“Well of course I’d need a little favor in return,” she began. “And believe me, it is nothing excessively demanding,” she was quick to add. I exchanged skeptical glances with Ashley and turned to listen to her. “I know things haven’t been exactly all sweet honey and pancakes between us.. But we’ve
“Your marriage to my son failed those many years ago, and believe me, I have my regrets. I don’t say this to placate you or anything whatsoever. But I’m not stupid. I know without telling, that the chances of you and Jared ever starting over are slimmer than a camel learning to speak Chinese. So I h
(SOFIA’S POV) The air in the room was charged with raw tension, alive and electric. Jared was still standing by the door with his new girlfriend — my replacement, perched on his arm. She didn’t even have the decency to stand by herself, leaning on Jared the whole time like a silly highschool teen
I looked away from her in the same manner. I took a sip of water from the glass sitting before me on the table not because I was thirsty, but because I wanted to keep myself busy. I realized my hands were shaking terribly for no reason I could identify and I quickly placed the glass down on the tabl
(ARIELLE’S POV)My eyes trailed after Sofia as she rose from the table. The sudden twist of plans had taken a very hard toll on her and I knew she’d gone into the bathroom to pour out her heart. I almost felt bad for her. Almost. But the air in the room was growing unbearably awkward, and I needed
“What the hell do you want from me, Jared?” I snapped sharply. Standing alone with him, I felt a myriad of emotions, some of which I was certain I shouldn’t feel. But my chest was constantly constricting with an undeniable ache. Was it jealousy? I waved it off and squared my shoulders, my chin hig
(JARED’S POV) I looked into Arielle’s eyes intently, my chest rising and falling heavily with effort as the rest of the world went silent around us. She looked at me, her breathing matching mine—barely existent, all withdrawn because of the shock of my outburst. All I could hear were my own thoug
“I didn’t mean that… I didn’t—I wasn’t trying to say it like that,” I stuttered, my voice betraying me. “Nevertheless, you did say it. And it’s okay. We’re done. I’ve come to terms with it and I think you should too.” She took a pause and let out a long deep exhale, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.
I rolled my eyes and tried to rise to my feet. But he pulled me back. “Can I get one more drink? Please,” he said softly. His voice was silky and enchanting, like that of an experienced spell caster and it took all the self-control I could muster to break away from him. “I’ll go check the kitche
(ARIELLE'S POV) A couple of shots later, the air was more loose around us and we were both laughing at a silly joke he’d made. I couldn’t remember what it was but I laughed so hard my insides began to hurt. “I think my intestines just exploded inside,” I joked, and we broke into another round of l
(ARIELLE’S POV.) The room remained silent, all eyes trained on the couple whose eyes were misty in solemn gratitude. I remained lost for words, my tears already rolling down my cheeks, burning hot with gratitude and hope—hope that their procedure would give me the cure I so desperately wanted. Ma
He must have noticed my facial expression because he turned to me, his bespectacled eyes holding surprise. “Don't tell me you don't know them,” he whispered incredulously. I shrugged, they were probably medical personnel just like everyone else in this room beside me and Jared. Like he could read
(ARIELLE'S POV) The rest of the day flew by in a blur. Jared returned from the call, and we spent some time talking, catching up on everything except the looming summit. I called my Mom and Maverick when I retired to my room, and the sound of my son's cheerful voice filled me with so much warmth an
“It is,” he agreed, nodding enthusiastically. “And how are you enjoying your…time?” "It's been relaxing so far," I said, keeping my tone nothing short of neutral. He went on to ask me a series of generic questions about my life and interests, but it quickly became clear that we had very little in
(ARIELLE'S POV) I woke hours later, feeling much better. The jet lag had subsided, and I felt refreshed. I sat up, stretching my arms above my head, and glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was pre–noon, and I remembered Jared mentioning brunch. Swinging my legs off the bed, I stood up, m
(ARIELLE'S POV) I felt Jared freeze on me, and then he relaxed, accepting the hug. We stayed that way for seconds, no words uttered, just silent communication. A few seconds later, I disengaged from the hug feeling much better. It felt like the soothing balm I needed. And without a word, I grabbed
(ARIELLE'S POV) After I left Dwayne at the bar, I had left for the location Jared and I were meeting, and we had both boarded the jet together. We sat side by side with each other, and I awkwardly realized that it was the first time in months that I had been in such close proximity to him, and I fo