"I find that hard to believe, and if she did, what reason did she have to do it?"

"I'm thinking that she overheard me say something about her. I've never meant the things I said in a nasty way, or anything like that, but it's possible she could have taken it that way. Do you remember any conversations we had around the time she changed?"

"No-wait a minute. Do you remember that morning you were working on the Cochran case? You poked fun at Chast.i.ty and her cats. Now that I think about it, I thought I heard someone outside your door, and convinced myself that I'd imagined it."

Sebastian didn't feel any better knowing that everything he and Chast.i.ty had shared the past few months had been a lie. Granted, he was partly to blame for his callousness, but to be used like this hurt beyond anything imaginable. All the times they'd touched, kissed, f.u.c.ked-no, made love-had meant absolutely nothing to her. Chast.i.ty had played him for a fool, and now Sebastian felt like a chump with a capital C.

Jeremy shot him a sympathetic look. "Are you going to be okay, man?"

"Would you be okay, if you fell in love with someone, only to find out that they were only with you for revenge? I thought I knew her, but I was wrong."

"What do you propose doing?"

Sebastian shrugged, his emotions threatening to choke him. "What can I do? I'll have to deal with it."

"Chast.i.ty, sweetie, are you okay?" Dallas asked for the second time during the course of the meal.

"I'm fine!" she snapped. A silence fell across the table, and Chast.i.ty realized how b.i.t.c.hy that must have sounded. "I'm sorry, Dallas. That was uncalled for."

Dallas shook her head. "It's okay. I know you must have a lot on your mind, girl. Just consider me your sounding board."

Nick held up his champagne gla.s.s. "Shouldn't we be celebrating your victory? You showed that creep what's what." He laughed, dramatically flipping a lock of curly brown hair off his face, his gray eyes twinkling with mischief.

"If I'm the victor, why do I feel like such a loser? I should have backed out before things went too far. You guys didn't see the look on his face when I dropped the proverbial bomb on him." Chast.i.ty pushed her plate away, her appet.i.te gone.

Dallas reached for her hand. "But, isn't this what you wanted?"

Chast.i.ty sighed. "To be honest, no. This is what you guys wanted." She laughed without humor. "But ultimately it's my fault, because I very well could have said no, but something within me wanted to show Sebastian that I could be a desirable woman too. What I didn't count on was falling even harder for him than I had before." She didn't miss the silent exchange between her three friends, and pretty much knew what they were thinking.

"Look guys, I made a.s.sumptions about him before I went into this whole thing. I thought that whatever he had coming to him he deserved, but as I spent more time with Sebastian, I saw his kinder, gentler side. Whenever we'd make love, he'd hold me and tell me how beautiful I am. He'd send me thoughtful little gifts. One time, I told him about a book I wanted to read. The next day, he had it waiting on my desk when I arrived at work. On top of that, when I was sick, he took care of me and even watched my cats, even though I know he hates them. I fell for him all over again, but all my old feelings of inadequacy reared its head and I got scared."

"Scared of what?" Kevin asked gently.

"Scared that he'd eventually get tired of me! Even with this new look, I never completely believed in myself, especially when it came to him." Chast.i.ty wanted to cry, but didn't want to embarra.s.s herself in front of her friends. "Excuse me. I need to run to the ladies room."

Dallas made a move to get up with her, but Chast.i.ty held her hand up. "That's okay. I'd rather just go by myself."

"Are you sure?" her friend persisted.

"Yes. Just give me a few minutes." Once in the restroom, Chast.i.ty splashed some water on her face and then patted it dry. The reflection staring back at her was one she was still getting used to. Aesthetically, she was more pleasing to the eye, but she'd always be the same old Chast.i.ty. She liked that girl so much better than what she'd become. So what if her life hadn't been exciting and full of dates, it was hers, and she'd been content.

No matter what, she owed Sebastian an apology. Regardless of what he may have said, no one deserved to be hurt the way she'd done him. Not to mention that she ended up hurting herself in the process. Maybe he'd accept her apology, or maybe not, but at least she'd be able to move on.

d.a.m.n.

She wished it didn't hurt so much. Chast.i.ty repaired her make-up and headed out of the bathroom. Shock halted her, to see Sebastian coming out of the men's restroom. The look on his face told her that he was just as surprised to see her here, as she was him.

"Sebastian!"

Light green eyes hardened to narrowed flints briefly, before his mouth relaxed into a mocking grin. "Well, well, well. Chast.i.ty, you're looking well. Are you here tonight to celebrate your victory?"

She faltered at the mention of what she did to him. Fists clenching and unclenching by her side, Chast.i.ty fought to remain composed. "That's hardly fair, Sebastian."

"Oh, I don't know about that, but if you've suddenly developed a guilty conscience, then don't. Actually, I have a lot to thank you for."

She frowned. "What for?"

"You showed me that what I believed I felt for you couldn't possibly be real. I gave it a lot of thought and realized, I don't want to be tied down to just one woman. Come with me, and I'll show you what I mean." Sebastian took hold of her elbow, leading Chast.i.ty out to the dining area. She struggled to break free of his vise grip, to no avail. They stopped where a bored-looking redhead sat.

The woman had to be one of the most stunning females Chast.i.ty had ever seen, making her feel gauche and awkward just standing there. The woman's dark blue gaze slid up and down Chast.i.ty's body within a couple seconds, and by the quick dismissal, found her lacking. Completely ignoring Chast.i.ty, the redhead looked at Sebastian and pouted. "Sebastian, what took you so long?"

"Oh, I ran into one of my employees. Marcy this is Chast.i.ty." He introduced the two women as if b.u.t.ter wouldn't melt in his mouth.

His employee? Chast.i.ty's face flamed with embarra.s.sment. Marcy gave her a brief nod of acknowledgement. Barely.

"Nice to meet you," Chast.i.ty mumbled. "I have to get back to my table."

As she turned away, Sebastian grasped her wrist, halting her, and then leaned over until his lips practically touched her ear. "I thought it was only fitting that you meet your replacement. I have to thank you for showing me the error of my foolishness. And I'm sure later on tonight, Marcy will thank you, too."

Chast.i.ty didn't know how she maintained her composure, but she managed to keep her face impa.s.sive as Sebastian searched it for a reaction. "Enjoy the rest of your dinner, Sebastian," she replied quietly, clinging as tightly as she could to her dignity. With a swift tug, she freed herself from his grasp and walked away.

Fighting the urge to spare him one last glance, she made it back to her table on wobbly legs. Her friends, who'd been laughing and carrying on, stopped when she took a seat.

"What's wrong, Chas?" Dallas asked with a frown.

"I think I need to go home. I'm not feeling well right now."

"Of course. Let's get the bill and we'll take you home," Kevin agreed. "Is it your stomach, head or both? I thought the calamari might have tasted a little off."

"Headache," she lied. She very well couldn't say heartache. "Please, can I just get out of here now? I think a little air will do me good."

"Okay. Let me go to the restroom first and I'll come with you," Dallas offered.

Kevin threw a few fifties on the table, and kissed Nick on the neck. "I'll walk Chas outside. You don't mind waiting for the check to come, do you?"

"No, go ahead." Nick winked at Chast.i.ty. "Feel better, babe."

"Thanks, Nick." She gave him a weak smile as she stood.

Kevin casually slung his arm around her shoulder as they walked out the restaurant. Just as they stepped outside, Chast.i.ty froze when she spied Sebastian and his date in a pa.s.sionate embrace. It was at that moment, when he lifted his head, with lipstick smudged lips. The amus.e.m.e.nt in his eyes soon turned hard and cold, as he saw who stood next to her.

Chast.i.ty gripped Kevin's arm protectively, looking away. Let Sebastian think what he wanted. At least then she could walk away with her pride. Seeing him holding another woman the way he had, stung her to the core. It felt as if her heart had been ripped into tatters of confetti. Biting her inner lip to hold in a sob, Chast.i.ty clutched the front of her shirt, trying to still the pounding of her heart.

"Chas, are you okay?"

"I'm okay. The sooner I get home, the better I'll be."

"It doesn't have anything to do with the Italian Stallion over there, does it?"

She gasped, meeting knowing brown eyes. "You know?"

"I saw him enter the restaurant with his little friend. If you ask me, darling, she has nothing on you."

"Why didn't you say anything when you saw him?"

"I didn't recognize him at first, but I did when I just saw him now. Chas, hon, you have it bad, don't you?"

"Is it obvious?"

He smiled gently. "Just a little."

"What do you think I should do? I tried to apologize to him, but he didn't want to hear it. I think it may be best if I just start looking for another job."

"You're going to run away? That's the coward's way out."

"Maybe it is, but I don't think I can take seeing him parade all those women into the office again. It would hurt too much." Before she could stop it, a tear slid down her face. Kevin pulled her into his arms, rocking Chast.i.ty back and forth. "You know, Kevin, when this entire thing started, I was just trying to get my own back. Then when I realized how much I was falling for him, not just the silly schoolgirl crush I had before, I started worrying about getting hurt. I tried to protect my heart, but I ended up getting hurt anyway. Now I have to figure out how to stop loving him."

Chapter Sixteen.

"Thank you, Mrs. Carter. I'll be getting in contact with you within the next couple days or so, to let you know if we have a case. From what you're telling me, it does sound like the doctor was negligible, to some extent. You have to remember though, that if you're found even partially liable for what happened, the reward you want may not be as large as you'd like it to be. From what I can see, the hospital is offering a very fair sum, considering it was your responsibility to follow up with them. They could argue that, had you come back for your check up, you wouldn't have suffered that mild heart attack. Besides that, you didn't take the medication the doctor prescribed, and by your own admission, you're a smoker."

"Are you trying to tell me I don't have a case? If I don't, then why are they offering me blood money? My cousin Marty's son, David, is in his second year of law school and David thinks I have a case. Are you trying to say a law student knows more than you do?"

Sebastian bit the inside of his lip to keep an angry retort back. There was nothing more annoying than someone who thought they knew his job better than he did. He could already see that it would be a nightmare working with this woman. Fortunately, he had enough business to decline her if he chose. In fact, the only reason he'd agreed to see Mrs. Carter, was because he owed an old friend a favor. "I'm not saying one way or the other. In order for me to ascertain that information, I'll have to subpoena the hospital records."

"At one hundred and fifty dollars an hour? I'll end up owing more than I'll probably get. That's robbery."

"You'd only owe the consultation fee. I wouldn't start the hourly rate until we had a contract."

"Hmph. My son says you're one of the best, but I see no evidence of that so far." The woman crossed her arms, a ferocious frown on her saggy face.

"I'm sorry you feel that way. Perhaps I might not be the best person to represent your case."

Mrs. Carter's mouth dropped open, giving her the look of a hooked fish. Sebastian knew the game she was playing. She didn't want to pay the consultation fee and he'd just called her bluff.

"So, just like that, you're willing to throw away my business?"

"I'm not saying that at all, but I think you're looking for a quick yes or no, and I'm not willing to give you that without any further investigation."

The woman gathered her belongings in a huff and stood up. "Thanks for nothing. I'm sure there are plenty of attorneys who would help me out."

"I'm sure there are," Sebastian agreed, trying to keep the boredom out of his voice. He wished she'd hurry up and leave.

Mrs. Carter's eyes narrowed. "So, that's it then? You would rather I walk out the door, than retain me as a client?"

Exactly.

"Ma'am, if it's your intention to leave, I don't see how I can convince you otherwise. I wish you luck with your suit."

Her face flushed, then turned beet red. Obviously she'd expected him to beg. "Well, I'll certainly let my son know that you're not as competent as he claims you are."

Sebastian breathed a sigh of relief when she slammed the door behind her. He needed no further complications as it was. His professional life may have been a ten, but his personal life was a one, and it didn't help matters to see Chast.i.ty in the office day in and out. Maybe it would be best if she wasn't here, but the very thought caused him pain. He didn't know if he was coming or going.

He was finding it more difficult, with each pa.s.sing day, to ignore his feelings, no matter how hard he tried. He'd dated other women to get her out of his system, but all he could do was think of her. Sebastian's date with Marcy had ended disastrously when he'd called her by Chast.i.ty's name. He hasn't been laid in weeks, and it was all Chast.i.ty's fault!

Sebastian picked up the pile of mail he'd ignored all morning and began shuffling through it, pausing when he came across an envelope with only his name on it. What was this? Taking out the carefully folded piece of paper inside, his eyes scanned its contents. When he finished it, he felt like someone had slammed a fist into his stomach.

No. This couldn't be what he thought it was. Pushing away from his desk, he stormed out of his office and stalked toward Chast.i.ty's desk. Slapping the paper on her desk, he demanded, "What the h.e.l.l is this?"

Not bothering to raise her head as she continued typing whatever she was working on, Chast.i.ty said, "I would have thought that was obvious. It's my notice."

"You know what I mean, dammit, and would you at least have the decency to look at me when you're speaking?"

She looked in his direction then, revealing tear-swollen eyes. Her face was bare of make-up, other than a clear lip gloss. Even when she wasn't dolled up, she was beautiful. Why hadn't he noticed a long time ago, and why had she been crying? Most of his anger abated at the sadness on her face. "Chast.i.ty?"

"Please don't make this harder than this has to be. I...I think it's for the best."

"But..." He wanted to ask her to stay, plead and tell her he loved her, but wounded pride wouldn't allow it. Instead he said, "With Pearl gone, we'll be down two paralegals if you leave. It's a rather inopportune time for you to put in your notice. Besides, I never pegged you for a coward."

She sighed, sounding weary. "What are you talking about, Sebastian?"

"You're the one who started this little game of revenge." A humorless smile tugged at the corner of his lips when he gauged her startled reaction. "Oh, yeah. You didn't think I'd figure it out, did you? Well, I did. I know I hurt your feelings, and for that I'm truly sorry, but you set out to destroy me, didn't you?"

"I...".

"Didn't you!" he yelled, drawing curious stares in their direction.

"This isn't the place to have this discussion."

"Fine." Grabbing her by the arm, he pulled her down the hall and led her outside. "Now, answer my question."

She shook her head vehemently. "I never expected it to go to the extreme that it did. I didn't think you...I'm sorry," she whispered, her misery apparent.

Good. He wanted her to suffer as much as he did. "You and your boyfriend must have had a good laugh at my expense."

"Kevin isn't my boyfriend, I swear."