Chapter 4

It can’t be!

No. Your eyes are playing tricks with you, I repeated in my head. There is no possible way this ghost from my past would be here in flesh and blood, standing with his hand out to take mine. No fucking way!

Nolan Pierce in flesh and blood!

Except this wasn’t Nolan Pierce.

At least not the one I knew.

This person standing in front of me walked out of a GQ magazine or something equivalent. No way the Nolan Pierce I know fills out a suit like this. But here he was in front of me. I remember the green eyes because I see those green eyes every morning, afternoon, and evening in Nolen. Every other thing about him from the chiseled jawline that would most definitely cut glass, to the well-groomed fingers of the hand still stretched out and the tall imposing build belongs to someone else, not the Nolan I know. Who the heck is this handsome 6-foot whatever stranger?!

“Get over yourself, Chantelle, and have a seat.”

I opened my mouth to speak and found myself stuttering. “Y-yes ma’am.” I took a step forward to shake his hand and tripped only catching myself in time before I embarrass myself by planting my face in the ground. Dark brows formed a frown that shadowed his face but he showed no other sign of recognition aside from the initial shock when I walked through the door. “Sorry,” I giggled nervously.

His fingers closed around mine firm, warm, and gentle.

Firm? The Nolan Pierce I know would faint at the mere thought of talking to anyone besides his mother. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me, this is not Nolan Pierce I’m sure of it. Did he recognize me?

But he showed no sign of recognizing me. His lips tilted up in a smile exposing perfect teeth.

“Nice to meet you, Chantelle Jones.” He let my hand go and just like that the moment was broken.

Penelope gave me a dirty look and I cleared my throat quickly before taking the only other seat in front of her desk. Nolan did the same and a whiff of his scent filled my nose. Nolan Pierce never smelled this expensive. His powerful thighs filled his pants and I had the sudden urge to reach out and feel them. Were they as hard as they looked? He extended one leg and tapped the fingers of the other impatiently on his thigh. Was that distress?

“You can call her Coco, that’s what we all call her,” Penelope commented in a friendly tone. “Chantelle!” she called out in a warning tone this time. My eyes snapped to hers. Her cold blue eyes gave a cold warning. “That’s enough gawking for one day, Mr. Pierce has enough women slobbering over him already.” She smiled at him, but he didn’t smile back. “Luckily, he has found his one true love, who knew those existed? And we will be planning his surprise engagement party on her birthday!"

I forced a smile to my lips. “That sounds amazing.” Walking in a room full of pins would have been more comfortable than this.

“Of course it does,” Penelope chirped, emphasizing her words. “So tell me, Nolan, how is Lurane? The last time I saw you both was at Gianne’s charity gala, that was 4 months ago and you both weren’t even engaged then. She must be beside herself with joy.”

Lurane?!

My heart skipped a beat. Oh God, not the Lurane I know – or thought I knew. Things were awkward enough without that complication.

“She is good,” he replied simply. “She sent her greetings.”

The way he said it sounded false and even Penelope could see through the lie but she smiled warmly at him. I’m guessing they are good friends. If they are then my suspicions are wrong. Nolan Pierce of 7 years ago will never be a friend of the cold and bitchy Penelope Quinn.

Lurane? Yes, she could be a friend of Lurane because both would make a good pair of snakes. But just to be sure I shifted to the side a bit and caught his eye. Those eyes, those green eyes that stared blankly at me.

“Congratulations, Mr. Pierce,” I said through a tight throat. I’m sure your fiancee Lurane…” I waited for him to complete my worst nightmare.

His eyes held mine and something flickered behind them. “Grant. Lurane Grant.”

My heart dropped. Great.

Today can’t get any worse.

“So, Nolan, honestly I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you trust me well enough to handle this. I’m sure Lurane would have wanted something else…”

“I’m actually throwing this party as a surprise for her so she shouldn't know about this.” His face was stiff, his lips tight. It almost looked like he was angry which is surprising because he had been smiling and laughing before I walked in. It was almost like my presence made him angry. Which I don't understand since he doesn’t even recognize me. Unless…

“Aww, how sweet,” Penelope cooed. “That is so…” her phone buzzed loudly interrupting her speech. She almost looked relieved at the interruption. Penelope may be smart and rich and beautiful but when it comes to love she is unlucky. Nolan might be her friend and she might be truly happy for him and all that but if I know Penelope Quinn, there is nothing she wants more than a happy ending. “Excuse me, I have to take this call.” She pushed her chair back and circled around to the door for some privacy.

The room suddenly felt small and I started to hyperventilate. 

Me alone with the guy I ran to when I was hungry for some revenge against my boyfriend and best friend. What’s more? He is engaged to the slimy ex-best friend.

I shifted again in my seat and tried to avoid looking at him instead I occupied myself with staring at nothing in particular outside the transparent glass walls overlooking the city. His presence was overpowering, challenging me to steal a glance at him and find him staring at me with those piercing green eyes.

Outside Penelope argued in a tight voice with whoever it was she was on the phone with.

Finally, he moved and sat back in his chair and drew his legs until they were both firmly planted on the tiled floor.

“Fancy seeing you here, Coco,” he said in a low voice.

My heart skipped, suddenly feeling heavy in my chest. He remembered me after all. From the side of my eyes, I caught a glimpse of him turned slightly sideways with his elbows resting on the armrest and his finger stroking his clean-shaven chin.

“You remember me don’t you, Chantelle Jones?” his voice was smoky and deep, a vast difference from the croaked voice of the youth who moved into the house next door many years ago. I found myself trying to breathe deeply to control my raging pulse.

“Of course I do. We were once neighbors.”

A scoff escaped him. “That’s all you remember?”

I remember you lasted a minute or 2 on your parent's couch, I thought but I doubt he would be pleased to remember that. When I finally dared a glance at him he was watching me closely, his green eyes fixed on me, watching my every move. In those green pools was something cold and hard. Why the hell is he angry? I should be mad! He is engaged to the very person who broke my heart and sent me running into his arms! I should be mad, angry, tearing at his clothes and calling him names but here he is acting like what happened those years was my fault.

“What do you want me to say, Nolan? That was years ago. We are grown now, we are different people who made mistakes in the past.” And because I couldn't resist I added, “Looks like you’re engaged to my best friend.”

He frowned. “Best friend? Are you talking about Lurane Grant?”

A bitter laugh escaped me. I turned to him rolling my eyes. “Of course you know I am Nolan Pierce. Have a mere 7 years wiped your memory? She was my best friend. She hung out at my house almost every day remember? She was friends with me and Sophie until…” I caught myself in time. The pains of 7 years ago came back afresh. The uncertainty I felt about my worthiness as a woman when I caught my boyfriend eating my friend out like she was a piece of cake he couldn’t get enough of.

Nolan leaned closer. “Until what?” he demanded.

“Forget it. You pretended you didn’t know me when I walked in, how about we go back to pretending? We don’t have to be in each other’s hair for too long, once all the planning is over and you have your party we can forget we ever met again.”

“You can say that after what happened between us?” there was a strain in his voice.

“What happened,” I gestured between the both of us and laughed mirthlessly. “between us? That is rich, Nolan Pierce. If I remember correctly we kissed and you came. What’s there to share?” A shadow crossed his face. I lowered my voice to avoid drawing Penelope's attention. “I said some things I shouldn’t have said that night, Nolan, like saying you were a mistake, I did some things I shouldn't have too, coming on you like that, and for that, I apologize but don’t get lost we had a moment and it ended.”

I released a breath. I realize I am being defensive. But what do you do when your awkward next-door neighbor shows up suddenly looking like a Michelangelo’s chiseled piece announcing he was getting married to your – okay engaged not married – to your deceitful ex-best friend?

When I glanced at him again his jaw was clenched tight and his eyes drilled holes into me. For a second I caught a glimpse of the shy boy who hid beneath his clothes and spoke in low tones. I can’t remember ever being friendly with him except that night when I had my agenda. That was the only time I noticed him. Guilt filled me as the thought occurred to me that I had only really seen him when I wanted to get back at Jason. He had every right to be angry. I would be too if someone used me as a tool. It would have been a different story if he was the one who came on to me.

I released a sigh. “Look, I am sor…” The door flew open interrupting my apology. Penelope stalked in banging her heels on the floor. She was in a mood. Whoever she spoke with must have pissed her off. She pulled her chair out so hard it hit the glass wall, it was a miracle it didn’t crack.

“Back to business,” she announced.

Nolan’s mood changed to one of concern. He leaned forward and his leg brushed mine. I drew my leg away rubbing at the goosebumps that rose on my flesh. “Are you alright, Penny?” he asked.

Penny? Wow, that is…something. They are on a nickname basis now? Just who is Nolan Pierce to get so familiar with Penelope Quinn? There is no way in hell Penelope Quinn would be close friends with a geeky kid–turn–Greek god. But her weak smile said otherwise.

“I’m good. Sorry about that. I just got annoyed for a bit. I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”

“That’s fine. Miss. Chantelle and I were just getting to know each other,” he said in a dismissive tone.

She looked at me and narrowed her eyes. “Can we go back to your engagement plans?”

“If you are sure you’re alright.”

“I am I am. Let’s go back to the arrangements. What do you have in mind? What colors do you want?”

And just like that Nolan went back to acting as though I wasn’t there. He spoke to Penelope and barely gave me as much of a glance. He did welcome my opinion when needed but that was all I got. Serves me right. Things would have been different if I hadn’t forced myself on him that night.