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CHAPTER 335

Author: Jay Kings
last update Last Updated: 2024-03-19 06:47:17

“Hey sweetheart,” he said letting the endearment roll off his tongue like he said it all the time. “You don’t sound too good.”

In fact, she sounded awful and that did weird things to his insides. He wanted to be there for her, holding her, brushing his hand on her forehead, and telling her it would be all right because he would look after her.

She huffed out a small laugh. “I feel like crap,” she replied softly.

“Wanna talk about it?”

She sighed. “Do you remember Courtney? From the reunion?”

He had a vague recollection of the three women who had been sitting with Chloe, but to be honest, he’d only had eyes for her.

“Sure,” he said.

“Well, it was a party for her daughter. I was sure I told Peyton not to book a party with her. I didn’t want to do it and had I known I wouldn’t have gone.”

“Was she a bitch to you?” Declan said sympathetically.

Chloe groaned and he liked the sound of it in his ear, although it wasn’t the same groan that usually
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    Taking care not to jostle herself too much, she crawled out of the bathroom and climbed back into bed, reaching for her phone. It was barely six but she needed to let Peyton know that she wouldn't be in and then they would need to find someone to start the installation for The Mayfield Group. What a pain in the arse. She knew she shouldn't have done a party for Courtney. Not only had her little spawn of Satan given her a stomach bug, but her bastard of a husband had tried to put his sleazy hands all over her. Never again would she do a party for anyone in that clique. Her stomach flopped over again and she held herself very still wondering if she was going to have to rush to the bathroom again. God. What she wouldn't do for some dry ginger ale right now. She made a pouty face and rolled over, burying her head in her pillow. Living on your own sucked balls when you were sick. When her stomach settled again, she turned her head and brought her phone close so she could sen

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  • One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger   CHAPTER 337

    “Hmm?” she replied distractedly as she looked at something on her computer screen. “Why is there an unknown person sitting at my desk and fucking with my computer?” She looked up sharply at him. “What?” He pointed to his office over his shoulder. “Why is there a strange guy in there—” Her face relaxed and she smiled. “Oh, that’s Simon. He’s here from Sabre Management Systems.” “And when were you going to tell me that he was here? Our software install was supposed to be done by Chloe. Did someone call with a change of plans?” “Peyton called early this morning. Apparently, Chloe is sick and couldn’t come in so Simon is starting the installation and she will be in over the next few days to complete it and test it before we go live.” Declan grits his teeth. Was Chloe really sick or was this her way of avoiding him? She hung up on him last night and he hadn’t really understood why. He was hoping to be able to speak with her today. The question that he wan

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  • One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger   CHAPTER 338

    Over the next couple of days, Declan managed to spoil her without even setting foot in her apartment. First, there were flowers. Lots of flowers. A massive bunch of wildflowers that thankfully came with its own vase because she didn’t have one big enough. Next was a box full of medications. He must have gone to a chemist and spoken to a pharmacist because the little gift-wrapped box was full of over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies for combatting nausea, and a food delivery of a random mix of bananas, rice, applesauce, and white bread. Apparently, this was the B.R.A.T. diet and good for someone who was puking as much as she was. Then he sent her a brand new iPad with two, one hundred dollar iTunes cards so she could download as many books and music and movies as she wanted. And then there was the delivery of magazines and adult coloring books, including coloring pens. Not to mention the sweet little text messages he had been sending her. He called her at night and they spok

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  • One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger   CHAPTER 339

    “Yes, please,” Chloe said, tears streaming down her face. “You can give them my number and have them call me.” She paused. “How’re they doing? Do they need anything?” “They’re doing as well as can be expected. It’s been a long journey for the whole family. They’ve been here every day this week.” “I started a trust for them,” she blurted out. “It’s still being sorted with the lawyers but if they need anything at all please let me know and I’ll take care of it.” Dr. Brad exhaled into the phone. “I’ll let them know,” he said, “and I’ll get them to call you about seeing Caitlyn.” “Thanks, Dr. Brad,” she said as she disconnected. Chloe leaned back against her pillows and let herself cry. She was going to miss Caitlyn so much. The little girl had been the bright spot of her weekends and despite their age differences, they had become friends. Yes, she had lost patients before but she hadn’t been as close to them as she was to Caitlyn. She couldn’t imagine how Ca

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  • One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger   CHAPTER 340

    Declan shook his head. “Not yet. I’ve given them my cell number and told them to call me with all the details when they’re ready.” He paused and swallowed. Chloe could see the glassiness of his eyes and realized that he was just barely holding it together as well. “God,” he breathed. “This is so fucking unfair.” “I know,” she whispered reaching out to touch his face on the screen. “I want to be with you,” he said looking at her with intensity. “I’m still contagious,” she replied, “Another couple of days.” This stomach bug had been relentless. Dr. Google had said the symptoms could last up to ten days, she was now pushing five. She was as weak as a kitten and barely able to tolerate solid food. As much as she wanted to feel the comfort of Declan’s arms, she didn’t want him to get sick as well. When she could get through a whole day without rushing to the bathroom, then she would know that she was on the mend. Unfortunately, that wasn’t today. This stupid stomach bug didn’t even

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  • One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger   CHAPTER 341

    Chloe was dressed in a simple black dress and her hair was twisted up in a simple French knot. It felt wrong somehow to be wearing black to celebrate the life of a little girl who’d brought so much color into Chloe’s life. She wanted to wear the Belle costume, the bright yellow ball gown that was Caitlyn’s favorite, but she knew others would find it inappropriate. There were rules about grief, unspoken rules that Chloe was beginning to learn. It was okay for her to be sad, but she wasn't related to Caitlyn and others looked down on her for her very obvious grief. Apparently, it was only appropriate for the family to feel that way and according to what she’d overheard at the office, it was weird that she was so torn up about it. Chloe thought that was bullshit. She’d also overheard someone else say that Chloe had known the little girl was sick with terminal cancer so she shouldn’t be so surprised that the girl had died. Fuckers. They had no idea of the huge hole Caitlyn had left in her

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    The drive back to Chloe’s apartment was quiet. Declan couldn’t make sense of the emotions swirling inside him and it left him feeling off-kilter. He had met Caitlyn, had spent time with her, and had liked her a great deal, but surely grief was reserved for those closest to her. Surely her death shouldn’t have such a profound impact on him… except that somehow it did. He’d never had anyone really close to him die. His grandparents of course, but it wasn’t the same when he’d known they’d lived long and fulfilled lives. Caitlyn hadn’t even begun to live hers. It made him question his own life and what the actual fuck he was doing with it. Declan had grown up in a world of privilege and excess. He’d never wanted for anything. Even his burning desire to build an empire separate from his family’s had been more out of rebellion than anything else and he hadn’t had to struggle to achieve it. Sure, it hadn’t all been plain sailing. He’d bought his first dilapidated hotel with no actual clue

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  • One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger   CHAPTER 343

    She followed him meekly into the building and snuggled into his side as they rode the elevator up to her floor. She handed over her keys and he let them into the apartment. He walked over to her living space and sat, pulling her down on his lap. He cuddled her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her and breathing her in. He kissed the top of her head and felt her stiff resolve break. She sobbed quietly into his chest and he smoothed his hand over her back, whispering nonsense words into her hair as she cried. He felt her grief, separate from his own. He had only known Caitlyn a short time but she had impacted him. Chloe had known her longer and he felt the way her heart broke for the little girl who had been her friend. He held her tightly, physically but also metaphorically, wanting her to know that he had her, that she could let down all her defenses and he would be there to hold her together. He was swamped with the need to care for her. He’d felt it last week when she was s

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