NINE

Courtney: Present Day

A few weeks later...

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I HIT “22” ON THE ELEVATOR and clutched my briefcase. I was beyond ready for this week to come to an end. Between my petty personal war with Jace, my never-ending hours at the firm, and my turbulent emotions, I was in desperate need of a break.

Since this weekend marked a mandatory trip to Blue Harbor for us to sit down with some of our clients finally, I was determined to spend tonight alone. All I needed was a glass of wine and one night when I didn’t have to look at my work. Or Jace.

I didn’t trust myself around him, and even though we were playing a twisted game of back and forth, I knew my foolish heart was ready and willing to fold at any given moment.

When I stepped off the elevator, I noticed that Jace was standing in the hallway with his arms crossed—glaring at me. Standing right next to him, at my door, was a sexy guy in a blue T-shirt in jeans.

“My door’s already open, Michael,” I said. “You can go in. I’ll be right behind you after I talk to my neighbor.”

Jace clenched his jaw as Michael walked into my apartment—blocking me from doing the same. He grabbed my arm and pushed me against the wall, sending a familiar jolt through my body.

“Courtney,” he said, his voice deep.

“Jace,” I mocked him.

“That’s the third guy you’ve brought over this week.”

“You’re counting?”

“I am.”

“Well, I think you need to get better at it because he’s the fifth guy I’ve brought over this week.” I tried to move away from him, but he blocked me again—pinning me against the wall with his hips.

“Is this your idea of trying to act like you don’t have any feelings left for me?”

“No, this is me living my life—you know, that thing that went on long after our high school friendship ended? The friendship you ruined.”

“It ended because of you.”

“No, it ended because of you.” I hissed. “But if you’ll excuse me, I need to attend to my personal life. I’m obligated to talk to you when we’re inside of Walton & Associates.”

“So, you’re just going to keep this shit up for another few weeks?” He clenched his jaw. “You’re not going to pretend to be an adult about this and let us talk?”

“About what, Jace?” my heart was beating so loudly in my chest that I was sure he could hear it. “What we had ten long years ago?”

He didn’t answer. He continued glaring at me, slipping an arm around my waist and tightening his grip.

“You want to talk about some of the times we skipped detention?” I shrugged. “Would that make you feel like there was something actually there? How about some of the times you dropped me off at home afterward? Were those moments deep enough for you to—”

He cut off my sentence and crashed his lips against mine—making me swallow the rest of what I was about to say. I gasped as he tore open my coat and pressed his forehead against mine, as he bit down on my bottom lip.

My briefcase fell to the floor—cracking open and scattering files all over the hallway. His hands found their way to my scarf, and he untied it and let it fall.

I wanted to push him away, but once his eyes met mine, I couldn’t.

Kissing him back, I murmured as he slipped his tongue against mine, as he silently commanded me to let him take full control. I gave in within seconds, and everything about the way he used to kiss me—the way he used to own my mouth, all became so much clearer.

Shutting my eyes, I wrapped my hands around his neck. He groaned against my mouth and slid his hand around my thigh, grabbing it and lifting it around his waist.

His kiss became harsher the longer we lasted, and before I knew it, he was biting my bottom lip so hard I had to tear away from him.

He let my leg go and stepped back, looking more vulnerable than I’d ever seen him before.

“It was you who fucked us up, Courtney.” He looked livid. “You.” He bent down to pick up my scarf, draping it over my shoulder. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something else, but he returned to his apartment and slammed the door.

I touched my swollen lips and sighed, leaning against the wall to catch my breath.

I didn’t bother picking up my briefcase or any of the papers. I’d handle them later. Instead, I slipped inside my apartment in desperate need of that wine.

“Okay, I’ve had enough.” Mila stood up from my sofa. “Why have you asked a different one of my male model friends to meet you here every night?”

I glanced over at Michael who was raising his hands in a fake surrender.

“She made me talk,” he said, holding up a box of Thin Mint cookies. “I was strong until she brought these out. You can’t blame me for being weak.”

I rolled my eyes and uncorked a bottle of Pinot Grigio, drinking straight from the bottle. “I’ve been asking them over for a special case I’m working on. It’s an um...comparison research case of what goes on behind the scenes at photoshoots.”

“Bullshit, Court.” She walked over to me and snatched the bottle, taking a sip for herself. “Spill the truth. Now.”

“I’m doing it to make Jace jealous. You know, since he’s been living next door for the past few weeks and all.”

“Hmmm. Okay.” She took another swig and handed the bottle back to me. “Keep going.”

“What do you mean, keep going? That’s it.”

“No, no, no.” She crossed her arms. “There’s more. See, over the past few years that we’ve been friends, you’ve told me about every single ex-boyfriend you’ve had. Every guy from the one who couldn’t keep it up for more than ten seconds, to the guy who cheated on you with your roommate, to the guy who wanted to suck your toes every night.”

“You’re into getting your toes sucked, Courtney?” Michael asked.

Me and Mila both turned around, giving him a blank stare.

“I’m just asking...for a friend.”

“Anyway.” Mila returned her attention to me. “You’ve told me everything about those other guys, and the first time I’ve heard you say a word about this guy is the day after you left me hanging in the bar. Why is that?”

“Probably because it was so long ago.” I tried to feed her more bullshit. “It was high school, you know?”

She stared at me, completely unconvinced.

“He was my first love,” I said, my voice cracking. “My first real friend, my first real everything. I’ve been trying to convince myself that it was just a childhood love or a simple, evolved crush for years but—” I paused as she used her scarf to dab my eyes. “The second he walked into the law firm, I knew my feelings never really went anywhere. And five minutes ago, we were kissing in the hallway—until we realized what the hell we were doing.”

She sighed, shaking her head. “You know, looking back, the fact that you’re still hung up on a guy from your past makes so much fucking sense I can’t even take it right now.” She stepped back. “I want the whole goddamn story, though. And I want it right now.”

“Can it wait until tomorrow?”

“No.” She scoffed and plopped down on my sofa. “I need to hear exactly why you haven’t fucked this guy’s brains out—especially since you two have such a long history. But after we’re done—and you better not leave out any details, you need to leave my male model friends out of this.”

“Okay, fine.”

“Wait.” Michael said, standing up. “Before you two get started, can I have a few beers to go, Courtney?”

“Sure?”

He walked by and lowered his voice. “Can you also answer the toe sucking question? Like, I’m really just asking for a friend.”