Dream On(44)

“Are we sharing our rosters?”

He chuckles. “If you like.”

“Well, mine’s pretty short. Besides a few short-term relationships in college, there was only Ben. We dated for a couple years in law school, but our breakup was blessedly free of drama.”

“What happened with Ben?”

“We sort of… drifted apart emotionally. We dated for almost two years and even lived together our second year of law school, but after a while we realized that except for making fantastic study buddies, we didn’t actually make sense together. I like museums, he likes sports. I wanted to travel, he wanted to stay home. My dream is to make partner at Smith & Boone, travel in my time off, and enjoy what city life has to offer—like art museums, live music, and festivals. His big dream is to become a tax attorney, get married, raise a couple kids in the suburbs, and score season tickets to the Browns.”

“And you don’t want that? A family, I mean. Not Browns tickets,” he says.

“Someday, sure. But I want more than that too, you know? I want to be with someone I can have adventures with. Someone who shares my interests and wants to get out and explore as much as I do. I have such a small family that I’d like to have kids of my own—one day, in the far, far future—but I’m in no rush. I have a lot of living to do before then.”

“Fair enough. So how did the end come about with Mr. Browns lover then?”

“We were eating dinner one night at home—with the game on, of course—and he looked at me over a bowl of spaghetti and said, ‘I don’t think this is working.’ And I said, ‘You’re right, it’s not.’ I moved out three weeks later.”

“Wow. That’s very mature.”

I shrug. “We were in the same law school class and had the same circle of friends, so why make things harder than it had to be? I think we only stayed together for so long because it was comfortable, and it beat being alone, especially during such a stressful time in our lives.”

“Hmmm,” he grunts.

“What, you’ve never stayed in a relationship because it was easier than breaking up?”

“Ahhh, no. Before Sadie, my longest relationship lasted three months. Four, tops.”

“Oh. Okay then.”

“Not that I was a player or anything,” he says.

My lips quirk. “No, of course not.”

“Really!”

“With that face? I totally believe you.” I give him a playful shove and his eyes twinkle.

“Believe what you want, but my one-night stands have been few and far between. I’m more of a serial dater.”

“I’d say I am too, but that would require actually dating.” At his questioning look, I clarify. “In law school there wasn’t anyone after Ben, and then I had the accident. Kind of hard to date when you’re in recovery. Plus, I’ve learned along the way that most men don’t actually want to date smart women. They say they do, but when it comes down to it, more often than not they’re secretly intimidated.”

“Because they’re insecure.”

“And you’re not,” I say.

“Nope. When I think of the future, I picture a wife and kids.” He adds, “One day,” with a wry smile. “I’d love to move up in my dad’s company and spearhead development projects that enhance communities and help revitalize the entire Northeast Ohio region. I want a partner who can stand side by side with me, not a step behind, so we can forge the best future possible together.”

I take an overly large bite of my taco to cover my bemusement… because it sounds like Devin might want someone like me.

“Speaking of partners, how’s work going?” he asks. “Have they given you a corner office with a gold nameplate on the door yet?”

I snort. “As if. I’m still just a lowly summer associate.”

“But have they said anything about the fall? Whether your permanent job offer still stands?”

“No, but it’s early days yet. Plus, there’s this other summer associate gunning for my position.”

“That scoundrel. Who is he?”

“She is another law school graduate, and she’s hands-down the most cutthroat person I’ve ever met. She totally has it out for me.”

“Don’t let her get the best of you. If I were you, I’d do anything it takes to land the job. Be the first to arrive every day and the last to leave. Volunteer for extra work. Show them how badly you want it.”

My shoulders stiffen. I’ve already been working such long hours I can’t fathom putting in any more time than I already have. Perry’s words from earlier float back to me.

You deserve to be happy, Cass.

Would working more make me happy? No, a little voice answers. Having fun with Brie, spending time with my Mom and brothers, and picking up a paintbrush every now and again would make me happy—not slaving away at a desk around the clock. I nibble my lip. But if it’s only temporary—a push to help me secure the job of my dreams—the sacrifices would be worth it… right? I stuff another bite of taco into my mouth. “You might be onto something,” I say thickly.

“Of course I am. There are hundreds of attorneys who would kill for a job offer from a firm like Smith & Boone. I’m proud they want to hire you.” With a grin, he chucks me under the chin.