A few days later, I felt much better than I had when I left Miami. Neal was far wealthier than I realized, and when he brought me to his place, it all but took my breath away. Tall vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, exotic plants… The list continued with no end to the lavish things he had in his upscale New York penthouse apartment. It was his pride and joy though, and when he first showed it to me, his eyes lit up.I had forgotten how much I missed New York until I was back home. Now, I enjoyed the South. The only problem was you still had to drive everywhere for everything. Being in New York City, I didn't have to.I could simply walk out of the building down to the bodega to grab something if I wanted, or even grab something to eat at one of the vendors on the corner. You never really know how much you miss something until it is no longer available to you.Slipping on my tennis shoes, I made my way from Neal's apartment, heading to the bodega to grab a drink
As night settled in the city, Neal and I found ourselves curled up on his sofa laughing at a sitcom he found on one of the movie platforms, a box of pizza in front of us. We enjoyed each other's company, and even FaceTime'd Allegra to check in with her.Spending time like this was amazing, and I was pleased with how quickly things changed by simply removing myself from a complicated and nerve-wracking situation."I can't believe you have me watching this!" I laughed as I glanced over at Neal.He sat on the other side of the sofa with a slice of pizza in his hand, shrugging his shoulders. "This is a classic. I don't see what your problem is."Rolling my eyes, I stood from the sofa and made my way towards the kitchen to make myself another drink. "Do you want another whiskey?"Neal looked over his shoulder at me and nodded. "Yeah, just bring the bottle with you.""The bottle?" I replied, raising my brow. "What are we getting drunk?""Maybe," he shrugged as he continued to e
James.Since Becca left, all I did was fill myself with work. Over and over again, I made sure I was busy. So busy I wasn't able to think, let alone sleep. I was tired but every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face. Her voice called to me to find her, and yet I knew it wasn't possible."James, what are you doing?" Tony, my project supervisor, asked me as I stood on the docks staring off at the shipping containers being unloaded. "Nothing, I was just thinking about something," I replied as I looked back down at the clipboard in my hand. Many times over, I have had moments of feeling completely out of place, but it wasn't something I could share with anyone else. I had to take the initiative to sort it all out myself."Yo, Valentino!" a voice yelled from behind me causing Tony and I both to turn and look at the gorgeous woman standing behind us."Allegra?" I said as I furrowed my brow in confusion watching as she walked towards me. "What are you doing here?"I hadn't see
Becca.The next day was more awkward than I had anticipated it to be. After everything that had happened with Neal last night, I had expected there to be nothing but an awkward silence between us. However, instead, when I had awoken and made my way out to the living room, he seemed more cheerful than ever.Taking precautions, I kept quiet after saying good morning to him, and made my way towards the kitchen and set the kettle to make myself a cup of tea. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do for the day, but at the top of my list, I had to find a place to live.After all, school was coming rather quickly, and I couldn't stay where I was before. Everything was so f*cked up, but there was nothing I could do except take care of shit as always and move forward."So, I was looking over everything, and I think I found the perfect place for you," Neal said, catching my attention. Turning around, I stared at him with a blank expression and my lips slightly parted."I told you th
The day of the event arrived quickly, and as I climbed into the back of the car with Neal, I found myself excited about the day's events. College students lined the areas waiting patiently to be let into the building, and as long as I was on Neal's arm, that wasn't me."Come on, let's head in," he said as I gazed at him."Don't we have to wait?" I asked, looking from him towards the line of people waiting outside. "No," he chuckled. "I don't wait for anything."Of course, he didn't wait for anything. Why would I think he would?I supposed that was just the lavishness of his lifestyle. As we walked through the doors of the Paramount building, I found myself absolutely blown away. My mouth dropped at the beautiful sight before me as the natural light from outside bounced off the crystal chandeliers and beautiful artwork of the main floor.Tables were scattered everywhere, and those who had already passed through the door were standing around mingling during the conference
Sitting down in the restaurant, I took in the general splendor for dim lighting and warm colors. The entire air of the place was rather romantic, and the way James looked at me made me feel as if I was the only woman in the room he had eyes for, and perhaps that was true, but I had to keep my head straight."This place is really nice," I said as I continued to admire the room before letting my eyes fall upon him. The lust filled gaze he was giving me made my stomach knot with anticipation."I figured you would like it," he replied, lifting his wineglass to his lips with a smirk upon his face.To think, just days ago, I was considering letting go of everything I had with James, and now I was sitting here across from him trying to decide if the situation was real or just an elaborate dream I had come up with."I suppose we should discuss some things…"Hesitation filled my words, but my thoughts kept swirling over the possibility he had been pining for me day and night since we
"Give me a moment, and I'll grab my things," I called out to James as I made my way through the living room toward my bedroom. Neal wasn't home right now, but that was fine. He texted me to let me know he was heading up towards the university to sign off on the properties he purchased.I wasn't sure how he could make things happen so quickly, but I knew, in the society of the rich, there were no timelines to getting what you wanted. Packing my clothes into my suitcase, I moved around the room and stopped when I felt someone behind me. Turning, I spotted James leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest and an unsettling look on his face."What's wrong?"Taking a moment, he shook his head and pushed a smile onto his face. "Nothing. Almost done?"I knew there was more to what he wasn't saying, but I chose not to press him for the information. If he really wanted me to know, he would tell me, and right now wasn't the place for it.Zipping up the last o
Becca.The tension was high when we met Neal to look at the apartment. I had suddenly regretted the idea of letting something like that happen because the entire time James looked like he was going to kill Neal. Which wasn't good.Every moment Neal made regarding me, I felt as if James was pulling me back. Every word Neal would say, I heard the scoff of disapproval leave James' throat.He wasn't pleased with Neal being there, and I wasn't quite sure why.Never once had I honestly seen James act truly jealous, but right now, I found it all more than amusing. "Well, that was fun."As soon as Neal left, and James and I were left alone, I tried to find a way to approach the conversation. James paced around the living room of my new apartment, glancing out the large bay windows as he watched Neal walk to his car."What are you doing?" I finally asked him, causing him to look over his shoulder at me."Why didn't you tell me?" he replied with irritation in his tone.Furrowi