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
Scott's POVIt was amazing to me the lengths people go to garner favor from people who’ll humiliate and scorn them in the end. I’d heard her name in Needy’s and Rory’s conversations when they were younger. I remembered nothing complementary was said about her when her name was mentioned. Rory seemed to have always been an unwitting rival of Nicola’s. I didn’t like Nicola’s tactics, nor was I pleased with her antics at the party. After dropping Rory off, I went back to the hotel where the class party was held.Since Nicola went from being the center of attention to feeling ignored when I showed up at the party, I could tell she was really uncomfortable. So, when it came time to pay, this was her only chance to save face.She called out to everyone, "I have a membership card for this restaurant that gives us a twenty percent discount.""You're a member at this five-star, top-of-the-line joint? Nicola, you're really something!" "I really want to be friends with you so I can
Rory’s POVA part of me wasn’t shocked at the revelation of Needy and Justin’s relationship. I was a little hurt. Needy knew what Justin was. She’d watched me mourn the ending of our relationship.“I thought you’d be more upset about this,” Needy said, washing her hands.“I’m sorry to disappoint. Why did you really do this?” I asked, wondering at Needy’s motives. Surely, she didn’t think this was going to make me leave Scott. This just cemented my resolve. I’d made the better choice.“I just figured you’d care more about it than you do,” Needy said with a shrug.“So, you wanted to hurt me?” I asked, feeling upset at her motives.“Sure, I did. Didn’t you mean to hurt me when you started sleeping with Daddy behind my back?”“You were never even a blip on my radar,” I lied without a blink of an eye, and I was gratified to see her flinch. “I’ve always loved Scott. I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I’m in love with him, and when I’m with him it isn’t about anyone else but us. I feel sor
Scott’s POV"What are you talking about?" I asked. "Oh, nothing,” Rory insisted. "Come on, tell me. If I find out you're hiding something from me, I'll just get angrier."Rory tried to stop Zoe from speaking, but it was clear Zoe had something she wanted to tell me.“Oh, speaking of Needy, I heard something. After thinking it over, I decided I should tell you.” Zoe scoffed. My ears perked up. I felt a strange knot tighten in my chest. Zoe must have made some non-verbal response causing Rory to let out an exasperated breath. “Just tell me,” I said. “I heard that Needy and Justin hooked up the other night. I just don’t think that could be good,” Zoe answered. My face turned red and I felt a bolt of rage surge through me. I didn’t hear what Rory’s response was. She was with Zoe for now and I would check in with her again soon.I stood up, grabbed my phone and keys, and headed out to the parking lot. I didn’t think about saying goodbye or closing any of my work. All I c
Rory’s POVI had never traveled much out of the country, but it was so nice to be with Scott in France. I had studied French and it was exciting to get to use the language. I hadn’t realized how stressed and overwhelmed I had been by everything that was happening. As much as I loved school, even that had become a stressful situation, and I was happy that it was summer and I could just enjoy time with Scott. Each night he treated me to a different romantic dinner, followed by amazing sex. I had become so addicted to him and being with him. I craved his touch and the thrill of experiencing him. Every moment with him felt like a dream, and I didn’t want it to end. I pouted a little when it was time to go back to Phoenix. Scott chuckled at me. “Why are you sad? It’s not like much is going to change. It’s just a change of scenery,” he teased, pulling me onto his lap. I continued to pout but ground against him and let him keep kissing me. He moved his hands down under my skirt a
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