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 “I thought we could also hit up that new trendy restaurant downtown. I heard their food is to die for!” Zoe exclaimed.“That sounds great!” Time spent with Zoe was always so joyful. She made me realize that life wasn't just about romance; friendship was just as important.We listened to music and drove through the streets until we came across the market. It was cute with lots of little stands and people selling home made items. I was really excited.Zoe and I explored and looked through all the little shops at the things for sale. I found several cute items I wanted for the house.“Look at this mini little chandelier!” I cried out, turning to find Zoe.She turned and looked at me. “That’s adorable, I think you should put that in the bedroom,” she suggested.I nodded and swiftly handed the man some money. I found a few more things and a nice shirt for Scott. I wasn’t sure if it was the kind of thing he would wear, b
Rory’s POVI picked up the phone and dialed my Grandmother’s number. I hoped she wouldn’t be at one of her clubs or something. “Hello?” she called, sounding a bit grumbled. “Hey Grandma, it’s Rory. How are you? Happy Birthday!” I replied. I twirled the pencil around on the desk, trying to make it stand on the point. “Oh, hi, sweetie. Thank you so much.”I could tell from her tone that I had either woken her up or distracted her from some project that required a good bit of focus. “What are you up to today?” I asked. “Do you have any special plans?” “Oh, nothing too extravagant. You know I don’t need much anymore. I’m going to watch my stories and then we’ll see… though some of the ladies at bridge wanted to take me out, so I’m sure I’ll be well taken care of. I sure do wish I was spending more time with you, sweetie. But I understand you are doing big things with your school and such,” she answered. I weakly smiled. “I know, Grandma. I really wish I could come see you a
Rory’s POVI woke to Zoe knocking wildly on the door. I groaned and threw my pillow over my head. “There are no classes today. Go away,” I shouted tiredly. I could hear Zoe giggling from the other side of the door. “Come on! We have plans today!” Zoe exclaimed. She pushed open the door, no longer caring about my objections. “What plans?” I asked, not moving from my position. “Shopping plans. But I thought we’d get our hair and makeup done,” she announced. I finally sat up. She was beaming with excitement. I looked at her and I could feel the blood rushing to my face and the flashback setting in. “What is it?” she asked. She seemed concerned but not deterred from her determination. I sighed. There was no point in hiding things from her. She already knew me too well. “It’s just the last few times I did this kind of shopping and outing was with Needy, and it didn’t turn out so well,” I explained. “She let me go through her closet and pick out what I liked and then we we
Scott’s POVI sat at my desk and went over the paperwork for the coming months' projections. Things were progressing well and I was pleased at the future spending projections. My desk phone rang and I picked it up absentmindedly. “Yeah?” I answered, continuing to review what I had on the screen. “Hey, Scott, it’s Sam.”“Hey, Sam. How are you?” I called out, switching over to the sheets with our mutual projects. “Have you gotten an update on the numbers?” “Yeah, I’ve got it here. That’s why I called.” “Well, lay it on me,” I said. Sam started going off and explaining the process with numbers. I got more excited the more he talked about projects and where we were. “So with the malls and hotel investments?” I asked. “We are right on track. I’ve also sent you an email outlining the progression I think we should work on. We are really looking to triple our finances.” We talked for a good while and made more projections for the future. I started to feel really excited and
Scott’s POVQuickly, though, Needy’s sweetness faded and her bitter side came out. “I’m so tired of you running out on me for her,” Needy said.“What are you talking about?” I asked, looking up at her. I was utterly confused. I had so much on my mind with business issues, and Rory was always on my mind.“You’re going to see her, aren’t you? It’s always about her!”With Needy’s sneering tone, I knew exactly who she was talking about.“Look, Needy, you know you’re my best girl and I love you with all my heart.”“Bull,” she said. “I’m not some simpering child you can placate. She’s my age, Dad. Don’t you feel a little yucked out by that?”“I think you’re the one who feels yucked out,” I said. “I wish it could be different and I could placate you somehow, but this behavior is really getting old.”“See, this is what I’m talking about.” Needy lifted her hands palms up as if to say voila.“No, you don’t get to reduce explanations to a few words and a gesture,” I said firmly. “You’r
Rory’s POVWhen I went downstairs, I was surprised to see Scott was waiting for me.“You’re stunning, my dear,” he commented, pulling me close and kissing my cheek.“I thought I would be riding with Zoe. It’s a nice surprise to have the most handsome man in Phoenix picking me up instead.”“What’d you do to your hair? It’s as lovely as you are.”I smiled and looked him over the way he was staring at me. Gosh, he really was the most handsome man in Phoenix.”“I really wanted to look good for this party,” I said. “Thank you for the compliments. It lets me know I've achieved that goal.”“They’re well deserved,” he whispered in my ear.I shivered from the sensation of his breath against my skin and hummed my delight at his nearness.“Hm, are you sure you want to attend the party?” He grinned down at me.“Sure, I am,” I said with a grin of my own as I deliberately slid my body against his as I passed him to get to the door.He hurried to get there first, opening the door for me,
Rory’s POVAs Scott and I made our rounds, people’s expressions changed. He was so handsome in his Armani suit, his hair back from his face, and his smile all for me.The tension faded away and I could tell people were starting to change their opinion just because Scott was by my side. It didn’t make much sense to me, but I would remember the voices and faces of those who’d scorned me because of Nicola's earlier antics.I wouldn’t say anything to Scott. He was a smart man. He could gauge the feel of a room faster than anyone I knew. His intelligence was one of the main characteristics that drew me to him.“You make such a lovely couple,” one of the women who’d whispered behind her hand about me earlier said with a beaming smile. She wasn’t talking to me. Her eyes were all for Scott as she reached out a hand to clasp his.“Thank you,” he said graciously.I simply smiled at her; my eyes filled with glaciers. I had nothing to say to someone who changed their opinion so easily.“I
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