Last Second Chance by Caisey Quinn Page A

dark shadow over their table.
    “Hate to interrupt you there, Shakespeare. But I need to speak with you, Miss Chandler . Now, please.”
    His eyes had darkened enough that she could see her reflection in them. She didn’t want to think about why or how this man did things to her heart and lungs that made her especially aware of them.
    “Um, okay. Nash, can you excuse me for just a moment?”
    “Sure thing.” He raised an eyebrow but said nothing else as he leaned back in his chair.
    She stood, smoothing her skirt and feeling completely off balance as she followed Van over to a secluded corner beside a large plant.
    “ Mr. Walker ,” she began through gritted teeth. “This really isn’t the time for a testosterone showdown. Not that my lunch companion is any of your business, but just so you know, Nash and I—”
    “Slow down, cowgirl. Right now, I honestly don’t give a single solitary fuck who you have lunch with.”
    “Okay,” she said slowly, trying her best to remain calm despite his harsh words and his livid tone. “I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. What can I do for you?”
    His clenched fists sent his muscles twitching and flexing up his arms. He was even more lethal when he was angry. The heat of his anger pulled at that dormant beast inside her that longed for his attention. For his touch.
    Van met her eyes, confidence shining brightly in his own. Clearly she hadn’t done such a great job of not checking him out. “My manager made a mistake. He gave someone here contact information for a woman named Vanessa Reeves. She might be on the list to contact about coming to a family session. It’s vital that she is removed and that no one contacts her or tells her that I’m here.”
    Stella nodded. “Got it. Vanessa Reeves. Consider her removed from your contacts.”
    Relief smoothed his features visibly. “Thank you.”
    “Anything else I can do for you?” Making him feel better filled her with a sense of accomplishment and the offer tumbled from her lips without her even thinking the words.
    One side of his mouth lifted and the wicked gleam retuned to his eyes. “That’s a list for another day. Enjoy your lunch.”
    With that, he walked away, leaving her gaping at his retreating figure. Frustration boiled to the surface as she made her way back to where Nash was sitting and waiting for her.
    “Was that who I think it was?”
    Stella didn’t answer. She was still silenced by the shame of having the nerve to think he’d be jealous. He’d stepped in that day with Dr. Tyler because the man had been inappropriate with her. Just because he’d admitted he wanted to sleep with her didn’t mean he cared what she did with anyone else. And she’d jumped to a humiliating and false conclusion just now. But the fact that Van had risked his anonymity to enter the part of the Atrium that wasn’t private, and on visiting day when anyone could see him and announce to the world that he was here, told her that at the very least, he wanted that woman removed from his list more than he valued his privacy. And here she’d thought that urgency had to do with her. Shame heated her face.
    “I’m an idiot,” she said absently—unintentionally out loud.
    “Huh?” Nash looked at her like she’d completely lost her mind. “No you’re not. Why would you say that?”
    She shook her head. “Never mind. Ignore me. I’m… I’m a little off today.”
    A low chuckle from across the table surprised her. “Nah, you look okay to me. In fact, I feel like I just caught a glimpse at a side of you I wasn’t supposed to see. The human side.”
    “What are you talking about?” Her mouth went instantly dry as she searched her brain for anything that had just happened with Van that might’ve sent the wrong message to bystanders.
    Nash paused, smiled knowingly at her, and tilted his head toward the direction Van had gone in. “I used to try to make you mad. Just to get a reaction out of you. Something. Anything. I