Chapter 12

Bradley glances over his shoulder to check the time. It's getting late and he's still sitting in his office, stuck working on the opening arguments for a case coming up in a few days. Tossing his legal pad onto the desk, he stands up and stretches his arms above his head. His back cracks a little and he winces. It's just another sign he's getting older, he thinks to himself.

He takes a moment to contemplate whether or not to head home. The day's been long enough, with a client meeting lasting longer than he initially planned, to working on this case all evening. The last thing he wants to do is spend the night here, which isn't an uncommon thing, but the idea of going home and sleeping in a bed is more sensible. He doesn't spend too much time contemplating the decision and shoves his phone into his pocket, grabs his briefcase and car keys, and undoes his tie as he walks out of the office.

Tomorrow is another day.

The ride home is a quiet one for him with barely anyone on the road. He's only been back in town for six months, but the late evening drive reminds him of the long days he used to work up in New Haven. Dropping his keys on the table by the front door, he heads straight to the kitchen and grabs a bottle of beer from inside the fridge.

He walks from the kitchen into the living room and falls onto the couch. Propping his feet up on the table, he unbuttons his shirt and gulps down a mouthful of beer. The room is quiet, maybe a little too quiet for his liking, so he reaches for the stereo remote and presses the 'ON' button. Music fills the room and he's content with the background noise. He takes another sip of beer, closes his eyes and tips his head back.

The joys of being a single guy again, being able to just kick back and relax, with no one to answer to or please. No interruptions, it's just him, alone in his house, with his music and his thoughts.

And then his cell phone rings.

Bradley sits up and pulls the noisy object out of his pocket. "Hello," he says, smiling. "And to what do I owe this pleasure, Reese?"

"Nothin', just thought I'd call to see how things were goin' with you," she replies.

He rolls his eyes, takes another sip of beer and sets the bottle on the table. "Not much. Same ol' borin' life, I'm sure you know how it is these days. Mostly work…workin' late, coming home and rollin' into bed, only to roll back out, head into the office and do the same thing all over again."

Reese shakes her head, says with a chuckle, "At least one of us is home. I'm still sittin' here in front of my drafting desk in the office."

Bradley checks the time. "You are somethin' else. It's almost eleven, you should go home. Stop workin' so hard," he says, knowing that he's guilty of doing the same exact thing from time to time, more so recently. "Don't make me drive down there and escort you outta that office."

"Don't worry, I'm headin' home soon," she reassures, and is somewhat touched that he cares. Aside from Charlotte, Bradley's the only other person who looks out for her.

"Good. 'Cause you know, I do worry."

"Aww, that's too sweet, but I am a grown woman. I don't need a man worryin' about me. I can take care of myself."

Bradley doesn't bother hiding the laugh that comes out of his mouth. "I don't need a man worryin' about me," he mimics in a high-pitched voice and now Reese is laughing on the other end. "I see Charlotte's rubbin' off on you, 'cause that's such a Charlotte King thing to say."

"What makes you think that?"

"Nothin'. It's something I'd expect comin' from her, being how she's all independent woman and such."

"Does that bother you?"

"Does what?"

"Charlotte. I mean she's not exactly the damsel in distress type," Reese smirks, wondering if Bradley can tell if she's fishing for information. After all, the purpose of her call wasn't just to say hello, but to hear his take on things with her best friend.

Bradley runs fingers through his hair. "Don't I know it," he reaches for his beer and sighs. It's not one of those frustrated kind of sighs, but more like a 'sure she's like that but I don't mind it at all' sigh and it's making him smile a little. "It doesn't bother me at all. It's nothin' new. Charlie's always had that independent thing goin', all the way back to high school."

"Charlie. I sure haven't heard that nickname in a long time," Reese replies. She wonders if her brothers still call her that or if Charlotte still likes being called Charlie.

"She'd probably smack me if I started callin' her Charlie again."

"Well, it isn't a girly kind of nickname, you know."

"Yeah. But I'd just love to see the look on her face."

"Go ahead and try," Reese challenges. She zips up her bag and slings the strap over her shoulder. "You and Charlotte seem to be getting along well. Seems like the both of you slipped right back into being close friends."

"Yeah, we have. It feels good to have another soul to connect to after the mess that was the last year and a half," he finishes off his beer and sets the empty bottle on the table. He swings his legs around, stretches out completely on the couch.

Reese smiles as she walks toward her car. "I'd say the feelin' is mutual comin' from Charlotte. We were out at dinner the other night and her face pretty much lit up when I asked about you."

"Oh, talkin' about me behind my back, huh?"

"Girl talk, sweetie. And believe me, you've got nothin' to worry about."

Bradley's brow furrows and he sits up a little. Now Reese has his full attention, wondering what she means. "And what are you gettin' at? Look, Charlie… I mean, Charlotte and I, we're just friends."

"Uh huh, and nothin' more," Reese rolls her eyes, opens her car door and tosses her bag inside. "I heard that story already. Tell me, how many dates have the two of you been on?"

"Two."

"And I'm guessin' date number three is comin' up soon, right?"

Bradley's brow goes up. How does she know this? He smirks, realizing she must've heard it from Charlotte. "Yep, this weekend. No idea what we'll be doin', but I'll figure somethin' out. Charlotte's an easy woman to please. Can't tell ya how much I like that about her."

"Sounds like you're startin' to like a lot of things about Charlotte. But sayin' she's an easy woman to please? Nonsense."

"Well, maybe she isn't, but to me, she is. Right now, at least. She's just…different and I like it."

"Brad, from the way things are soundin', I'm starting to think you've got feelins' for her. Do ya?"

Bradley doesn't answer right away. It's a question he's been avoiding himself, trying not to think about it. Who falls for someone after only two dates? Well, he does, or he feels like he's falling for her. She's different from Maggie and it doesn't help that he's always had feelings for Charlotte, going all the way back to high school.

Reese's voice interrupts his moment of thought. "Ah, silence. I'll take that as a yes." She gets into her car and buckles her seatbelt. "Alright, now I love talkin' to you, but I'm in my car now and I don't do the whole drivin' while talkin' thing. So, I'm gonna leave you be and let you think about what I asked," she says, turning the ignition. "If it helps, I'd say Charlotte's thinkin' the same things too. You know, feelings, but you didn't hear it from me."

"Thanks Reese."

Bradley sits there, staring at his phone. He thinks about calling Charlotte, but decides not to when he looks at the time. Sure, it's possible she's still up, but the gentleman in him doesn't want to assume. Instead, he's sitting there with his thoughts, much like before Reese called. Only now, those thoughts are more about Charlotte than anything else.