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Subject: Saturday
Red,
You talked me into it.I’m hosting an open house tomorrow (Saturday) for one of my bigger properties if you’d like to come. No better time than the present to get started with the interview process, plus you can see me in action at work. Meet me at the corner of Smith & Hadley at Trevon Tower around ten in the morning. If you have questions or get lost, here’s my number. Call or text any time.
-Captain
P.S.You’re going to be okay.
21
Connor
My mother believed in magic.Not like voodoo spells or chanting kind of magic, but the magic of one’s mind. She believed everything works together for the greater good and that life leaves clues for every person about the road they are supposed to walk down. My mother would’ve called the events of the past few weeks a sign from the universe.
I’d have been lying if I said I didn’t somewhat think the same thing.
Aaliyah coming back into my life had to mean something, right? Or maybe I just wished and hoped it meant something. Either way, I wasn’t ready to let her go again. On the one hand, I loathed the idea of doing an exclusive interview and bringing people into parts of my world. But on the other hand, I loved the idea of having more of her in my life. Sure, I didn’t have time for a life outside of work, but in a way, this was work-related now so—business. That was what I was doing. I was taking part in my regular business tasks.
Whatever it takes to convince yourself that you don’t just want to be around Aaliyah, buddy.
“Why do I feel as if I’m going to be stunned by the property you’re about to show me?” Aaliyah asked as she approached me on the sidewalk. She looked as breathtaking as she always did. I wondered if she knew how effortlessly striking she was without even trying.
She wore a white dress that hugged her waistline. The way it highlighted her hourglass figure didn’t go unnoticed. Aaliyah’s curves should’ve come with a hazard warning. Her hair was pulled up into a large bun, and her lips were painted crimson.
Caution: Will Make Grown Men Weep.
“I think most people would be stunned by it. It’s massive.”
“I’m excited!”
“Me too. How are you?”
She pushed out a smile. “Good.”
“Okay.” I nodded. “But how are you really?”
Her smile faded, and she shrugged her shoulders.Good. Be real with me, Red.
“One day at a time. At this moment, I’m okay,” she told me.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.”
“Thank you for doing this—for agreeing to the interview, even when I know you aren’t fully comfortable with the idea. I want to give you my word that I will put my all into this project, Connor. I swear, I’ll make this experience worth it for you.” She shifted nervously in her heels as her lips turned upside down. She might’ve been the first person in the world who still looked beautiful while frowning. “I just don’t want you to think I’m using you. I am really interested in knowing your story.”
“You can use me,” I confessed, shrugging. “If I’m going to be used by anyone, I’d like it to be by you.”
She blushed a little. “How is it that you’re still as nice as you were a few years ago? How has the city not made you jaded yet?”
“I visit home enough to still hold on to my Southern roots.”
Her shoulders relaxed a little, and she locked her stare with mine. Her eyes were so soft and filled with confusion. “Why did you decide to do the article? You seemed certain that you weren’t interested when I met with you.”
I didn’t really have a straight answer for that, because I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. Because I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Because for the longest time, I’d imagined being around her once again. Because when she was sad, I wanted to make her happy.
Because she deserved some kind of win after so many losses.
“Two years ago in Wish Alley, I wished for more of you. I’d be an idiot to walk away when a wish came true.”
