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“We really did a lot of stupid crap back then,” he muses. “And I’m surprised we made it past middle school, in some respect.”
Angry at how easily he seems to brush off the hurt he caused, I bite my lip in order to hold myself back from saying anything that might jeopardize my plan. Sitting here in this romantic bar, it almost seems silly to want to make him pay. And yet, a bigger part of me is livid – Carlton thinks that the past is in the past, and all will be forgotten. He’s still acting like I don’t have a brain, much less any memories. But he’s wrong, and I’m going to show him how.
“So what’s going through that beautiful brain of yours?” Carlton growls, suddenly disturbing me from my reverie.
I find myself mesmerized by his gaze, and blink several times, trying to regain focus. “I was thinking about how we’re both grown up, that’s all.” I take several sips of my wine in an attempt to regain composure.
“We are,” he agree in a low voice. “Especially you, sweetheart.”
My heart beats faster. “Do you think it was luck that brought us together again?” I ask, unable to control the need in my voice.
“Fate, kismet, who knows?” he says, arching a black eyebrow. Then, we each take a long pull of our respective drinks, our gazes locked on the other.
“Did you know that I worked at Concord Design before that meeting?” I ask, wondering if maybe he’d seen my name on the company website.
Carlton lets out a short bark. “No, I really didn’t.” He looks tense for a moment, and his eyes going slightly darker. “Did you know that I own Dissidence Corporation?” I can hear the suspicion in his question, but I shake my head quickly.
“I didn’t have the slightest idea. In fact, I didn’t even realize you were the CEO until I had to send you the meeting minutes. Only then did I see your title on your business card.” I take another sip of my wine, feeling my face go hot.
“You mean you didn’t research every detail about my life, the way a lot of young girls do these days?” he asks, one black brow raised with amusement.
I almost spit out my wine.
“No!” I sputter. “I was surprised to learn about your success, but that’s it. Besides, who says I troll Instagram all the time?”
I twist my mouth, slightly offended that Carlton would think so little of me. Sure, I want to make him pay for being my bully all those years ago, but I’m not some stalker or a crazy lady.
To my disbelief, Carlton chuckles at my obvious annoyance.
“I didn’t mean to sound accusatory,” he says softly. “I’m sorry, Ramona. Forgive me?” He places his hand over mine. I’m shocked by its warmth and immediately wonder what it would feel like to have him run that hand along my bare back.
“Then what did you mean?” I ask. My voice sounds breathy to my ears and I swallow to try and compose myself.
Carlton grins. “I guess I’m just used to women of a certain type. You know, the ones who always want to get their photos taken in the right dress with the right bag. I didn’t really think you were like that, but I usually try to figure it out. And besides, a blast-from-the-past chance encounter like this? It’s a surprise,” he smiles. “But a good one.”
Cocky, I muse. But genuine, at least.
“Look,” I prop my head on my arm and lean in closer to Carlton. “We’re two childhood friends, surprised to see each other, and enjoying a drink. Let’s not read anything more into it. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“We have so much to catch up on too,” I tell him, wondering how the night will go. “I’m not even sure where to begin.”
The handsome man leans in toward me. “Well, how about you come back to my place for a nightcap? We can continue to catch up on everything we’ve missed in a less public setting.” His eyes twinkle wickedly and I feel my entire body arch toward him longingly.
“We do have a lot to catch up on,” I murmur in response.
That’s all he needs to hear. Without a word, Carlton stands up and reaches for my hand. I place it in his large palm and oddly, it feels right. Together, we make our way out of the bar towards a waiting town-car, and then the chauffeur opens the back door and I slide in first, Carlton following moments later.
Goodness, he’s close to me. In the confined setting, I realize just how big this man is. I remind myself that I’m remembering Carlton as a skinny, knock-kneed adolescent, but now, this adult male has taken his place. His black hair seems to brush the ceiling of the car, and his broad shoulders are so wide that his left presses into my right.
