Beneath My Father's Legacy

CHAPTER FIVE-THE COINCIDENCE

Jason Hart had been watching Laura Carter for three days.

Not in a threatening way at least, that's what he told himself. He told himself it was business. He told himself he was just observing his competition.

He was lying.

There was something about her. The way she refused him. The way she looked at him like he was the villain in her story. The way she held her ground when everyone else crumbled.

He couldn't stop thinking about her.

And that terrified him.

So when he saw her leave the café in a hurry on Thursday afternoon — her coat half-on, her hair wild, clutching something in her hand — he followed.

Not because he had a plan.

Not because he wanted anything.

Just because he couldn't help it.

She led him through the Old District, past the shuttered bakery, past the record shop, past the community garden. She walked like she was running from something or running toward something.

She stopped at The Forgotten Bridge.

Jason hung back, watching. She stood at the railing, looking out at the river, her hands gripping the rusted iron. She looked... lost. And beautiful. And completely unaware that he was there.

He should have left.

He should have walked away.

Instead, he stepped forward.

"You know," he said, "most people come here to be alone."

Laura spun around. Her eyes went wide then narrowed.

"Did you follow me?" she demanded.

Jason held up his hands. "I was already in the neighborhood."

"You're a terrible liar."

"So I've been told.”

Laura crossed her arms. Her hazel eyes burned into him. "Why are you here, Jason?"

He opened his mouth to say something clever. Something cold. Something that would push her away and protect his pride.

Instead, he said the truth.

"I don't know," he admitted. "I saw you leave the café. I followed you. I don't know why."

Laura stared at him. "You followed me."

"Yes."

"Across the entire Old District."

"Yes."

"Without a plan."

"Yes."

She blinked. "That's insane."

"I know."

"Jason "

"I know." He stepped closer. "I know it's insane. I know I have no right to be here. I know you think I'm the enemy. But I can't stop thinking about you, Laura. And I don't know what to do with that."

Laura's breath caught. "You can't say things like that."

"Why not?"

"Because you're the enemy."

Jason stepped closer. The rain was starting to fall again, misting around them like a veil.

"Then let me be something else," he said.

She looked up at him. The rain clung to her lashes. Her lips parted.

"What something?" she whispered.

Jason reached out. His fingers brushed a strand of wet hair from her face.

"I don't know," he said. "But I want to find out."

He leaned in.

And then his lips were on hers.

It was desperate and hungry and real. His hand cupped her face, his body pressed against hers, and Laura forgot how to think. She forgot about the café. She forgot about the eviction notice. She forgot about everything except the way he tasted like rain and longing.

She pulled away first.

"I hate you," she breathed.

"No, you don't."

"You're right." She looked up at him, her eyes burning. "I don't hate you. That's the problem.

Jason's hand was still on her face. His thumb traced her cheekbone.

"Come with me," he said.

"Where?"

"Somewhere we ca

n talk. Somewhere we can stop being enemies for five minutes."

Laura wanted to say no.

She wanted to walk away.

She wanted to forget that this man made her feel more alive than she'd felt in years.