“I just don’t like it, okay? I could see her when I go in for chemo, and I don’t want to be wondering if you took her out the night before, or if you’ve kissed her.”

Logan appeared dumbfounded.

“There are fifty other women in here who would be happy to let you buy them dinner. Pick any of them. Just…not that one. Okay?” Andrew stared at his friend, determined not to back down.

Something passed between them, and Logan’s jaw tightened in frustration, but he sighed in surrender.

“Fine. But you owe me.”

Andrew nodded. “I owe you.”

He had a feeling she’d be worth whatever he had to pay.

…

Three days later, Andrew found himself in Professor Shaw’s class, completely unable to focus. The aging professor never took a single step out from behind the podium and was every inch the stereotypical law professor in his pleated khakis and tweed jacket. His bushy white eyebrows even appeared to be trying to escape, pointing in several directions. Today he lectured on mineral rights, and the dry subject combined with his sluggish, monotone voice was too much to bear. Andrew would buy Dan’s drinks the next time they hung out. He wanted to kick his own ass for choosing this elective.

He surreptitiously reached for his phone. Without really thinking about it, he pulled up the contact he’d created with Lauren’s phone number. He shouldn’t have saved the napkin at all, much less programmed her number in.

But what if he had some medical emergency and couldn’t get through to Dr. Patel’s office? It might come in handy to have it.

In case of emergency.

The number had an unfamiliar area code. Where was she from? How long had she lived here? Andrew had his number changed from Nebraska to Kansas City within weeks of moving. It had probably been a petty way to send a message to his father, who, at the time, was still trying to convince Andrew he had a responsibility to the family farm.

Andrew sort of thought he had a responsibility to society at large and didn’t see why doing that meant he didn’t love his family. After all, it had been the injustice done to Jeni all those years ago that had sparked his interest in law in the first place.

Why couldn’t Rhonda take over the farm? Why did Andrew have to be the one, just because he was the only son? Rhonda already did the accounting work for their dad—she might as well learn the ropes of everything else while she was at it.

His phone vibrated, and for a second his heart stuttered at Lauren’s name on the screen. But then he realized she didn’t have his number, and he’d just been looking at her contact. A banner announcing a new message was on display at the top of the screen.