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