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Seeing him should have brought back good memories, but as I focus on his face, I can’t help but notice how much he’s changed, slightly aged from the last time we saw each other. He’s wearing reading glasses, black though not overly thick nor nerdy, and probably designer of some sort. How could glasses frame a face so differently and make someone look even sexier? Don’t answer that.
His chiseled jaw is covered in a beard, nothing like the freshly shaved-faced I’d remembered. I don’t know how long I stand there staring, unaware of time passing until Nikki clears her throat.
“I thought you left?” she questions, eyeing the two of
us. “It is Friday night, after all.”
I open my mouth to speak, aware my throat is raspy. “I um…wanted to finish up some things.”
“Well, since you’re here. I’m sure you remember my son.” She snickers, raising her brows.
Will stands up, tall and commanding the room just like always. Despite wearing my black pumps, I feel incredibly short compared to him. His suit, perfectly tailored as always, is navy blue with a faint pinstripe. The vest he wears sits on top of a crisp white shirt, rolled up to his elbows. My weakness, his arms.
I tear my gaze away from him, trying to get a handle on myself. I pray to all the gods above he doesn’t attempt to hug me with him standing not too far. Social distancing with an ex is always a good idea.
“Yes, I do,” I reply, lowering my head. “Hello, Will.”
“Please, take a seat and join us,” Nikki offers.
I glance around uneasily, taking each step toward where they sat as if I’d been stepping on hot coals. When I finally get close enough to him, I quickly take a seat to avoid any physical contact.
“Let’s clear the air right here,” Nikki asserts with a stern gaze. “Amelia is working for me between her studies, and Will is back in Manhattan for good. Now that everyone is caught up to date with everything, are we all adult enough to be amicable? After all, the two of you are family.”
My hands rest on my lap as I force a smile at Nikki. “Yes, it’s fine.”
Nikki turns her attention to Will, who hasn’t said a word since the moment I walked in. I bow my head with a jittering foot against the floor. Unknowingly, I bite my lip in anticipation. When the silence continues, I figure he has nothing to say, and perhaps I had been overthinking things. Maybe he’s moved on, realized I was some distraction all those years ago.
“Well then, I guess—”
“You forgot to mention the engagement of Lex Edwards eldest daughter?” His voice brings back so many memories, like a melody I’ve long memorized. But unavoidable is his arctic tone.
My eyes fall toward my lap, glancing over to the ring nestled on my finger. The tightness inside my chest makes it difficult to concentrate. I cross my arms, purposely burying my hand beneath my arm as if this will all go away because the ring is not the center of attention.
“Will,” Nikki warns, only to be distracted by the sound of her phone.
The continuous ringing is annoying yet is perfect in its timing. Nikki answers the call, only to pause moments later.
“Sorry, I need to take this.”
“That’s fine,” I tell her with a pressed smile. “I was just leaving.”
I don’t even acknowledge Will again, leaving the office in a rush and straight to the elevator with my purse and phone. I press the button repeatedly, knowing my panicked state will not make the elevator move any quicker. The door pings open; my entrance quick, praying I’ll avoid any encounter with him. Again, I press the button repeatedly with trembling hands. As the doors begin to close, I part my lips, letting out a slight moan until the sudden movement of the doors springing wide open stills my racing heart.
No…
I can’t do this.
Will steps into the elevator, purposely standing on the other side to me. A wave of nausea threatens me in this confined space, and suddenly the air becomes thick and unbreathable. I need to calm down. Nothing good will come out of me being so anxious.
“So, who is the lucky man?”
My gaze lifts straight to the eyes which have haunted me in my sleep.
“What does it matter?”
“Because we’re family, according to my mother. Surely, I would be owed the respect of knowing who the man is to steal the heart of Amelia Edwards?”
I keep my expression blank, trying to ignore the anger beginning to fester within me. Why is he so fixated on who I am going to marry? Is the answer any better if I said the guy who serves hot dogs on the corner of Madison and Fifth?
