It can’t be!
No. Your eyes are playing tricks with you, I repeated in my head. There is no possible way this ghost from my past would be here in flesh and blood, standing with his hand out to take mine. No fucking way!
Nolan Pierce in flesh and blood!
Except this wasn’t Nolan Pierce, this person standing in front of me walked out of GQ magazine or something equivalent. No way the Nolan Pierce I know fills out a suit like this. But here he was in front of me. I remember the green eyes because I see those green eyes every morning, afternoon and evening in Nolen. Every other thing about him from the chiseled jawline that would most definitely cut glass, to the well-groomed fingers of the hand still stretched out and the tall imposing build belongs to someone else, not the Nolan I know. Who the heck is this handsome 6-foot whatever stranger?!
“Get over yourself, Chantelle and have a seat.”
I opened my mouth to speak and found myself stuttering. “Y-yes ma’am.” I took a step forward to shake his hand and tripped only catching myself in time before I embarrass myself by planting my face in the ground. Dark brows formed a frown that shadowed his face but he showed no other sign of recognition aside the initial shock when I walked through the door. “Sorry,” I giggled nervously.
His fingers closed around mine firm, warm and gentle. Firm? The Nolan Pierce I know would faint at the mere thought of talking to anyone besides his mother. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me, this is not Nolan Pierce I’m sure of it. Did he recognize me?
But he showed no sign of recognizing. His lips tilted up in a smile exposing perfect teeth.
“Nice to meet you, Chantelle Jones.” He let my hand go and just like that the moment was broken.
Penelope gave me a dirty look and I cleared my throat quickly before taking the only other seat in front of her desk. Nolan did the same and a whiff of his scent filled my nose. Nolan Pierce never smelled this expensive. His powerful thighs filled his pants and I had the sudden urge to reach out and feel them. Were they as hard as they looked? He extended one leg and tapped the fingers of the other impatiently on his thigh. Was that distress?
“You can call her Coco, that’s what we all call her,” Penelope commented in a friendly tone. “Chantelle!” she called out in a warning tone this time. My eyes snapped to hers. Her cold blue eyes gave a cold warning. “That’s enough gawking for one day, Mr. Pierce has enough women slobbering over him already.” She smiled at him, he didn’t smile back. “Luckily, he has found his one true love, who knew those existed? And we will be planning his surprise engagement party on her birthday!"
I forced a smile to my lips. “That sounds amazing.” Walking in a room full of pins would have been more comfortable than this.
“Of course it does,” Penelope chirped, emphasizing her words. “So tell me, Nolan, how is Lurane? The last time I saw you both was at Gianne’s charity gala, that was 4 months ago and you both weren’t even engaged then. She must be beside herself with joy.”
Lurane?!
My heart skipped a beat. Oh God, not the Lurane I know – or thought I knew. Things were awkward enough without that complication.
“She is good,” he replied simply. “She sent her greetings.”
The way he said it sounded false and even Penelope could see through the lie but she smiled warmly at him. I’m guessing they are good friends. If they are then my suspicions are wrong. Nolan Pierce of 7 years ago will never be a friend of the cold and bitchy Penelope Quinn. Lurane? Yes, she could be a friend of Lurane because both would make a good pair of snakes. But just to be sure I shifted to the side a bit and caught his eye. Those eyes, those green eyes that stared blankly at me.
“Congratulations, Mr. Pierce,” I said through a tight throat. I’m sure your fiancee Lurane…” I waited for him to complete my worst nightmare.
His eyes held mine and something flickered behind them. “Grant. Lurane Grant.”
My heart dropped. Great.
Today can’t get any worse.
“So, Nolan, honestly I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you trust me well enough to handle this. I’m sure Lurane would have wanted something else…”
“I’m actually throwing this party as a surprise for her so she shouldn't know about this.” His face was stiff, his lips tight. It almost looked like he was angry which is surprising because he was smiling and laughing before I walked in. It was almost like my presence made him angry but why if he doesn’t even recognize me? Unless…
“Aww how sweet,” Penelope cooed. “That is so…” her phone buzzed loudly interrupting her speech. She almost looked relieved at the interruption. Penelope may be smart and rich and beautiful but when it comes to love she is unlucky. Nolan might be her friend and she might be truly happy for him and all that but if I know Penelope Quinn, there is nothing she wants more than a happy ending. “Excuse me, I have to take this call.” She pushed her chair back and circled round to the door for some privacy.
The room suddenly felt small and I started to hyperventilate.
Me alone with the guy I ran to when I was hungry for some revenge against my boyfriend and best friend. What’s more? He is engaged to the slimy ex-best friend.
I shifted again in my seat and tried to avoid looking at him instead I occupied myself with staring at nothing in particular outside the transparent glass walls overlooking the city. His presence was overpowering, challenging me to steal a glance at him and find him staring at me with those piercing green eyes.
Outside Penelope argued in a tight voice with whoever it was she was on the phone with.
Finally, he moved and sat back in his chair and drew his legs until they were both firmly planted on the tiled floor.
“Fancy seeing you here, Coco,” he said in a low voice.
My heart skipped, suddenly feeling heavy in my chest. He remembered me after all. From the side of my eyes, I caught a glimpse of him turned slightly sideways with his elbows resting on the armrest and his finger stroking his clean-shaven chin.
“You remember me don’t you, Chantelle Jones?” his voice was smoky and deep, a vast difference from the croaked voice of the youth who moved into the house next door many years ago. I found myself trying to breathe deeply to control my raging pulse.
“Of course I do. We were once neighbors.”
A scoff escaped him. “That’s all you remember?”
I remember you lasted a minute or 2 on your parent's couch, I thought but I doubt he would be pleased to remember that. When I finally dared a glance at him he was watching me closely, his green eyes fixed on me, watching my every move. In those green pools was something cold and hard. Why the hell is he angry? I should be mad! He is engaged to the very person who broke my heart and sent me running into his arms! I should be mad, angry, tearing at his clothes and calling him names but here he is acting like what happened those years was my fault.
“What do you want me to say, Nolan? That was years ago. We are grown now, we are different people who made mistakes in the past.” And because I couldn't resist I added, “Looks like you’re engaged to my best friend.”
He frowned. “Best friend? Are you talking about Lurane Grant?”
A bitter laugh escaped me. I turned to him rolling my eyes. “Of course you know I am Nolan Pierce. Have a mere 7 years wiped your memory? She was my best friend. She hung out at my house almost every day remember? She was friends with me and Sophie until…” I caught myself in time. Pains of 7 years ago came back afresh. The uncertainty I felt of my worthiness as a woman when I caught my boyfriend eating my friend out like she was a piece of cake he couldn’t get enough of.
Nolan leaned closer. “Until what?” he demanded.
“Forget it. You pretended you didn’t know me when I walked in, how about we go back to pretending? We don’t have to be in each other’s hair for too long, once all the planning is over and you have your party we can forget we ever met again.”
“You can say that after what happened between us?” there was a strain in his voice.
“What happened,” I gestured between the both of us and laughed mirthlessly. “between us? That is rich, Nolan Pierce. If I remember correctly we kissed and you came. What’s there to share.” A shadow crossed his face. I lowered my voice to avoid drawing Penelope's attention. “I said some things I shouldn’t have said that night, Nolan, like saying you were a mistake, I did some things I shouldn't have too, coming on you like that and for that, I apologize but don’t get lost we had a moment and it ended.”
I released a breath. I realize I am being defensive. But what do you do when your awkward next-door neighbor shows up suddenly looking like a Michelangelo’s chiseled piece announcing he was getting married to your – okay engaged not married – to your deceitful ex-best friend?
When I glanced at him again his jaw was clenched tight and his eyes drilled holes into me. For a second I caught a glimpse of the shy boy who hide beneath his clothes and spoke in low tones. I can’t remember ever being friendly with him except that night when I had my agenda. That was the only time I noticed him. Guilt filled me as the thought occurred to me that I had only really seen him when I wanted to get back at Jason. He had every right to be angry. I would be too if someone used me as a tool. It would have been a different story if he was the one who came onto me.
I released a sigh. “Look, I am sor…” The door flew open interrupting my apology. Penelope stalked in banging her heels on the floor. She was in a mood. Whoever she spoke with must have pissed her off. She pulled her chair out so hard it hit the glass wall, it was a miracle it didn’t crack.
“Back to business,” she announced.
Nolan’s mood changed to one of concern. He leaned forward and his leg brushed mine. I drew my leg away rubbing at the goosebumps that rose on my flesh. “Are you alright, Penny?” he asked.
Penny? Wow, that is…something. They are on a nickname basis now? Just who is Nolan Pierce to get so familiar with Penelope Quinn? There is no way in hell Penelope Quinn would be close friends with a geeky kid – turn–Greek god. But her weak smile said otherwise.
“I’m good. Sorry about that. I just got annoyed for a bit. I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”
“That’s fine. Miss. Chantelle and I were just getting to know each other,” he said in a dismissive voice.
She looked at me and narrowed her eyes. “Can we go back to your engagement plans?”
“If you are sure you’re alright.”
“I am I am. Let’s go back to the arrangements. What do you have in mind? What colors do you want?”
And just like that Nolan went back to acting as though I wasn’t there. He spoke to Penelope and barely gave me as much of a glance. He did welcome my opinion when needed but that was all I got. Serves me right. Things would have been different if I hadn’t forced myself on him that night.
What are the chances that the first person you ever loved, spent days hoping she would notice you someday and speak to you would crush your heart in her pretty hands and come back into your life unexpectedly looking hotter and sexier than ever? Okay, maybe she’s not coming back into my life but running into her and having her plan your engagement party counts as being in your life right?And still as beautiful as ever. I remember the first time I saw her, I was the awkward kid on the block, just moved from another state where I got into trouble in school with a guy who called my mom a whore for not knowing who my father is. I punched his face so hard I nearly broke his skull. After that incident mom moved away and found a new school for me and also found a new job for herself. But I was having trouble blending in. I never joined the neighborhood kids in their basketball games on the local court, nor did I attend parties. Even before moving, I preferred being alone. But I saw Chantelle
Let’s just say the rest of my day was great. My back was bent and sprained after running to answer all of Penelope’s demands by the time I got home. Sophie’s fried chicken welcomed me home. A pop song played loudly from the speakers. I sniffed the air appreciatively making my way to the kitchen where Sophie danced in front of the pan with a pair of tongs in her hand. “Under your sexy body,” her off-key voice rose above the music. “Do you mind?” I yelled above the noise. My head pounded. She turned to see me standing at the kitchen door and immediately turned down the volume of the music. “Nice dress. Penelope’s cast away? I thought you were going to sleep over with The Dragon.” I dropped my bag on the counter, kicked off my heels, and picked a piece of chicken from the bunch she had cooling on the rack. It was delicious! “Where’s Nolen?” “In his room. I kept him busy with some comics. You are welcome.” “Sophie!” I groaned. “He should be doing his assignments…” “Done and dusted
“Bye, mommy. Bye Aunty Sophie.”“Bye baby,” I waved at Nolen for the third time and finally forced myself to stop adjusting his uniform and let him go join his friends.“Get in the car,” Sophie called out to me. “You will be late for work.”I waited until Nolen and his friends were in the custody of their teacher before joining her. She had left her car at home and chosen to be my chauffeur today since it was her day off. Also, Penelope had sent a message to prepare me for the tedious work of organizing and decorating waiting for me today so I may work late and leave with Penelope after work. To be honest, a bit of Sophie’s reckless driving is what I need to take my mind off my life’s complications right now. Nolan, Lurane and mom. With mom coming I bet she will take one long look at me and know something is bothering me. She always had that knack for knowing such things. The last thing I want is an interrogation from her.25 minutes later Sophie drifted into the parking lot of the co
“Dude you are even more romantic than the rest of us. Lurane is not going to expect this.” I nodded to Paul’s words, my best friend and part business associate. He has a business of his own that he built from ground up, so he’s not what you’ll call a born elite. But to be fair I envy his ease and lack of ‘inheritance’ burden. I wonder who he would have been married off to if he was among the elites. Luckily, he has been spared that unpleasantness by fate. We met in business school. Paul had an uncle that thought he was too smart for regular college and had used all the resources at his disposal to send him to one of the best schools. We attended a debate on Capitalism and Communism, had different views, and became close friends ever since. Even though he is treated as an outcast among the heirs and heiresses of old money, he doesn’t care and he attends whatever events he wants to without being encumbered with scheming mothers and fathers trying to leech off him in the name of marriag
“I am proud of you, son,” Douglas was saying. He swallowed his fourth glass of champagne. “Lurane will be the happiest woman tonight.” He patted my shoulder. We were alone now after he successfully introduced me to a dozen of his business partners. One of them was Noel Greer who I am pretty sure Douglas is not fond of. The tension between them, while he introduced him, was high. Noel Greer is the rival of every elite businessman. He went head to head with the highest bidders and trumped them more often than not. Luckily, our paths have never crossed. He had the classic, handsome sharp Grecian features. He left almost as soon as the introductions were over.“Thank you,” I said. The wine in my hand bubbled. I have barely taken anything since I arrived, the thought of downing another wine was nauseating. Lurane was pissed enough time have smelled the alcohol on my breath, she will probably lose her mind if I lose any more of my senses to wine.“You have made the right choice, son.” Dougl
“What a pretentious bitch.” Penelope swallowed her fourth glass of champagne. Yes she’s drunk and I am tipsy. Since I have such a great history with being drunk I decided to slow down and three my third glass slowly. I gave her a critical look. Ever since she bumped into some dude who called her ‘Penny Luv” she has been testing her alcohol limit. Although, strangely there was a very distinct red color in her cheek after her encounter with this person and if I know Penelope as much as I do, which I in fact do, she doesn’t blush for anyone. So who is this mysterious man with enough power to make the great Penelope blush?! Judging from his expensive outfit and natural titanium and diamond cufflinks, he must be an old flame or something. “I couldn’t agree more,” I said. Suddenly she clutched my hand and cursed. “Shit, don’t look now but she’s coming.” “Coming?” I couldn’t help but look in the direction she was discreetly pointing at. My heart fell. There was Lurane, tall and beautiful
“Wow that’s great,” I said for the 10th time, hoping Jack whatever his name is would take the cue and leave but he continued to talk. My ears rang but I kept my face still. Jack…whatever his last name is is a friend of Douglas which translates to a friend of mine. But every once in a while I looked over his shorter frame searching the crowd for Lurane. She appeared among a throng of rich heiresses wearing a smug smile that put me on edge. She pushed Jack aside and slipped her hands around my waist, leaning in for a kiss. “Oh, Lurane Grant,” Jack stuttered. “Congratulations,” he greeted. Lurane cast him a dazzling smile. “Thank you Jack. We you talking with Nolan? I will like to take him away now. I haven’t danced with my fiancé all night.” From the corner of my eyes I saw Jack excuse himself. A slow music came on and I put my hands around her slim waist while hers did a slow climb to my shoulders and neck. She smiled coyly. “I feel so happy right now Nolan. I can’t wait to become
“This is wrong. This is a mis…we need to stop.” She dropped her leg and pushed firmly. When I finally budged her hands flew to her hair to arrange the lose strands. “Thanks for checking on me but can…can we pretend this never happened? Not because I didn’t…because you are engaged,” she said hurriedly. Fuck. That again! The thought of Lurane was enough to soften my cock. That she could even think of that at a time like this was incredible. For a moment nothing mattered but she in my arms here in this beautifully lit garden. And she just had to spoil this moment by remembering Lurane. Once again she would have called this a mistake but this time there is no lie about it, she enjoyed it, she sighed my name and rocked my fingers. “No,” I replied. She looked up at me, her soft brown eyes pleading. “What?” “I can’t forget this never happened and neither can you.” She opened her mouth to speak. “Neither can you Chantelle, not with the way you responded to my touch this time. It’s a far