AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He sighs. “It’s good to see you moving on, Xander. It’s time we all did.”
“How long are you staying this time?” I question.
“Permanently. No more touring the world. It’s about time I got my shit together. Maybe I’ll get a job or something.”
“Maybe?” I ask.
“You make enough money for the both of us,” he argues with a smile. “But alright, yes, I’ll get a job. Let’s hope there’s a company that’ll hire this handsome college dropout.”
“You don’t have to look for a job. I’m sure I’ll find you a position here.”
He gives me a look. “That’s nepotism, Xan.”
I remember Juliette saying something similar and I grin. “What’s the point of building all these fucking companies if I can’t at least give jobs to the people I love? And why put so much effort into being this rich if I can’t do whatever the hell I want?”
Asher nods, clearly agreeing with that. “Yeah, I so want to be able to say that when I grow up.”
Again, that sounds so similar to something Juliette said to me before.
“Don’t worry, Ash. I’ve got you.”
“Thank you. I know you hate it when I say it but I really am grateful. And I promise I’m ready to start living again. I’m back and I’m going to fix everything, I’ll get my life in order. I’ll make you and mom proud.”
“She was always proud of you, Asher,” I tell him.
But when it all comes down to it, she’s gone. And we can only hope that we’re doing right by her as she watches us from wherever she is.
“I miss her every day,” Asher says softly.
“Me too, kid. Me too.”
When you lose someone like Kathy, you lose a part of yourself you’re never going to get back. I just hope she didn’t take the best parts of me. Because at the very least, Juliette deserves better. I don’t know where things are going with her, but I know she’s someone Kathy would be proud of. Kathy would be happy I met her.
CHAPTER18
Juliette
Before Alexander, I dated three people before I decided to swear off men for a while. Heartbreak’s something I’m familiar with and a deep kind of pain I never want to go through again. I know first-hand what happens when someone you love and trust deeply decides to rip your heart out and hand it to you. It hurts like hell. The wounds left behind take forever to heal. And the scars never disappear.
I’m not a relationship expert. I haven’t been with enough people to be one. The past few years, I’ve been a person that runs and hides before things get rough. My goals and passions and dreams always came first, until Xander. We have something special. And I want more than anything to make things work.
“You’re acting weird,” he says, distracting me from my thoughts.
I look up to meet his delicious-brown eyes. They’re clear today, which means he’s in a good mood. Xander’s face never really gives off what he’s feeling but his eyes are a window to his soul, as long as you know him well enough.
“I’m just thinking about some things,” I tell him.
He doesn’t look impressed and for a second I think he’s going to return to work. But he shuts his laptop and gives me his attention. I arrived here thirty minutes ago and he told me to take a seat while he continued working. I didn’t want to distract him so I’ve been sitting here quietly. If he’s talking again, then he must be done with work.
“I missed you last night.”
“I’m sorry, work,” I say weakly.
He nods like he understands. “There’s someone I would like you to meet,” he informs me.
“Who?” I ask curiously.
“You’ll see him at the party.”
