Free Assets by Shannon Dermott

really here.”
    Swallowing his last bite, he put his half-eaten sandwich down. “It’s true, you know. I really came for you.” When I didn’t look convinced, he added, “When I left Boston two years ago it was the hardest thing for me to do. I had a mad thing for you. You were with the asshole. So when the opportunity of the special program for me to complete my criminology degree and finish my requirements with the police academy came along, I jumped on it.”
    “So, if I hadn’t been with the asshole,” I said smiling, using his word, “you would have pursued me instead of your career?” I asked, trying to get him to admit that I wasn’t a factor.
    “Let’s just say I wouldn’t have looked for a program out of state or I would have convinced you to come with me,” he said. And I had to give him credit for a pretty good answer. “You were taken and it was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up. Even though dear old dad doesn’t want me in the line of fire, I knew if I stayed and pursued my goal to get into the FBI, he would have used his influence to make sure I got in. It was important to me to make it on my own. And when I found out that you’d finally left the asshole-.” He winked at me. “I applied with the bureau. I have an interview with them tomorrow.”
    “Oh, congrats,” I said, leaning over the table to give him a quick hug before returning to my seat.
    Smiling, he said, “You still were a major factor and it seems like I’ll be saying your name along with the phrase ‘the one that got away’ for the rest of my life.”
    Reaching out, I squeezed his hand. “Matt, I’ve had a crush on you forever.” His eyes sparkled. “But your timing sucks.”
    Laughing, he said, “Tell me about it. Just say this. If it doesn’t work with this-,”
    “Kalen,” I offered.
    “Kalen, you’ll give me a shot before anyone else.”
    “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I said, smiling at him.
    Although I ended up throwing most of my uneaten lunch away, I was stuffed. That was New York for you. The Big Apple and all, they served big portions when not in those stuffy fancy restaurants.
    Back in front of the client’s office building, Matt took me in a hug. “Just let me kiss you one last time.”
    It wasn’t like I was anyone’s girlfriend. I nodded. And again, he gave me a toe curling kiss. I had a moment of regret when he walked away. He’d told me that he would be leaving on Friday to head back to Chicago. There was no reason for him to stay longer if he wasn’t going to pursue me. I urged him to go see his parents, but he wouldn’t commit to that. I wished him well and let him go, because right then, my mind was still very much attached to a tall Scotsman who made me want to pull my hair out.
    My thoughts were occupied when I stepped back onto the floor where we had been stationed. When I walked into the conference room, I realized too late I was alone with Kevin. He closed the door behind me. A chill ran down my spine and I was grateful for plate glass windows that made up one wall of the room, giving everybody who walked past a clear view of us inside. He couldn’t possibly try anything because we were on display.
    Turning to me, he said, “So you have a boyfriend.” I nodded, unsure where he was going with this. “And here I thought I got the vibe from you that you were interested in me.”
    Open jawed, I said, “I’m not sure where you got that impression as I’m engaged.”  Sometimes you don’t think. And this is one of those times. Here was another lie, but it came out of my mouth as a defensive reaction.
    “I guess that’s that, then.”
    “I suppose so,” I said. Feeling the awkwardness creep in, I decided to talk about my findings. “Kevin, there is something I’ve wanted to talk to you about.” And so I explained the wire transfers that had been coded as bank fees. He listened as I explained the odd occurrence of immaterial amounts being withdrawn on a