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Chapter Two
Grayson
I throw my scale ruler down and roll back from my grafting desk. I lean back, stretching from side to side to ease any aches in my shoulders or back. I look to my office window, noticing that the sun is just starting to go down. My stomach growls and I throw my pencil down before I stand and make my way to my kitchen. I make myself a sandwich, eating over the kitchen sink as I listen to some report about a house nearby getting broken into last night. The thief got away with a bunch of jewelry and I make a mental note to set my alarm before I go anywhere.
I’ve been an architect for the last four years and I’ve worked my way up from the bottom. Last year, I got sick of working for a big company and I went out on my own. With the money I had saved up and my inheritance, I was able to open Thorne Architects. I was nervous about succeeding, especially my first year, but I’ve been doing better than I could have ever hoped for.
I was also hoping that by owning my own company, I would find more projects that interested me. So far though, I’ve been designing the same houses and apartment buildings. It seems like everyone in this town just wants the same thing, the same cookie cutter homes.
I’m bored, I realize. All I ever do is work. I’m either in my office designing or on construction sites, supervising. I need more. Maybe I should let my mom set me up again. I quickly shake that thought from my head when I remember the last time my mom tried to set me up. I guess I could try a dating site or app. I’m only 28 and I know there’s still time for me to find someone but I can’t help but think about how nice it would be to curl up with someone every night. To have someone to come home to.
I finished designing my last project a couple of days ago, a group of apartment buildings, and now I’m onto my next. I was hired to design a home in a gated community in Calabasas. I should go to the construction site tomorrow and see how it’s coming along. I check my watch. 6pm. I make a split-second decision before I grab my keys and head out to my car. I hop behind the wheel and head over to the site. If I can get this out of the way tonight then I won’t have to battle traffic to go over there tomorrow morning.
I live in Hidden Hills and the rush hour traffic is starting to dissipate so the drive doesn’t take long. My mom calls me as I’m pulling out of my driveway and I smile as I hit answer.
“Hey, mom.”
“Hey honey! I was just calling to see how you were doing. I’ve haven’t heard from you in a couple of days.”
I laugh as she says this. We talk twice a week at least and have brunch every Sunday.
“Sorry, mom, but I’m doing fine. I’m just headed out to a site right now actually.”
“Grayson” She says sounding exasperated. “You need to get out more honey. Have some fun, maybe meet a girl.”
“I know, I know. I’m working on it, Mom. I promise, I’ll introduce you to someone soon.”
That seems to appease her and she confirms that we’re going to get lunch tomorrow. I tell her I’ll see her then and that I love her before I get off the call.
I pull up in front of the house and see that the walls and roof are already on. I’ll have to call the foreman tomorrow and get a new date on when they think they’ll be done. They’re already ahead of schedule and I’m pleased with the work they’ve done so far. I’ve been working with the same construction company for the last eight months and we’ve gotten into a pretty good groove. I like the guys too and it helps when you can have a good working relationship.
I park in the street and make my way up the path to the front door. Scanning the outside once more before opening the door and walking inside to see how the interior is coming along. I make my way through the house, checking out the foundation and making sure everything looks sound as I make my way into the back rooms.
I go through each room and make notes on my little pad about what I need to talk about with the foreman tomorrow. I go through the living room and kitchen before I move onto the other rooms. I get to one of the back rooms and pause when I see something that shouldn’t be there.
A sleeping bag.
I sigh as I think about having to deal with a squatter. I wonder if the construction team have seen anything else around here. I look around the rest of the house but the sleeping bag, rolled up in the corner is the only thing out of the ordinary.
I’m about to make my way back to my car to leave when I hear the front door creak open. I freeze, my body tensing as I wonder what I should do. If it’s some strung out guy or some addict then I don’t want to get into an altercation with them tonight. I look over and see the closet is open and before I can second guess myself, I dart inside.
I pull the door closed slowly, leaving just a crack for me to be able to see out of. I stand in the dark and strain my eyes as I hear the footsteps get closer. The sound of the footsteps is lighter than it would be if it was some jacked guy and some of the tension leaves my body as a shadow creeps into the room. I shift closer to the closet door, waiting to see who will come through the door.
I inhale sharply when I get my first glimpse of the girl. She’s gorgeous and I lean forward more as I try to take all of her in. This girl, she’s mine. I can feel it. I hit the closet door and I watch as my girl tenses, turning to look in my direction. My blue eyes meet her dark ones for a split second and I swear my heart flips over in my chest.
This is it. The girl I’ve been waiting for. I wonder if she can feel this connection between us too? My mind immediately fills with images of us together. At our wedding, moving into our first house, her round with my child. All I have to do is step out and introduce myself and we’ll be together forever. I just know it.
I step out of the closet, prepared to do just that. I’ve never been so happy and excited about anything in my life. Everything is finally settling into place. I stare at her face as I step out and open my mouth to tell her that I’m her future husband.
And then she bolts.
