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“Do you… do you remember Lily?”
I stare at her blankly, the name sounding somewhat familiar.
She sighs and releases my suit to wrap her fingers around my wrists, almost as though she intended to pull my hands away, but instead she just holds on to me. “She’s my best friend. Lily went to high school with us, but she wasn’t in many of our classes.”
I frown as I try to think back. I’ve always had tunnel vision when it comes to Celeste — when she’s in the room, I can’t see anyone else. That’s been the case since we were ten. It just took me six years to understand why.
“Right. She’s about your height, with brown hair, right?”
She stares at me in disbelief. “Um… no. She’s blonde, and she’s much taller than me.” There’s something in her eyes that makes me unable to focus on her words, because all I want to do is find out what suddenly made her look at me that way — like she’s pleased with me, like she’s letting me in.
“I’m sorry. I’ve only ever had eyes for you. I do remember a girl always hanging around you at lunch though. Is that the girl you’re referring to?”
Her eyes widen a fraction, and her gaze drops to my lips. Fuck. Does she have any idea what she does to me? If she takes one step closer, I won’t be able to hide it.
“You can’t mean that,” she says, her voice faltering. “What game are you playing, Zane? If you hurt me the way you used to in high school, I’ll never forgive you.”
I draw a shaky breath and look into her beautiful eyes. “I’d never forgivemyselfif I hurt you again, Celeste. You promised me one chance just moments ago, didn’t you? So give me one chance to prove to you I’ve changed. Ask for your favor, and whatever it is, I’ll grant it.”
She hesitates, as though she isn’t sure she can put her faith in me. Whatever she wants is clearly important to her.
“My grandfather rejected Lily’s job application because he thinks I’m too soft and won’t be able to keep my work and private life separate enough.” She looks at me pleadingly, and all it does is make my heart race faster. “Lily applied for a job at Windsor Hotels, and, well… I just wanted to ask if you’d consider hiring her.”
“That’s it?” I ask, surprised.
“I know it’s a lot to ask for, but I’d be grateful if you’d consider it. And yes, it did cross my mind, and Lily and I did joke about it, but this isn’t a ploy to gain inside knowledge about Windsor Hotels.”
I chuckle and gently brush her hair out of her face. “If you want inside knowledge, just ask me directly. Odds are I’ll tell you.”
Celeste stares at me like she can’t quite figure me out, and I can hardly blame her. All I’ve ever shown her is the shitty teenager I used to be — she isn’t used to the man I’ve become. Not yet.
“I’ll grant you a favor in return,” she tells me, her words escaping her lips in a rush. It’s clear that in the brief few seconds it took me to agree to her request, she’s somehow convinced herself that I’ll say no.
“I’ll hire your friend, Celeste. I’m not normally involved with the hiring process, but I’ll see that she’s hired. Email me her CV later today, and I’ll forward it to HR.”
I step back reluctantly to reach for one of my business cards, and she stares at it for a moment before looking back up at me. “I was prepared to keep hating you,” she whispers. “But you’re making it so hard.”
“Good,” I tell her. “Because hatred is the last thing I want you to feel when you think of me.”
She parts her lips to say something, only to change her mind and shake her head slightly. “If you do hire her, you won’t treat her unfairly, right? If even a small part of you does still resent me, may I please ask you not to take it out on Lily?”
It’s tough to see that distrust in her eyes when I know I’m the one who put it there. “I promise, Celeste. Not only will I hire her, I’ll ensure she’s treated fairly.”
“I need more than just a promise,” she says, her tone sharp, as though she isn’t willing to take any risks with her friend’s fate. It’s odd how jealous I am of this girl I can’t even remember. What does it take to inspire such loyalty in Celeste?
I grab her hand and lift it slowly, my eyes never leaving hers as I turn her palm toward me and gently kiss the inside of her wrist, my eyes falling closed for a moment. “A vow, then,” I whisper. “I vow to you that I’ll take good care of your friend. How about that?”
Her face flushes beautifully, and she snatches her arm back, flustered. Fucking gorgeous. “Th-thank you, Zane.”
“Anything for you,” I tell her, wearing my heart on my sleeve. She thinks I’m messing with her, that I’m merely being flirtatious as part of our new game. What would she say if she found out she’s the only one I’ve ever treated this way?
ChapterSeven
Celeste
My mood is somber as I trudge through the woods that divide Lily’s father’s property and ours, until I reach the small cabin that sits right at the border. I’m not at all surprised to find the light on inside. I knew I’d find her here today, on the anniversary of her mother’s death.
“Lily?”
