I slam the door, throwing my bag and laptop onto our sofa in an annoyed huff.
Removing my scarf, it becomes tangled in my hair, only adding to my frustration. The temperature inside our dorm room is like a goddamn oven, causing me to swelter beneath the thousands of layers I wore.
Liesel strolls out of her room, dressed in a tank and boy shorts. Considering it’s lunchtime, her attire is unusual, yet another one of her quirks.
“Okay, why the face?”
“No face,” I tell her, finally removing the scarf and tossing it on top of my bag. “Can’t you put clothes on and turn down the heat?”
Liesel releases a long-winded whistle. “What the hell happened to put you in such a bad mood? It’s been, what? Two weeks maybe of you slamming doors, all irritable.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I close my eyes momentarily before falling onto the sofa.
I don’t even know where to begin. The workload has increased of late, many of my professors adding more assignments I need to complete in a short amount of time. That means long hours, more caffeine, and only a few hours’ sleep.
My family traveling to New York only adds to the pressure of me completing all my work on time, so I can focus on them. Mom shared her itinerary—a girl’s day out, a visit to some friends she wants to introduce me to who work in the legal field. Then, of course, there’s Thanksgiving.
I glance at the time on the wall clock, knowing I only have an hour to pack before the car service takes me to my parents’ penthouse in the city.
“There’s just a lot on my mind,” I inform Liesel, hoping to satisfy her with my blanket response.
“A certain someone is on your mind?” She digs further.
“No,” I lie unconvincingly. “Just stuff.”
Liesel pushes further, opening a cabinet and pulling a bottle of vodka out. She pours a small amount into the lid, reaching toward me. Reluctantly, I take it from her and down it in one go. The burn laces my throat, causing me to rasp before the liquor settles inside my stomach.
“That should help you clear your head, pack your clothes, and deal with your family,” she continues, placing the bottle back before I stop her. I motion for her to pour me another. What harm can it do? “That’s the spirit. Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for your blessings, and I’m thankful for you and also this bottle.”
I giggle then follow with a hiccup. “I’m sorry I’ve been a bitch. I’m not usually so moody.”
“Hey, it happens to the best of us,” she assures me with a warm smile. “I better go pack, too. My aunt is picking me up soon to head to the airport.”
As she turns toward the room, I call her name.
“I’m grateful for you, too. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Probably be less intoxicated,” she muses. “And maybe healthier since my obsession with ordering pizza because of that cute delivery guy is out of control.”
I snort, shaking my head knowingly. “It’s borderline creepy.”
She laughs out loud before disappearing to her room. I follow her lead, heading to my room to pack. It’s been a while since I stayed at the apartment in Manhattan and have no clue what I left behind. Not wanting to risk it, I pack what I need, then check the time on my phone. Upon looking at the time, I notice no messages. Checking my socials really quickly, there’s nothing needing my attention.
Annoyed, once again, I zip up my suitcase fiercely.
It’s been two whole weeks since I left Will’s. And in that two weeks, not a single word from him. I could’ve texted him myself, but after his stern warning for me to be careful, I decided against it.
I don’t know what his lack of contact means, but I sure knew that men like him are easily distracted, certain that he’s busied himself buried between some woman’s legs. I’ll admit, it got to me more than I care to admit. I never considered myself a jealous person, and why I find the sudden need to be exactly that is beyond me.
And while I didn’t admit that to Liesel, the truth is I’m equally annoyed at myself for feeling this way.
Grabbing my things, I quickly say goodbye to Liesel and give her a big hug before leaving the campus behind for four days in the city.
Reuniting with my family is exactly what I need. My sisters, overbearing and demanding, all want to spend time with me but for different reasons. Whenever they could tag along with Mom and me, they would.
It means that Mom and I have less time to ourselves. Throw Dad into the mix, even less time. Though, as always, he was busy with work and disappeared to his office only to return at night for dinner.
After two days staying in my parents’ penthouse, I offer to help Mom prepare for Thanksgiving. Ava is nowhere to be seen, and neither are Addison and Alexandra. Still, I welcome the time with just us two women.
“With your sisters around, we haven’t had much time to chat.”
“I know, those chatterboxes always take the limelight,” I complain, jokingly.
“So, how are you really doing?”
I continue to peel the potatoes while conversing. “Honestly, it’s hard. Professors are demanding, and I’m trying to cram in some extra course work to finish earlier.”
Mom nods her head knowingly. “I understand, I did the same. Just don’t over-extend yourself. Your dad will kill me for saying this, but you also need to enjoy yourself, get out a little with friends.”
“I just don’t have the time,” I admit.
“And there’s no guy who has caught your interest?”
“Since Austin? No…” I hate lying, again, but don’t want to raise the topic of Will, given Mom’s relationship with him. She’s always been honest about just how important he is from the moment he was born. I don’t want to ruin their relationship, assuming she’ll blame him for coercing me to hang out and given our age difference, which isn’t encouraged. “I just want to be single for a while.”
“Understandable. Nothing wrong with being single.”
I laugh out loud. “I don’t think Dad’s listening, so you can tell the truth because, let’s face it, Dad wants me single forever.”
“Your father would be a hypocrite if he expects you to stay single. The first time he got married, he was in his early twenties.”
“Oh, that’s right. So, what you’re trying to say is my father is no angel?”
Mom grins, cleaning the countertop before grabbing the fancy china out of the cupboard. “I shall not speak ill of your father.”
“Nice call, Mom.”
The doorbell rings, ending our conversation. In the other room, I hear Uncle Rocky’s roar of laughter. Mom alerted me to who will attend dinner, and conveniently, Will isn’t one of them.
I say hello to the Romanos, hugging all three of them. Everyone takes their seat until Mom claps her hands, and my eyes fall upon Will, standing beside my father.
The dark charcoal-colored suit is tailored to his body, and the crisp white shirt beneath his jacket is slightly unbuttoned, a vest layered over it. Dad is a very tall man, and standing beside him, Will is about the same height.
My whole body reacts to how sexy Will is. There’s no surprise as to why women desperately want in his bed. Between his handsome face and incredibly muscular body, he has the whole package. Throw in that fact that he’s a CEO of his own company, and there’s the trifecta.
With an inward gaze, I take a deep breath and divert my attention to my sister, hoping no one notices my inability to greet him.
Just as he’s about to walk over to me, Ava grabs me to pull me aside.
“I have some major goss to tell you.”
“Can it wait?” I ask, distracted.
“It’s about you, though.”
“Me?”
“Yes, silly. And Austin.”
“Austin?”
“I overheard Dad on the phone telling Will how he’s glad you’re single now.”
“That’s not gossip, Ava. We know Dad’s opinion on my love life.”
Dad clears his throat, pushing us along to take our seats. I take a seat next to Dad, across the table from Will. Still avoiding his gaze at all costs, our attention is called to the other end of the table. Uncle Rocky begins our meal by saying grace, as we all bow our heads in respect. Upon lifting my gaze, Will’s eyes meet mine, his piercing stare anything but welcoming. What the hell is his problem? He’s the one who didn’t reach out to me.
Around the table, noise begins to filter out as we serve the food and immerse ourselves in conversations.
Our families reminisce about previous holidays, telling stories as laughter fills the room. Across the table, I avoid his glance on more than one occasion, trying to smile or nod when needed, though leaving the conversation to everyone else.
“How is Yale going?” Aunt Nikki directs the conversation to me. “You must be all settled in now.”
“Yes,” I answer, placing my fork down. “It’s nice to have a break, though. It’s been a difficult two weeks.
The second it leaves my mouth, Will’s head flicks up, his eyes falling to mine.
“Is everything okay?” Dad asks, concerned.
“Oh yes…” I choose my words carefully as all eyes turn to me. “I’m finally used to the late nights, cramming, and idiots who like to howl in the middle of the night after a drunken party.”
Uncle Rocky snickers. “I won the best howl one year. Quite the achievement.”
Mom laughs as Aunt Nikki shakes her head with embarrassment. “We remember,” they say in unison.
Aunt Nikki continues. “Thank God, Will has more sense than you.”
Beau, Will’s younger brother, smiles proudly. “I think Dad is a fine role model. If you excuse the crude remarks, belching, the way he leaves the toilet seat up…”
“Hey, kid, I’m paying for your fancy private school,” Rocky reminds him, then chuckles. “At least mention the empty carton of milk in the fridge if you’re going to boast about all traits.”
We all laugh, my eyes meeting Will’s as something passes between us. Everything at this table is a reminder of how silly my thoughts are. We’re family. Granted, we don’t share the same blood, but we were still raised to be one happy family. Whatever happens between us is poor judgment, a momentary lapse and silly to dwell on.
“Will, tell me what’s happening with you. Keep it kid-friendly. We have young ones at the table,” Mom chastises.
Mom and Will have this unique bond. When it comes to Will, she treats him like a son and always has a soft spot for him. Aside from being his godmother, she has witnessed his birth and played an important role in his life from the moment he was born.
“There’s not much to tell, Aunt Charlie. We’re this close to closing a deal, hopefully in the next week. Overall, business is great. It’s a digital era, so as long as you’ve got the right idea and capital, the sky is the limit.”
“Have to agree with you there,” Dad concurs. “The business is exactly where it needs to be. If you continue to focus on these upcoming acquisitions, you know what’s next?”
“Oh?” Mom’s face brightens. “What’s next?”
Will keeps a steady gaze and purposely avoids my curious stare, his shoulders straight with a confident pose. “London, actually.”
“This is new?” Aunt Nikki asks with trepidation. “You’re setting up an office in London?”
“Yes, if all goes to plan.”
“When?” I blurt out, then try to think of something witty to say to cover up my outburst. “Aunt Kate says that summers in London are wonderful.”
What a lame thing to say.
“It’s true,” Dad agrees with a smile. “Nothing at all like ours. We were thinking in a few months.”
“We?” I question, my gaze darting back and forth between them.
“Yes,” Will concludes, his tone rather cold. “Lex has invested capital in our London project. If it weren’t for this, we wouldn’t be expanding so rapidly to dominate the European market. Your father has made me quite a wealthy man.”
“I saw a post saying you’re the hottest billionaire under thirty,” Ava adds with a smirk. “Did you overthrow Dad? Oh, wait a minute, Dad holds the title for hottest billionaire over thirty.”
Mom drops her head, hiding her laugh behind her glass.
Will lowers his eyes, shaking his head playfully. “I know, it’s been brought to my attention by my college buddies. With much mocking, of course.”
“My son turned billionaire.” Uncle Rocky bursts with pride. “Who’d have thought?”
“Not quite yet, Dad, almost there,” Will assures him. “Doesn’t mean it’s time to slow down. If anything, we need to move faster.”
Of course, his business ties to my dad now make sense. It’s why they have so much in common and perhaps why they are quite close. It makes me feel all the more stupid for feeling whatever the hell I’m feeling and attempting to kiss him at his place.
“Enough with the boring business talk. Let’s talk about your women,” Ava quips.
Dad and Uncle Rocky chuckle at the same time. Not wanting to hear about Will’s personal life, I lower my head, aimlessly moving the peas on my plate.
“I’m not sure this is acceptable dinner conversation,” Will gently scolds her.
“He’s got no women,” Beau blurts out, unintentionally. “He’s been a broody old brother with some chip on his shoulder for the last two weeks.”
“Oh,” Ava mouths, unable to contain her curiosity. “Are you in love with someone?”
The second she says it, my head shoots up. Is Will Romano in love with someone? It makes sense, he’s incredibly handsome, wealthy, and it must be someone his age. Maybe a new assistant?
He hasn’t reached out to me, and that day in his apartment, he easily said goodbye, not asking me to stay.
It all makes sense now.
Will drops his head before silence falls over the table. When he raises it back slowly, all eyes are on him, including mine.
“I’m… I am not in love with anyone,” he stammers, put on the spot. “But yes, someone has caught my eye.”
“I knew it!” Beau yells proudly.
“Beau Benedict Romano, will you calm down?” Aunt Nikki warns him.
As if she knew her son well, she changes topics swiftly. Soon after dessert is served, the younger ones excuse themselves from the table. I take the opportunity to retreat to the kitchen to help clean up, willing the questions to stop. It takes every part of me to resist asking him who this person is or even about London.
None of it matters.
Period.
An hour later, I exit the kitchen to find everyone but Will. According to Mom, he has an early morning business meeting with Dad and said goodbye. Annoyed he didn’t even have the decency to say goodbye to me, I storm off to my room to compose myself.
The room always brings back the nostalgia of my childhood. A few stuffed toys sit on a daybed looking out the window, along with a white bookcase where I keep a few things. It isn’t our primary residence, but we stay here sometimes for weeks on end.
A pale blue box catches my attention. I move toward it, lifting the lid as I pull it out. Inside sits mementos I keep, including photos from my childhood. I recall the day Mom handed me a bunch of photos and my shock to learn you could actually get them printed.
There are so many memories, all of them make me smile. Then, I stumble on a photo of Will and me. He’d have been a teen, and maybe I was about five. His eyes are shut tight as I kissed his nose. I don’t remember it, but I do remember that no matter how much he taunted me or we argued over trivial matters, he always protected me.
We have this history, which is the very reason nothing can ever happen between us. But none of this erases my annoyance from him walking out tonight without a goodbye. What’s his problem, anyway?
I decide I need to find out and clear my conscience once and for all.
I place the box back and exit my room to find my parents.
“Mom, a friend wants to catch up for a late coffee a few blocks away. Do you mind if I head out for an hour?”
“Go ahead, honey. Dad and Uncle Rocky are watching sports and drinking. You know it’s going to be a long night.”
Kissing her cheek, I race out of the room and exit the apartment until I’m out on the street. I hail a cab, prompting the driver to take me mid-town.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m standing at Will’s, overcome by nerves. What the hell am I doing here? Or better yet, what the hell am I going to say?
I knock on the door, crossing my arms, only to panic from the thought of another woman being here. Shit.
The door swings open to Will rolling up his sleeves. The second his eyes fall on me, he appears uncomfortable, his eyes closing momentarily.
“Amelia? What are you doing here?”
I push past him, entering the apartment, not wanting to have this conversation in the foyer.
“Am I interrupting you… or anyone else for that matter?”
“Uh… no. It’s just me.”
“Oh, but I’m guessing she’ll be here soon, the woman who has piqued your interest?”
“Amelia.” He lowers his head.
“I don’t even know why I’m here,” I shout, pacing the space between us. “I lied to my mom and said I was going out for coffee. I just…”
“Why did you lie?” He moves closer, and highly aware of his actions, my breathing falters. “Tell me, truthfully, why did you feel compelled to lie about coming here?”
“I don’t know,” I answer, barely above a whisper, dropping my head to hide my shame. “I’m confused.”
The graze of his finger touches my chin, and slowly, he lifts it until our eyes meet. “We can’t be together, Amelia.”
“I know,” I choke, holding my breath until my lips part slightly. “Just tell me to go.”
His gaze shifts, a look of torment as his eyebrows pull together, deepening the crease.
“I can’t do that…”
“Why?” I beg of him. “Why can’t you tell me to go?”
Slowly, his head tilts upward, the piercing gaze which has tormented me in my sleep and invaded my thoughts in my waking moments, swinging like a wrecking ball ready to destroy everything I’ve worked so hard to ignore.
“Because it’s you, Amelia,” he whispers so delicately. “You’re the one I can’t stop thinking about.”
