After Victory: A Searching for Glory Novel (A Second Chance Love Story)

by Hunter J. Keane

  It was Friday morning and I was running late for work. My friend, Jen, had been whining for ten minutes, trying to convince me that I needed to hit the town with her rather than study for my last finals ever. In nine days, I would be a law school graduate.

  “Excuse me,” I pushed my way across Daley Plaza, tunneling a path through a group of tourists. With summer just weeks away, Chicago was being overrun by class trips and eager out-of-towners. “Jen, I’m late.”

  “Late? Oh my god! How? Who?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Not that kind of late. I’m late for work.”

  She sighed. “Oh. That’s so much more boring.”

  “I’ll text you later if I change my mind.” I dug into my purse for the badge that would get me past the long line at security.

  “You won’t.” She hung up without a goodbye.

  “Good morning, Ed,” I said to the security guard that checked my ID every morning. He looked even more disgruntled than usual.

  “Have a good day, Kasey.”

  I had exactly two minutes to make it all the way to the 28th floor before the first scheduled pretrial conference of the morning. As the elevator doors began to shut in my face, my chances of making it on time got worse.

  “Whoa.” A hand shot through the doors from the inside and they bounced open.

  “Thank you!” I gasped, thoroughly surprised.

  It was rare for someone to hold the elevators during the busy morning time. I squeezed on next to the gentleman that had committed the act of chivalry. I glanced at him and then immediately looked away.

  He was an attractive man- too attractive for his own good. Sparkling eyes, dazzling smile, and a great head of hair. Based on his perfectly tailored suit, I also guessed that he was a successful lawyer.

  “Running late?” he asked, his voice deep.

  I nodded and kept my eyes straight ahead. Idle conversation with a stranger was not on my list of things to accomplish this morning.

  The man kept staring at me, long after the acceptable amount of time. When we finally reached my floor, I dove out of the elevator.

  “Have a nice day!” the man called after me.

  Moving quickly, but not running because it’s not acceptable to run in a courthouse, I entered the glass doors that led to the judges’ chambers.

  “I’m here!” I announced, tossing my bag on the desk outside Judge Malone’s office.

  “You better get in there,” her clerk, Tamara, said with exaggerated seriousness.

  I entered as quietly as possible, but everyone turned to look at me anyway. “Traffic,” I mouthed.

  The judge frowned at me, then turned back to the attorneys. “I highly advise you to get your clients to work together on this. Trust me when I say that they don’t want me to be the person dividing up their possessions.”

  For the last nine months, I had been reporting to court three days per week for my clerkship in the domestic relations division of the Daley Center. Specifically, I worked for Holly Malone, the youngest female judge in the city. She was smart, sassy, and tough but fair. I had learned a lot working for her.

  The pretrial conference ended without any drama and Holly waited until the door closed behind the attorneys before she said, “Traffic?”

  “My bus got stuck on Lake Shore Drive. It was a nightmare.” I gave her my best apologetic smile. “Sorry.”

  “It happens,” she said, her hand waving away my apology. “What do you have planned this weekend?”

  In addition to being a fantastic judge, Holly had also become a good friend. Like Jen, she made it her business to offer opinions on my personal life.

  “Studying. Finals next week.” I figured of all people, she could understand that. It wasn’t all that long ago that she had been in school herself.

  “It’s Friday, Kasey.” Her head shook in disapproval. “You are young and pretty. Go out and get laid.”

  “Holly!!”

  She stood, her black gown ruffling around her feet as she walked around the desk. “I’m older and smarter than you. It’s time you start listening to me.”

  I was still blushing as I followed her through the doors that led to the courtroom. As usual, during the morning calls I sat in the witness stand to the left of Holly. As she made her way through the call list, I would hand her court files, pass orders to Tamara and take diligent notes. Tamara sat in the clerk seat on my left, moving down the call sheet line by line. Most mornings, it took a couple of hours to reach the bottom of the list.

  “Line 1!”

  And so our morning began.

  Tamara was a stickler for keeping things moving and it was hard to keep up with her pace. I was so focused on my responsibilities that I looked up in surprise when the last case was called. I was surprised again to see my elevator hero standing in front of the bench.

  “Good morning, Your Honor. Luke Donovan. Attorney for the plaintiff.”

  He looked up from his file, eyes flashing from Holly to me. A small smiled played at the corner of his lips. I flushed and looked at the papers in front of me.

  “We’re still waiting on opposing counsel to turn over the financial information we requested.” Luke spoke with complete authority and confidence. “Mr. McKay has agreed to get us that information next week if you’re willing to grant us a continuance.”

  I pretended to survey the nearly empty courtroom as Holly reprimanded Mr. McKay. Luke wasn’t listening to their exchange, he was too busy studying me.

  “Fill out the order and I’ll grant the continuance.” Holly stood, effectively ending the debate. “File it with my law clerk, Miss Maxwell, and she’ll bring it for my signature.”

  I glanced up in surprise. Holly rarely left the courtroom before all paperwork had been finalized. When she slipped me a wink on her way out of the courtroom, I suddenly understood her motive.

  Mr. McKay was busy filling out the order, but Luke was undistracted. He sauntered over to my desk and leaned on the wood frame in front of me.

  “We meet again,” he said, flashing another of his brilliant smiles.

  “Nope,” I said without looking up from the file I was reorganizing.

  “Nope?” He laughed uncertainly. “No, we don’t meet again?”

  My lips pressed together tightly as I looked up and said, “Don’t bother with charming banter. I’m not into that sort of thing.”

  His eyebrows shot up in surprise and he laughed. “You’re sassy.”

  “And you seem unable to do anything but state the obvious.”

  Mr. McKay handed me the completed form. “Will this take long? I need to be in a hearing in five minutes.”

  “I’ll take it to the judge.”

  Two minutes later, I handed them each a copy and Mr. McKay stomped out of the room without a word. Luke was in less of a hurry.

  “I’m Luke Donovan,” he said, holding out his hand.

  I stared at it blankly, then finally offered my own. “Kasey Maxwell.”

  “Kasey.” He smiled. “I like it.”

  “I’m glad you approve.” I gestured to the empty room behind him. “Did you need something else?”

  “Your number.”

  My mouth dropped open in surprise. I was used to dealing with arrogant lawyers on a daily basis, but Luke’s confidence was in a league of its own. “I’m sorry to say you’re going to be leaving disappointed.”

  “Nothing about this day has been disappointing so far.” He grinned. “I’ll see you around, Kasey Maxwell.”

  “Can’t wait,” I muttered.

  Holly was waiting in her chambers, anxious to hear about our encounter. “You can thank me later,” she said when I walked into the room.

  “Thank you for making me deal with that arrogant ass?”

  “Arrogant ass?” She laughed in surprise. “Luke is a bit straight-forward, but I wouldn’t call him arrogant.”

  “You know him?”

  She slipped off her robe and draped it over a hanger on the back of the door. �
�We have some common friends, actually. He doesn’t usually handle divorce cases though so it was a surprise to see him this morning.”

  “If you think he’s so great, why don’t you date him?”

  “Because I’m not the one he was undressing with his eyes in the courtroom.” She settled into a chair across from me. “You should give him a chance. I think you would actually like him if you weren’t so determined to be a social hermit for the rest of your life.”

  “I’ll tell you what, Holly. You handle the judge stuff and I’ll handle my personal life, okay?”

  “Suit yourself.” Holly waved a hand, dismissing me. “See if I ever do you a favor again.”

  “I’m not worried. You can’t keep your nose out of my life.” I softened my tone by adding a smile. “I appreciate your attempt, Holly. I’m afraid I’m just a lost cause.”

  Holly reached for a file, giving me a long look as she said, “I wouldn’t be too sure about that. Luke Donovan is a man that is used to getting what he wants. And it was fairly obvious that what he wants is you.”

  We spent the afternoon in a trial, one that got ugly fast. After listening to the two sides bicker over money and property for hours while spending only five minutes debating custody of their children, I decided to take Jen up on her offer.

  I joined her at The Bench, a nearby bar that was always filled with over-priced drinks and over-sexed lawyers. It wasn’t really my scene, but Jen was determined to marry a partner before she turned 27.

  “So I’m fairly convinced that after my success on the motion today they will definitely offer me a job after I pass the bar,” she said before taking a big drink from her martini.

  “That’s great, Jen.”

  Jen was one of those girls that knew exactly what her life would be like in one year, five years, ten years. She set goals and she didn’t stop until she reached them. Right now, her goal was to get drunk as quickly as possible and find a suitable mate for the night.

  “What about that guy from your office? The first year? What was his name… Dan?”

  “Ugh. First years.” Jen groaned. “They are basically well-paid law clerks.”

  “You’re a law clerk, Jen,” I said with a laugh.

  She finished the martini in front of her and tried to flag down the bartender for another. “What does a girl have to do to get a drink around here?”

  “Show him your boobs?” Immediately after the words left my mouth, I regretted the joke. Jen gave it serious consideration.

  Fortunately, the bartender appeared with two drinks in hand.

  “We didn’t order these,” I said.

  “That guy down there ordered them,” he said, pointing to the opposite end of the bar.

  Jen sat up straight. “Which one?”

  The bartender was already gone, appeasing the masses with copious amounts of alcohol. He would be making good tip money tonight.

  “I can’t see anything in this crowd,” Jen complained. “I wonder which one of these rich guys is looking to get lucky.”

  “Whichever one it is, he’s all yours.” I checked the time on my phone. “I’m out after this drink.”

  “You can’t leave,” Jen said.

  “I know, I know. I need to learn how to have fun-”

  Jen cut me off. “No, I mean you can’t leave because our generous donor is headed this way, and he’s definitely interested in you.”

  “Oh, great. Is he fat and balding?”

  Jen’s eyes widened.

  “Not yet,” the guy said from directly over my shoulder. “But there’s a chance I may not age gracefully.”

  I knew that voice. “Are you stalking me?” I asked, whirling to face Luke.

  “I was here first, so I guess that means you are stalking me.” He held out his hand to Jen. “I’m Luke Donovan.”

  “Charmed,” Jen said with an exaggerated accent. “Jen Bilkens. Kasey’s best friend.”

  Luke glanced at me. “Is that so?”

  “I don’t get out much,” I said. “Jen, weren’t you just talking about leaving-”

  “Oh! I see one of my coworkers.” She gave Luke an apologetic smile. “I really should say hello. You two should get to know each other better while I’m gone.”

  I kept my eyes on my drink, taking a careful sip, while silently plotting the murder of my best friend. When I looked up at Luke, he was standing uncomfortably close to me.

  With a smirk, he said, “Alone at last.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  “Like I said, I’m leaving.”

  It was the least subtle hint I could give that I wasn’t interested in Luke, but it lacked my usual biting sass.

  Luke noticed. “Stay until you finish your drink. If you still want to leave after that, I won’t stop you.”

  “Fine.” I took a big, deliberate sip of my drink and Luke laughed.

  “I guess I better work fast then.” He leaned on the bar next to me and I noticed that with his suit jacket gone, tie loosened, and sleeves rolled up, he looked less like a high-fashion suit model. “How long have you been working for Judge Malone?”

  “Since last August. This is my third year clerkship.” One of the nice things about talking to a lawyer about your job was that they weren’t easily impressed.

  Luke nodded. “Are you planning to stay in divorce work after graduation?”

  “No way.”

  He laughed knowingly. “Smart girl. So what do you plan to do?”

  “A friend of mine runs a nonprofit. I’m going to help out with grants and some legislative advocacy work. It won’t pay much at all so I might not be able to do it for long, but it’s not like I can really practice until I pass the bar anyway.”

  I was surprised by Luke’s reaction- a curious head tilt and a softening around his eyes.

  “You don’t have aspirations to become an associate at a big firm?”

  “Not at all.” That might not have been my answer when I first started school seven years ago, but a lot had changed since then. “I’d rather help people.”

  He laughed again and gestured around the crowded bar. “You’re not like the rest of these people, are you?”

  “Does that include you?” I had just been assuming that Luke was on the partnership track. “What law firm are you with?”

  “Donovan and Kramer.” He grimaced when he saw the look of understanding pass through my face.

  “Your own firm?”

  “My dad’s.” He sighed, already anticipating my line of questioning.

  “What’s it like working for your dad?”

  He looked away, face tense. “My father died a few years ago.”

  “Oh.” I wasn’t sure what to say. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not.” His face was dark and indecipherable. Then, like a switch, he turned his smile back on. “Let’s just say my father wasn’t as charming as me.”

  “That’s not hard to believe,” I said, offering my first small smile.

  Luke noticed. “You have a beautiful smile, Kasey. You should use it more.”

  “Time’s up.” I held up my empty glass.

  “Thanks for having a drink with me.” Luke made a show of looking disappointed. “I hope we run into each other again soon.”

  A flash of inspiration hit me. “Who knows, maybe we’ll run into each other outside the bar in two minutes.”

  Luke frowned, confused. When I flashed him a playful smile, he got it. “Maybe we will.”

  I waited for him just outside the door, leaning against the stone wall and letting the breeze cool my flushed skin. The mixture of alcohol and Luke Donovan had made me warm and tingly.

  When he stepped outside, he looked good enough to make my heart skip a beat, literally. He’d pulled on his suit jacket, but his tie was still just loose enough for me to imagine tugging on it to pull him closer. I shook the mental image away.

  “Fancy running into you here,” I said.

  He turned to me with his ridiculously perfect smile and said, “Thi
s really is my lucky day.”

  It occurred to me that he might think the exact opposite if he really knew me. But I’d had just enough alcohol to let down my usually impenetrable wall.

  “Are you up for a walk?”

  “With you?” He stepped dangerously close to me and I could smell his cologne. I had a weakness for cologne. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do tonight.”

  “Then you must not have a very good imagination.” I grinned up at him. “Let’s go.”

  It was a beautiful spring evening, warm by Chicago standards but still chilly. As we walked slowly through the loop, I was glad that my work heels were both fashionable and comfortable. The beginnings of a blister would be an unfortunate way to end the evening.

  “It always surprises me how deserted downtown becomes on Friday night.” We had been walking for a while and had only passed a few late commuters on their way to the train station. “Do you live close by?”

  “Already trying to get an invite back to my place?” Luke joked. “I live in the Gold Coast. You?”

  “Lakeview.”

  We were closing in on Millennium Park. “I could use a coffee. What do you say?”

  “Sure.”

  The waitress at the counter looked up in surprise when we entered. The café was empty except for the three of us.

  “Coffee. Black,” I said.

  Luke glanced at me in surprise and said, “Make that two.”

  He insisted on paying for the coffees and turned to me while we waited for the barista to fill our order.

  “No fru-fru drink?” he asked.

  “What’s so surprising about that?” I felt myself get irritated. “What, just because I’m a girl I can’t drink my coffee black?”

  “Whoa. That’s not what I meant.” He looked chagrinned. “Okay, actually you aren’t wrong. But I was. Sorry.”

  I shrugged. “I’m sure it’s not the first time you’ve been wrong about women.”

  “You’re right about that.” He picked up the coffees and handed me one. “Shall we resume our walk?”

  “Let’s stroll through the park. It’s nicer at night when all of the tourists are gone.” It wasn’t quite dark enough or late enough to have to worry about our safety. Now was prime park time.

  “How do you like working for Holly?”