Undeniable

With a summer storm threatening to ruin his Friday afternoon, Asa Burton packs his briefcase and bolts for home before the driving gets dangerous. On the interstate, stuck behind an accident, he regrets his decision until he sees Ford Weston standing along the side of the road talking to a police officer.

Ford Weston can’t believe his luck, bad and good. First his car gets clipped on the tail end of an accident, and then none other than Asa Burton pulls over and offers him a ride home. Coming face-to-face with the biggest regret of his life leaves Ford off-balance. He screwed up with Asa all those years ago. It was his fault the relationship ended.

Asa can’t believe he’s found Ford again, so why is he angry with himself? Could it be because Ford walked out on him without a word seventeen years ago and he did nothing to stop him? Asa’s sure of only one thing – Fate just handed him the opportunity to win Ford back – and get some answers. 

* * *

It felt like he was on hold forever even though it was only a few seconds. Lord, he was going to screw this up somehow. He almost dropped his phone when Asa answered.

“Hello, Ford.”

“Asa. I, um, hope you don’t mind me calling.” Boy, that was slick.

“No, no. Not at all. What can I do for you?”

Ford took a breath in the hope of steadying himself. He hated to sound stupid and he was certain he did.

“Would you have time to see me today? You know, as a lawyer.”

There was a slight pause before Asa replied. “May I ask what this is about?”

Crap. Did that mean Asa would only see him for business? It was time he admitted to himself he wanted a lot more than that.

“I landed a big job today. Actually, it’s the most important job I’ve ever gotten. I need a good lawyer to look over the contract. I thought – I hoped you’d agree to look it over.”

“Is that all you want, Ford?”

Was that a note of hope in Asa’s quiet voice or did he want to believe it so badly he imagined it?

Ford closed his eyes and saw a younger Asa.

Asa had trusted him and for at least that one night, he hadn’t let Asa down.

“No, Asa. I need to see you.”