Page 9 of Ache
“I hate to miss a party.”Lie.
“Well, I’m so glad we have a chance to chat. I wanted to ask if you’ve seen the applications for the paralegal opportunity.”
“Umm, the ones about applying for school?” I wrack my brain. I know something came through my email.
“Yes, that exact one. Every so often the firm offers a higher learning opportunity to its employees. I thought you might be an excellent candidate. You’re very smart, always well organized, and I believe you would represent the firm well.” He beams, and I’m floored.
“Really?” I’ve never considered being anything more than just a secretary, but a compliment — and recommendation — from one of the founding partners has me reeling.
“Really.” He emphasizes with a nod. Mr. Turner is so mild-mannered it’s hard to picture him as cut-throat as his reputation proceeds.
“I’ll consider it.”
“Fine, fine.” He nods some more, continuing to smile. “Just remember, opportunity presents itself, but it doesn’t last forever.” He clicks his champagne glass with mine.
“I will definitely keep that in mind,” I promise.
“Good. You look lovely, by the way. Enjoy yourself, Miss Paige.” He winks good-naturedly before rejoining his party.
Now, why can’t Alec act more like Mr. Turner? Cordial in a social setting and an attack dog in the courtroom. I’m sure it would do wonders for his personal life.
“Ever!” Lara hisses my name. I turn to find her decked out in a black cocktail dress with a plunging neckline detailed with diamonds. Damn, she went all out.
“Trying to get someone’s attention?” I drip my fingertip into the opening of her dress.
“Damn right.” She slides her eyes over to Luke, who’s standing next to the intricately molded mantel in the main living room. He can’t pull his attention away from her, even though he is trying to desperately stay engaged in the conversation going on with some of the other junior partners, Alec included.
He’s failing miserably, though. It’s clear all he wants is Lara.
“You two are going to set the building on fire if you keep looking at each other like that.” I step in front of her, blocking his view.
“We can’t help it.” She peeks her head around me. “It's like . . . gravity or something. I can’t control it. I just want him all the damn time.”
I’m familiar with that feeling, even if it’s been an eternity since I actually experienced it. That connection, that pull. The whole world disappears, and the only thing left is you and him and the electricity the two of you create.
My chest aches from the memory. From the crater formed by the devastation of the past.
“Just be careful. Your attraction is way obvious,” I warn her. “You can’t get fired. You’re my sanity at work.”
Lara smiles at me, her big, blue eyes shining. “I’m not going to get fired, but I may have to quit.”
“Not without a ring on your finger.” I’m attempting to be the voice of reason. “Don’t throw your whole career away for a crush.”
“Everly.” Lara bites her lip. “I don’t think this is a crush. It’s the real thing. He told me he loved me. That he wants to be with me. And I sure as hell want to be with him.” She’s like a love-struck puppy in a designer dress.
I sigh. “Just as long as you know what you’re doing.”
“I hope I do, ’cause I am ready to throw everything away for him.”
“What about him? Would he throw everything away for you?”
Lara slides her eyes over to me. “I think he would. You don’t know the afternoon we had. The sex,” she whispers. “It was on another level. We connected in a brand-new way. It was amazing. Life-changing. And then he told me, no, he professed how much he loved me. I’ve never been happier. I’ve never wanted someone so much,” she gushes.
Have you ever been so happy for someone it actually makes you hate them? I despise what I’m feeling right now. I’m thrilled Lara found love, but I’m also jealous as hell at the exact same time. I want what she has. I want it back. That feeling of freedom, of invincibility. There’s nothing like it, the addiction, the high. But when you lose it, the detox is debilitating.
I’ve swam through Heaven, and I've crawled through Hell, and for the last eight years, I’ve lingered in Purgatory. Drifting, trying to find my way through this isolating world. But I don’t want to be alone anymore. I want to put myself out there. It’s time. I’m twenty-four years old, and I’ve finally decided to dig myself out of my own grave.
I want more.
