Rory’s POVWhen I saw Eva and Scott together, I felt a sharp pain. Scott pushed her away and walked toward me, but I had already turned to leave.“Rory, wait! Rory, please stop and let me explain!” Scott called after me as I started walking away. I didn’t want to listen to him, though. I couldn’t stop the tears anymore and I couldn’t process anything else that was happening. I wasn’t sure there was anything that Scott could say that was going to make me feel better. I walked outside and hoped that Ben would still be there. I didn’t want to wait for an Uber and risk having Scott catch up to me. But as I pushed open the door, I saw that his car was no longer there. I texted him immediately and then started to pull up the Uber app in case he didn’t respond in time. “Rory!” Scott screamed, pushing the door open. “Please just leave me alone. I don’t want to hear what you have to say, Scott. If you want to be with her or anyone else, that’s your business, but I can’t deal with
Scott’s POVI couldn’t stop thinking about Rory. I wanted to see her or call her, but she had made it clear she needed some space. It took all I had to not call her again. Everything felt so much harder without her. I started throwing myself more into my work and getting somewhat obsessive about it. I started scheduling meetings and spending more time on the phone. I felt for a while that the phone was glued to my ear. “Damn it, Jack. I don’t care about the numbers. I’m telling you this isn’t going to fly. You need to do something about this!” I screamed. “Come on Scott, I’m doing the best I can here. Cut me some slack!” “No, that’s not good enough! The presentation is due on Friday! I can’t show them this,” I shouted, vaguely gesturing to the layout in front of me. “You need to figure this out and fix this!” “Scott, please!” “I don’t want to hear it! Just take care of it!” I slammed the phone down on the receiver and collapsed back in my chair. I opened up the files o
Rory’s POVI felt even worse than I had when I first started staying with Zoe. I came back to the apartment in tears and threw myself on the couch. “Rory, are you okay? What happened?” Zoe asked, putting away the last of the dishes. I waved my hands out dismissively. “I went to the hospital to see Scott. He really appreciated it, but it was hard knowing the situation. We had a really awful talk about what we do and where we go from here.” “What did you decide?” she asked. I shrugged. “Nothing really. We are going to keep taking a break but we haven’t decided anything. We won’t decide anything or talk about it again until Needy is better and we are sure she won’t try anything again. I am just so depressed. I know we need to take a break but this is so hard,” I cried. Zoe comforted me, and I felt a deep sense of guilt and self-blame for everything that had happened. I was worried about Needy's injuries, and I didn’t even know how long I cried or how long we talked. I only re
Scott’s POVThe moment I stepped into the club, people stepped out of my way. There was no point in saying anything to me because I was on a mission and wouldn’t be stopped. Casting my eyes around the open space within the club, it wasn’t hard to find her.I pushed through the dancing intoxicated crowd and headed toward the tables near the dance floor. I spotted her friend Zoe first. I narrowed my eyes on her. Was it her idea to push Rory into the arms of another man? I walked with more determination now. I watched as Zoe found Rory on the dance floor and whispered something into the ear of the man she was dancing with. He was an attractive man and I wasn’t surprised that Zoe picked him, but it made the jealousy in me rage higher.I moved up and took Rory by the arm, trying to pull her away from the man.“Scott, what are you doing here?” she demanded."Is that why you didn't contact me?” I asked, staring at the young man. “Two months! Dance with different men every day and enjoy
Rory’s POVAfter we met at the club, our relationship became more relaxed. For the past few days, we'd been hanging out just like before.Without classes, we had more time alone together, so we happily spent entire days in our room, eating, cleaning, and being intimate, just like many ordinary couples.One day, after taking a shower, I stood in front of the mirror, applying body lotion.Scott kissed my bare shoulder while running his hand over my still-naked body. “I wanted to ask you something,” he whispered. I turned to look at him now. I was certain my face was still flush from our previous activities. “What is it?” I asked.He started to look sheepish. “Sunday is my birthday and well, I was planning on having a party Saturday night. I’d really like to bring you as my date… as a more official announcement of our relationship.” He kept his eyes locked on mine, anxiously awaiting my reply. I couldn’t help the huge smile that spread across my face. “Thank you!” I threw m
Rory’s POVI wasn’t sure what to do initially, but when Eva screamed and started coming toward me again, I scrambled to my feet and punched her square in the jaw. For a moment I felt like I had broken my fingers, but the adrenaline rushing through me took away that feeling fast. Eva stumbled backward but caught the back of my hair before I could get away. “Let go, bitch,” I cried out, reaching back and trying to peel off her fingers. I turned and kicked as hard as I could. I wasn’t sure where I hit her, but Eva let go and fell to the floor. I started running but she grabbed my ankle and pulled me back down. I hit my chin hard on the ground, rolled over, and kicked up into her stomach. I scrambled to my feet and raced away from her back into the hall. Needy was spewing more hate and other things on stage while Scott kept trying to get the microphone from her. Needy, ignoring the objections, shouted loudly on stage.“I'm sure everyone here is familiar with our school's top st
Rory’s POVI felt sore all over. I knew that Eva had tossed me around, but I didn’t feel like I should be so sore. I opened my eyes and realized I was in the hospital. I sat up quickly and saw Zoe sleeping in the chair next to my bed.“What happened? Why am I in here?” I asked. Zoe opened her eyes and came to sit on the side of my bed. “Hey! How are you feeling? You passed out on the road and Scott rushed you to the hospital. They said you had a small concussion from the smack to your head and that your stress levels were off the charts. They’ve been in and out checking on you. Do you want me to call a nurse?” I pushed myself up more and cringed from the headache that was forming. “No, that’s okay. Where’s Scott?” I asked. “I’m sure he’ll be back. He went to deal with Eva and Needy, something about Needy being on lockdown, and I think Eva went to jail for assault,” Zoe answered. “Are you serious?” I asked, feeling surprised and somewhat relieved. I felt better knowing that
Justin’s POVI wasn’t surprised to get the rejection letter from Scott’s office. I read it over again and it sounded more like a job denial than a meeting denial, saying something about how they ‘regret to inform me that Scott was unavailable for the foreseeable future.’I had been such a tool and treated Rory badly. No wonder he didn’t want to talk to me or help me further my career. I was starting to see that now. I was starting to see that Rory deserved better. I should have treated her better.I looked through the old photos I had of her. I remembered how we watched Harry Potter movies all the time and she could quote the lines. I remember how we’d talk about the differences between the books and the movies and how she had waited in line with me all night to get my book signed by J.K. Rowling.The thought of losing Rory for good hurt worse than I thought it would but I finally realized I didn’t have a lot of other choices. I had messed things up too b
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