by Lexi Aurora
“Well, I don’t know. I never know what you’re doing or what you want. One moment you say you’re finished with guys forever, then the next you’re going on about this hot guy you met up on a rooftop terrace. It’s just confusing is all. I know you have your demons, hell, we all do. But eventually you’re going to have to figure out what it is you want, Riley.”
An awkward silence grew between them, but Riley was nodding. She played her fingers over the lip of the coffee cup, that frown still there on her features. “I know...and the truth is, I have no idea what I want in that...department. Not even a little bit. It’s not like I jumped into the sack with him or anything, though, and I have no intentions of that, I just...” She leaned back into her chair and glanced up toward the ceiling. “I just have no idea what the hell I’m doing.”
A smile curved Jessica’s mouth, and she hefted a gentle sigh. “Hey... none of us do, girl. But we at least need to try.” There was a long moment before she took hold of Riley’s hands with her own and gave them a squeeze. “Do you remember when we were like, I don’t know... eight years old? And you kept telling me how much you liked that guy? What was his name? Robert?” When Riley flashed a smile and giggled at the familiar memory, Jessica continued: “You hated that he wouldn’t pay attention to you. It drove you crazy because he was always so distracted by his train set. Remember that?”
“Yes.” She giggled again, briefly. As memories flooded her, however, the laughter faded. “I also remember what happened when I finally did get his attention... he told me that he didn’t associate with white trash and then left.”
“Yeah... he did. But do you also remember who stood by you during that time, when you cried and cried and couldn’t fathom living life without Richard or whatever his name was? It was me, it was your family. The people who really matter in the end, you know? And that’s what you have to focus on now, the people who matter, the things that matter. Concentrate on what you want, sweetie, and not what you think the world wants you to want. That came out so weird and convoluted, but I think you understand what I mean; you always do.”
Riley felt her heart swell, and she squeezed her hands around Jessica’s. “How did I get so lucky? That’s what I want to know. Somehow, you always just.... Know exactly what to say. Thank you.”
She quirked a smile and winked. “Welcome. It’s hard sometimes, I know. Take it from the one who’s been through two abusive relationships and one that belly flopped so bad my head is still spinning. You just gotta find a way to get that beautiful ass of yours up again, you know?”
“Get this ass up, right...” Riley shook her head and laughed. “By the way, speaking of old memories, do you remember that night at the movie theater? I think you’d just turned 21 and wanted to know what it was like to make out with a guy at the movies. But in the end, that Rebecca girl stole him and made out with him in front of you? And then you grabbed the gigantic bucket of popcorn, screamed at them about how you never liked him anyway, and dumped the popcorn all over them? Butter and seasoning and all?”
“Oh my god...” Jessica put her hands over her mouth and let out a sharp screech of laughter. “What the hell, Riley?? How do you even remember that? I blocked that out of my memory hours after it happened, I was so embarrassed!”
“Hah! You were beside yourself with rage, but there were also tears streaming down your face on the way home. I hugged you and told you that he wasn’t worth it... I told you someone would come along, and you’d just know that he was the one. And I still believe that for you, Jess. I absolutely do.” She smiled, just faintly. “In all honesty, I guess I’m kind of hoping the same thing will happen for me one day.”
“Oh, Riley...” Biting down on her bottom lip, Jessica got up and folded her into a tight hug. “It will. I promise, it will.”
“I hope so.” Returning the smile, she hugged her back. As it always happened, though, the buzzing of her phone ruined the moment, and she tugged it out of her pocket. “Ugh, hold on a sec. I think it’s mom.
“Hello? Oh, hey, Mom. Yeah, sure, I’ll be right over. Okay, bye.” She hung up and winced. “Sorry, that was Mom. She’s redecorating the house again and wants my opinion on some paint options. I feel like an asshole letting you in for coffee, then kicking you out, but...catch you tomorrow after your classes?”
“It’s all right, really! I should actually head home and take a nap. A really, really long nap that will probably not end until tomorrow morning at some point. But I’m taking this coffee with me.” She held it up with a small grin.
“Hah, yes! The coffee is yours, take the whole tray. I think you need it a lot more than I do.”
“Very funny.” Jessica chuckled and gave Riley’s shoulder a tight squeeze, then grabbed the tray and headed out the door.
FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, Riley pulled up at her mother’s house. She parked out front by the driveway and just walked inside without knocking, calling out, “Mom? You home?”
“In here!”
At the sound of Tracey’s voice, she headed from the foyer and into the living room. She could smell the paint already, as well as new cabinets and furniture. As long as Riley could remember, it had never smelled ‘lived in’ at her mother’s place because she was constantly upgrading and buying new things.
“Didn’t you just change everything last month?”
Her mother grinned. “Yes, but I didn’t like the color of the walls, so now I want to paint them blue. The problem is there are so many kinds of blue paint these days. You can even mix shades together to get even more colors and textures. It’s not fair I tell you!”
“Oh my god, just pick a color and stick with it!” She laughed and shook her head. “You’re crazy. But if you must know my opinion, I say keep it the same as it is.”
“That’s always your answer.” Tracey smirked. “But it’s happening regardless. So come on, help me pick. The floors are going to stay the way they are, and I’m getting a new black leather chair to go by the fire place. The brown chair just doesn’t do it for me. I’m also taking out the wall between the living room and the foyer to create a more open feel. The natural lighting will be able to come through more, too, it will be wonderful!”
“Um... wow... what does Dad think about all of this?”
“Oh, you know him.” She waved a nonchalant hand. “He doesn’t care as long as there’s food on the table when he’s hungry; he’s almost never here these days anyway.”
“Still!” Riley sat down on the couch and leaned over four different shades of blue. They all looked nearly the same to her, but one stood out more than the other three. It had a really rustic texture to it, and almost looked like the trunk of a tree or layers of fossilized wood. “This one is really cool actually. The other three seem kinda...I dunno. Boring.”
“Yes, I really like that one, too. And since the layers are darker and the background is lighter, I think it will accentuate the black chair and the fireplace, and even the design of the hardwood floors. And everything else!”
“Until you decide to change it all again?”
“Yes. Until I decide to change it all again.” Tracey chuckled and pointed to another sample. “What do you think of this one? I thought it was really neat, too. It’s almost like a faded metallic sort of deal, really modern. Do you think it’s too modern maybe?”
“Yeah, a little. I still like the other design idea a lot better.”
“Hmmm... well, mull it over a little bit. Your father should be back any second now, and I’ve got some lemon tarts ready to go. He’s bringing a young man over from the function last night. We’re hoping to invest in his company and get some more money flowing through these walls.”
“Oh?” Her heart skipped a beat for a moment, and she found herself dreading what her father was up to. It was absurd, of course, to think that Brad of all people could be ‘the young man’, but Riley wouldn’t put it past him to coerce his way back into her life by whatever means necessary.
The front door opened,
and she could hear the sound of her father’s voice, along with one other that she definitely recognized; it was the man from the function. Her eyes widened, and she forced herself to stay seated. Her heart was in her chest the moment they turned the corner, and when her eyes met the stranger’s, she found herself smiling uncontrollably.
No! Wait a minute now! He’d been the one to bail on me, not the other way around. So why on earth am I so happy to see him?
He looked equally as surprised to see her and paused in the open archway that led into the living room. That hesitation seemed to span for many seconds, and Riley found herself hoping that he would stay and leave at the same time. She still hadn’t figured out how she felt about him, and the majority of her really didn’t want to. Still, there was a nagging within her that wanted to know more about him and what he was really like. Because history didn’t always repeat itself...did it?
Chapter Four
“HARRISON MCCOY, THIS is my daughter, Riley Byrne. Riley, this is Harrison McCoy. We were just discussing some investment plans with his company, and I must say...you two look like you know each other.” Jeff, Riley’s father, looked back and forth between them with an intrigued expression. Tracey, in the background, was trying very hard to keep the smile from her face.
“Yes, we met briefly on the rooftop terrace,” said Harrison. His eyes never left Riley’s face. He followed her as she got up, smiled politely –too politely in his opinion– and left the living room without saying a word.
“Riley!” Tracey sounded appalled, scoffing at her daughter’s quick exit. “Apologies for her behavior, she can be...a challenge.”
“No, no, it’s quite all right.” He smiled just as politely, a curve of his lips that also sparked up intrigue. Chance had brought them together a second time, and Harrison decided that he wasn’t going to waste the opportunity.
Jeff just looked irked, but Harrison nodded his head toward the table and stepped toward it. “Really, it’s fine. People run away from me all the time.” When he spotted the faintest of smiles on Jeff’s mouth, he patted him on the shoulder. “Okay, so once you hash everything out with Tracey, you can call me on my cell or just email me. Preferably by the end of the week, as next week is going to be really busy for me.”
“We can make that work, sure. I’ll give you a shout before Friday.”
“Great, I’m looking forward to what you two come up with. Cheers!” He flashed them both a smile and turned away, his mind shifting from business to the woman named Riley. Where had she gone? He hadn’t heard any doors close, so she was probably still in the house somewhere. The only thing he could do without appearing weird, though, was go to the foyer. And that, much to his satisfaction, was where he found her.
She was sitting on an ornate wooden bench, pulling on her shoes; she looked like she was in a hurry. When she spotted him come in, she didn’t stop or pause, but just continued tying her shoes. Not a single word was spoken, and Harrison found himself growing more and more curious about her. She’d been all too willing to engage in conversation with him last night. Now, however, it was like she couldn’t get away from him fast enough.
“Hello to you, too?” He tried the respectful, questioning approach in the hopes that she would warm up to him again, or at the very least give him something other than the silent treatment.
“Hey.” She spoke quickly as she finished tying on her shoes. A quick smile flashed in his direction before she hopped to her feet and partially shifted her body to face him. She rubbed a hand along the side of her neck, not as though she had an itch, but as though she was nervous. “I need to go, I’m really late for something.”
Some doubt surfaced in him, but instead of calling her on her bluff –she’d appeared perfectly comfortable before he’d arrived– he smiled at her instead and held up a hand. “Okay, but before you go, I have a quick question.” When she tilted her head, her fingers curling into loose fists, he asked, “would you have dinner with me? Or coffee? It doesn’t have to be now, maybe it could be later. Anytime you’re available.”
“We’ve met one time, and now you’re asking me on a date?”
“Yes. I am.” He took a small step closer to her. “I think we have a lot in common, and I think we need to continue our conversation from last night. While it doesn’t need to be a fancy dinner, I could make reservations at the King Star Bar & Grill.” The King Star Bar & Grill was, bar none, the most expensive and opulent restaurant in town; most would kill to so much as set foot in the place, and Harrison had never been turned down on an opportunity to go there with anyone.
“I told you, I have to go. I’m late for something. And I’m not interested in going on a date with you, Harrison. Not until I get to know you better.”
“That’s what dates are all about, though, aren’t they? Getting to know each other? Learning likes and dislikes, favorites and hobbies. And I would really, really like to do that with you, Riley. Even though I’ve only met you once, I almost feel like I’ve seen you before. Just come with me, it’s one date. One. And if you hate it, I’ll never ask you to go out with me again.” He held out his right hand and gave her a charming little smile. “Deal?”
She hefted a heavy sigh and leveled her gaze on Harrison. Her expression matched the same one her father had given her when she’d left the living room, and it was all he could do not to laugh. This one had some serious spunk, that was for sure! Rather than intimidate him, it only made him want to try harder; he still had so many questions, and she was just too beautiful to give up on.
“No,” she finally said. “I’ll pass, thank you very much. Like I said, I don’t go on dates with strange people. I have to go.”
The curt way that she spoke to him made Harrison struggle against his laughter. Man, she was gorgeous either way, but that confidence turned him on to the point where his palms started getting sweaty. And because he was all about chances today, he offered his right hand to her a second time just to see if she’d take it. “Fair enough...but I’m telling you, I’m not going to give up. I’ll just keep asking until you say yes.”
“No one can ask questions after they die of old age, Harrison. Good bye.”
“Wow,” he mouthed under his breath as Riley turned away from him and left. Seconds later, once he had his own shoes on, Harrison took her path out the door. By the time it closed behind him, though, she and her car were both long gone.
“SO THERE’S THIS GIRL, and she’s gorgeous. But she wants nothing to do with me.” Harrison panted for breath as he clung to the rock face, chalked fingers and toes nestled tight into rugged natural handholds and clefts. “At the same time, though, I’m pretty sure she’s attracted to me. The night before last, we met up on this roof terrace and I swear to you, there was a connection. If I hadn’t been called away to do that stupid speech, I’d have had her for sure.”
“Women don’t appreciate being treated like prizes to be won you know.” Owen Lowler was Harrison’s best friend and had been for more than a decade. Some said they were inseparable, as they tended to go everywhere together. When they weren’t together, they were attached via communication devices. And they wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“That’s not what the last ten girls said to me.” Harrison smirked and let out a grunt, hefting himself upward toward a series of challenging hand holds; times like this were when he felt blessed to have ropes and harnesses. As much as he loved rock climbing, it wasn’t worth dying over.
“Seriously?” Owen snorted a laugh, climbing just a few feet to his right. “Listen, man, most women I’ve met are the sort who want to settle down and have kids, that sort of thing. Are you sure your bachelor demeanor hasn’t sent her running in the opposite direction? It’s happened before, and it’s not like you’re a man of commitment.”
“Hey, I can commit to things, and I have. Business, earning money, sleep, eating pizza – the important things in life. Getting the ladies I want.”
“Except this one.” He chuckled again. “
What’s her name?”
“Hah, funny. Her name’s Riley. And get this, I’m doing a bunch of investment deals with her dad of all people.”
“That’s not fate or anything. You should just drop everything now and get married, buddy.”
“Says the guy who hasn’t been single in five years. How’s married life treating you anyway?”
That got a low grunt out of Owen, who pulled himself up faster, a grin showing his teeth as he overtook Harrison. “If you’re hinting about what I think you’re hinting, no way. If she didn’t even say yes to you, you guys won’t last an entire date even if she does finally accept your proposal. I’m calling it right now, right here. Let this cliff be my witness!”
“Man, you know me way too well.” Harrison grunted in return, grumbling in the same breath. He felt fingers and toes strain under the pressure of hanging onto every hand hold, and as he got closer to the top, finding places to grip became more and more difficult. “Hey, you sure we’re at the right spot? I’m running out of places to hang onto, and the top looks mighty far away.”
“Known you twelve years now, I should hope I know you ‘way too well.’” Owen squinted upward toward the sun, its rays glancing off his skin and giving his eyes a sharp golden glow. “And you? Give up? What the hell’s wrong with you today? First you go on and on to me about some woman who rejected you and now you’re thinking about forgoing this climb because you can’t find anything to grab? Come on, Harrison, there’s a lot more to this girl than you’re willing to admit; say it.”
“Why are you pushing this?”
“Because...” Owen grunted as he stabilized himself on the side of the rock wall. “You are in serious need of some kind of intervention. And I’m not saying that to pick at you or to push your buttons or anything, I’m saying it because you need to hear it.”
