Rory’s POVI took my seat on the couch, and it just happened to be right next to where Scott was sitting. Needy had gone back to being interested in the rest of the men around us and the meeting about to take place. “I assume no one has an issue with my daughter, Kennedy, and her friend, Rory, joining us today?” Scott asked, almost like he was daring someone to object. The room was silent. He nodded and stared forward. Now everyone looked at Needy with great interest and as if she were their ticket to get in with her father. Needy didn’t seem to mind. She seemed to love the attention and the opportunity to network. “Thank you,” I whispered. I tried to be quiet but I obviously, wasn’t quiet enough since several eyes turned to me. Scott smiled that intense smile he gave me when we were alone, but it faded quickly. “Of course, I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable.” I could see a few of the men looking around and talking through their facial expressions. No one wanted t
Rory’s POVI should have felt better that Scott looked disgusted and instantly pushed the woman away. But I didn’t. She kept pressing in on Scott as if she was completely oblivious to his disinterest in her. “I must say, Scott, this haircut is not flattering on you. Why on earth would you change it?” “I don’t give a damn what you like and I will wear my hair how I please,” Scott answered begrudgingly. He seemed as if it was almost painful to talk to her. “Don't be so hard on me. We used to be husband and wife, dear,” she replied. Scott snarled. She took the key from his pocket and pushed it into the lock on the door. Scott groaned and tried to pull her hand away, but the woman was faster than him. I looked at him expectantly and when he finally looked at me, he seemed to not understand my expression. The woman looked familiar but I couldn’t be certain. Needy’s parents had always been fighting, and we often spent playdates and sleepovers at my house. I made a suggestive l
Scott’s POVI couldn’t believe Eva had the nerve to show up like that. No one likes running into an ex, let alone having your ex-wife show up suddenly when on vacation, even if it was mostly a business trip. It wasn’t like Eva and I were good friends or even on great terms. I divorced her for a reason.On top of it, she thought she could treat Rory like shit. I felt terrible about how Rory was treated. The things Eva had said to her and accused her of were horrible. I hated seeing her spoken to in that way. It wasn’t fair and she didn’t deserve it.My mind continued to drift to Rory. I only half-listened as one of the executives of my company discussed projected outcomes and audience demographics. Instead, my focus was diverted to thoughts of my daughter’s best friend, our time together plagued my memories. I was constantly thinking of the way she felt beneath my hands and lips. There was more to her than that. She was smart and kind. I had seen her be a great friend and a posit
Rory’s POVZoe and I sat down at a nearby restaurant and ordered a couple of drinks for ourselves. We chatted about mostly casual stuff at first, looking at the menu to decide what to eat. I wasn’t super hungry if I was being honest. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to eat–I loved eating–but this whole thing with Scott and Eva and the picture had really done a number on my stomach.“So,” Zoe finally said, and I knew she was going to bring up something more serious than school and music like we’d just been talking about. “How did it go with your grandparents?”“Fine, I guess.” I took a deep sip of my drink. “My grandma called because she saw the picture online. I don’t know if she believed it was me, but it was enough to get her concerned.”“That makes sense. She was probably worried about all the hate you’re getting online. It’s so weird that people think it’s you. I mean, I see the resemblance, but….” She trailed off, shrugging. “Wait,” I frowned, squinting at her. I hadn’t
Rory’s POVI was already tired and exhausted. I wanted to stay asleep and skip everything, but I couldn’t because I had to face the last man I wanted to see.“Oh look who it is,” came a snarky, high-pitched voice. I looked over to see that Justin was with his latest girlfriend, Nicola. “It’s your sad ex-girlfriend. Maybe we should get away from her. We don’t want to flaunt our new love in front of her.” Nicola couldn’t even get through the entire phrase without laughing.Justin gave me a smug smile and kept his hand locked with Nicola. “This is what happens, Rory, when you let a good man like me go. I hope you weren’t expecting that I would stay single and wait for you to wise up,” Justin shot over his shoulder. I rolled my eyes. “Nicola, I have to commend you on your strong ability to pick up trash. That’s definitely something I lack,” I said sarcastically. Nicola looked at me for a long moment, clearly not understanding. I rolled my eyes again and walked directly to my c
Rory’s POVI wasn’t sure if it was his grip on my hair or just the shock of it all that left me speechless. I wanted to scream but no sound came out. The man continued to talk about how he wanted to fuck me and more nasty things in detail. I started to feel sick. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Abruptly, there was a loud banging noise and the grip on my hair disappeared. I stood up fully and moved away from the man who had been holding me. I started to catch my breath. I turned to look at the man who had threatened me just in time to see Scott grip him tightly by the neck and slam his face into the wall. My would-be abuser’s face was instantly bleeding, and he looked dazed and shocked from the blow. “I’m sorry, who was it you were wanting to fuck?” Scott demanded. He punched the guy in the face again but held tightly to his throat so the man wouldn’t collapse on the ground.“Come on, you were so chatty before. I just wanted to clarify. What was it you said you were
Rory’s POV"I trust you. Can we leave the past behind?" I asked as Scott took my hand and we left the club. We returned to the suburban villa, where I had the most comforting sleep ever.I woke up feeling better rested than I had in a while. I turned to the other side of the bed to find it was empty. A small pang rose in me. “Good morning, beautiful,” Scott called. I turned in the direction of his voice and saw him standing by the doorway holding two hot mugs.“I wasn’t sure how you like it, so I left it black but I can get you cream and sugar.” Scott handed me one of the mugs and I took it gratefully. “Usually I take cream,” I said, holding the mug in both hands and enjoying the warmth. “Cream it is,” he said. “If you’re hungry, I’m making some omelets.” The mention of food made me realize how hungry I truly was. I threw off the covers and followed him out into the kitchen. I sat at the table and watched him cook. He was better at it than I would have thought. I r
Rory’s POV“Wait!” came a voice behind me that I didn’t recognize. I turned and saw a man dressed in a sharp suit doing his best to keep up with me. I slowed down and looked at him. “Who are you? What do you want?” I asked, holding up my small can of mace. The man held his hands up in surrender. “Hold up, my name is Ben. I work for Mr. McFarlan as a bodyguard. He sent me to protect you, something about a school stalker. You are Ms. Rory Hill, aren’t you?” he asked. I lowered my mace and put it back in my pocket. “Yeah, I am. Scott sent you?” I asked. “Yes ma’am,” Ben answered, still catching his breath. “Okay, I was just headed to the library,” I said, gesturing to the tall, well-lit building ahead of us. “I have to say, I feel that is unwise. Please allow me to escort you home and I’d be happy to take you back to the library tomorrow during the day,” he replied. I shrugged, figuring it might be best if I just went home and got some sleep. I let him walk me back to t
Rory’s POV “What gave you an inkling that I’m Antony’s daughter?” I asked Scott when he brought up the idea that I could be.“There are too many coincidences. I, for one, don’t believe in them, and what makes you think you can’t possibly be his daughter?”“I had parents, Scott. I know people have said that I don’t look like either of my parents, but I’m pretty sure Mom would’ve told me if I were adopted or something like that.”“You have to admit, most people look like at least one of their parents.”“I’m certain Hannah’s my mother. While lookalikes are common, I assure you I’m not Anthony’s daughter.”“I’m not,” Scott retorted.“What are you implying?” I asked.“I’m not implying anything. I’m just saying there’s a lot of evidence pointing to you being Antony’s long-lost daughter. Don’t you want to know for sure?”“I am sure,” I said, adamant in my convictions. Mother wouldn’t have carried on such an extensive s
Rory’s POV I was getting excited about the way things were going in my life. Since Josie’s visit, Scott seemed more preoccupied. I figured it had something to do with his vast business network. I knew Josie had slowed down and she occasionally helped Scott with things, but I wasn’t worried.If he wanted to talk to me about it, he would. For now, I had my own career to deal with. I wanted more for myself, and I was bound and determined to get it.“You’re doing well. You’re nearly finished with your credits. You’re reaching your goals,” Tiffany said as we started our meeting. “What are your future plans?”“I’m not sure yet. I’m still apprenticing at the gallery.”“Have you thought any more about studying abroad? I think that would be an excellent opportunity for you and your career.”I shook my head. I wasn’t ready to leave my life in Phoenix behind just yet. I wanted to live here and see where my relationship with Scott was going.
Scott’s POV By the time Mom and I came back to the kitchen, Rory was fully dressed and wiping down the counters as if I hadn’t just had her up there with her panties on the floor ready to devour her like dessert.I grinned at her over Mom’s shoulder. Her eyes were wide, and her cheeks were slightly flushed, but that could be attributed to the lingering heat in the kitchen from the cooling oven.“Oh, hi, dear,” my mother said. “I’m Josephine Harper, mother to this heathen.”“I’m no heathen,” I said, but I couldn’t withhold my chuckle at her.“I saw the woman’s eyes widen, Scott,” Mom said. “There’s no telling what you were doing behind my back.”Rory laughed and held out her hand to Mom. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Harper.”“Oh, child, just call me Josie.”“Yes, ma’am,” Rory agreed.“None of that ma’am business. You’re Scott’s girlfriend.”Before Rory could voice her opinion on the subject, I pulled her close
Scott’s POV The sheets where Rory slept were cold to the touch. The cool sensation and the knowledge she’d already left for the day made my eyes snap open. I stared at the indent in the pillow where her head had laid and sighed.Rory asserted her independence. She didn’t shout and roar it to the skies, but her subtlety wasn’t lost on me.In the mornings, Rory was gone. She left something for me if she knew I liked what she’d made, and left a note telling me to have a good day, or reminding me to eat breakfast if she didn’t leave any.She left the coffee pot ready for me. All I had to do was flip the switch and I’d have fresh coffee. I stretched and contemplated our new way of being together.She didn’t need me half as much as she used to, and now, I felt adrift. While I respected her autonomy and felt she was rational and above board, I wanted her to need me.I did love her ability to be responsible, rational, and clear-headed. I co
Scott’s POV By the time I got home, I felt like utter crap. My head ached, my body ached, and I was hot one minute and cold the next. The entire time I was away I shivered with the covers on, and then I threw them off, sweaty and overheated.My mind was in a bit of a fog, and my body felt limp. I was so glad to get home that I didn’t know what to do. I had the driver take me directly to the Villa Rory and I shared. I barely got through the door before I crash-landed in the bed.I’d hoped I’d find Rory home. I came home early from my business trip because there was no way I could work like this. My mind was muddled, my ribs hurt from coughing so much, and I couldn’t breathe without having to blow my nose every two minutes or so.I thought of Rory’s worry over me before I left. I remembered her lips on my forehead and my lips. I wondered if she’d gotten whatever plague I seemed to be carrying, and decided to fly back home to see how she was.
Rory’s POV As soon as our eyes met over Zachary’s shoulder, Nicola ushered him away. I didn’t follow them. I was still in shock from what I saw.He’d betrayed the best woman I knew, and how awful I felt for my friend. I wanted to cry for her, but I knew she’d eventually be all right.The major issue I was having with my newfound knowledge was whether to tell her what I’d seen. I knew what I wanted to do, but sometimes having a friend tell you that kind of news made the person want to punish the proverbial messenger. I would want to know immediately, but I couldn’t say the same for Zoe.I continued to shop for my items, all the while trying to figure out what to do. I was indecisive about this, but I’d feel betrayed if Zoe knew and didn’t tell me.What to do? I kept thinking, as I mindlessly looked through the sales racks and pulled items in my size and my favorite colors.While I was looking through the lingerie section, Nicola caug
POV: RoryScott and I woke up and readied ourselves for the day. Scott wore a double-breasted suit and wingtips. He looked handsome in his suit, but he had a heavy cough he couldn’t seem to get rid of.“Are you alright?” I asked as he rolled his bags out to the car and lifted them into the trunk. I adjusted the car seat to my height and changed the angles of the mirrors as Scott settled in the passenger seat.“I’m fine,” he said, still coughing.I lifted my hand and touched the back of it to his forehead. He pulled my hand down and linked his long fingers through mine.“I said I’m fine. We’d better go before I’m late.”“You mean they won’t hold the flight for you,” I teased, trying to lighten his mood. He’d been in a funk since the dinner with Zeke.“You know I’m using the jet, but I still like to be on time for these things.”“I know.”I didn’t like that cough. I wondered if he was coming down with something. I wanted t
Scott’s POV Rory and I sat at the table eating breakfast. She had her tablet on the table and was checking off items on her to-do list and adding new ones. I had the newspaper open to the financial section. There was fresh fruit, cereal, coffee, and juice on the table.I didn’t quite understand Rory’s partiality for oatmeal, but she seemed to love the stuff. I couldn’t get Needy to look at the stuff nonetheless eat it, and I didn’t blame her. I hated the stuff. However, I did eat nasty ol’ Corn Flakes, as Needy called them.I let my thoughts wander while surreptitiously watching Rory spoon up creamy oatmeal with bananas and strawberries in it. I smiled. There were some mornings she had raspberries or blueberries in her oats. I made sure to keep fresh fruits for her.There were other mornings that she had slivers of almonds with yogurt and fruits. She seemed to savor either breakfast choice, and still, I didn’t care for either of her choi
Rory’s POV I was so excited when Scott suggested that we go to Antony’s art exhibition. All I could think of at the time was being on his arm and being included in an outing that had nothing to do with business or protecting me from Needy or Nicola. This was something both of us would enjoy, and I was honored to be a part of it if only as Scott’s plus one.The gallery was lovely. I enjoyed viewing the art and listening to the discussions around me.There was an interesting point in the evening when there was a lull in the conversation and everyone seemed to be eating and drinking wine, when Antony tapped a dessert spoon against his glass.“I’d like to tell you of my newest quest. I am not only an artist. I am a father. I have a longstanding wish to locate my long-lost daughter. If I could just find her, I’d love to leave my legacy to her.”I smiled at him, hoping he had luck with finding his daughter. Those gathered around at the exhibitio