The glass automatic door at the airport entrance slides open and I saunter in with a purpose. No woman has ever been as determined as I am to put a man in his place. Full Marissa style.And then maybe win him back. It depends on his response. I've been through tons of shit the last few weeks. I need someone who can handle me and won't chicken out.Aspen and Finn checked me out of the hospital and then took me back to my apartment making me promise I wouldn't leave when I asked to be alone. My mother even listened when I told her it was a great time to visit my brother in Washington. He'll love it.Besides my shattered heart, I'm medically fine. There's no reason for people to be stuck hovering around me. Hurt or not, I've still peopled too much these last few days, so it wasn't hard to press that I needed quiet time. I promised to head right into bed and sleep for a few more days.But I've broken many promises lately. And kept secrets. I am not the same girl I was last year. An
A few weeks later"Wow, Finn hooked you up." My eyes blink a few times trying to adjust to the overpowering glare of so many television screens in one room.Hudson laughs as he steps behind me. "Ridge taught me you can never have too many cameras.""Well, you definitely put his words into practice." No less than thirty flat screen TVs line a wall in the room Finn and Hudson started calling the war room. I'm pretty sure Finn has a camera everywhere Aspen may go in San Francisco. There is even one in the comic shop. The transition has gone well for the most part. Finn and Aspen had a heated debate over her bodyguard situation.Once Hudson accepted the position, he didn't waste time. It's been less than three weeks and he has a war room set up and is spying on half the residents of the city. My man gets shit done."Are you happy?" I ask turning around so we are face to face.Hudson rolls his eyes and says something silently to the ceiling of the room. He's recently taken up pr
Six months later"I thought you were painting this room silver?" Hudson asks dropping his half of the couch inside of our brand-new tiny living room. That's not fair. It's bigger than the apartment when I lived with Marissa. Living here will be like me having my own special mansion. Except this time the rent is higher.I put my end of the couch down and then promptly sit at the end of it. I've done my part of moving. This is why we hired movers. I don't know what it is about men wanting to lift heavy objects. Plus, it's not like there's much furniture to move. The old apartment came furnished. This stuff is new.I look at the wall, which shimmers in the bright light from our large open window in the new living room. "I did. It's Silver Fox.""This color is gray.""No, it's Silver Fox.""It looks gray to me."I shake my head in dismay. "Gray is darker."He nods slowly. "Uh-huh. Whatever you say."Hudson and I have been living together since he made the permanent move t
VOLUME ONE: RUSHRush:A form of gameplay that relies on speed and surprise warfare to win.It would be impossible for today to get any shittier. I woke up late and had to skip a shower — something not recommended for my dark brown, naturally wavy hair. Day two at my new job included a jammed copy machine, spilled coffee, and a forgotten lunch. I am not a happy person when I haven't eaten all day. As the new girl, I don't even have a friend to bum cash for the vending machine.If that wasn't enough, I'm only two steps out the office door when the first drops of rain hit my head and begin to soak through my blazer. I've been in San Francisco for two weeks, but I'm pretty sure it isn't supposed to rain in June. I don't even own an umbrella. I'll be soaked after the stroll back to my fourth floor walkup.Who suggested I move to San Francisco? Oh yes, my brother, Ben. This is all his fault. I should call and make him give me a ride home. It's his big brother duty.Seven damp bl
How do you tell if a cucumber is good? Should it be firm or have a slight give to it when squeezed? My whole eating healthier plan is harder than I thought it would be. There are so many mysteries to fruits and veggies. I put down my first cucumber and select another one from the bin. This one is larger and a bit firmer when I squeeze. Is firmer a good quality?"Depending on what you're going to do with that, it should be mostly hard."A short, white-haired elderly woman stands to my side and I almost fumble my vegetable when she speaks. Her eyes fall to my hands as they tighten around the green phallic object. Oh my god. I've been caught feeling up vegetables by a grandmother."Sandwiches!" I shout in her direction. "Just sandwiches." I put the cucumber back in the bin and wipe my hands on my pants. As if the action will somehow remove my embarrassment over what this little old lady thought I planned to do with the thick veggie.Unfazed she reaches in and grabs my original cuc
"So, here I am helping you again and I left the umbrella this morning. Even if you didn't need it, the intent was there. I've racked up some serious brownie points. I deserve to know at least one of these rules Ryland has saddled you with."It hasn't rained today, but outside my door this morning was a bright pink and black polka-dotted umbrella. I peeked a look toward Finn's door as I tucked it away in my large black purse. I wondered if Finn had dropped it off last night or early this morning and then promptly forgot about it this afternoon.How did I forget the umbrella? Rather than show my appreciation, I had him carry groceries for me. "Thank you for the umbrella. I love the polka-dots and pink is one of my favorite colors." I rush out.We stop at the fourth floor entry while Finn shifts his bag and types in the code. "You're welcome. You felt like a pink person. You're happy even with a scraped knee. Now, don't change the subject. Give me one good rule."His kid-like happ
Pink polka-dot umbrella in hand, I'm ready for the weather this morning. My brother said he hasn't seen this much rain in June since he moved here when I was eighteen. Here we are, six years later and I seem to be attracting storm clouds. Twice in one week, it has to be a new record. Thunder woke me before my alarm this morning and I spent the extra time searching for my rain boots. By a stroke of luck, they match my new umbrella almost as if I'd made a coordinated effort.The bright pink boots don't fit with the business suit I have on, but there is a pair of heels in my purse for when I get to my desk. Today I'm prepared. I rock. Nothing will make me falter. I reach the lobby and see Finn as he leans with his back against the front window.I falter."Good morning.""Um, good morning. What are you doing here?" I didn't expect to see him so soon after our encounter yesterday...or ever again for that matter."Well, I live here so I'm allowed to loiter in the lobby, but I was a
The rain stops mid lunch and doesn't pick up again regardless of how many times I check out my window or wish it would. Finn said he'd pick me up if it was still raining, but with the lack of the wet stuff and no text from him about what time I leave work, I've given up hope by quitting time.My steps to the elevator are sluggish. As I reach it and press the down button, Amanda, the one friend I've managed to make at the office this week, stands beside me."I'm so ready for Friday tomorrow. Aren't you?" she asks and tucks a piece of her short blonde hair behind her ear."I guess. Do you have big plans?" Amanda is one of the friendliest people I've met, but she hasn't given me the party-girl vibe."Not at all. I'm going to spend my weekend with a good book. One that won't even mention the decline of granola-based dog food sales in our East Coast market. You?"Her comment makes me grin. Our company president has asked us all to think of ways to make up the four percent decline