When You Give a Lawyer a Kiss (Aspen Grove)

Chapter 17

A fter a quick shower and ordering takeout from a local Thai restaurant, Reese and I are snuggled up on the couch in the living room watching a movie. I can’t remember the last time I took a night off—let alone a whole day—but with her, every minute is a precious escape. It’s been a while since I’ve sat down to watch TV, but when Reese found out I haven’t seen Zoolander , she insisted I watch it. Apparently, my lack of pop culture knowledge was a cry for help requiring an immediate fix.

My back is against the armrest, and Reese is nestled under my arm. Her head rests on my shoulder, legs extended with one knee propped up, and a bowl of popcorn on her lap. I run my fingers gently through her hair, taking in her scent and the rise and fall of her breath.

She plops a piece of popcorn into her mouth and points to the TV, where Derek Zoolander strikes his iconic “Blue Steel” pose.

“This part cracks me up every time I watch it,” she says, erupting into laughter when the camera zooms in on his exaggerated pout. “I forgot how funny this movie is.” She giggles harder, clutching her stomach.

God, I’ll never get tired of that sound.

I’m completely captivated by her, losing track of the movie as I watch Reese, unguarded and free. Her laugh is contagious, pulling a grin from me as I soak in the sound of her joy.

This place has always been just a house—a stopover between the office and the tattoo shop where I can catch a few hours of sleep and change my clothes. But with Reese here, I can picture it as a home brimming with laughter, love, and warmth.

I shake off the notion as a fleeting fantasy. The idea of someone like me falling in love seems preposterous. I can’t even admit that Harrison is my friend, hiding behind our professional dealings because I’m too afraid to trust anyone. That same fear has kept me from committing to a long-term relationship.

Yet, meeting Reese has offered a new perspective, making me wonder if opening up to someone and exploring the possibility of something real wouldn’t be so bad.

She has a bright future ahead, and it’s hard to believe she’d choose someone like me with a jaded past and who’s stuck in his ways. Despite my best efforts to push it aside, an unshakeable thought lingers: I don’t think one weekend with her will be enough.

Reese angles her head to study me. “Please tell me you’re not bored already,” she says with a teasing smile.

I glance between her and the TV screen. “No, I was just thinking about how I want to take you on a trip tomorrow.” Now is as good a time as any to break the news to her.

She sets the popcorn bowl on the ground and adjusts her position so we’re face-to-face. “We can’t leave the city; we have work on Monday.”

That’s the last thing I want to think about.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a day trip. We’ll be back tomorrow night with plenty of time to prepare for the work week.” I hold my breath, my eyes locked on her as she considers my offer.

The silence grows heavier with each passing second, making me second guess my intentions, until her face brightens and she nods in agreement.

“Count me in, but I expect a pumpkin spice latte in the morning. I’ll need the extra caffeine for our little adventure, especially if you keep me up late tonight.”

I lower my head, pressing a kiss to her lips. “One venti pumpkin spice latte will be waiting for you in the morning… Actually, we’d better make it two because I have big plans for you tonight, Ms. Taylor.”

“Looking forward to it, Mr. Tate.”

My enthusiasm for tonight pales in comparison to what I have in store for her.

As promised, a pumpkin spice latte was ready for Reese when we boarded the private jet this morning. Though our flight to Aspen Grove was quick, I savored every minute with her curled up beside me.

When we arrive, I exit the plane first, watching as Reese steps off dressed in a gray knit sweater, fitted jeans, and a pair of white sneakers with sunflowers drawn on the sides. She surveys the area, her eyes growing wide with excitement.

The crisp fall air greets us, carrying with it the scent of pine. The trees line the horizon in a patchwork of vibrant orange, red, and yellow, and the ground is dotted with fallen leaves, crunching beneath our feet as we make our way to a black SUV.

“This place is beautiful,” she says.

I take her hand as we descend the stairs. “There’s nothing like it,” I agree.

I’ve only been to Aspen Grove once for a meeting with Harrison, but it was memorable enough that I knew this was where I wanted to bring Reese.

Harrison steps out of the idling SUV, his sour expression shifting to a pleasant smile when he greets Reese. “Welcome to Aspen Grove,” he says, extending his hand. “I’m Harrison, Dawson’s friend.”

“We’re colleagues,” I mutter.

“Right, because colleagues go out of their way to do each other favors,” he retorts.

“Thank you,” Reese chimes in, accepting his handshake. “I was just telling Dawson how beautiful it is here.”

“Glad to hear you like it.” Harrison grins.

I place my hand on Reese’s lower back, shooting Harrison a warning look. His focus on Reese bothers me—she’s stunning, but she’s with me, and that makes her off-limits.

I open the back door to the SUV and usher Reese inside, sliding in behind her.

“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing here?” she questions as she glances out the window.

“It’s a surprise, remember?” I take her hand and place it in my lap, intertwining our fingers.

Harrison’s parents have a hundred acres of land offering incredible views, and when I asked what we could do, he suggested Reese and I spend the day at their private lake.

We pull away from the airfield, the sound of crunching gravel giving way to the asphalt.

Aspen Grove is a quaint small town, which is evident when we reach Main Street, where residents are strolling past a row of stores like the Bakehouse Bistro, Brew Haven, and Main Street Market. Each shop is decorated with seasonal pumpkins and cozy autumn displays.

As we pass a park on our left, I spot a woman in floral overalls with blonde hair styled in a halo braid. She’s chasing a little girl in red leggings and a pink tutu, her pigtails bouncing as she races after four dogs—one adult and three yappy puppies. The dogs have marbled-pattern coats, long torsos, short legs, and comically large ears, like a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Corgi.

Harrison pulls off to the side of the road, and rolls down his window. “Marlow, do you need some help?”

The woman glances over, pausing her pursuit to look at Harrison. When she comes closer to the car I notice she has one blue and one green eye.

“Hey, Harrison. I’ll get everyone wrangled eventually, but I appreciate the offer.”

“Hi, Uncle Harrison.” The little girl shouts in our direction, waving with both hands.

“Hey there, ladybug,” he answers with a smile. “Having fun?”

She nods vigorously. “Yes! But Waffles, Muffin, Jellybean, and Cheez-It are being bad.” She points an accusing finger at the furry culprits, who are now rolling around in a pile of leaves beneath an oak tree.

Harrison chuckles. “At least they’re enjoying themselves.”

“Yup! Bye, Uncle Harrison,” calls the little girl over her shoulder as she joins the dogs in the leaf pile.

“Have fun.” He waves to Marlow.

“Thanks. We’ll see you at your parents’ house for lunch, right?”

“Yeah, Mom would never let me live it down if I didn’t stop by before heading back to the city tonight.”

“Great, see you there,” Marlow says before turning her attention to the little girl.

Harrison glances back at Reese and me as he pulls back onto the road. “That’s Marlow, my soon-to-be sister-in-law, and my niece Lola. They adopted three puppies a few months ago, and it’s been quite the adjustment. My brother was already struggling with training one dog, let alone four.” He grins. “It’s good for him, though. Before Marlow and Waffles came along, he was even grumpier than you, Dawson.”

Reese chokes out a laugh, then quickly covers her mouth when she catches me casting Harrison a sharp look.

We all freeze momentarily when his phone’s ringtone comes through the car’s sound system, the name Fallon appearing on the display screen.

He sighs heavily, tapping the end button. “You’re testing my patience, Fallon,” he grumbles under his breath.

I remember that name. She’s the caterer he was looking for the night we were at the club. There’s obviously a backstory there, but I decide now isn’t the time to press him on it.

We drive the rest of the way in silence, my hand resting on Reese’s thigh. I’m looking forward to spending this time with her, free from interruptions and distractions.

“Here we are,” Harrison says as he pulls alongside a pristine lake, the surface shimmering under the afternoon sun.

Nestled close to the water’s edge is a cozy picnic for two. A blanket is spread out on the grassy shoreline, dotted with plush cushions. Nearby, a wicker basket overflows with fresh fruit, artisanal meats, cheeses, and bread. There’s a cooler with chilled sparkling water and a bottle of white sticking out. In the distance, a small boat bobs in the water, completing the serene lakeside escape.

Harrison and his brothers really outdid themselves with the setup.

I climb out of the vehicle and offer my hand to help Reese.

“Have fun, you two,” Harrison says from the driver’s seat. “I’m going to my parents’ house, so just text me when you’re ready to head back to the airfield.” He gives me a smirk before driving off.

“I can’t believe you did all this for me.” Reese beams when she gets to the picnic setup.

“Harrison and his family did most of the work,” I admit. “I wanted to make sure everything was perfect.”

“It is,” Reese says. “Thank you, Dawson.” She winds her arms around my neck, and I lean down to kiss her.

“I wanted you to have a day where you don’t have to do anything but relax, and I figured this was the perfect place to do it.”

“You were right.”

I lead her to the blanket and once we’re seated, I take the paper plates from the basket and serve up a sampling of everything.

“This looks so good,” Reese says when I set her plate in front of her.

“Dig in,” I encourage.

As we eat, we enjoy the breathtaking view. The midday sun casts a golden light over the tranquil lake. In the reflection off the water’s surface you can see the surrounding trees’ autumn colors come to life. A gentle breeze sends a few crisp leaves fluttering down to the ground around us. It’s a serene setting, one that I’m glad Reese is enjoying.

She’s lying on her side, propped up on one elbow—her plate of food on the blanket beside her.

“When are you and Noah planning to take the LSAT?” I’m seated next to her, my back resting against a cushion and my legs stretched out in front of me.

“The second week of January,” Reese says with a twinkle in her eye. “Having a block of uninterrupted time to study during the week has been a tremendous help. I can’t thank you enough.”

I reach over to graze my knuckles across her cheek. “I’ll do whatever it takes to help you achieve your dream.”

She gives me a grateful smile, popping a piece of cheddar cheese wrapped in prosciutto into her mouth.

“Do you have any law schools in mind you want to apply to?

For the most part, we’ve avoided talking about the future. No commitments or promises have been made past our time spent together this weekend.

I’ve deliberately avoided thinking about what would happen if she moved away for law school. It’s a real possibility, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Regardless of how things turn out with Reese, losing her—even if it’s down the line—would leave an irreplaceable void.

Reese covers her mouth with her hand while she finishes chewing, then says, “I’d like to stay in New York if possible. It’s hard enough only seeing Grams once a week. I don’t think either of us could handle living in different states. She might be healthy now, but that could change anytime.” She pauses to dab her lips with a napkin. “My grandpa’s passing was unexpected and extremely hard on Grams and me.”

“What happened?”

She pushes her plate aside and sits up, drawing her legs to her chest. “It was the middle of January. He was in the front yard knocking snow off a tree and had a heart attack. Grams was picking me up from school, and when we got back to the house, an ambulance was leaving with grandpa inside. He died on the way to the hospital.” She looks out toward the lake, a flicker of anguish crossing her face. “I miss him so much. Every morning he used to make us breakfast because he said it was the most important meal of the day, and once a week, he brought home flowers for Grams and me to show how much he loved us.”

A sharp pain shoots through my chest. “Damn, Reese, I’m sorry you had to go through that.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders and press a kiss to her forehead. “He sounds like a wonderful man.”

“He was the best,” she whispers, leaning against my chest.

I can’t begin to grasp the extent of her grief, especially since she was only a teenager when she lost him. One silver lining of being in foster care is that I haven’t had to cope with that kind of loss. I never met my biological grandparents or extended family and was therefore spared the pain of losing them. While I haven’t experienced this particular brand of suffering, I want to be the person supporting Reese through her worst days.

She lifts her head and smooths out her hair. “Enough about me. What was it like when you first moved in with Martha and Colby?” She stops briefly to study my face. “As long as you’re comfortable sharing.” she adds cautiously.

I pull my arm away from her shoulders and settle back into my cushion. Reese places her hand on my thigh, patiently waiting for me to speak.

“I was a pain in the ass from the start and refused to come out of my room for the first few weeks. However, Martha was stubborn. She sat outside my closed door for an hour every day and would tell me stories about her childhood, how she met Colby and her love of interior design.” I smile fondly at the memory. “I’ve never told her this, but in those early days, I would sit on the other side of the door and listen while I drew in my sketchbook. Her voice was comforting, and her showing up every day meant more than she’ll ever know.”

After spending my childhood being passed over for younger kids, it was an adjustment having someone show up for me consistently despite my reluctance.

“I’m lucky Martha and Colby never gave up on me. Everything I’ve accomplished would never have been possible without them,” I say. “They live in Connecticut now, but we talk on the phone at least once a week. In fact, I’ve told them about you.” I add, watching her reaction closely.

“You have?” Reese’s voice rises a pitch. “What did you tell them?”

“Oh, just that we made out the night we met, and got a little frisky in my conference room the other day.”

“Please tell me you’re kidding.” She hides her face behind her hands, hoping to mask the color rising in her cheeks.

“Yes, Red, I’m only joking, I promise.” My admission gets me a playful swat on the chest, and she narrows her eyes at me with mock irritation.

“What did you really tell them?” she asks.

“I said that you’re studying for the LSAT and want to pursue a career in child advocacy. They’re not going to let up until they meet you.”

“I’d like that.” Reese smiles.

Before her, there was never anyone I’d considered introducing to Martha and Colby, but there are a lot of firsts I’ve found that I’d like to share with her if given the chance.

I wonder what it would be like to have a family with Reese.

The idea comes out of left field, leaving me unsure how to process it. I’ve never been interested in having a family before. My focus has been on achieving financial success and establishing a reputation as a high-powered attorney. I never wanted to bring a kid into a situation where there was a chance they could experience the same instability I did or be shuffled between two estranged parents.

Now, there’s a small part of me that wonders if having a kid with the right person could lead to something positive. I quickly dismiss it, understanding it’s something I may want to consider in the future but not right now.

“You’re concentrating pretty hard over there,” Reese teases, popping a grape into her mouth.

I look over to find her sitting with her legs crossed, watching me intently. She doesn’t like staying still for too long; her restless energy and active mind keep her on the move.

I flash her a grin. “I’m just thinking about how this is the best weekend I’ve had in ages.”

She returns my gaze with a content look. “Me too. It’s so nice not to worry about having to work at the club or any of my other responsibilities.”

I take the chance to broach a topic that I’ve been waiting to bring up. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you planning to keep working at Echo?”

She winces. “Why do you ask?” she questions, nervously tapping her fingers against her thighs.

“You’re stretched thin with working at the office and the club, plus studying for the LSAT. I’m worried you’re pushing yourself too hard.” Her eyes narrow slightly, suggesting she knows I’m holding back. “Honestly, I was hoping the bonus might make you reconsider working at the club.” When I notice the unease in her expression I add, “the bonus isn’t contingent on you quitting though. “I’ve seen how important going to law school is for you and want you to have every opportunity to achieve your dream, including making sure you have ample time to study. Martha and Colby were there for me when I was preparing for the LSAT and applying to law schools, and even though you have Noah, I want to be there for you, too.”

I open my arm in invitation and without hesitation, Reese snuggles up next to me. She rests her head on my chest and drapes her arm over me.

She glances up at me with a trace of guilt visible in her expression. “I might have already reached out to my supervisor at Echo and told them I’m quitting. He said I’d be missed at the club, but understood. Since the schedule for this upcoming week was still being finalized, he said I could quit effective immediately.” She takes a deep breath between continuing. “You were right,” she admits as she twirls a piece of hair around her finger. “I’ve been burning the candle at both ends. My future has to come first, and my best chance of getting into law school is putting my energy into studying and my full-time job. But I’m still having doubts about accepting the bonus. Like I said yesterday, I haven’t earned it.”

Like hell she hasn’t.

“Consider it hazard pay for dealing with my foul moods,” I counter. “It’s the least I can do for all the late nights you’ve put in, not to mention the patience you’ve shown me.”

She taps her chin thoughtfully, a playful grin spreading across her face. “When you put it like that, it’s hard to argue with your logic,” she teases.

“Perfect. I’m glad we’ve resolved that,” I say, making sure there’s no space for additional arguments.

The HR team at Thompson & Tate has already been instructed to give a fifteen percent bonus to all support staff as a token of my appreciation for their hard work and dedication to making our firm a continued success. However, I couldn’t take a chance that it would be enough to cover all of Reese’s expenses.

There was no guarantee she’d agree to quit working at Echo, so I did everything possible to make the choice easier if she declined.

Yesterday, while she was saying goodbye to Georgia after our visit, I waited for her in the reception area of Oak Ridge. I asked the person working at the front desk for the administrator’s contact information. They were reluctant at first but relented when I told them I wanted to make a significant donation to the facility.

Within ten minutes, I had spoken to the administrator, and had my financial advisor wire ten million dollars to cover the expenses of all residents at the facility for the next year. Plus, I gave him specific instructions to order enough cashmere blankets for two to be delivered to each resident at the facility. The idea of Georgia getting cold at night is unacceptable.

If Reese finds out it was me, she’ll have a hard time staying upset with me since I did something that benefits all the residents, not just her grandmother.

Replacing her furnace while we were gone would have been easy, but then she might have wanted to go back home tonight. I’m hoping I can persuade her to stay with me for one more night, though if I have it my way, it’ll be for much longer.

Reese’s body relaxes against mine as she looks up at the sky. “This place is so beautiful. Thanks for bringing me here, Dawson,” she says with a smile.

“Anything for you,” I vow.

She might think they’re empty words, but I’m serious. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make her smile like that again.

“It’s too bad we have to go back to reality tomorrow.” She sighs, her tone despondent.

What if we don’t have to? At least not entirely.

An idea begins to form as I consider the best way to implement it.

It’s become clear that one weekend with her isn’t enough, and I’m determined to find a way to make her mine for the long haul.