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  Derek let out an exasperated sigh, then dropped his arms and slowly made his way over to me with a scowl on his face. “Yeah, that bitch! I hate her. There is no way I could’ve let that hot piece of ass go,” he said, dropping down on the other day bed beside me.

  “Oh really? You would’ve just held on to him until they came along to save you? The both of you?” I lowered my chin so that I could see him from over the top of my glasses and raised an eyebrow.

  “I would have tried to move over at the very least. Perhaps offered to lay on top of him to provide an extra layer of warmth,” he replied, pointing a long, bright orange fingernail at me.

  I threw my head back and laughed as an image of a huge, muscular, black man squishing poor Leonardo DiCaprio in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean popped into my head.

  “Amelie did a fantastic job with his place,” he said after I’d settled down. “That girl has as much style as a gay man.”

  “What does that even mean?” I said slightly confused.

  “It means she has a brilliant sense of style.” He gave me a look as if it were general knowledge.

  “Not all gay men are stylish, Derek Wright.”

  “Oh please, girlfriend. Name one.”

  I looked up towards the sky, thinking of an answer. “Jamie Benson! That’s one,” I said, saying a name of a guy we both went to school with.

  Derek scowled again. “Jamie Benson didn’t know what he was.”

  “I really liked Jamie…” I started, drifting off into one of the few nice memories I had of school before Derek cut me off.

  “Don’t start. How did that scrawny little pest come into the conversation anyway? I was complimenting your apartment.”

  I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. The only reason Derek hated the poor guy was because he was in love with him and Jamie turned him down one summer when we were sixteen.

  I sat up and looked over my shoulder towards the inside of my apartment, smiling proudly. Amelie had done a fantastic job. I wasn’t sure how long I was going to be staying in New York for but Amelie insisted on redecorating the apartment. I let her of course; not realizing her plan was to completely renovate the entire floor.

  She’d transformed the kitchen, adding a black marble patterned counter top, glass and stainless steel appliances and it now had a huge pantry big enough for both Derek and I to hide inside if we wanted to. The open plan living room consisted of a huge, flat screen television mounted on the wall, a white leather seven-seater and a large, red shaggy rug under a circular, glass coffee table. An entire wall was turned into a bookshelf filled with favorite classics and the authors I loved, while large abstract paintings hung around the walls, color coordinated with a few items placed around the room.

  My bedroom was amazing. Everything I could ever want, Amelie managed to find, but it was the en-suite attached to my room that was my favorite room in the house. It shone of gold and white marble and sported a deep bathtub with jet spas and a luxurious shower. I didn’t know how Amelie managed to complete the entire project in a matter of weeks, but I was glad that she did.

  The sound of my cell ringing jolted me back into the moment and I spun around to reach for my phone sitting on the bench beside me. It was my brother calling.

  “Hey, Con,” I sang cheerfully into the speaker.

  “Hey, Evie…” Oh no. My mood changed as soon I heard his troubled voice on the other end. “I think it might be best to come and visit Dad today. He hasn’t been feeling very well.”

  My throat suddenly felt dry. I knew agreeing to come to New York meant that I would need to go see my father at some point but I just hadn’t expected it to be so soon. I hadn’t even worked out what to say to him yet.

  “I know it’s stupid of me but―”

  “It’s alright, Evie. I know it’s hard and it’s a big ask. You’ll see him tomorrow though, right?”

  “Okay,” I agreed, feeling my body begin to relax a little. “I’ll do it tomorrow, I promise. I just need to prepare myself. I shouldn’t be feeling like this, he’s our father…”

  “What you went through was traumatic enough and it wasn’t fair that he deserted you like that, especially when you needed him the most. But you’re right, he is our father and he needs you now, Evie. Just don’t leave it too long otherwise it might be too late and you’ll regret never getting the chance to forgive each other.”

  I nodded even though Connor couldn’t see me. “Will you be there with me tomorrow?”

  “Of course.”

  After I hung up, I turned to Derek, who was staring at me with wide, questioning eyes.

  I filled him in and even though he tried cheering me up, nothing was helping. After a while of silence passed, I excused myself and told Derek that I wanted to go and lie down. I needed to be alone and have time to think about the situation I was in.

  ****

  “Alright, this is silly. It’s your second day in New York and you’re mopping around in your amazing apartment, while I’m eating everything edible that you own.”

  I lifted my head just enough to see Derek’s dark figure approaching the bedroom. He flopped down on the bed beside me.

  “Sorry, but I don’t feel well.”

  “It’s only because you feel bad. Do you want to see your dad?”

  “I’m afraid―”

  “So then, you see him tomorrow like you planned. But tonight we party,” Derek interrupted. I frowned. “And don’t even give me that crap about being afraid. No one has seen you in years and they probably wouldn’t even recognize you now. You deserve a night out, Evan. You look like a mess,” he added quickly.

  “Jeez thanks,” I grumbled.

  “Just telling you how it is, baby girl. Now, are you going to come with me or do I have to drag your sorry ass along?”

  He stood up off the bed and pointed a straight arm out the door. I sat up. Bossy Derek always got his way but he also managed to make me smile. “Jeez, you’re bossy,” I teased. “Fine. But one drink, okay?” I answered, slowly getting to my feet.

  “Two drinks, and I promise we will leave if you start having one of your freak outs.” Derek winked and slapped my ass as I passed by.

  CHAPTER 3

  “Isn’t this fun? Bet you’re glad that I dragged your ass out now, huh?”

  I took a moment to look around the packed nightclub. There were plenty of people dancing, chatting and even kissing on the dance floor, but most importantly no one was paying any attention to me. Derek was right: nobody recognized me. I felt a small, triumphant smile spread across my face.

  “Well, at least I got a smile out of you.”

  I turned back to Derek, who was pouting at me; his lips, coated in a clear lip-gloss, shimmered under the bouncing colorful lights. “Shut up, and thank you for forcing me to come out tonight. I think I’m going to try and enjoy the evening.”

  “You got that right, sister, and you’re welcome…” His voice trailed off as soon as he caught sight of another good-looking man― number six of the night.

  I let out a teasing groan, but Derek didn’t hear or see me. He was busy watching the Latino sex god that had just walked in the club. “I’ll go get us more drinks then,” I shouted, cupping my hands over my mouth. I was pretty sure he hadn’t heard that either but I got up anyway. Surely, he’d notice that I was walking away or that I wasn’t standing beside him anymore.

  As I made my way towards the bar, I couldn’t help but scan the crowd again. It was a bad habit that I’d developed since after the accident. Being harassed and bombarded by the press daily as a child kind of did that to you. That’s when I first saw him…

  A guy, around his mid-twenties with a familiar face that I couldn’t quite place, and a mop of dark, tousled hair, sat leisurely on a sofa between two blond bombshells that had their eager hands all over him. Two other guys― who each had their own fair share of women hanging off them― sat on the sofa beside Mr. Tousled, chatting to one another. The situation looked nor
mal enough, except for the fact that almost all the girls inside the club seemed to be gawking at the three men, especially the guy with the hair that looked as though he hadn’t bothered to brush it, and all he seemed to be doing was staring at me. Why was he staring at me?

  Feeling slightly confused and at the same time a little panicked by his penetrating gaze, I turned slowly to check behind my shoulder. Realizing the people closest to me were a group of three young guys talking to four girls caused an unsettling feeling in my stomach. Calm down, Evangeline, there’s got to be a million reasons why he’s watching you, right? You can’t freak out at the very first person you see looking in your direction! I told myself firmly.

  Unable to help myself, I snuck another look his way but instantly regretted the decision. I was positive I saw his lips curve up into a smirk but looked away before I had the chance to be sure. Determined to ignore the strange encounter, I continued towards the bar. It was ridiculous to allow one creep to ruin the whole night.

  When it was my turn to be served at the bar, I ordered a second round of Grey Goose martinis; mine with a lemon twist and Derek’s dirty with three olives. ‘Extra dirty, just the way I like my men,’ I imagined him saying to me.

  I was on my way back when a drunk and disorderly man, getting escorted out by security, bumped me and knocked the martinis right out of my hands. Glass smashed everywhere. Frustrated, I glanced up to where Derek was sitting. Noting that he was busy talking to the Latino he’d spotted earlier, I sighed and headed straight back towards the bar.

  “The same again, please,” I muttered to the bartender. With a suspicious look on his face, he began grabbing the ingredients he needed to make a new round. I really couldn’t be bothered explaining the incident to him but to save me from looking like a complete alcoholic, I did anyway. I was pretty sure he didn’t care, but it was enough to stop him judging me with his eyes.

  When the bartender was finished, he placed the newly made drinks in front of me while I reached down for my purse.

  “Theo, put it on my tab,” said a voice that made my body react in some strange, crazy way.

  My eyes shot up to see the tousled hair guy waving a silver plastic card at the bartender, while wearing a predacious grin as he watched me. My eyes widened when I realized just how striking the guy’s face was up close. With his well-defined jawline that was lightly covered in stubble, perfect full eyebrows, and a straight, slightly wide nose, the guy seemed almost god-like. His greenish-hazel eyes that were framed by long, thick, dark lashes only added to his near perfect image. Abercrombie and Fitch models had nothing on the roguishly handsome stranger standing in front of me! The stranger, who was driving me crazy because I couldn’t quite work out where I knew him— Oh, wait a minute!

  Suddenly, it hit me. I knew it! I had seen him before! His face, and his half naked body, were plastered on the sides of buses and stuck to large billboards on nearly every building in Manhattan; in particular, the one near my apartment!

  “It’s fine, I can afford my own drinks, thank you,” I replied, looking away so that he didn’t catch the embarrassing look I felt I had on my face.

  “I’m sure you can but let it be my treat.”

  I glanced up to protest, but before I had the chance to say another word the bartender snatched the silver card from the tousled model’s hand and swiped it against the cash register.

  “Err…thanks, I guess,” I said forcing a polite smile.

  “Anytime, beautiful,” he replied, adding a seductive wink on the end. Ugh, this guy is unbelievable. “So, is that your boyfriend you’re with tonight?” My boyfriend? Oh, he means Derek. Say yes. Say yes!

  “Yes,” I answered, trying not to smile at my own cunning little lie.

  “Oh,” he said with a hint of disappointment in his voice. “Then I guess it’s time to find a new one, because he’s making out with the guy he’s dancing with. Or are you two into that sort of thing?”

  My gaze followed where he was pointing and I immediately spotted Derek on the dance floor with his tongue down Latino’s throat. Just great.

  “Shit,” I cursed quietly.

  I heard Mr. Tousled’s soft chuckle beside me. Swinging my head back around, I gave him the most ferocious glare I had. He stopped immediately. “I’m sorry if you genuinely just found out that your boyfriend was into guys,” he said raising both hands up in defeat. “I’d be more than happy to offer my services, if it would help make him jealous. What do you need me to do, grope you? Whisper sweet things in your ear? Or make out with you? Hell, we could do all three if you want.”

  “He isn’t my boyfriend,” I admitted sheepishly.

  “Well, that’s the second best news I’ve heard all night. The first will be you saying yes to letting me do those things to you.” He flashed a devilish grin while I held back an eye roll.

  “I’m Ryan by the way,” he added, extending a hand out towards me, which all I did was stare at. He had really big hands... In fact he was a lot taller than I’d expected him to be. He stood at about a good six four, with an athletic build and nice broad shoulders. I had to admit, it was hard to keep my mind from wondering what his body looked like underneath the casual, long sleeved shirt he was wearing and whether it looked exactly like the posters of him insinuated… Pull yourself together, Evangeline!

  His skin had an even, light olive complexion to it, which could’ve been from a number of different cultural backgrounds, but I couldn’t tell which just by looking at him, and I definitely wasn’t going to come right out and ask. The guy was obviously aware of how attractive he was and didn’t need me bringing up how perfect his skin was and adding it to the endless list of his flawless qualities. It would be no surprise to me if he were the type of guy who got everything he wanted just by simply walking into a room.

  “So, this is rather awkward.”

  I blinked hearing the sound of his voice. The Ryan guy still had his hand held out waiting for me to take it. With a bright red face, I quickly shook his hand. “Oh, sorry. Evi― Evangeline.” What the hell? What was I thinking? I was just about to give him the nickname I hated hearing. That was something I had never ever done before.

  An irresistible, lop-sided smile appeared on his face. Good God… And there it was: the very reason girls fell for his charms. Besides his god-like looks, how did anyone have a chance to resist that smile?

  “That’s a really beautiful name. Evangeline.” He said my name on the tip of his tongue, like a sensual whisper, which caused an involuntary pleasurable shiver to run through me. No! Don’t be one of those girls!

  I immediately shook all the dirty thoughts I had of myself wrapped up in his arms out of my head. There was no way I was going to let that ever happen; the guy oozed trouble and that was something I didn’t need in my already messed up life. I had to get away from him.

  “Well, it was nice meeting you, Ryan. Thanks again for the drinks,” I said quickly all in one breath.

  Before he had the chance to say another word that would either make me change my mind or drop my panties, I picked up the two drinks and raised one in the air to thank him before racing off to the dance floor towards my best friend.

  CHAPTER 4

  “Are you sure you’re going to be okay getting home, baby girl?” Derek asked as he helped Marcos, Mr. Sexy Latino, into the waiting cab.

  It was late and we were all exhausted after spending the rest of the night on the dance floor. I was still on a high from the really good mood I was in and proud that I’d managed to enjoy myself for the evening. “I’m one hundred percent certain. You live farther away and also in a bigger rush to get home,” I reminded him, tilting my head towards the back seat of the taxi where Marcos had just climbed in.

  “Yes, but―”

  “I’ll be fine, Derek, stop worrying.”

  Derek stared at me for a moment before saying, “Well babe-a-licious, you’re a difficult one to argue with. Text me when you get home, please. I need to know that you got home safe
ly at least.”

  “Will do.”

  Derek grabbed my shoulders and then leaned in to kiss both my cheeks before sliding into the seat of the cab next to his achievement of the night. I waved to the both of them as the taxi drove off.

  I waited ten minutes before another free cab came by. I raised my hand to hail it, but a sharp whistle followed by a loud shout came from somewhere behind me. The oncoming taxi slammed on its brakes and stopped a few feet away from me. Shoot! I wasn’t sure whom the driver heard or saw first. I turned to my competitor, in hopes they’d be kind enough to give it away since I’d clearly been waiting longer, and felt my jaw drop to the ground. No way! It was the tousled hair model, Ryan, holding the hand of one of the young blonds that I’d seen him with earlier that evening.

  An impish grin lit up on Ryan’s face once he caught sight of me.

  “Hello there, Evie. Great to see you again.”

  Hearing that name caused my entire body to tense. “Don’t call me that!” I snapped without warning.

  He stopped and stood silent for a moment, evidently confused by my strange reaction. “Okay… if you insist. So, on your way home―”

  “Who’s it going to be guys? I don’t have all night to wait,” the cab driver interrupted. The both of us swung our heads in his direction. The driver was impatiently waiting for us to make up our minds.

  I blinked before I turned back to Ryan. He was already looking at me with an odd expression on his face. Unable to tear myself away from his magnetic gaze, we continued to stare at each other until the contact was broken by a giant grin that stretched across this face. I looked away immediately.