Wesley
I stared at Albany. I told myself that I was studying her to figure out her angle, to try and throw her off her game, but the truth was I simply couldn’t take my eyes off of her. The stress of the day, the buzz of activity in the café … Everything had faded away. Now, I was stuck in this silent bubble with her, unwilling to burst it for fear that our past would destroy the tiny sliver of peace I felt.
We sat across from each other, so close I could smell Albany’s skin. Orange blossoms and vanilla …Intoxicating. Back in the day, her scent could simultaneously calm my nerves and drive me crazy with need for her. Even after all these years, that hadn’t changed. Except, she no longer smelled like a teenager wearing Bath and Body Works body spray. Albany was a grown woman.
It wasn’t until I’d left the gym that I noticed her. Not because she was sloppy, but because I sensed she was there. I couldn’t explain it. Never could. When she was around, I was aware. It was like our small interaction in the elevator had awakened my Albany Meter. And I couldn’t turn it off because I was tuned in to her.
Just being near her now was bringing up emotions I’d considered long buried. Over the years, I’d missed her. Although our relationship ended before we ever really got started, the friendship we once shared had meant everything to me. Until I got in my own way and fucked it up. Guilt washed through me as I replayed that night over and over in my mind. The way she’d looked baring her soul to me, the soft brush of her lips against mine, the feel of her body underneath me … She’d given me a huge piece of herself that night, and I’d squandered it because I was so engrossed in my own pain. And I’d never forgiven myself for hurting her the way I had.
“Wes?”
Her voice brought me back to the present and I blinked. Shifting in my seat, I leaned forward, ready to talk.
She backed away. “Are you going to stop staring and say something?”
“I’m sorry,” I told her.
At that point, I didn’t care why she was there, why she’d been watching me all morning. I didn’t even care that she hated me, that she wouldn’t mind punching me in the jaw like she did when I broke her favorite doll. I just wanted to know her again, wanted to sit with her, even if that meant we sat in silence.
“How are you?” I asked, fighting the urge to hold her hand, to kiss her wrist the way I’d done countless times before.
Albany’s lips formed a thin line. “You sat here like you have something to say,” she said through clenched teeth. “Talk.”
I shouldn’t have felt offended by her abrasive tone, but I couldn’t help but wish things were different between us. Since I didn’t want to keep her where she didn’t want to be, I said, “Why are you following me?”
Holding her chin high, she grumbled, “The gym, right?”
I nodded. “It’s not your fault that old lady asked you to help her figure out the treadmill.”
A small smile tugged at her lips before she steeled her expression. “She was cute. Reminded me of one of Grandma’s friends.”
“You had to help her,” I said matter-of-factly.
“Exactly.”
We sat in silence for a moment. Shifting in my chair, I pressed, “Well? You didn’t answer the question.”
Clearing her throat, she met my gaze. “I’m working.”
“On?” When she didn’t answer right away, I continued. “I assume your current job has something to do with me.” She didn’t react to my assertion, so I kept going. “I googled you yesterday.”
The lie wasn’t easy to tell—not to her. But I figured it would make matters worse if she knew I’d kept tabs on her all along. I wasn’t a stalker by any means, but I’d made sure to check on her every now and then. And I used Hendrix’s connection to Albany’s best friend to my advantage. When Brianna was around, she’d inevitably bring her up in conversation.
“What did you find out?” she asked.
Over the years, I’dfound outa lot of things, but I wouldn’t tell her that. Instead, I decided to keep it simple. “You’re a PI. Nice website, by the way. Complimentary reviews too. Who hired you to tail me?”
She sighed. “Technically, it’s confidential. But my client gave me permission to divulge if necessary.” Leaning back in her chair, she folded her arms over her breasts. “Your grandmother hired me to find out who Ms. Tea is.”
Curious, I watched her intently for a moment before I said, “You know about that?”
“Who doesn’t?” she retorted.
I tapped my thumb against the table. “What else did Granny tell you?”
She shrugged. “The only thing you need to know is she hired me to do a job. That’s why I’m here.”
“Is that the only reason?” I challenged.
