Chapter 19
Chapter 19
ASTRID
“You didn’t reply to the text. Is everything okay? It doesn’t sound like you’re at the bar.” Ava says the second I place my cell phone over my ear.
“I’m at the bar, i stepped out to make a phone call.”
“Who did you call?”
Her question surprises me. “My mom. What’s Up, Ava?”
She exhales loudly. “I’m sorry if I’m intruding. I’m just nervous. I really need this to work. I miss her.”
Silence. I close my eyes and rub my temple. I can hear Lisa’s voice. It’s Beyoncé Tonight. Georgia said she’s writing her songs. I wonder if that means she will stop singing Taylor’s and other songs.
“Has she arrived yet?” She continues.
“Yes. She’s on stage right now.”
She sighs. It’s wistful. I want to tell her everything will be okay. I have already met Georgia, and that’s the ticket to meeting Lisa – just like Ava said.
I doubt I’ll ever stop my attraction to Jordan.
Why does it have to be him? There are so many men out there, and all my attention is fixated on a man who is my father’s best friend. The thought of moving away for a while occurs to me. A few weeks, a month – as long as it will take to stifle this madness.
This can’t be love. No. I rub my temple again. His rejection is deeply engraved in my mind. However, the ache of the wound isn’t enough to burn my need for him.
He’s moved on already. For me, nothing has changed. I still want to feel him wrapped around him, his breath mingling with mine.
Will this ever get better? Will I get past him and the memories?
My brain, ever helpful, whispers no, taunting me further.
Ava hangs up. I step out of the car the second time and grimace. Apparently, the little chat I just had with her hasn’t helped at all. I still feel like getting into my car and driving till I hit my driveway.
A flash of movement catches my attention. I turn, half expecting to see Jordan.
Georgia. I muster a smile as I approach her. She’s typing furiously into her phone, her brows squeezed in concentration.
“I just got an email. I applied to intern at this firm, and I just got in.” She says, glancing up at the phone. “I was literally holding my breath when I saw the name, I was expecting a rejection.”
Her voice is light and friendly. Too friendly. She appears to be the type that will get hurt if she ever finds out I approached her with an ulterior motive. I hope she holds nothing against Ava because it will only make my job harder.
“Congratulations. Why were you scared?”
“I heard the boss is tough, and no one has been able to get in for some time now.”
“So, you’re either fortunate, brilliant, or both.”
Her smile broadens. “Lucky. Being smart isn’t enough. He told me so himself during the interview.”
1/4
20:34 Sat, 31 May G
Chapter 19
“I’m sure you’re going to enjoy your time there. How long will you be interning for?”
Six months. Ava was quite generous with details.
34%
+38
She chuckles lightly. “Six months, I’m a bit anxious. The boss was tough- unfriendly. I don’t remember the last time I had to try so hard to get anything, but the day I walked into that white building, I was literally sweating my pants.”
“Pete Bishop is a doll. Don’t let the stiff exterior fool you.”
A glimmer of surprise shoots through her blue eyes. I know what’s coming. She will ask how I got to know Pete, the man she’s been talking about. I don’t know how to sneak around, plus she’s going to run into me when she resumes. It’s a big building, but Pete ensures we stick together.
“You know Pete Bishop?”
Inod, smiling, “He’s my boss. I’m a financial consultant.”
Her mouth hangs open. 1 laugh loudly. “You look surprised. Why’s that?”
“I never pegged you for a financial consultant. I thought you were an actor…a model, maybe. Damn.”
I draw myself straighter, leaning away from the car. Inside, the party is getting intense. I can see the moving bodies…and of course, the echoes are deafening but beautiful. Lisa is an absolute star girl.
“We should head in. We can continue this over lunch break when you resume.”
“No way!” She says with a glint in her eyes. “We’re meeting up later for drinks. I want you to meet Lisa. She’ll love you. And she’ll try to ask you to keep an
eye on me.”
Apprehension tweaks my l insides. I should be looking forward to it, but there’s a lingering sense of nervousness. I direct my gaze to her face and then offer her a reassuring grin. “I’ll hold you to it.”
If only she knows that she’s making my job a lot easier. I hope this doesn’t bounce back the wrong way. I don’t think I’ll be able to cope with the repercussions of having Georgia hate me.
I watch Lisa perform, feeling as if the world’s weight has eased from my shoulders.
For a brief moment, I let my mind and everything else focus on her, moving my body in tandem with the upbeat band. There’s so much to admire about her. Her aura is so pure, and her energy is contagious. She’s not only succeeded in pulling everyone in the room along with her, she’s keeping them
hooked to her.
Georgia laughs and mutters a quick apology as her arm bumps into my side while she jumps, screaming Lisa’s name. She looks so happy. Proud.
Contented.
I envy her.
I know I’m wrong to hope and imply there’s something between Jordan and me. If there’s anything lingering, it’s definitely my pride that he smashed and walked all over on the night of his welcome party.
The longing too.
It will break me in the end. I know. But I’m too stubborn to walk away now that I still have some part of me intact, like my heart. I doubt this is love.
It can’t be–just some dumb, blind infatuation.
One that heightens every passing day. And now that I’m aware he’s right in this room, my center is tightening with a maddening need. I clamp my thighs, rubbing them gently and discreetly as my clit throbs.
2/4
20:34 Sat, 31 May
Chapter 19
Where is he?
My mind runs amok as I glance around me. I have an inkling he’s nearby. Unable to stand still any longer, I turn my body slowly to scan behind me. The strangest feeling smacks against me as I spot him right behind me, his lips moving as the band thumps on. It’s Beyonce.
He catches me looking and quickly averts his eyes, but I don’t miss the pain that sneaks into his eyes for a second.
“I taught her that routine. It’s my favorite dance routine!” Georgia says, jumping again and mimicking Lisa’s dance steps.
pull my gaze from Jordan to glance at the stage and the excited young woman beside me. I let my lips form a smile. “She’s looking at you!”
“I know I can feel her eyes on me!”
In the same way, I can feel Jordan’s eyes on my neck. I flinch when a body bump into me.
“Sorry.” The man mouths before ducking into the crowd.
I take that moment to look at Jordan again. The woman has her arms wrapped around his neck, and her tits are brushing his arm. He doesn’t look uncomfortable. In fact, he leans into her, his eyes gleaming.
Then our eyes meet. He parts his lips. It’s as though I’m on the verge of uttering something, but then the woman draws closer to his ear, giggling. My stomach tightens as if I’ve just been punched.
Damnation!
In a maelstrom of anger and jealousy, I push my way through the crowd. I need to get out of here before I do something that will bite me in the ass
afterward.
I want to tell myself that whatever his date is doing is no fault of his. He’s just standing there, letting her touch him inappropriately. And that is enough reason to hate his guts.
I struggle my way to the exit door and stride into what seems to be a field. The parking lot is about ten feet away. I sigh. Georgia is going to look for me. She wanted me to meet Lisa. That’s the very reason I came out here tonight.
Ava. She’s going to ask for feedback. I sigh again, then hurry past the couple, making out on a bench. The girl’s moan is somewhat fake. Without meaning to, I turn back, and the guy chooses that moment to press his face into the valley of her tits while his hands play with her nipples. Suddenly, I feel empty inside, cold, like a big hollow has been dug in my belly.
“Astrid, wait!”
I part my lips with surprise. “Jordan. What are you doing here?” My hands are shaking. I look down at the water bottle in his hand, and suddenly, my throat feels parched. He notices my stare and steps forward, then wordlessly uncaps the bottle and hands it to me.
My hands are still trembling. He says nothing but takes another step back. I raise the bottle to my mouth and take a long sip. I had no idea how thirsty ! was until he showed up, just like that night. Only this time, I know what the outcome will be.
He’s not staying
“Thank you,” I say, lowering the now–empty bottle.
He stands tall, his gaze fixated on my lips. “Your Dad said you’ve not been taking his calls. Did something happen between you two?”
“No, I don’t want to talk to him.”
“Why?”
I start to walk away, and he puts his hand up. “Astrid….”
“I know he wants to talk about having dinner with you and all of that. I’m not ready for that, Mr. Remington.”
3/4
Chapter 197
Mr. Remington. I thought we were on a first name basis.”
No. I deadpan.
He clears his throat and Adam’s apple quivers. I avert my gaze.
“I need to go.”
“Astrid…”
I return my gaze to his neck.
“I’m sorry.” He says, his voice slightly nervous.
I want to tell him that an apology isn’t what I expect from him. I moan softly as his eyes tease me. I can’t do this right now – standing here and not being able to taste his lips again or have him run his large palms over my heated skin. I grunt a reply and turn on my heels, walking away from him. He wants nothing to do with me – I can’t entirely agree with him, but there’s very little I can do to a man that doesn’t want me.
He calls out to me again, jogging after me. His heavy and determined footsteps match the thump–thump echoes in my knotted chest. I walk faster.
I can’t believe I’m at this point in my life, running away from a man I crave with every fiber of my being. I let out a ragged breath as I pull my car door. His hand clamps down on my shoulder, and then he spins me around, putting my face into the crook of his neck–my heart summersaults.
He’s going to kiss me.
He doesn’t merge our lips but leaves a featherlike kiss on my forehead and pulls away. “Please take your father’s call. What are you afraid of?”
I turn and shuffle into the car, shutting him out with the finality of a slamming car door.
4/4
