Hard Love: A Bad Boy Fighter Romance

by Flowers, Kristen

  She hopped in her car and drove off toward her house to shower, have breakfast, and get ready for the day. She had made a long to-do list, but had shortened it in favor of having dinner and drinks with her friend Jessica. They had not actually hung out in a couple weeks due to insanely busy work schedules that were vastly different. But that was a rare occurrence. She usually saw Jessica at least a couple times a week.

  After showering and drying her hair, Alyssa walked over to her closet to pick an outfit. They were going to one of their favorite restaurants, a French Bistro in the heart of the downtown, and then heading to a chill bar for a couple drinks before calling it a night. She wasn’t much interested in getting too done up since she hoped it would be more of a low key night out with her friend.

  So she opted for a pair of tight, black skinny jeans and a red silk tank paired with some basic black wedges. The silk tank clung to her round, pert breasts enticingly, but showed little cleavage. She looked at her reflection and was pleased with her appearance so she applied some light makeup and threw on a few bracelets before walking to her living room to watch some television. Jessica would be by to pick her up soon and she wanted to relax before heading out.

  The night out was uneventful, but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable. Their dinner was delicious, as expected, and they caught up with a couple old bar buddies where they went to get drinks.

  “I can’t believe we used to be regulars here,” Alyssa told Jessica over the rim of her margarita. She wasn’t looking to get wasted so she had ordered something delicious that wasn’t all that strong.

  Jessica laughed and swallowed the sip of martini in her mouth.

  “Really?” She scoffed and looked around as she took another sip. Alyssa knew just the thing she was going to say. “You used to be a lot more fun so I’m not surprised.”

  “Hey!” Alyssa blurted as she shoved Jessica on the arm.

  It was true however, she had far outgrown her party phase but it had really been just that– a phase. At 27 years old, Alyssa was a relatively calm young woman who had always been that way, except from the ages of 23 to 25 when she had let loose and have fun.

  It was like she had wanted to explore a different side of her when she first moved to the city and was reunited with Jessica but, as enjoyable as it had been, she was past it.

  “It’s not like I’m a boring person, you know.”

  Jessica laughed and drained her martini glass. She raised her arm to call the bartender for a refill before turning back to face Alyssa again.

  “I know. I’m just messing with you,” she laughed. The bartender came back with her new martini and Jessica immediately took a big gulp. Alyssa looked at her. It had been a long time since she had seen her friend drink like that.

  “Long week?” Alyssa asked.

  Alyssa believed her because she knew what Jessica’s schedule was like and she knew how stressful her job could be. The expectations placed on her friend were rather extreme not to mention her direct supervisor was beyond rude and condescending.

  Jessica hated working for her and was just holding out until she could transfer to a different department or branch within the city. Alyssa nodded and then looked around. The crowd looked to have changed since she used to frequent the bar, but then she thought it was probably her who actually changed. Suddenly, she started to feel like she didn’t quite belong there, but then thought it was probably ridiculous. It wasn’t as if she didn’t like going out at all any more, she just wasn’t a wild party animal by any measure.

  They both finished their drinks and decided to split a cab back to Alyssa’s place. “It’s closer so I can just come back for my car in the morning,” Jessica said.

  As soon as they got back Jessica almost immediately fell asleep on the couch with the television droning on. Alyssa laid awake in bed for quite a long time. She wondered about how it was possible for her life just a few years ago to have been so drastically different from what it was now. More accurately, she wondered how it was possible she was so drastically different now from then.

  It had been a two-year fluke and it wasn’t until Jessica had set her thinking about it now that she realized just how insane it had been. She didn’t want to be a grumpy boring person and she doubted she was, but in comparison to age 23, she felt she was well on the way.

  “You’re being ridiculous,” Alyssa muttered to herself as she turned to her side and shut her eyes. She was intent on getting some sleep that night and she needed to stop thinking about such trivial things. It would do her no good in the end anyway.

  The next morning, she walked into the living room to find Jessica already gone. It was a breezy Sunday morning so she opened up her balcony door and let the breeze flow freely into her apartment as she made pancakes from scratch and listened to French music. Jessica had always joked that was cheesy of her, but Alyssa didn’t mind it.

  There was no feeling in the world quite like listening to her favorite music and cooking as she enjoyed a gentle breeze. And those types of days were rare so when they did come she took full advantage of them. It wasn’t until breakfast, which she had chosen to enjoy out on her patio as the sounds of the French music drifted out, that a realization hit her.

  And it was with that realization that panic ensued.

  “Jessica!” Alyssa was shouting into her phone’s receiver just moments later. “The gala is this week! How on earth could I forget?”

  Jessica stayed dead quite for a moment before responding, “And you still haven’t even picked your dress, have you?” Alyssa shook her head as if her friend could see.

  “I’ll be over soon,” Jessica said before promptly hanging up.

  Alyssa stared down at her cell phone screen. She wondered what exactly Jessica was going to do to help her, but she would be finding out soon so she picked up her plate and mug to wash it before Jessica arrived. After finishing cleaning up the kitchen she went to her room to throw on some printed legging and a grey sweater so she wouldn’t be slumming it in her pajamas when Jessica arrived, not that it really mattered. Shortly after that there was a knock on the door and Jessica walked in.

  “I’m here to save your ass,” Jessica told her with an air of importance as she walked straight past Alyssa to grab her laptop off the coffee table and open it up.

  “Excuse me?” Alyssa said. She walked over to drop down on the couch next to her. She didn’t really care that Jessica helped herself to her laptop. They were perfectly comfortable with each other and Alyssa knew it was in her own best interest. Not just that, she knew she could actually trust Jessica.

  It was a couple minutes later when she pushed the laptop onto Alyssa’s lap. Alyssa looked on the screen to see a web page dedicated to dress rentals. Her jaw dropped as she turned to look at her friend.

  “Really?”

  Jessica nodded enthusiastically. Alyssa couldn’t believe a website like that even existed, but Jessica had been absolutely right– she saved her ass.

  Chapter Two

  It was Wednesday afternoon, which meant Alyssa left work early so she could have plenty of time to get ready for the gala. She had hung the dress up on the hook placed on the back of her closet door and it remained there, untouched, until now.

  She pulled it out and took a look at it again before putting it on. It was splendid. It was floor length and made entirely of purple lace layered over the purple slip beneath. All the material was high quality and the design was amazing. It had a square neckline that was flattering for her breasts without revealing so much cleavage to be inappropriate for what was, essentially, a work function.

  Alyssa particularly liked the small back detail where it opened up to reveal a smooth expanse of skin. It was the perfect combination of elegant and sexy and it suited her. She styled her hair up in an elegant twist and applied her makeup with great care before finally slipping on her stilettos. She looked in the mirror and was shocked, but in a good way. She had never been done up like that before, much less wearing a de
signer dress.

  While Alyssa was certainly not poor or even close to it, she wasn’t really in a position to buy gowns that cost upwards of a thousand dollars. Besides, she never really attended events or went places where such a gown would be necessary. She snapped a photo of herself and sent it to Jessica. She was pleased with the positive and enthusiastic response her friend sent back.

  At precisely 7pm, Alyssa’s doorbell rang. She took hold of her clutch and walked to open it. As she suspected, it was the driver who was sent to pick her up and take her to the gala where she would meet her boss.

  The ride was comfortable and smooth. She had been in luxury passenger cars before because of work, but it felt different now that she was being taken to such a special event in one. When she first moved to the city she could have never imagined attending such a prestigious event one day in the future.

  The sedan pulled up the driveway where the attendees were being dropped off by their drivers. Alyssa felt her stomach flutter as a man opened the door for her and escorted her straight up to the man holding a guest list. As soon as she was inside she went on the hunt for the boss, even though she really wanted to look around and admire everything. But she knew it was best to find him first and then she could have a look around.

  It wasn’t long before she found him as he had been thoughtful enough to wait for her near the entrance. He was talking to a woman who looked to be about Alyssa’s age, only she seemed to be quite used to wearing the expensive gowns to prestigious galas. Alyssa walked over and her boss, Aiden, as he turned to greet her with a smile.

  “Amanda, darling, this is my associate. Her name is Alyssa McConnell.”

  Alyssa stretched her hand out to shake hers. Amanda smiled brightly at her and Alyssa was struck with how beautiful and charming the woman was. She found it intriguing how a woman, or a person in general, could ooze with so much charm even from such a simple action. Amanda was a bit taller than Alyssa and gorgeous, but it didn’t make Alyssa feel any less confident in the way she looked. As she met more and more people who seemed perfectly at home in such clothing and the event however, she started feel a bit out of place.

  Alyssa wondered why her boss had asked her to join when there were plenty of other people he could have asked. She started feeling like she had at the bar when she felt suddenly out of place. It was like she had been taken somewhere she couldn’t get a grasp of no matter what. She swallowed hard, as if she could swallow away the feeling, and then took a step in closer to her boss.

  As he walked with her toward their assigned seats he held out his arm for her to take. It was gentlemanly of him and she didn’t think there was anything strange or flirtatious about it.

  Once they were seated, Aiden leaned over to her, “I’m glad you were able to join me tonight.”

  Alyssa turned to see a strange smile on his face she had never seen before and her stomach did a little flip. That was the first time she ever questioned one of his motives, but she smiled and nodded before turning to look toward the podium. She didn’t want to think too much on it or place any sort of emphasis on her sudden realization that, perhaps, Aiden had some sort of interest in her as a woman and not only as his co-worker.

  It wasn’t long before the host started his speech. Alyssa was grateful for that. She wanted to be saved from another awkward moment with Aiden. Although she knew it was possible to have another one, or many more for that matter, once it was time to dine and mingle at least she was safe from it for a while. Once the speeches were over and the honors had been done, Alyssa found herself excited for the three course dinner that was sure to be top of the line. Just as dessert ended and the people were beginning to mingle, her eyes locked onto a handsome man approaching their table. Right at that moment Aiden excused himself to go speak to a business partner.

  Alyssa’s attention, however, was focused on the man walking towards the table. At first she thought he knew Aiden, but when his eyes remained on her and he didn’t stop heading in her direction after Aiden left the table, she realized he was going to her. She felt her stomach twist and her cheeks run hot as gulped nervously. She had no idea why she suddenly felt so rattled, but when the man sat at the table only one chair away from her, she felt her heart beat a bit faster.

  “Good evening,” he said in a deep timbre that sent a shiver straight down her spine. He wasn’t smiling, but he didn’t look stern either.

  “Good evening,” Alyssa said with a weak smile. Her mouth felt dry. Her eyes traced over his face rather intently as she took in every detail.

  He had a full head of silky smooth light brown hair, swept back in a natural looking manner. His skin was a lovely bronze that made his bright blue eyes pop even more. As he had walked over she noticed he was tall, but now that he was closer she noticed his strong broad shoulders. She tried to smile, but quickly stopped out of concern that it looked awkward and forced.

  “I know you’re not her alone,” he said in a low voice so that even she could barely hear him. She suspected that was his intention and she found it partly attractive and partly irritating.

  “But are you alone?” he asked with a heavy, meaningful tone.

  Alyssa knew exactly what he meant. He wanted to know if she was with Aiden, together as a romantic couple. She wanted to answer truthfully, but she also didn’t know him or the reasons he was asking. As she continued to carefully look at his face, she had the distinct sensation she already knew him even if they had never met.

  That doesn’t even make any sense, she thought.

  But no matter what she couldn’t shake the feeling.

  “I, uh, I’m not his girlfriend.” She looked at him, waiting for confirmation that she hadn’t misunderstood his question and potentially made an ass of herself. The man smiled in what looked like satisfaction. Her heart started to beat faster once again.

  “Great.” He said pointedly as he held out his hand. “My name is Philip Walton. And to whom do I have the pleasure to be meeting at this moment?”

  Alyssa felt like she had just slammed into a wall. Philip Walton. Now she understood why he looked so familiar. She felt even more nervous than before and was truly terrified of doing or saying anything embarrassing.

  “Alyssa McConnell,” she said slowly. It was on purpose; she felt if she tried to speak quickly or even at a normal pace she would end up stuttering and saying something completely nonsensical. She saw the man’s eyes flick to the side and he straightened up right away.

  “Alyssa,” he repeated in the same low tone as before. “I’d love to have dinner with you sometime,” he told her. Her breath caught in her throat almost sending her in a coughing fit.

  He handed her his business card and politely excused himself. She watched as he exited the ballroom and realized only then he was leaving the gala. Right at that moment she felt a heavy hand land on her shoulder.

  “Sorry about that.” It was Aiden. His voice sounded almost grating in comparison to Philip’s. Alyssa was silently thankful he hadn’t been around to ruin her encounter with Philip Walton. She looked up at Aiden and gave him a fake, tight-lipped smile. She stood up and told him she had started feeling a bit unwell and wanted to go home.

  “I’m sorry. I’m just really not feeling up for this.”

  “I understand.” Aiden said as he held out his arm so he could walk her to the front where her driver would pick her up, only now it would be to take her back home.

  Alyssa thanked Aiden and stepped into the car, leaning her head back and staring up at the ceiling. As the car sped down the highway and she neared her home, it felt as if the enchantment was ending.

  Chapter Three

  “Just go on the date,” Jessica sighed. She turned back around to run her fingers through her shiny brown hair, now at cute shoulder length, before turning back to face Alyssa. She grinned. “Cute, right?” Jessica did a playful little flip of her hair before chuckling at her own silliness. She walked over to Alyssa and patted her hand. “Really though, that do you have t
o lose? Just go and have a good time!”

  “It just doesn't make sense,” Alyssa sighed. She was still hesitant in accepting Philip’s invitation to dine with him. She thought it was odd that out of all the women at the gala he had set his sights on her. She had only been there because her boss was a special guest due to his latest project.

  She didn’t belong there and felt it more and more every minute she stayed there. More than that, she didn’t even know how she should dress for the date if she were to accept it. Even her gown for the gala had been a rental.

  Jessica sighed dramatically and made a show of rolling her eyes.

  “You're always so full of doubt and then you complain your life is dull. Take some risks, Alyssa, and you'll see your life will be a lot more exciting. I'm not going to keep insisting. If you don't want to go, then shoot him down.” Jessica looked at Alyssa before turning on her heel and walking out of the bedroom.

  Alyssa exhaled and looked up at the ceiling as if she would find the perfect answer written up there, but it was just as white and plain as always. She hopped off the dresser to follow Jessica into the living room. Her friend was right. She needed to make a choice and move on. Talking about it endlessly wouldn’t change the fact that she either had to say yes or no.