks to take his place. If anything, he encouraged his staff to climb the ladder, which Anthony had done and secured the position of chief assistant district attorney through the mentoring of his boss. The world of crime may have hated Harrison Blumenthal but his staff worshipped the ground he walked on. His shoes were big ones to fill, but Anthony knew he was up to the job. After all, hadn’t he sacrificed everything...including his family...to get where he was?

Chapter 4 (#ulink_992f4df3-5f46-5bdc-bebf-d171f5e9f98e)

“You still haven’t explained to me why you won’t get serious with Andrew. You said the date went fine,” Tiffany said as the two friends walked up the winding path leading to Melanie Harte’s house on the hill. The house and the front lawn sparkled with pinpoints of light, and music could be heard floating in the air.

Kai gave a light toss of her head. “Don’t get me wrong. He’s a great guy. Handsome. Funny. Smart.” She paused, blew out a breath of frustrated confusion. “He’s just not right for me. This may sound like a fairy tale or something out of a romance novel, but I want a man that makes my heart pound. Makes my skin get hot with just a look, gets my stomach to flutter when I think about him and has my vajayjay talking in tongues when I know I’m going to see him.” She sighed with a faraway look in her eyes.

“Damn, girl, well, when you find him please ask if he has a friend, a brother or a cousin just like him.”

They laughed in unison and stepped into the party that was in full swing.

“Mel sure knows how to throw ‘a little get-together,’” Tiffany said, raising her voice slightly above the hum of conversation and the live band.

Kai gazed around at the crowd, recognizing some faces from town, a few from television and the rest she wasn’t familiar with. “What I need to do is take Melanie up on her offer to find me the perfect man,” she said in a pseudo whisper.

A waiter approached with crab and shrimp appetizers balanced on a tray. They helped themselves to the delicate treats and snagged the next waiter for two glasses of champagne.

“There’s Lincoln and Desiree.” Kai waved and started to walk over when she heard her name being called. She turned. “Andrew...”

“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” he said, giving her a light kiss on the cheek.

“Kind of a last-minute thing,” she managed while wishing that the floor would open.

He studied her for a moment then turned to Tiffany. “Good to see you again.”

“You, too.”

“I would ask if I could get you ladies a drink but you have that covered. Looks like I’ll have to catch up.”

“I’m going to say hello to Lincoln and Desi. Oh, Maurice and Layla just came in. Be right back. Good to see you, Andrew.” Tiffany darted off before the ice daggers from Kai’s eyes could land in her back.

An awkward moment of silence dropped like a final curtain between them. Kai sipped her drink and stole a glance at Andrew from beneath her lashes. This is so bad.

“Drew...I’m sorry I haven’t called you back. I—”

He held up his hand. “You don’t have to explain. Really. I’m a big boy and I can take a hint.”

“That doesn’t excuse me being rude and for that I’m sorry.”

He gave her a half smile. “True.” He paused, as if relishing her wide-eyed look. “But...apology accepted.”

She released a soft sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“And now that we have all that out of the way...I hope that we can still be friends.”

“Of course. I’d like that.”

“Good, let’s go mingle.”

* * *

He really isn’t a bad guy, Kai thought as she watched him chat and charm everyone around him. He had a great sense of humor, was good to look at, had a solid career...but that spark wasn’t there for her no matter how hard she tried, and to lead him on would be plain wrong. Andrew was deserving of someone who gave as much as he did and wanted him as much as he wanted her. She wasn’t the one.

Kai wandered out back while Andrew regaled a small group on the antics in the E.R. when it was filled with kids and crazed parents.

“There you are! Are you enjoying yourself?” Melanie slid an arm around Kai’s waist.

“Yes, very much. You’ve outdone yourself as usual.”

“I feel it’s my duty to put a little sparkle into this sleepy little town.” She chuckled.