I didn’t know how to react to that. I worked my ass off and I’d proven myself in the courtroom in the years since I started as a prosecutor many times over. But that niggling doubt that people saw me as just a rich kid rebelling against his parents was ever present.

“Thanks for saying that, Ron.”

He nodded as we reached the parking lot. “Don’t thank me, it’s the truth. You’re too hard on yourself. So you want to go for that beer? Corinne’s out of town with the kids seeing her sister in Syracuse.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Nice, nothing but beer and wings for the next two days, huh?” Ron’s deep laugh was something.

“You know it.”

Just as I was going to ask him where to meet him my phone buzzed. I held up a finger and quickly got the phone out of my jacket pocket. As soon as I saw the screen I felt a shiver run through my body.

Patrice.

I opened the message app and saw two photos: one of an enormous bowl of pumpkin and beef soup that looked delicious and the other of the Manhattan skyline.

Soup was good then went to the movies with C and J. Driving back up to Juanpa’s place, I’m staying with him tonight. Got this shot when we were driving over the Whitestone Bridge. If you’re up for it, hit me up later. I’ll be around...

My stomach did an actual flip.

I had no idea my body could do the things it had done in the last two minutes. What did the text mean? Did he want me to call him?

Ron cleared his throat, reminding me he was waiting for an answer about going for a drink. I slowly lifted my head and found him smirking at me. “I assume that text changed your plans for the evening.”

I blushed and, like a complete tool, pressed the screen against my chest.

He laughed, clapping my shoulder. “I gotta go, Mike’s already there and he eats all the good wings if I’m late, leaves all the sweet ones.” He made a hilarious face of disgust and I chuckled.

“All right, Ron. Have a good weekend. See you Monday.”

He waved as he got in his car. “I hope whoever made you smile like that treats you right, Easton. You deserve it.”

Now I was really fucking blushing.

I waved at Ron as he got in his truck and immediately started the three blocks to my building. I kept thinking of ways to respond. What should I say? Should I send a photo?

By the time I got to my apartment, I’d made up my mind.