“I really never expected the songs would become so big. I wrote them after you left me that message. When I’d given up for good on us” I squinted, remembering. “It doesn’t matter. You were such an important part of my life, Zoey. It’s time for us to move on so things don’t have to be awkward between us or our friends.”
“Yeah.” She hung her head a bit, causing her shirt to shift. I caught a sparkle of a chain around her neck. The butterfly necklace. She still wore it.
“C’mon, it will be okay. Let’s put this stuff between us in the rearview mirror.”
My reaction to Zoey was surprising to me. I truly thought I was over her. Yet I was still so irresistibly drawn to her. Even stronger than before, almost like the magnets within us had strengthened over time. I had been determined to forget how great she and I were together. How she made me feel. Yet, in an instant I was right back at ground zero, which was terrifying but also exciting. Hopeful.
For now, I knew that I wanted to keep her talking to me for as long as possible.
“You’re right, of course. I know that Alex and Jace have hung out over the years.” Zoey cocked her brow.
“Mmm-hmm.” I knew they did more than that but didn’t know how much she knew.
“Yeah, they’ve become close, I guess. We didn’t see much of each other while I was in school but we’re tight when we are both in town.”
She chewed nervously on the end of her ballpoint pen, glancing between me and her notepad as if I’d combust if she held my gaze too long.
Her nervousness really surprised me. She’d always been so confident and determined. Even after hearing secondhand that she’d had it rough, I’d never believed it completely.
“Can we leave that discussion for another day? Today, is about my foundation, which I’m really proud of.”
“Oh! Of course.” Her body jerked back as if she were pushed, but she quickly covered up her shock with a polished professionalism. “You should be proud. Um, can we call Joe back in? Or are you going to go with another firm now that I’m involved? I’m happy to turn this over to someone else if you won’t be comfortable with me.”
“Of course not, if Carter vetted you and the firm then I’m good. I want you to stay. It gives us a positive reason to, well, reconnect as older and wiser adults I guess.”
“Of course, in a professional sense. Ethically I’d be your company’s lawyer.” Zoey’s lawyer mask was firmly back in place.
“Sure. Of course. In a professional sense.” I nodded, but her need to clarify our relationship felt like another rejection. Which stung. Now that I’d seen and spoken to my elusive butterfly, there was no way to deny that I wanted her again.
On the other hand, I finally felt stable in all aspects of my life. It would be a terrible idea to risk putting my heart or sanity on the line for her again.
Fuck it.
This witty, confident, stunningly gorgeous, and smart woman was meant to be mine. I knew it as surely now as I had eight years ago. Working with her was the best of both worlds. I’d have her in my life, but if I respected her wishes and kept it professional for the time being, I’d slowly win her over.
Sooner rather than later.
Chapter 11
ZOEY
Regret.
I couldn’t help but feel utter and total regret at losing eight years with Ty as we set up his foundation over the next few months. Working with him was an absolute joy. We slipped right back into our easy banter. I justified reasons to call or text him to get details for the legal documents I was preparing, but invariably our conversations stretched into other subjects.
My heart soared when Ty remembered my birthday and brought two cupcakes to my office, one with a “2” and another with a “6” candle. He seemed to enjoy talking to me, I looked forward to his calls and texts. Nothing was remotely romantic in these interactions, I was very conscientious of my legal role, but his communications became the highlight of my day.
My heart was in grave, grave danger.
Sometimes it felt like nothing had changed at all. His sexy, deep voice still gave me goosebumps, his goofy, dorky sense of humor was so endearing. It was impossible for me to deny that my fantasy was to once again be something more. Seeing that he still wore the bracelet I had given him for his birthday all those years ago only ignited my hope. The leather looked faded and worn. Even after I left him only hours after gifting it, he’d kept his promise never to take it off.
Other times, when he didn’t respond quickly, or in a way that was much more reserved and cautious, I would feel crushed. He could be cold at times, almost like he was protecting himself. I didn’t know if he acted this way as a coping mechanism for his fame, or if it was only with me.
Despite all our interactions during the time we spent setting up his foundation, he didn’t bring up getting together again. I didn’t either, even though I desperately wanted to clear the air and move on. Our past still blanketed us like a thick fog.
Unable to stop myself, I continued to troll him on Google and YouTube and could find no trace of the sordid videos and pictures I had seen years ago. Oh, there were plenty of smokin’ pictures of Ty. I devoured the promo shots of him. A Rolling Stone article featured several photos of him shirtless, his jeans riding low revealing the cut “v” of
