Hers to Love

Chapter 2

Maria gripped the steering wheel tightly as her Hummer splashed through the flooded streets, the rhythmic drumming of the rain on the windshield matching the intensity of her thoughts. She had been preparing for this case for weeks, pouring over every detail, every piece of evidence, and every possible argument. Her client's future was on the line, and she wasn't about to let a downpour derail everything. The court had already postponed too many hearings, and she knew that any further delays could weaken her case and frustrate her client's right to a speedy trial.

The windshield wipers worked furiously, struggling to keep up with the torrential rain. Maria's mind raced just as fast, replaying her opening statement, anticipating the opposing counsel's arguments, and mentally running through her notes. The stakes were high, and she was determined to give it her all. The courthouse was only a few miles away, but with the weather worsening, it felt like a marathon.

Her phone buzzed in the cup holder, a notification from the court reminding her of the scheduled hearing. "No turning back now," she muttered under her breath, glancing at the time. She was cutting it close, but she would make it. She had to.

As she approached a particularly deep puddle, Maria steeled herself, pressing down on the accelerator just enough to power through. The Hummer handled the challenge with ease, but Maria knew the real test was yet to come—inside the courtroom, where every word, every gesture, and every second counted. The rain might have been relentless, but so was she.

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Maria felt the tension in her shoulders intensify as she left the courthouse. The hearing had taken everything out of her, and now that the submissions were finally made, all she wanted was to escape the weight of the day. She found herself walking, her feet carrying her on autopilot, until she realized she was standing outside the art gallery across from her favorite coffee shop.

She hesitated for a moment, staring at the gallery's entrance. She had never been inside before, but she knew Amir worked here. The thought of seeing him brought a flicker of something warm to her chest, but it was quickly followed by the cold sting of reality. There was no denying that she found him interesting—captivating, even—but the age difference between them was too significant to ignore. She knew better than to let herself get involved. Still, her feet seemed to have a mind of their own, guiding her through the door.

Inside, the gallery was a sanctuary of quiet and color, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy of the courtroom. As she moved deeper into the space, she caught sight of Amir, his back to her as he adjusted a painting on the wall.

For a moment, she considered turning around and leaving before he noticed her. But it was too late. He turned and saw her, his face lighting up in a way that made her heart skip a beat.

"Maria," Amir greeted her, surprised but pleased. "I didn't expect to see you here. How are you?"

"Hi, Amir," Maria replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I just needed a break. Today's been... intense."

Amir's expression softened with concern. "I can imagine. You look like you've been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Maria forced a small smile, trying to downplay her stress. "Something like that. I thought maybe some art would help me unwind."

"Art has a way of doing that," Amir said, stepping closer. "Would you like a tour? I could show you some of my favorite pieces."

Maria hesitated, but only for a moment. "Sure, that would be nice."

As they walked through the gallery, Amir talked animatedly about the artists and their work, but Maria found it hard to focus on his words. Instead, her thoughts kept drifting to the way his eyes lit up when he spoke, the way his presence made her feel more at ease, despite the turmoil in her mind.

"You seem distracted," Amir noted gently, pausing in front of a vibrant abstract piece. "Is everything okay?"

Maria glanced at him, quickly looking away as if she could hide the turmoil in her thoughts. "I'm just... thinking about a lot of things. Work, mostly."

"I understand," Amir said, his voice calm and reassuring. "But if you ever want to talk about it—or about anything else—I'm here."

Maria felt a pang in her chest at his offer. He was kind, attentive, and completely unaware of the conflict raging inside her. She couldn't let him know what was really on her mind, couldn't let him see the attraction she was desperately trying to ignore.

"Thanks, Amir," she said, her tone more distant than she intended. "But I think I just need to clear my head on my own."

Amir nodded, respecting her space. "Of course. But you're welcome here anytime. Sometimes, it helps to be around things that make you feel something other than stress."

Maria smiled faintly, appreciating his understanding. "I'll keep that in mind."

They continued walking in silence, the air between them heavy with the unspoken. Maria couldn't help but steal a glance at Amir, wondering if he had any idea of the effect he had on her. But she quickly pushed the thought away, reminding herself of the line she couldn't cross.

As they reached the end of the tour, Amir turned to her, his expression sincere. "I'm glad you came by today, Maria. I know it might not seem like much, but I hope this helped, even just a little."

"It did," Maria admitted softly, feeling a warmth spread through her chest despite herself. "Thank you, Amir."

"Anytime," Amir replied with a gentle smile. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

Maria nodded, knowing that she needed to keep her distance from him, no matter how drawn she felt. As she walked out of the gallery, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking away from something that could be more. But she also knew that some lines weren't meant to be crossed—no matter how tempting they might be.