Page 13 of Completely Captivated
“You can stay and hang out with us for the weekend.You don’t have to be at work until Monday morning, Miller.”Sean repeated the same argument that had worked too many times before.
Jared pretended to think about his best friend’s request for a few seconds before reciting the same sentiments he’d repeated over the past couple of weeks.“I’ve been here for the last four months since we took the state bar, waiting to see if I passed.Now I have to join the land of the working.Before I can do that, I have to move in to my new apartment.I’ve put it off until the last minute as it is.”
“Don’t even pretend your dad didn’t pull some strings and help you land that job.You had it in the bag before you even got your exam results back.”Sean playfully punched Jared in the shoulder.“Besides, we both knew you’d ace that test.This shit is in your blood.”
“Are you saying I couldn’t have gotten that job on my own?”
“Absolutely.That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“You know, green really isn’t your color.No hating on your best friend just because he’s got game and you don’t.”
Sean’s laugh echoed across the parking lot.“Whatever, man.Whatever you say.As soon as I get my scores, I expect you to put in a good word for me.”
“No need to even ask.You know that.”
The diesel engine from the moving truck fired up, drawing their attention as it pulled out of the apartment complex.
“Guess that’s my cue.I’m going to hit the road now so I have time to stop by and see an old friend before unpacking my shit.”
“This Christa girl must be something if you’re ditching me to go see her.She’s hot as fuck, isn’t she?That’s why you’ve kept her away from me all these years.You know she’d pick me over you.”
“You’re so full of shit.”Jared laughed, dismissed Sean with a wave of his hand, and opened his car door.
“Wait.Are you really not going to tell me about her?”
“No, I’m really not telling you anything about her.Talk to you later.I expect to see you in the next couple of weeks—the minute you get your results.”
“Save the corner office for me.”
With a wave goodbye to Sean, Jared pulled out onto the highway with nothing but getting to Christa on his mind.His friendship with her developed instantly when they were kids and had somehow endured throughout school.Christa had always been a petite girl.Even when they were in elementary school, she was small for her age.He’d made sure none of the other kids picked on her and had acted as if her protection were his sole responsibility.
Three years her elder, he’d worried about leaving her behind when he graduated high school, even though she’d assured him her spunk and feistiness were sufficient protection.After he graduated high school, Jared left San Francisco and moved to Stanford.Unlike Christa’s family, Jared’s family was very wealthy and wouldn’t miss the money the prestigious college demanded.
He’d been away from home for nearly seven and half years while completing his education, taking the state bar exam, and waiting to receive his scores.The final test before attaining his license to practice law had been grueling, but his focus and determination had paid off when he received notice of a successful score.The drive between Stanford and his new condominium on the outskirts of San Francisco was only an hour at most.With the top down on his Aston Martin DB9 Volante, he enjoyed the rush of the wind in the still-cool morning air in early May.The white noise helped him to think, and he relished the time he spent completely alone.
With all the study groups in law school, time alone was one thing he hadn’t had enough of, and his sanity demanded it.But that ride was different because he was looking forward to rekindling his old friendship.Christa was the one person he couldn’t wait to see again—the one friend he’d missed the most.If he admitted the truth, he’d been a terrible friend to her, breaking every vow he’d made.His only effort to stay connected to her had been an occasional birthday card and holiday well-wishes sent through his family.But he hadn’t personally seen or spoken to her since before he left for college.
Jared’s mother and sister remained close to Christa, visiting often, relaying messages from Jared and delivering his gifts.He’d kept tabs on Christa’s life through their interactions with her.When he heard she opened her own business, he was extremely proud of her and couldn’t wait to tell her himself—in person.The hour drive passed in the blink of an eye, and he’d arrived at his destination.
He walked into The Sweet Spot and looked around her shop.The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sweet cinnamon fragrance from the pastries instantly filled his nostrils and prompted him to take a deeper breath.Then he heard Christa’s pleas for help before he saw her.
“Allie!Can you come help me before I drop this huge bag of flour and it goes everywhere?”Christa called from the back, the urgency prominent in her tone.
He hastened his steps toward her voice, not seeing anyone else in sight, and found Christa wrestling with an industrial-sized bag of flour nearly her same size.He quickly amended his initial thought to include it wouldn’t take much for the bag of flour to match her size, considering how small she was in the first place.His big hand grabbed the top of the bag and easily hoisted it from her grip.
“Thank you!I just knew—” She suddenly became mute when the large bag of flour was moved from her view and she realized it wasn’t Allie standing in front of her.
He stood still, holding the bag in one hand and an ear-to-ear smile splitting his gorgeous face in two.She was frozen in place, her mouth gaping open, and her hands frozen in midair.At first, she was startled to see the huge, handsome man in her kitchen.But after the initial shock passed, her mind slowly recognized his jaw-droppingly handsome face.
“Jared!” she finally shrieked, jumping into his embrace as he dropped the flour bag on the large chef’s table in the middle of the kitchen.His arms wrapped around her waist, drew her tightly to him, and lifted her off the ground with no effort at all.Her arms wrapped around his neck and squeezed him tightly.
“What are you doing here?”she finally asked, her delight and love for her friend apparent in her voice.Jared released her back to her original spot and stepped back to get a good look at her.
“I’m finally coming home.The moving company is delivering my furniture to my condo as we speak, but I wanted to stop and see you first.Damn, I’ve missed you, Christa,” he replied with warmth and sincerity infused in his voice and eyes.
She playfully swatted at his arm.“You couldn’t have missed me too much.This is the first time you’ve actually stopped to see me in the entire seven years you’ve been away.”
Jared put on his best, most charming smile.“That’s only because I knew I’d never be able to leave you again.”
