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As soon as those words leave my brother's mouth, my blood freezes.
Parker Hamilton has been Grayson's best friend since childhood and, in my opinion, the only flaw Grayson possesses. His fondness for that despicable person is beyond me.
Parker is my personal nemesis, my little hell on earth in human form. As attractive as he is obnoxious, my brother's best friend devoted himself to making my life miserable during my teenage years.
"What does Parker have to do with any of this?" I ask Grayson in a strained voice, trying to fake a smile as if that is something he could hear. I don’t want him to know how miserable even the mention of Parker makes me.
"Don't you already know?" Grayson pauses like he is expecting me to answer. When I don’t he chuckles. "Hamilton Productions is in charge of all the preparations for New York Fashion Week."
His statement washes over me like a bucket of cold water. Almost instantly, as if he is summoned by our conversation, I see Parker’s tall, imposing figure emerge from the crowd in the distance.
All eyes are on him as he weaves trough the crowd.
He’s statuesque in his sleek, black suit, and so handsome it should be illegal. He is leading a group of people back and forth, setting up the necessary arrangements for the catwalk.
His turquoise-green eyes scan the crowd, as if looking for someone who should be there. A moment later, his gaze lands on me and stays there. My heart skips a beat and there is a small part of me that screams at me to run. "Penny!" Grayson’s voice is filled with worry but I can’t bring myself to respond to him.
My throat is unbearably dry and my blood runs cold as I stare back at Parker, unable to rip my gaze away.
Parker raises, a thick black eyebrow as if he is asking a silent question. His challenging smile followed, daring me to acknowledge him. He stalks toward me like a lion advancing on its prey.
"Shit," I whisper, feeling my throat turn dry.
"Everything okay, Penny?" Grayson asks.
I can't hear him anymore. Not when Parker is looking at me like I’m about to be devoured.
Why, of all the people in the world, does he have to be the one in charge of this event?
My detestable enemy and secret teenage love, the one who had unknowingly shattered my dreams and shaped my destiny, is yards away from me during the most important moment of my life.
I feel like I’m going to be sick. He’ll be lucky if I don’t throw up all over his shoes.
Chapter three
Parker
Pennyisstandinginfront of me, just a few yards away with her mouth parted slightly, looking like a sophisticated and adult version of the teenager I remember.
When we were young, I used to pick on Penny until she was furious. I would call her "Moneypenny," and tell her she wasn't even worth a penny. She was a freshman when Grayson and I were in our senior year of high school, and she always insisted on trying to spend time with us, so picking on her was practically a reflex.
At the time, Penny was merely my best friend's dorky little sister, but I admit that at some point, before I realized it, she had become my punching bag. Picking on her came naturally when everything else was so difficult and unfamiliar. I was hurt, resentful, and bitter after my father's death in a plane crash that had also taken the lives of Grayson's father and uncle. I was searching for someone to take my anger out on, and unfortunately, Penny had been that person.
Because my mother had already died of a drawn-out illness when I was just a child, my father's death had left me completely alone and helpless, sticking me with more money and responsibilities at eighteen than I could handle. I acted like an idiot, capable of destroying the life and dreams of a girl like Penny. She was too innocent and sweet to stand up to me.
But now, it is clear that she has grown up. She is no longer the same girl from my memories.
Sometime in the years we spent apart, Penny went from an awkward teenager to a stunning woman who drew the eye of every man in the room.
With long dark hair touched by hazelnut hues, the girl in front of me has no reason to envy the prestigious and beautiful models she works with. Her curves are emphasized through her simple, yet elegant clothes. Her full, rose-colored lips curve in a tempting way that unleashes my desire as soon as my gaze drops to her mouth.
Mind you, the thoughts behind her eyes are as clear as glass. The look of revulsion that she gives me speaks volumes.
Although, there is a part of me that finds it amusing.
Penny hangs up the phone when she notices me making my way over to her. Without saying anything, she turns away, avoiding me. She moves as fast as her petite body will allow her to, moving like she is fleeing a predator.
As soon as she disappears in the throng of the crowd, my personal phone rings.
