Rebecca“So, how was your meeting with Mr. Vandenbilt?” Bill, one of Rebecca’s favorite staff accountants asked, his bald head picking up the bright light from above and blinding her for a moment.She shook it off and moved in beside him, the crowd getting ridiculous. “It actually went really well. We’re wrapping up our offer letter and closing down the negotiations. I should have the final papers signed by mid-next week, so, huge win for the firm.”He smiled and lifted his hand into the air for a high-five. She obliged him and laughed at his spirit.“That’s great news. I’d honestly love to work on that account if you think it’s a possibility. I’m hoping to move more into the focus of oil and gas accounting, seeing that we’re here in Houston and I’m relatively new to the area.”“I think that’s a possibility.” Rebecca nodded, turning as Adam, Jason’s roommate, moved in beside her.“What’s a possibility?”“Just talking work stuff. Boring, rest assured.” Rebecca smiled and enjoyed the ca
RebeccaThe mysterious man was gone by the time she made her way back from the restroom, Rebecca stopping by the bar where he’d stood and looking at the people surrounding the area. He’d looked so much like what she might imagine Kade to look like, his strong football physique from high school grown up and filled out even more. Perhaps she was seeing what she wanted to, though.It was entirely possible that Kade had physically changed completely. He was a musician on top of playing every sport known to man, so he could’ve made it in Hollywood on some small scale and given up his days in the gym. Maybe he was thin and gangly now. Maybe he was a crack addict and looked like a reaper from hell.Never. At least not in my daydreams.Someone brushed behind her, strong hands moving her hips to scoot her away from her current stillness. She turned a full circle, the back of his T-shirt telling her it had been the man she was looking for.The faint echo of his cologne filled her senses and cau
RebeccaRebecca finally pushed her way through the crowd. A live band played in the far corner of the bar, which worked to bring in the hordes of people milling about. She slipped out into the cold night air, the valet guys moving toward her to get her parking ticket from her.“No, just looking. Thank you, though,” she said quickly, moving out toward the parking lot and scanning the crowd. A large red pickup truck pulled out in front of her, the driver a male, but it was impossible to tell much more with the darkness that surrounded her. She wanted to yell out to him, but seeming needy was completely out. She backed up toward the restaurant, a set of strong hands wrapping around her shoulders and scaring her.She jerked away, turning to see Jason standing there with confusion on his handsome face.“Hey, it’s just me.” He smiled and reached for her arm, pulling her back into the warmth of the bar as she looked one more time over her shoulder.Nothing. Almost like seeing a ghost.“Sorry
RebeccaRebecca’s phone buzzed in her briefcase as she worked to unlock the door to her apartment, the loud music flowing from the apartment across the hall and grating against her last nerve. She’d lived here for several years, and though she paid top dollar for the place, there were people of every background living around her. It was an eclectic part of town, and if the individuals that lived around her didn’t have a healthy bank account, like she did, then they had parents that did. She pushed into her apartment, concern spreading across her at who would be calling at eleven on a Friday night.Rebecca dropped her stuff in the car, turned to lock her front door and then worked to dig through her briefcase to locate the buzzing phone. She’d missed the call by then, but Jason’s name appeared on the screen a few seconds later. Sighing softly, she dropped the phone on the couch and moved through the house, turning on lights as she went. She had watched far too many scary movies as a ki
Rebecca“You dress down nice.” Jason smiled as Rebecca stepped up, pulling herself into his oversized black pickup truck.She had on a cream-colored sweater, skinny jeans and designer boots. She’d thrown her hair into a ponytail and put on a little bit of makeup, but not much. She realized that she looked ten years younger this way, which wasn’t necessarily a good thing, but she had a really hard time not tempting fate.“Thanks. You dress down nice yourself.” She buckled up and sighed with contentment.Jason was in a pair of jeans and a heavy tan coat, his light brown eyes filled with warmth and rimmed from a liquored-up night before.“What time did you guys get out of the bar last night?”“Oh, I only stayed another hour or so. Once you left, it was just ehhh.” He pulled out into the street, the city seemingly asleep at seven on a Saturday morning. They should be too, but getting her house finished and ready for her to move into was at the top of her priority list.A sudden wave of gr
Rebecca“Oh man, I love this place.”Jason stood just behind Rebecca at the counter, as an elderly black woman approached them with a big smile on her face. “Hi ya, folks. You can sit anywhere you like. Nelda will be right out to getcha order.”Rebecca smiled and moved into the dining hall as Jason thanked the hostess. Rebecca slid into a small, two person table near the window, the sun streaming in but the coldness pressing against the glass just beside her. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.“You want to move over there so we’re not by the window?” Jason sat down and placed his hands on his coat as if he were going to remove it but wanted to see what she wanted to do first.“No, I’m good. I like being near the sun, but the glass is cold.” She reached up to flip over the coffee cup that sat upside down on a small saucer before her.He took off his coat and stood up, walking around her and putting it on her shoulders. She slipped her hands into the sleeves and pulled it
RebeccaThe waitress moved in beside them with their food as Rebecca was getting ready to attack Jason for his silly move. His smile was bright and wide as he thanked the waitress, calling her honey or something endearing. She giggled and moved away as he reached out his hand toward Rebecca.“I’ll pray. Give me your hand.”She wasn’t sure what to say, but extended her hand and bowed her head. Her mother would’ve been proud. Rebecca hadn’t prayed or shadowed the walk of a church in years. Too much life to live to give God any time in the midst of it. She figured she’d get back to church when she was old and seeking entrance to heaven. Why did the fact that Jason prayed warm her down to the core of her soul? This wasn’t good.He finished then squeezed her hand, pulling his back and moving his napkin into his lap.“I’m thinking after this we’ll go deal with your house situation and then I need to grab a paper from the corner store.”She reached for her silverware, her eyebrow lifting. “W
RebeccaThe drive to the house was longer than she remembered, but it was enjoyable, seeing that she and Jason spent the whole time talking about music they loved and their favorite foods. She found out that she had way more in common with him than she might have imagined.She pointed to a long dirt road that led into the middle of nowhere, trees lining the path and covering the view of the house.“Wow.”“What?” she asked, looking over at him, the mid-morning sun coming through the windows of the old truck to warm her soul.“It’s beautiful out here.” He kept his eyes on the road before them, but his expression softened a little. “My grandfather lives up near Lufkin. It looks a lot like this. The trees are big and old, spread out for coverage, and the city life fades fast as you reach his place. There’s only serenity to be found out here.”She smiled, wrapping her arms around herself as anticipation tore at her. The house that she’d helped to design was beautiful, the long wraparound p