Fifteen Weekends

by Christy Pastore

  After that unpleasantness, Emily decided to change gyms immediately.

  Chapter Eleven:

  Ashleigh

  “Good Afternoon, Miss Preston,” Ashleigh heard a familiar voice say as she crossed the lobby of her building.

  “Good Afternoon, Thomas,” she cheerfully greeted the man with slicked back dark red hair. “How are things at the River House today?”

  Thomas was one of four security guards that worked at the building complex. He was a nice older man, about fifty-five if Ashleigh had to guess, with a short and stalky build and bright blue eyes. Ashleigh frequently brought a postcard from the cities she travelled to for Thomas to hang in his office. He was determined to collect post-cards from all the fifty states and as many exotic locales as possible, Thomas had the travel bug, bad. Unfortunately, she didn’t have one for him today since she traveled to London so frequently. Behind his desk, Thomas kept a binder of all of Ashleigh’s articles, often experimenting with recipes from the food she described in her features. She thought it was sweet.

  Helping Ashleigh to the elevator with her second bag he said, “Things are good here. How was your trip to London?”

  “Honestly, it was too short, but I’m glad to be back home, if only for a short while anyway.”

  “Oh, where are you off to next Miss Preston?” Thomas asked, giving her a wide-eyed look.

  “I’ll be off to New York City next month for an entire week.”

  “The Big Apple. I’ve always wanted to visit the city that never sleeps, Miss Preston. Never had the chance to though. Maybe someday I will,” he said giving her a wink. “Have a nice rest of your afternoon.”

  “I bet you make it there Thomas. You do the same.”

  Ashleigh lived on the 30th floor of the River House in a posh three-bedroom penthouse that had floor to ceiling windows with three terraces that offered panoramic views of the city, one of which over looked the Grand River. Ashleigh loved her penthouse, it was quite the investment, but thanks to her hard work and a guardian angel she was able to afford an incredible lifestyle. Her home was filled with light quartz countertops, rich dark custom cabinets and white ceramic floor tile throughout, aside from the bedrooms and living room where plush carpet covered the floors.

  She took her suitcases to her bedroom which was her private retreat—her personal sanctuary. A color scheme of silver pink, dark grey and silver chalice accented the space from accent rugs and pillows to picture frames and décor. Ashleigh had a separate seating area in the master suite with two dove-grey club chairs and a Venetian style mirrored coffee table near the fireplace that faced three large windows with a view of the river. Her most prized possession was the custom California king sized bed that sat upon a dove-grey tailor made tweed frame adorned with studded pewter-finish nail heads that flowed around the matching winged headboard. It’s a pity that Ashleigh has never properly broken in her gorgeous bed. Maybe, someday she would.

  After she had unpacked and put some of her laundry in the wash she went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Upon inspection of her fridge and pantry she realized she would need to hit up the market. Taking a chicken breast out of the freezer, she put it in a plastic bag and covered it with some marinade before placing it back in the refrigerator.

  She began to make a grocery list: bananas, milk, yogurt, bread, lettuce, San Pellegrino.

  Finishing her inventory, Ashleigh grabbed her keys, the faint sound of thunder rumbled in the distance. An eerie shiver washed over her body, and she placed the keys back on the counter. Picking up the phone she decided to have her groceries delivered instead.

  Chapter Twelve:

  Ashleigh and Emily

  “Emily! I’m here,” Ashleigh called as she shut the front door behind her with her foot. The smell of vanilla made Ashleigh’s mouth water. She made her way from the foyer down the hallway and past her guest bathroom to find Emily was baking in the kitchen. Ashleigh grinned, noticing that Emily was whipping up a Blueberry Buckle. Is it odd that someone who hates cooking with a passion loves to bake?

  “Should I pour some wine for us?” Ashleigh inquired.

  “Of course,” Emily said while scooping the mixture into a large cake pan. “You know where the glasses and the bottle opener are. Go for it.”

  Ashleigh opened the wine and the smell of crisp gooseberries and melon cascaded out. Pouring two glasses, she handed one to Emily.

  “So, how’s Liam?” Emily inquired after she took a sip of the wine.

  “Liam is good.”

  Emily looked at Ashleigh sideways and smiled. “Is that all you have to say? Just that Liam is good?”

  With a laugh she ignored Emily’s question and just smiled. While Emily finished cleaning up her kitchen, Ashleigh padded to the living room and noticed several photographs scattered on the coffee table.

  “Emily, what is all of this on your coffee table? Are you getting ready to start scrap-booking like my Aunt Gloria?” she joked. Ashleigh began fumbling through the photos, noticing a very young Emily in most of the pictures.

  “Oh that. No, but close. I want to scan them in to my computer, and then I am going to place the originals in a photo album.”

  Even though Emily was still going on about the pictures, Ashleigh’s ears turned off when she came across a photo of Emily standing next to a guy wearing a white button down shirt and khaki shorts. Carefully examining the picture she noticed something familiar about him. Emily sat next to Ashleigh on the couch and picked up a few photos placing them back in the box.

  “Emily, this is Craig right?” she inquired while holding up the photo in front of Emily’s face.

  “Yes,” she replied with a deep sigh.

  Craig Walker had vanished from the face of the Earth and out of Emily’s life. Five years ago, Emily had gone home to Marquette for Thanksgiving. When she returned to their apartment in Chicago, Craig was gone. No note, no goodbye, nothing.

  The situation was puzzling because Emily had talked to Craig several times over the few days she was at her parents’ house. Things seemed normal. Nothing alerted her that there was trouble. When Emily tried to call his cell phone to let him know she was on her way to Chicago, she received a message saying the number had been disconnected. She tried a few more times thinking it was a technological error, but Emily kept getting the same message. When Emily walked into the apartment she found his closet empty. Craig took nothing else, just his personal effects. None of Craig’s friends knew anything about where he had gone, either, and no one at the CME Group seemed to want to return Emily’s calls. Both of Craig’s parents had died when he was in college, and he wasn’t close with any other relatives, leaving her with no leads.

  Over the next several months Emily would get together with Craig’s best friends, Jared and Scott, once a week to talk about Craig and try to solve the puzzle that was his disappearance. Talking with them helped Emily deal with her emotional heartbreak and slight depression. As the frigid winter dragged on, their meetings became less regular. Jared had gotten engaged; Scott was promoted at work and moved to Austin.

  Determined not to let Craig’s sudden vanishing act affect her life, Emily began to see a therapist so she wouldn’t become an emotional wreck for her friends and co-workers. However, being in Chicago and living in the condo they once shared kept her from moving on. All Emily could do was leave the city and try to come to terms with the fact that Craig Walker had vanished and he was determined not to be found. When summer came she landed a job at Cooper Bentley and made a fresh start in Grand Rapids.

  “Emily,” she paused for a moment. “Don’t freak out, but I think I saw Craig in London.”

  The blood drained from her cheeks. “What?” Emily said in a tight voice as she turned to face Ashleigh.

  “Listen, when I was at Heat
hrow coming home, there was a guy who was standing outside the coffee shop in my terminal. I kept trying to place him because he looked so familiar, but I had only seen Craig’s photo a few times. I wasn’t sure until this moment, but seeing those steely blue eyes I’m sure it was him—so certain I’d bet my last paycheck on it.”

  Emily could barely hear Ashleigh talking over the thundering beat of her heart. She was dizzy, not knowing if she was going to throw up or pass out.

  “Emily, are you okay?”

  Collecting her thoughts and looking directly at Ashleigh, Emily shook her head in slight disbelief and said, “Wait…so… you’re telling me that you think the guy you saw in London is Craig?”

  “Emily, I swear it’s the same guy. I should have taken a photo of him with my phone. He walked past me as a little kid knocked over my suitcase, and Craig picked it up for me. He had an American accent, and he looks almost the same, a little older—hot as sin.”

  Emily took another drink of wine, and then another, finishing her glass. The timer for the oven buzzed, startling her. Outside, the rain was beginning to pour again, and the thunder was so loud Emily felt as if it was right on top of her house.

  “Hello, Earth to Emily?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” she lied. “It’s weird to think that after all this time Craig would suddenly resurface.”

  Could it really be him? For a second Emily thought about booking a ticket to London and going on a quest to find him, but what would she say to him after all this time? What the fuck happened to you? That question would be at the top of the list. Along with a slap to the face followed by a deep passionate kiss to his generous full lips.

  Emily was snapped from her daydream that reunited her with Craig when Ashleigh spoke. “True. I wonder if he actually lives in London.”

  Shaking her head Emily replied, “I’m not sure I’ll ever know.”

  Emily had tried to search for him on the Internet and even on Facebook, but the search always comes up with the same three Craig Bennett Walker’s, and none of their pictures resemble his likeness.

  “Well enough about Craig. I want to know more about your night with Ethan.”

  Handing Ashleigh a slice of cake, a smile returned to Emily’s face as the bewildered look that had just been there evaporated.

  “Honestly, I cannot believe it happened. Ashleigh. The electricity that sparked when he kissed me ignited instantly, like he set my blood on fire.”

  “Wow…” Ashleigh swallowed hard. “That’s intense. And he told you that he and Libby ended their relationship?”

  Nodding, Emily replied, “I can hardly believe it, but I’m definitely not sad about it.”

  “So, did anything else happen?”

  “Well nothing as exciting as what you’re conjuring in your dirty mind, I assure you of that, Ash. However, it wasn’t for his lack of trying to fuck me right there in his office. Believe me he tried—relentlessly. I probably would have let him, but my stupid brain kept telling me to make him work a little harder for it,” Emily said with an aching groan. “Ash,” Emily wailed, “It took everything in me not to give in to Ethan’s expert hands as they skimmed over my body. I mean Jesus. The man has amazingly strong hands and long fingers.” Emily’s eyebrow arched as she shot Ashleigh a sly smile.

  Fanning a hand across her face, Ashleigh swallowed the last bite of cake and said, “So let me get this straight, the man who drives you insane now wants to drive you out of your mind with pleasure?”

  Emily shrugged and smiled.

  “This is truly quite the turn of events. Sounds to me like things are going your way, Em. I wouldn’t give Craig another fucking thought. Just move forward with your life.”

  Raising an eyebrow, Emily said, “I could advise you of the same where Liam is concerned, Ash. I know you’re still dealing with your feelings for Nick, but don’t you want to get married and start a family?”

  “Not all of us women want the white picket fence, the 2.5 kids and the shuffling back and forth between swim lessons and soccer games.” Her tone was laced with sarcasm.

  “I understand that suburban domestication is not everyone’s cup of tea,” Emily said while clearing the plates. The storm, now in full force, caused Emily’s lights to flicker. “Hell, I’m not even sure it’s mine.”

  Emily went back and forth on the issue of marriage. Some days she wanted to be married; others she shared Ashleigh’s sentiments. When Emily was with Craig she imagined their future together many times. None of the men in her life since Craig have sparked the same kind of romantic visions.

  While it wasn’t so apparent to Emily, Ashleigh knew that her friend still carried a torch for her long lost love. Emily needed closure to move on. Ashleigh, on the other hand, had a love life that was a bit more complex than just obtaining closure. Her emotional scars ran as deep as the Grand Canyon.

  “Besides, Liam lives half-way across the world, Em,” she said dryly. “I don’t see how a relationship is possible. Plus, he thinks of me only as a friend. He tells everyone we are just friends.”

  “London is not that far away.” Emily scoffed. “I don’t know Ashleigh. There’s no way a powerful man like Liam Frost remains single unless he’s got his eye on one woman whom he’s crazy in love with.” Emily lifted an eyebrow at Ashleigh.

  Ashleigh didn’t think of Liam as a powerful business mogul. She only knew him to be the thoughtful, charming gentleman who showers her with affection and passionately makes love to her without demanding a commitment.

  “What’s not to love about Liam? He’s witty, smart, successful and rich. I read the latest article on his personal wealth. It’s astounding. Have you read it?”

  Ashleigh grazed her teeth over her bottom lip and recalled the article regarding Liam’s personal financial portfolio. He’s everything a woman would want on paper and in person. Liam had invested in a small startup which ended up turning an enormous profit. Liam’s investment quadrupled. Along with his already hefty base salary, quarterly bonuses and now the startup, Liam has accrued a small fortune over the last year.

  “I think you’re insane, Ash. Just the purr of his accent alone would be all the reason I would need to shamelessly flop on my back and let him fuck me senseless. Christ, I’ll marry him. He’s fucking gorgeous.”

  She had to chuckle. Once Emily gets a few glasses of wine in her system her language would make even a sailor blush.

  “Let’s call him now. Maybe I can set the two of you up.” Ashleigh grabbed her phone and pretended to bring up Liam’s number.

  “No, don’t you dare. Ashleigh, put your phone down,” Emily wailed. “Whether you want to hear it or not, you two are practically a couple. You’ve been sleeping with him regularly for two years. There have been no other men in your life, Ash. You need to think about that. Don’t you love Liam?”

  Emily’s words were coming out fast and furious, jarring on Ashleigh’s soul. Ashleigh hadn’t thought about whether or not she loved him. There were feelings of love she had for him, but to be in love was another story. Having a relationship with Liam was just not possible.

  “Emily, I appreciate what you’re saying. I really do, but I’m meant to be alone. I have my career, my family and friends. Face it. I’m just not fucking marriage material.”

  “I wish you felt differently. Have you…,” Emily’s voice broke. “Have you considered therapy? You know, to talk about what happened with…”

  Ashleigh’s eyebrows shot up at the mere thought of going to some crack pot therapist’s office to talk about her feelings of love and loss. Emily could see by the expression on Ashleigh’s face that she was pushing her friend to revisit a dark part of her life. Re-hashing the Nick situation is just too much for Ashleigh to handle. Maybe it’s best just to leave it buried in the past.

  “Emil
y, I do not believe I need a man to have fulfillment in my life.”

  As if on cue, lightening crackled, thunder clapped and the lights in Emily’s house flickered twice and went out.

  “Ashleigh, I think someone out there has a different opinion on your love life.”

  The lights quickly came back on in the house. Emily shot Ashleigh a look as if to say, told you so. Ashleigh scoffed and took a sip of wine.

  Chapter Thirteen:

  Amanda

  Amanda and Vince arrived in New Jersey at 7:48 P.M. at a private airport in Teterboro. From there they took a town car to an elegant and upscale French restaurant, La Bonne, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Amanda had already looked up the website and menu after Vince told her on the plane where they would be dining. This was the first time since Brandon had taken her Christmas shopping a few years ago that she had been back to Manhattan. The city had changed so much since then, but somehow felt the same—vital and energetic. There’s really nothing quite like winter in New York City, it’s magical, but this gorgeous May night was shaping up to be pretty spectacular.

  As they drove down The FDR Amanda looked out the window of the town car towards the East River, which was pitch black except for the lights that illuminated the bridges above. They turned onto York Avenue passing charming outdoor cafés, lovely boutique shops with fabulous summer themed window displays and old neighborhood corner bars offering happy hour drink specials.

  The car ride from the airport to the restaurant was mostly silent except for the two phone calls that Vince took in the span of ten minutes. One call was regarding a warehouse problem at one of their base hubs, the other was someone inquiring how the flight experience was to New York City. Vince remarked, telling the person on the other end of the phone, about the performance of the pilot, the two flight attendants, the extremely comfortable seats and their excellent choice in carpeting. She noticed that Vince was a serious man, very particular with details and a man of few words, or at least tonight he was.