The area started to thin out around 4:30 a.m. and after grabbing some dessert at one of the other trucks, Zach started to walk me back to the hotel. I had refused a ride, but he also refused to allow me to walk back alone. We walked close, but his hands were tucked into his pockets again. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I looked at the caller ID. Stopping, I answered. “Jacob?” “Hey! I’m sorry! I know it’s like 4 a.m., but Elliot woke up and he has been crying because he had a bad dream, and I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.” “Okay, okay. Calm down, for one. It’s just a bad dream, not the end of the world.” I stopped walking and ran my hand through my hair. Zach stopped as well, curiosity coming across his features. “Is Anne awake?” “Yeah, she is holding him, but he’s still crying.” I wrinkled my nose. “Did he say anything specific about it? About the dream?” “It was dark and that he was alone and scared.” I cursed. It had been months since he had that dream. Shit. I leane
People pushed me around as I walked down the street. Quite a few of them turned to cuss me out, but I didn’t hear them. The tears kept falling and I couldn’t stop them. The numbness had seeped in and felt it restricting my breathing. I didn’t even know where I was walking anymore. I just started to walk as soon as I made it out of the office building, and I couldn’t stop. I feared if I stopped then I would break. I hit a street corner and I looked around. The street to my left was closed down for a street faire and I turned to walk down the middle of the road with the stream of people. There were vendors and stalls selling food and goods. There were also games and kids activities. I wondered with all the kids running around if school was out, but it was after 4 p.m. and so I figured everyone was just off school for the day. Looking around, I stopped at a couple of the stalls and picked out two gifts for Elliot. I thanked the vendor and walked through the crowd. I stopped at a guy who
***Zachary’s POV*** There was banging at the door again. How many times was this? It was pissing me off. I didn’t want anyone in the apartment. Hence the lock on the door. Not enough, well now the couch was thrown in front of the door. I moved out to the balcony with a pack of cigarettes and sat down on the only non-broken or thrown piece of furniture. Lighting the cigarette, I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes. Taking another drag, I peeked over my shoulder as I heard the couch scraping across the floor. I wondered how many people were pushing the door open to get that thing to move. Honestly, it was heavy as fuck, but it was the first thing I trashed when I got home after I spent time with Evie. After I found out I had a son. She named him after my grandfather and I knew that wasn’t a coincidence. There was no way. After the heated bout with my parents over whether or not I intended on keeping the agreement with the Sinclair’s, I told them I would be putting everything on
“Avez-vous besoin d'autre chose, monsieur?” [Do you need anything else, sir?] I looked up from my paper at the waiter and smiled. “Un café et deux sucres, s'il vous plaît.” [A coffee and two sugars, please.] He bowed and scurried off. I set my paper down and looked out into the street. It was busy, as most Saturday mornings were. There were plenty of tourists, but also the usual Saturday locals were enjoying the sunny day. Smiling, I thanked the waiter when he brought me my coffee. Pouring the sugar in my coffee, I looked out over the street again. The small flat I rented was only a couple blocks from this spot and this place was my go-to early in the morning. I had gotten up late today since, for once, I had a clear schedule. Four weeks I had been in France. I was overseeing the construction of one of our international branches which was nearly finished. The completion gave me mixed feelings. Part of me missed home and the other part didn’t want to go back. France was a distraction
“Zach!” I waved at Stacy as she ran to me and threw her arms around me. Rolling my eyes, I gave her a peck on the cheek. “Woman! People are going think we are lovers reuniting.” “Whatever you say, partner in crime. I’m just glad to be here.” She huffed. “I’ve had to listen to Adrian and Jay complain non-stop about being left behind. Fuck them. A girl can take a damn private jet by herself. Some real me time.” Smiling, I opened the car door for her and she slid in. The driver grabbed her luggage and I got in after her. “I’m glad you’re here. I was starting to miss home. I feel better now. I don’t think I need to go back.” Her mouth dropped open and she punched my stomach. I leaned forward, faking hurt. “Don’t you dare, Zach. I swear to god. You’re not going anywhere anytime soon. I missed you.” “I missed you too, bitch.” “Damn, you lost weight. You’re a toothpick. I swear you’re thinner than Adrian now.” I raised my eyebrow. “Did Adrian gain weight?” “No. Well, yes, but you’re
*** Three Years Ago *** “You wouldn’t believe our luck, dude!” Jason set down four shots in front of me and fell back on the couch. “There is a whole damn bachelorette party down there.” “Oh?” I smiled, grabbing two of the shots and throwing them back one after the other. Jason took his shots and downed them as well. “I’m taking multiple of them to bed. It’s my goal for the night.” Rolling my eyes, I looked over the club. We had landed in Las Vegas two hours before, checked into the hotel, raided the mini bar, and then headed out to the club. It was busy even for a Friday and I let my eyes roam over the bodies in the club. “You are gonna find someone and you are going to fuck someone. You got it? You’ve been an uptight twat all week.” “That had nothing to do with the fact I wasn’t fucking someone and all to do with my father’s board meeting.” Jason laughed. “Sure, but it would have helped!” Rolling my eyes, three girls came up to our VIP section and Jason’s face lit up. Motio
I moved my head and looked her in the eyes. They danced with a mischievous light; one that sucked me in and made we want to follow her no matter where she went. For a moment, I wondered if I should. I wondered if I should walk away now and go back to Jason. Find some other random woman I could easily take to bed. This woman seemed dangerous, and this pull I felt toward her gave me a red alert. Jump ship now, my brain kept saying over and over again, but looking at her in the eyes, my heart couldn’t let her go. “Lead the way.” She smiled and took my hand. This time, we wove through the crowd together. She stopped and leaned in to Angelica, who was at the bar ordering drinks. Turning to look at me, Angelica smirked and leaned back in to Evie’s ear. Whatever she said made her shake her head, but Evie looked back at me with a blush on her face. “Follow me.” Evie pulled me away and headed toward the entrance of the club. The bouncer opened up the door and we walked through. The weather
“So, have I passed your other qualifications?” We were walking back to the strip after spending some time at the park. The strip was crowded and I kept a hand on her waist as we walked. “One. Yes.” I chuckled. “How many qualifications are there?” “Five, actually. Need to have four out of the five to even be considered.” She laughed as she walked, moving us through the crowd seamlessly. “What are the five? You said looks, which I passed with flying colors.” Stopping and moving back toward the wall, she raised an eyebrow. “Flying colors? Aren’t we a little full of ourselves.” “What? If there’s one thing I’m confident in…” “Features given to you by your mom and dad that you literally did nothing to control? Geez, have a little more self-worth, why don’t you.” My mouth fell open. Her mouth quirked up and she started to laugh. She pressed her back against the wall and shook her head. “You pretty boys all think you’re the fucking tits and it makes me laugh.” “You think I’m pretty