by Mia Taylor
“When you get your bearings among the paperwork,” Bea promised her, “we’ll get you something in a higher paygrade. Think of this as starting in the mailroom.”
Fallon did not understand why Bea was going out of her way to help her, but she dared not bring it up again. She got the feeling that her gratitude was annoying her new/old friend.
“I—of course I’ll come,” Fallon offered breathlessly, determined not to offend Bea. “What time?”
“The car will be in the lobby at eight. It’s not too formal, don’t worry.”
Bea was gone before Fallon could speak again and the brunette stared at the phone blankly after the call disconnected.
Reluctantly, she set the device on the table and turned back to stare at the apartment, again wondering what she had done to be in the right place at precisely the right time.
Did Bea simply take pity on me or was she truly looking for me? I imagine my face must have been on the surveillance cameras at the coffeehouse and if she was truly searching for me, she might have seen me there. But that seems so farfetched, especially for a simple act of kindness.
For her part, Bea never mentioned Fallon’s situation, not once. She didn’t seem to acknowledge that her school chum was homeless or that anything about their relationship had changed despite not having seen one another in years.
It was peculiar, to say the least, but what did Fallon know about normalcy anymore? Since her mother died unexpectedly and she had been forced out of the trailer park, the streets had been her home. She didn’t know the difference between commonplace and rarity like normal people. It was difficult to find a job when she had no address and even harder to find an address without a job. She had tried living in shelters but she was robbed and beaten for her efforts.
She didn’t know any better. How could she? She hadn’t even known how to shop for herself when Bea had dropped a company credit card in her hand. She’d simply stared at the plastic as if it was about to explode in her palm until Bea realized her gaffe and called a personal shopper to fix Fallon’s clothing issue.
“But hold onto the card,” Bea told her. “You can use it for everything and it will be charged back to the company.”
“What company?” Fallon asked dumbly. She hadn’t known, not then. In the back of her mind, she recalled that the senior Wexleys had been rich but she didn’t know much about how they had acquired their seemingly endless wealth. Why should she have cared back then? But now…
Ambrosia Inc. was a conglomerate which owned everything from ships to retail stores, among them, the Arbor Café franchise where Fallon had been chased from a dozen times in her life.
Whatever Bea had done had profited the company her parents had started tenfold at least in the past years. Fallon was unspeakably awed by Bea’s determination and business savvy. And unnerved. The redhead seemed to know everything about everything without question.
What did it take for her to become that way? she wondered. She was a decent enough student but she was no genius. I wonder if she did it alone or if Daniel helped her.
A warm flush touched her cheeks as she thought about Bea’s brother. It wasn’t the first time she had thought about Daniel since adopting her new life but she was too nervous to bring him up again.
I’m going to look weird if I ask about Daniel. I’ll look like I’ve been pining for him since high school or something.
Of course that was ridiculous. Fallon had been too busy trying to survive, not thinking about romance. Her goal had been staying alive, not falling in love. Or maybe she had just never entertained the idea of it after Daniel.
Jesus, listen to you. You are pining for Daniel. He’s probably married with four kids by now. Get yourself together. You have a party to dress for.
~ ~ ~
As Bea had told her, the car was there when she rode the shining silver elevators to the modern, tasteful lobby.
Fallon had half worried that Bea would send a limousine or something equally pretentious to pick her up, but she exhaled with relief when she saw the simple town car.
“Good evening, Miss Rusholm,” the driver intoned, opening the door for her as she arrived.
Miss Rusholm. I’m in the Twilight Zone. I’ve been called a lot of things in my life but “Miss Rusholm” is not one of them.
Fallon wondered if she would ever get used to the world she had been thrust into. Probably not and if she did, it was certainly going to take longer than one week.
The ride ensued quietly, a smooth, haunting jazz piping through the car’s speakers and Fallon felt almost hypnotized as she watched the city of Ashbridge pass by through completely different eyes.
No longer did the knot of worry grip her stomach as she stared at the sidewalks, the car silently gliding through the darkened streets. She was snug and safe in a smart pantsuit and silk blouse, removed from the thugs and cold beyond.
In fifteen minutes, the black car pulled up to a wrought iron gate, a calligraphed BW emblazoned on the nine-foot fence and Fallon blinked in awe, leaning forward to stare out the windshield as the driver announced himself through the intercom.
This isn’t where Bea and Daniel grew up. This place is at least four times the size of the Wexleys’ childhood home.
As the gate swung inward, permitting the car to move forward, Fallon heard herself gasp.
Elegant blue spruce trees lined each side of the interlocking drive, but just beyond were three huge fountains, acting as a median to the wide, circle drive. Like a centerpiece for the mansion, water glistened, sparkling against the built-in LED lights, but Fallon barely noticed, her eyes fixated on the gothic estate looming above like something out of a V.C. Andrews novel.
“Are we still in Ashbridge?” Fallon had not even realized she had asked the question aloud until the driver responded.
“On the very outskirts, miss.”
He pulled the car around to the white columned entryway and parked, but he didn’t need to leave his spot as a doorman hurried to open her door.
“Have a good evening, Miss Rusholm.”
Fallon realized her hands were shaking and she swallowed, stepping from the car.
You can do this, she thought firmly, placing one heel unsteadily in front of the other, her coffee-colored eyes focused on the cliché red carpet leading toward the double doors.
Everything felt dreamlike but not in a pleasant way. She knew she should be elated at the invitation to the lavish house or at least excited, but Fallon was filled with nothing but dread.
I don’t belong here! I don’t know why I agreed to come! I have to call Beatrice and tell her I came down with food poisoning or leprosy or…
The desire to turn and flee was almost insurmountable, but before she could decide what to do, an arm slipped into hers. She turned, expecting to see Bea at her side, but when her eyes met with a set of metallic green orbs, she instantly relaxed.
“Hello, Fallon.”
She exhaled as if she had been holding her breath for an entire year, a whoosh of air expelling into the night.
“Hello, Daniel.”
Chapter Three
Life After Daniel
Thinking back on it, Fallon barely remembered the party or anyone else who was there that night. Of course, Bea had flittered through the massive house, showing her off to the guests like she was a flashy purse or pet poodle, but Daniel was never far behind, smiling at her reassuringly. She felt like he was purposely staying close to give her a boost of confidence and it worked.
When Fallon finally managed to untangle herself from the redhead, Daniel was waiting for her on the veranda overlooking the Olympic-sized pool, a glass of champagne in hand.
“This is for you,” he told her, handing the goblet to her. “I figured Bea was too busy throwing you around to bother with getting you a drink.”
Fallon blushed, accepting the glass, and took a sip, staring nervously into his vivid eyes as he studied her face.
&n
bsp; “Thank you,” she murmured. “But Bea has been great.”
The adjective seemed so inadequate, considering what his sister had done for her, but Fallon was so overwhelmed, she couldn’t think of a better word in the moment, not when Daniel smiled at her so warmly.
Daniel only laughed and picked up his own glass from the edge of the balcony, gently clinking it to hers in silent toast.
“You look well, Fallon. Smaller but something tells me that by the time we’re finished with you, you’ll be back to your old self.”
A fusion of embarrassment and pleasure flooded through her. She wondered how much Daniel knew about how Bea had found her but she was inordinately pleased at the use of the word “we.”
Does he plan to be around? And what do they have planned for me?
She found the nerve to voice one question aloud.
“D-do you work with Bea?”
Daniel chuckled, a low, throaty growl which sent shivers through her and as she studied his face, a shadow fell over his face as a strand of jet-black hair crossed his cheek.
“In a manner of speaking,” he replied, pressing the glass to his full lips. “Bea is the front-runner of Ambrosia. She troubleshoots and handles the PR. I do the grunt work but mostly I focus on the medical research side of things.”
Fallon’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“Medical research?”
He nodded, shifting his eyes away.
“Our biggest profit comes from Ambrosia Pharmaceuticals. We are a cutting-edge company in medicine.”
Fallon had never heard of that aspect of their company but that didn’t mean much. She hadn’t had proper healthcare in years. What would she know about what medications were on the market? It made sense that Ambrosia would have a hand in that avenue; it was big money, after all.
“But enough shop talk,” Daniel concluded. “Tell me about you. Where have you been? Why have you been impossible to find?”
Red tinged Fallon’s face. Maybe Bea hadn’t told him about her after all.
“I—I didn’t realize I was being looked for,” Fallon admitted, lowering her eyes.
“Bea told me…” he trailed off as if reconsidering his words. “Bea told me that things have been difficult for you.”
Fallon swallowed the lump growing in her throat.
“I got by,” she mumbled, unsure of what else to say.
“How did it happen?” he pressed, and Fallon felt herself growing defensive.
“I didn’t really have a choice,” she replied, her voice harsher than she intended. “My mom OD’d and they came for the trailer. I didn’t have anywhere to go!”
Daniel instantly looked contrite.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured softly, subtly stepping closer. The scent of his aftershave and cologne filled her nostrils but it did nothing to block the undertones of his pheromones.
A lost but familiar sensation swept through her and suddenly it was like they were back in high school, stealing kisses beneath the bleachers between homeroom and first period.
What happened between us? she wondered, inhaling to steady her nerves. How did we ever fall apart?
It was so long ago, how could she really recall anything but that Daniel had left for college and by the time he had returned, she had become a street urchin, bouncing from box to dumpster, scrounging for survival.
It doesn’t matter now. Stop dwelling on what happened and focus on the future. Two weeks ago, you would never believe you’d be standing under the moonlight with a man whom you’d thought you’d lost forever, drinking champagne and wearing an outfit which costs more than you’ve seen in your entire life.
“What are you thinking about?” Daniel asked, tilting his head pensively to stare at her.
“Nothing,” she said quickly. “No, everything.”
A wry smile formed on Daniel’s lips and he nodded.
“I know this is probably a lot to process, given what you’ve been through, but you’re safe now, Fallon. Bea really has been looking for years.”
“Why?” Fallon blurted out. “We were friends but…”
“But what?”
“But I’m not someone she should be thinking about.”
A look of annoyance crossed over Daniel’s face and he shook his head vehemently.
“You sell yourself short. The only difference between you and us is luck. In fact, you have more brains than Bea and I put together. If anyone should have had a chance to succeed, it was you. It’s not your fault that you were born into your life and we were born into ours.”
Fallon wondered if he thought it was all as simple as that, but she didn’t want to argue, not when the mood was so perfect for romance.
She scoffed at her ridiculous thought. Romance was not why she was there. She and Daniel were two old friends getting reacquainted, nothing more.
“Do you want to get out of here?” Daniel asked and Fallon tensed, unsure of what he meant by the offer.
Does he think because I’ve lived on the street that I am easy?
She willed away her defensiveness and suspicion, remembering the boy she had once loved very much in her youth.
“I don’t think that’s what Bea had in mind when she brought me here,” she replied softly, hoping her wariness didn’t shine through.
Daniel chuckled.
“Don’t worry about Bea. She’s too busy fluttering around like a peacock to notice if we disappear for a few minutes. Come on.”
He extended his hand for her to take and Fallon gulped back her nervousness again, tentatively accepting it.
A spark of warmth emanated as their flesh touched and Fallon was again transported to a time before life had disappointed her so fully. Suddenly she was a girl again, smitten by the handsome face of her childhood crush as she permitted herself to be led into the shadows through a side entrance which she had not previously seen.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” he promised and Fallon had no choice but to trust in him as she had when they were younger. She had no reason to doubt him, after all. Whatever had caused their estrangement was no one’s fault.
Through the winding halls of Beatrice’s mansion they traveled, Bea trying not to show her awe but it was nearly impossible with the artwork and artifacts stunning her eyes at every turn.
Finally, they stopped before a set of closed double doors and he cast her a sidelong look, a sly smile touching his face.
“Ready?” he asked and she shrugged, nodding.
He threw open the entranceway and Fallon gasped, staring inside the massive theater room.
A movie was already playing on the screen and it didn’t take Fallon a minute to remember that she had seen it before.
“Do you know what this is?” Daniel asked and she nodded, unexpected tears filling her eyes. She blinked quickly to cast them aside.
“This is the movie we saw on our first date,” she whispered, her voice cracking as she spoke.
His beam widened and Fallon realized exactly how similar his smile was to his sister’s, right down to the protruding eyeteeth which seemed unusually sharp.
Have they always been like that? Why do I feel like their smiles have changed?
It was an idle thought, already gone as he led her inside, but Fallon stopped in her tracks.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, staring at her with concern. She shook her head, a wan beam touching her lips.
“Nothing at all,” she breathed, pushing herself up onto the balls of her feet to place a kiss on his mouth.
The action took him by surprise but he didn’t resist, his arms wrapping about her waist warmly as he drew her toward him. As electricity flowed between them, Fallon suddenly felt as if everything had clicked into place for the first time in her life.
This is where I was meant to be, she realized happily, her hands ensnaring in his mass of dark hair, the feel of his increased heartrate pressed to hers.
It was as if the past seven years had never existed and Fallon knew she had finally found home, right there in Daniel’s arms.
Chapter Four
One Year Later
True to her word, Bea moved Fallon up in the company into upper management within just a few months. It was as if Daniel being reintroduced to her life was exactly what the brunette had needed to find her voice and confidence.
Along with her promotion in Ambrosia came a move into Daniel’s lavish two-storey condo downtown and an engagement ring to commemorate their relationship.
If things were moving too fast, Fallon didn’t notice, her mind, body and soul swept up in the feeling of adoration she felt for the Wexleys, who seemed to cater to her every need and want.
“You don’t need to work,” Daniel told her. “I make more than enough money to sustain us for a few lifetimes.”
Fallon knew that he only meant to show his unyielding support of her but the words made her defensive.
“I want to work,” she insisted, her hands wringing nervously at her gut as she thought of how to tell him the news which had been eating away at her for days.
“I know,” he chuckled. “That’s why I love you so much, but I just want to be clear that I intend to take care of you.”
“Dan…”
He stared at her from across the kitchen table, lowering his tablet to study her face. His smile faded slowly as he read the expression on her face.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded. “You’re ghastly pale.”
She shook her dark waves.
“I…” she inhaled sharply. “I’m pregnant.”
His face showed no immediate expression as they gazed at one another for what felt like an eternity.
He’s going to freak out, Fallon thought, terrified that she had screwed it all up in one sentence. It had not been planned, of course. He had always used a condom but she should have been more careful, she should have gotten on the pill, no matter what he said.
