Begin Again - Jennifer Probst Page 0,23
reason to mingle and share our cause. Shall we?”
He held out an arm.
She took it without hesitation, reminding herself it was good for business.
Chloe ignored her softly sighing heart as he led her into the crowd.
Chapter Seven
Tonight seemed different.
Owen watched her shine, her tangible, positive energy flowing from her aura, urging everyone in her circle to get closer. He didn’t blame them. He’d been like a moth attracted to her light since the moment he’d met her, but now he enjoyed watching her thrive in the element she was meant for.
They made a great team. Between his legal knowledge and practical skill, combined with her ability to sell the Advocates for Animals group to people who didn’t know about their cause, toward the end of the evening they’d collected a few powerful contacts. The Spagarelli case was big, and many groups were grateful the organization was going hard for the civil suit—too many were easily dropped because of the overwhelming amount of cases.
He sipped champagne, nibbled on appetizers, and enjoyed Chloe’s company. After the presentation, and a few live songs from Rob Thomas, music was piped in for some dancing. They’d chosen timeless oldies better suited to the older generation. Not his usual alternative style, but he always appreciated the classics loved by his grandfather. Sinatra. Bennett. Ray Charles. Elvis.
The memory of Judge Archie Bennett was a twist of love and regret. He wished he’d gotten his act together sooner, but in his mind, his grandfather had been immortal. Owen hoped he was looking down at him with pride, finally witnessing him living a life of both purpose and good-doing. Just like the judge had always dreamed.
A touch on his arm drew him back. “You’re thinking of your grandfather?” she asked softly, eyes gentle.
“How did you know?”
Her head jerked slightly. “Didn’t he love Can’t Help Falling in Love with You?”
“Yes. I can’t believe you remembered that.”
She smiled. “You used to tell me how he’d blast his music on the record player until you wanted to cry. That he refused to wear hearing aids so he’d turn it up.”
Owen laughed. “I was the only teenager to know every lyric of Georgia by Ray Charles. I asked for noise cancelling headphones for Christmas because I couldn’t take it anymore.”
“It must’ve been nice, though. Living with your grandpa.”
He nodded. “It was. I know I complained a lot, but looking back, I learned so much from him. He was tough but fair and never treated me like my opinions were meaningless. He always listened.”
“I love that your mom invited him to stay with you both. It must have helped him to be around family.”
“Actually, my mom needed him. There was no way we could keep the house with her salary. Grandpa pretty much payed the rent.”
“I think it was a mutually beneficial experience,” she said. “He’d be lonely without you both, and you cared for him in his old age. I’d say you both won.”
He touched her cheek, grateful for the way she allowed him to see things, then dropped his hand like he’d been burned. Owen didn’t want anyone to start any gossip she didn’t need, and being together at this function could have stirred up some chatter. He might not want her to date Drew, but he also didn’t want to add to her stress. His voice came out ragged. “Sorry. Old habits to break. I know I lost the right to touch you.”
A strange expression flickered over her face. He held his breath at the glimpse of longing in her vivid blue eyes, but it was gone so quickly he wondered if he’d imagined it. “It’s okay. Let me introduce you to Regina at Rescue Dogs Furever.”
Regina was a birdlike woman with a long face and curly black hair that exploded around her head. Dark eyes regarded him with a cynical suspicion, as if she already suspected he’d disappoint her. He pegged her for early sixties. She wore a T-shirt type dress with dogs stamped over it, high strappy black heels, and carried a beaded black bag. Chloe made the introductions, and Regina turned toward him. Her voice held a biting sharpness. “Do you believe you can make the civil suit stick? Or is another abuser going to walk, go to the nearest pet store, and buy more animals to fill up her house again?”
“I’m here to make sure we get our day in court,” he said mildly, understanding her frustration. Animal law caused too many people to lose faith, in