Author: kharrison

Cassie

Entering Psychology 101 was like entering a silent movie. Nobody was talking. 

With all the odd looks and glares, I glanced up at the clock. Seeing how I was early I felt like shouting that I wasn’t late, everybody did not need to stare at me as if I was an alien for being on time instead of early.

Before heading off to find a seat I glanced one more time around the room filled with so many judgmental over-achievers. Most had their heads bent back in their books, studying. However my sweep of the room snagged on a pair of dark brown eyes sparkling my way. I think my brain stuttered a second at still being under someone’s scrutiny.

Squaring my shoulders, I purposely tried to ignore Mr. Chocolate Twinkly Eyes. I didn’t understand what was being said in class so I definitely could not afford to be distracted by his good looks. As I sat down at a desk on the opposite side of the amphitheater shaped room, purposely avoiding being too close to the man behind the compelling stare, I somehow got caught in his gaze again.

As soon as he saw me looking in his direction he tilted his head to the side as if challenging me to keep up my half of the stare. I glared instead.

Unfortunately my get-lost glare had the opposite effect than the one I intended. He flashed me a smile that grew wider the longer I scowled back.

The thought occurred to me that I was getting even more distracted by paying any attention to him at all. If I was going to pass this class, I was going to need to concentrate. Steeling myself to focus on the teacher, I pointedly turned my glare to the podium where the teacher would begin his lecture.

The only problem was the teacher wasn’t there yet.

My eyes snapped back to my mystery starer as if yanked by a rubber band. If I could judge anything based on the mirth in his eyes and cocky smile, I’d say he was making a huge effort to not laugh at me out loud.

Of all the days for the professor to be late. Of course it would be the day that I needed him to be starting his lecture at that very moment. Or sooner.

Looking down at my closed book didn’t help either. I could feel his gaze. I opened my book and pretended to read. It didn’t work. 

After several minutes of not looking his way, my doubts convinced me that he wasn’t looking at me anymore and I was being thrown off by nothing but my own worked up nerves. Yet as soon as I glanced up in his direction, I discovered him still smiling at me. He gave me a wink as the professor walked in, blustering on about how he was so sorry to be late.

Shaking my head I turned forward, this time a little more reluctant than before.

Professor Chautry began his lecture and I attempted to take good notes. I don’t take good notes on a normal day, since I was not really understanding much of what he was blathering on about. Today was worse. I knew those dark eyes would be looking my way.

Yes. I found myself checking far more often than necessary. And there was only one time when I checked that his attention was on his notes. Not for long though. Within seconds of my glance his way he was winking at me with a charming smirk. Maybe smirk isn’t the best word but it was too roguish to be called a mere grin.

The hour of class passed and my notes were more abysmal than normal, which meant even more studying for me later. At the end of class I groaned softly as I shoved my things into my bag. I shot one last glare at Mr Chocolate Twinkle Eyes only to discover he wasn’t there. My brain may have panicked a bit as my gaze shot to the door. However, the cynic inside me chastised my searching. I had merely been the entertainment during a boring but necessary class.

He was gone.

I rose to trudge out of class and wished I could vanish so I wouldn’t have to walk home. As I left the classroom I almost tripped to a stop when I saw him just outside the door.

“You.” Ok, not my most brilliant opening line but give me a break, I don’t react coherently when startled.

Again with the smirk that made me want to smack him and smile at him at the same time. “Me.” 

I shrugged. “You shouldn’t stare. It’s…” I struggled to find the right word with him looking at me so intently. And so close. “distracting.”

“Hey, it worked. I got your attention. I’m Levi.” He held out his hand.

I was shaking his hand even as I shook my head. “What worked?”

“You have been distracting me for weeks. I thought I’d return the favor so that maybe we would finally have something in common to talk about.”

“Oh.” I let my hand drop as I felt a blush bloom across my face.

He tipped his head forward to catch my eye. “Any chance I can get your name? Maybe if you sit by me during our next class I won’t have to resort to staring to get your attention.”

“Do you understand what Chautry is saying?”

Levi blinked in surprise. “What?”

“Oh yeah. I’m Cassie. Sorry. Yes. Do you?”

“Understand Professor Chautry’s lectures?” He smiled, laughter lighting his eyes to a more amber chocolate shade. “Most of the time. Was that yes you agreeing to sit by me?”

It was my turn to laugh. “Yes. I will sit by you if it means I can actually focus on class for more than two seconds at a time. I’d say you owe me your notes because the ones I took today are absolute rubbish.”

“I’ll do one better. We can go sit over there and I can explain my notes.”

“Really?” I pulled on his arm. “Right now?”

“If it means I get to spend time with you I’m more than willing to help out.”

Iris ~Part 3~

Read Part 1 here.

Read Part 2 here.

“Iris.” Mason’s voice echoed down the hall, catching her before she could disappear out onto the patio. “I haven’t seen you all day. Have you settled in?”

Iris glanced quickly around, relaxing just a little when she did not see Mrs. Lathome nearby. “I’m sorry. I was trying to stay out of the way.”

“Nonsense. Iris, you’re a guest. My guest. Feel free to wander about and entertain yourself whenever I have work, however you want. I’d hate to have you feel like you had to sit in your room until summoned for an appearance or performance.” 

She shook her head, trying to smile. “I was informed otherwise.”

Mason gave her an odd look. “By whom?” He pulled her out onto the patio and to a nearby bench. “What happened? Nobody should know anything about your circumstances.”

“Your mother informed me of her expectations and my place in this household as soon as we reached my new room.”

“No.” Mason shook his head with absolute certainty. “She was the one who wanted you here. She has been telling everyone who will listen that you are coming to town for a visit.There is no way that my mother would then turn around and hide you away in your room.”

Iris couldn’t think of a response. Her brain through the contradiction. In the end, she had figured that she didn’t know the woman well enough to worry so much. With a year long contract and even if she was shipped off to an empty estate she would still get paid and could still go home afterward. So she left her room.

He was still shaking his head as if he could shake away the confusion. “What did she say? I know she wasn’t gushy and unbelievably happy to have you here but she should have at least been pleased that you look even better than your picture.”

After a moment of hesitation, Iris sighed. “I am starting to think that maybe she was simply setting up the story well for everyone else. For me, I am to stay out of the way unless needed and under no circumstances am I to fall in love with you. So, not only am I supposed to do my job and convince everyone else that we are dating and falling in love, I also have to make sure your mother is convinced of the complete opposite. I haven’t quite figured out how to manage that one yet.”

Mason chuckled. “It’s not so much of a lost cause as you make it sound. It just means we don’t get to hang out when we are at home.”

Iris leaned over to lay her head on his shoulder and groaned. “Sounds lonely. Besides, won’t the people who work for you wonder, and talk?”

“I’ll sneak some hangout time in. And you can always make some friends at the events we attend and invite them over.”

They sat there for several minutes in silence, companionably being together. The faint breeze wafted over them, carrying the light floral scents of the nearby rose garden.

With a resigned sigh, Iris sat up. “I can’t imagine what your mother would say if she saw us out here, I should go.”

Mason stood and offered her his hand. “I think you and I need to have a strategy meeting tomorrow morning. Our first event is tomorrow night and we have lots to go over.”

“We do?”

“We do.” He nodded decisively. “I’ll see you in my office at 9. Be prepared to discuss your favorite snack foods and to defend your favorite movie.”

Iris laughed but stifled it with a cough. “Yes, sir.”

“And, in case my mother asks, we will be having a weekly meeting for the sake of appearances that may look like dates of a sort to quell in-house gossip. The staff will be informed it is to find time in my busy work schedule to get reacquainted with you.” Mason turned to leave.

As if his mother knew she was spoken about, Mrs Lathome stepped out onto the patio. She gave Iris a long look before smiling up at her son. 

“Mason darling, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Have you been out here with Iris all this time?” 

His easy going laugh warmed Iris’ shaky nerves. “I just found her a few minutes ago. However, I’m glad I did. It saved me the time of tracking her down. I have a small business mixer tomorrow night that would be a perfect opportunity to get her introduced as a family friend and we haven’t talked strategy yet. The sooner we can establish her as a friend the quicker we can go about this whole girlfriend deal.”

“Oh, of course.” His mother gushed, smiling up at him. “Why didn’t I think of that? Shall we all meet in the parlor after dinner and talk through our expectations and maybe what dress would be most appropriate.”

Iris jumped in. “I would love to hear your thoughts about which of my dresses would work best for tomorrow night.” She had to fight not to cringe at the self-satisfied smile that Mrs Lathome directed at her before turning to face Mason.

“Will you be joining us?”

Mason rolled his eyes. “Of course I’ll be there. It’s my meeting and she is my date to the event.”

“I am glad you are showing such interest. This will help you stand out amongst your peers.” Mrs Lathome glowed as she patted his arms. “Now come, dear. I promised the cook that you would come help with the menu this time.”

“Why? She already knows what I like.” Mason held out his arm to Iris. “However, now that you mention it, as our guest, we should make sure that any preferences Iris have are presented to the cook.”

Mrs Lathome didn’t smile. “Son, that seems unnecessary given the fact that she is being paid to be here.”

Mason leaned closer to his mother with a satisfied smile. “The staff doesn’t know that. And I didn’t think you wanted them to know.”

Iris ~Part 2~

In case you missed it, read Part 1 here

Exiting the drab and rather inconspicuous building, I glanced over at the man who had hired me to be some sort of companion and debated whether I should tell him the truth of my application upfront. After all, I was going to be working for him for a year. I shuddered. That was a long time to be away from home for the first time.

“Mr Lathome.” I cringed when I heard my voice. I sounded scared and timid, a frightened little girl. Thankfully he didn’t hear me. I cleared my throat and spoke louder. “Excuse me, Mr Lathome. There is something I must tell you.”

 He glanced over at her for a moment and then gestured toward a sleek white car. “We can comfortably chat over what this next year will be looking like once we are in the car and headed home.”

With a nod, I followed him over. I was surprised when he opened the back door himself and waited for me to go in first. He gave a slow nod towards the waiting car and smiled. Only then did I have the courage to walk over and climb in. He followed me in and sat right next to me, nearly touching but not.

“Now, Ms Donau. I gather you are nervous since you immediately returned back to not calling me Mason. May I ask what is wrong?”

A blush briefly flushed my cheeks as I glanced at my hands. “Sorry.”

“Will it help if I admit that I am a little nervous about this whole arrangement? My parents set this up because they think that my not having a serious relationship is hindering my business startup. My mother is convinced that I would have more investors if I were able to bring a beautiful woman along to my lunch meetings.”

“And you picked me?” I laughed. “I think that makes this worse, what I have to tell you.”

He frowned. “I did not pick you. My mother did. I came to pick you up because I was hoping to figure a way out. Does that help?”

“There wasn’t?” I gulped. “A way out, I mean.”

Mason looked long and hard at me. “Why?”

“I find myself in a somewhat similar position because I didn’t fill out the application. I found out about it when my acceptance letter came in the mail.”

Silence filled the car. Mason simply stared at me, as if his brain couldn’t process my confession.

And since he didn’t say anything, I continued. “My mother filled it out without telling me.”

He finally nodded. “And you were bound by the acceptance.”

“Why would your mother choose me?”

Mason shrugged. “She did not deign to favor me with an explanation. It was more of a demand to make room in my life for you. After all, she insists that she knows best.”

“I’m confused.”

When Mason started laughing I joined in. The whole thing seemed a little ridiculous now that I knew neither of us was invested in it. 

“So…” I ventured after our laughter faded. “You’re not expecting me to act like I’m in love with you or anything?”

“I convinced my mother to introduce you as a family friend and in a month or two we will start dating. That way any affection we choose to show will appear natural.” He settled back into his plush seat. “This will work out well. We can be friends and I won’t have to hide from you or my mother when I’m home.”

I copied him, leaning my head back into the comfy seat. “I’ll do my best to keep your mother out of your hair.”

They sat in easy silence for a bit until Mason stirred, placing a hand on my arm. 

“We are almost home.” He straightened his suit jacket. “Oh and before I forget, the contract is a secret. You have luggage in the trunk with appropriate clothes that will fit you and I have just picked you up at the station for a month-long visit. Once we begin dating, you will be asked to stay longer and accept.”

“No one is to know?” I didn’t know what to do with my hands. “What if I do something I shouldn’t or break some rule I don’t know exists?”

He shrugged. “Everyone has their quirks. Just be confident in everything you do and no one will think to question it.”

I gave a nod. “I can do that.”

“Hopefully you will be able to do so for longer than you said you would call me Mason.” He winked.

“Your name is a tricky one. I will not forget again.” Sitting up straight I motioned to the door next to him. “You may open the door for me now, Mason.”

“As you wish, Iris.” 

His smile combined with hearing him speak my name sent a sharp shiver down my spine. Exiting the car and entering the mansion-sized home went smoothly, with Mason leading me along with a hand on my back. And even though Mrs Lathome eyed me with a flash of disdain before gushing over how delightful it was that I had finally come for a visit, I think it all went over well.

However, I nearly fainted as I caught a glimpse of ‘my’ luggage being brought in. 

“Now Iris dear, let’s see you settled in the guest room.” Mrs Lathome beamed from where she stood in the entryway, leading me away from Mason.

I glanced back at him and felt a little more reassured when he smiled and nodded. She didn’t say anything more until we were alone in my new room.

It was only then that Mrs Lathome turned on me with a scowl. “Now Iris, let us get one thing clear so that we don’t have any misunderstandings and get along smashingly over the course of this year. Though this was my idea, I did not pick the woman. My husband insisted on you. So under no circumstances are you to fall in love with my son. This is a job. You will study and perform when needed and stay out of the way unless called upon. After this year is over, I will decide if your presence is still necessary. If you cause problems before then I will ‘send you home’ by moving you to our country estate to finish out the contracted year alone and away from Mason. Understood?”

I blinked. “Yes. I understand and I will not forget.” I added in a curtsy for good measure.

Click here to read Part 3 of Iris’ Story!

Iris

Having never applied to the Upper Echelon Employment Agency, I’d never expected to ever receive the letter I was currently holding. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t stop staring. It was an official letter of summons.

Eventually my brother pinching me broke me out of my stupor. Without saying a word, I handed the letter to my mom who was busily chatting with our neighbor. She did one of those double takes at it when she realized what it was.

The surprise on her face was not the same as mine.

“You knew!” 

Mom turned back to our neighbor instead of answering me. “Have a wonderful day, Mrs. Awling.”

Hooking my arm in hers, she hurried me up our stairs and into the house. As soon as Trevor was through the door she shut it.

“Yes I knew, Iris. I’m the one who applied for you. You are so talented and those talents are wasted down here.” Her smile was confident and beseeching all at the same time. Don’t ask me how because it seems contradictory and yet I was looking right at it on her face.

“What sort of position did you apply for me?” I hesitated. That letter she was holding wasn’t an optional request. It was a summons.

Applying was optional but once you received a letter of acceptance you were expected to show up on the appointed day. Let’s just say that the consequence for not showing up was not the most pleasant.

I cut her off with another question before she could answer my first one. “How long do I have?”

“Breathe baby. I didn’t sign you up for something you wouldn’t be comfortable with.” She hedged.

I huffed. “Mom, I would have been comfortable not going at all. I’ve heard that people in the Golden City are cruel and some of us normal town dwellers are considered expendable. I don’t want to end up dead in some forgotten storm drain because you thought I had talent.”

“How morbid sweetheart. You aren’t going to die.” Mom started walking up the stairs, forcing me to follow if I wanted to continue this conversation.

“What am I going to be expected to do? You still haven’t answered me.” I followed her into my room where she started to pack.

I watched for a full minute before I snatched the letter from where she had dropped it on my desk. Scanning it, I found what I was looking for and my heart stalled.

“Tomorrow?” I slumped onto my bed. “I report to the employment office tomorrow?”

Mom raised her hand. “Tomorrow morning. With a job now, you are going to have to learn to be more precise so you aren’t late.”

“Where will I be living?” I whispered as I watched her pack all of my nicest things. “Why doesn’t it say what I will be doing?”

That stopped Mom. “Iris, I applied for several different positions for you. I wanted to give you a better chance at being approved for one of them.” 

“But what did you put in applications for?” I pushed.

“Medical assistant. Server. Platonic companion. Nanny. Singer.” Mom started listing them off but paused when she couldn’t remember any more.

“You sent in applications for all of these? What if I received more than one letter? I wouldn’t be able to do both without working myself to death.” Then it hit me. “Companion?”

She nodded. “I read the description quite thoroughly. The only thing expected from you is to accompany your employer to events and look pretty. It was the only one that required your picture but it sounded so easy I had to apply.” She got a stern look in her eye. “Now Iris, I know what you are thinking young lady and I did not sign you up for anything salacious. I am not that kind of mother. Now help me pack.”

It seemed like we didn’t have time for much more than packing before she was walking with me to the employment office the next morning. Entering the small dreary building was more depressing than the ache I had felt all night laying in my bed for the last time.

“Name.” The receptionist asked, looking me over.

“Iris Donau.”

The woman nodded sharply. “Report to room #7, down the hall on your right.”

I went straight to room 7 and knocked. 

“Come in.”

Opening the door I straightened my shoulders and did my best to walk in with confidence.

I was greeted by the sight of two men staring at me. The man behind the desk looked bored and decidedly uninterested. It was the man who looked only a year or two older than me who broke into a smile when I came in. He bowed and motioned for me to sit.

The door closed and I hid the gulp that came.

“Miss Donau.” The man behind the desk spoke as I continued to look at the man next to me. “My name is Mr Lauer. I will be your representative while you begin your employment. Over the next year if you have any problems or concerns you will come to me.”

“Year?” I felt like an echo. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember the details.”

“Be sure to remember this time.” He glowered over at me. “One year as a companion to Mr Lathome. Meals, boarding, and attire are all provided for. You will be expected to represent the Lathome family at all times. It is up to Mr Lathome whether you are to be seen as a family friend, girlfriend, or hired companion.”

I glanced again at Mr. Lathome and his smile nearly melted my insides to complete mush.

“Sign here.” Mr Lauer shoved a piece of paper at me.

Once all the paperwork was complete, Mr Lathome stood and held out his hand. I took it.

His deep rich voice surprised me, as did the strength of his grip. “A pleasure to meet you Miss Donau. I look forward to working with you.”

I curtsied and put on my most pleasant smile.

“Shall we?” He motioned to the door.

Hand in his, we walked out the door as if we had known each other for ages. At the sight of my mother sitting in one for the chairs across from me I halted. 

“Mom.” I threw my arms around her.

“I love you baby.” She whispered into my hair as she held me tight.

After a few moments I pulled away and gestured back to Mr. Lathome. “Mr Lathome, this is my mother. Mom, this is my new employer Mr Lathome.”

“Take care of my girl.” Mom shook his hand.

He nodded kindly. “I assure you she will be treated with the utmost care.” He held out his hand to me again. “Shall we?”

With a nod I once again took his hand. As we neared the door, he leaned down to whisper with a smile. “Please call me Mason.”

“Mason. I can do that.”

Read Part 2 of Iris’ story here!

Terese

The trail stretched out in front of Terese and disappeared into the thick leafy foliage of the trees. With a sigh, she slowed her pace and took a few deep breaths. She couldn’t remember the last time that she had been out hiking without stressing about when she needed to get back for something urgent.

As she was working her way up the next hill, jumping from rock to rock and laughing like she was 5 again, a biker came into view ahead of her, pedaling toward her. After moving to the side she waved as he passed. His pale green eyes landed on her for a mere second, connecting with hers. Their color was amazing, in the way a freshwater stream at the end of a long hot hike was refreshing.

Trying to shake off her reaction, she continued her casual rock jumping hike, and didn’t hear the steps coming up behind her until whoever was making them was almost right behind her. Whirling in surprise at the sudden noise, she was even more shocked to see that it was the biker she had passed only moments before.

“Where’s your bike?” She kept walking as she looked over at him. It seemed safer to keep moving.

For some reason he looked irritated until she asked her question, then he looked just as surprised as she was feeling. The anger in his face faded as he pointed back down the trail. “I left it down there a ways.”

“Are you hurt? Did you crash? You don’t seem injured to me.” She ran her gaze up and down him, assessing whether he had come after her because he needed help or if he was a creep who needed a good shut down to leave her alone.

“Oh no. My bike is fine. I was worried about you hiking up here all alone. It isn’t safe for beautiful women like yourself to be so unaware.”

“Unaware?” I folded my arms. “Get away from me. I don’t even know you.”

“Did you hear me coming?”

“In time to look back at you to determine whether you were a threat? Yes.”

He loomed closer for a second before retreating. She kept her pace even and didn’t slow down as she subtly pulled out her small lipstick-shaped taser.

However, he slowed quickly, dropping back a ways behind her. She discovered that she didn’t like not being able to keep an eye on him, and it wasn’t like he was hard to look at either.

She glanced back a few times and noticed that she was quickly losing him and her heart eased. Good riddance.

After a few more minutes of hiking she heard him call up to her. “I’m sorry if I bothered you. It’s just that I lost my sister when she was out hiking alone. I couldn’t pass and not say something.” After a pause he added, “Please be safe. I hope you have a wonderful hike.”

Peeking back again she saw he had turned around and was heading back the way he had come. He was almost out of sight when she called out, “What were you going to do? Follow me for as long as I decide to hike?”

He stopped, turning back to face her but not moving toward her. “I was going to ask if I could join you for a bit. I haven’t been hiking in a long time.”

“What about your bike?”

“I chained it to a tree.” He shrugged.

Neither of them moved closer but they didn’t leave either.

“Why should I trust you?” I called out, keeping my distance.

She could barely see the red tinge that lit his face.

“You probably shouldn’t, now that I think about it. I am a total stranger that practically accosted you on the trail and insulted your capability.”

Smiling, she took an exaggerated step back. “True.”

He laughed.

“Do you live nearby?”

He looked confused. “In the woods? No. I live down at the base of the mountain.”

“Reassuring.” Terese nodded. “I didn’t think you lived here in the woods. I was asking if you were a tourist or a local.”

“Oh. Local.”

“Job?”

“Cop.”

Terese started laughing. “Serious?” Looking around she flung her arms out and motioned around her. “What a place to meet a cop.”

Again his brows furrowed in confusion. “Are cops not supposed to do normal things outside of work too?”

“Oh sorry. It’s not that. My mom has just been bothering me for months to sign up for this meet-a-cop dating app because she is convinced that if I would just meet someone strong and reliable, her words not mine, then I would fall immediately in love, get married and finally give her grandbabies.”

He shook his head. “Haven’t heard of it. But I’m not surprised.”

“Why?”

“Because my brother accuses me of becoming a cop to get all the girls. Says I’m too pretty for real police work.”

Terese tilted her head to the side. “What do your looks have to do with police work?”

“You’d have to ask him.” His grin was captivating, even from the distance she was standing at. “Any chance we can continue this conversation a little closer? I feel like I’m yelling.”

Laughing, she shook her head. “Nope. You are still a stranger. I don’t even know your name, address, life history, credit score or most embarrassing moment from high school.”

“How about I get to take a step closer with every question I answer?”

“As long as my personal space is respected. I have 3 brothers who would take that for a challenge.” She pointed at him. “And let that be a warning too. My brothers will trounce you, cop or not, if you do anything.”

His warm laugh bounced off the nearby rock wall, filling her chest with tingles. “Normal size steps it is. Do you need my full name or would my social security number work?”

“Full name. Social security numbers are worthless on a hike.”

“So is my address.” He shot back.

Terese folded her arms, smiling, and waited.

He gave a little mock bow. “My name is Glenn Raule. I live on Puget Rd. And my most embarrassing moment of high school would probably be when I asked my crush to prom and she laughed at me in front of everyone. I don’t know my credit score and if you want a comprehensive version of my life history that would require a date and maybe some food and a table between us.” Glenn could have taken ground-eating strides with those long legs of his but instead he took normal, almost small steps; smiling as he did. “Any other questions that will make you comfortable enough to let me finish your hike with you?”

“I’m sure I’ll think of something.”

Holly

Standing in line was one of the worst ways to waste time, especially if you had forgotten the current book you were reading at home like I had. Instead, I resorted to eavesdropping on the people around me, which could be interesting but was never guaranteed entertainment.

Unfortunately the discussions I had been listening to were growing stale. At least they were until I heard the annoying immediately behind me call out. “Cade, over here.”

The nasally whine that always seemed to accompany her non-stop chatter didn’t disappear as she frantically waved down whoever Cade was. And I know this about her voice because I had been listening to her on the phone with one friend or another for the past hour straight.

I was about to put more effort into ignoring her when the sight of a broad and trim man making quick strides my way thoroughly distracted me. I nearly gave myself the hiccups because of how chaotic my breathing immediately became, which would have been mortifying. 

He wasn’t movie-star-drop-dead gorgeous. He had a subtle, classically handsome type of look. As he neared, I looked down towards my feet. 

It was only after I looked away from him that my logical sense of reasoning returned and I fought against the blush as I realized that he wasn’t coming over to see me but was coming in response to the girl behind me. He must be Cade. 

Luckily, I hadn’t done anything so foolish as waving, winking or smiling at him in a flirty way. My suspicion was confirmed when I was battered by the woman’s arms as she threw them out for a hug. “Cade! You can not even believe how horrible it has been to be stuck here…” Her voice dropped lower but I could still hear her clearly say “behind this woman.”

The silence that followed was mortifying beyond anything I could have possibly imagined.

Cade finally spoke. “Jazie, that was unkind. What could this woman possibly have done to warrant a comment like that?”

“Where she can hear you.” I added, turning to flash them a snarky smile.

Cade laughed. “Valid point.”

The whiny girl, Jazie, stepped between the two of us, cutting me off. So I turned back around to face forward.  “There are so many reasons, Cade. I’m just so mad right now though that I can’t think of them.” Jazie huffed. 

And since I wasn’t looking because I had turned back around to shuffle forward in the line but I think it would be safe to assume that she sullenly crossed her arms to pout. That’s how I imagined she looked because it was definitely how she sounded.

For the next several minutes the two of them whispered back and forth to each other and I had to fight to not try and hear what they were saying. I mean, I was standing right in front of them. I really wanted to know what she was saying about me. It took alot to stay out of it but I did. And now that I think of it, I’d rather not know what Jazie really thought about me. What she’d said aloud was enough.

Cade surprised me when he appeared next to me, holding out his hand. After a second or two of staring at it I slowly reached out and shook his hand.

Immediately his polite, friendly smile intensified. “Hi there. Since we are stuck standing in line next to each other and my sister here is being her usual charming self, I thought I’d introduce myself so I could say sorry. My name is Cade and this is Jazie. And we are both sorry.”

“Holly.” I nodded briefly, letting my smile out a little, then pulled away. “It is a pleasure to meet you and you have nothing to be sorry for.” I looked straight over at Jazie with an irritated smile. Pointedly holding eye contact with her, I waited for her apology and was disappointed.

She simply laughed and looked away.

“So, where are you headed?” Cade angled toward me.

“Through the airport security.” I grinned. My cleverness really knows no bounds.

“Aww, you are a thrifty traveler then.”

Looking over at his face, I searched for any clue that would tell me that he was making fun of me. I couldn’t find any, though I admit he did look highly entertained.

I shrugged. “That depends. If I’m the kind of girl that wants to go through airport security then I would need a ticket. And if I wasn’t planning on using the ticket and only bought it so I could go through the achingly dull wait of this security line, I would say that airport security hopping would be a very expensive hobby…and boring.”

“Impressive.” He nodded. “So which are you? Creative and thrifty or expensively boring?”

“Well, I don’t go through security or their lines for fun. So I don’t know. Does that make me cheap or high maintenance?”

He looked me over as if assessing my appearance. “Tastefully frugal.”

Jazie snorted. “If I didn’t have to be here, I would not be. You both are being all sorts of sappy weird and gross. Cade, scare her away so I don’t have to look at her anymore.”

Cade ignored his sister and leaned over to whisper into my ear, “She’s not normally this whiny. What did you do to irritate her so much?”

“Nothing.” I whispered back. “Until you showed up she has been on her phone the whole time, going on about traveling with ugly, normal people. I haven’t said anything or looked her way. Is it possible that she’s just crazy?”

Cade burst out laughing. “Just disgruntled that she isn’t being swarmed by adoring fans.”

“So my ignoring her is why she hates me?”

“Jazie fancies herself an up and coming star on several social media platforms.” He glanced over at his sister. “Though she is not quite the influencer she thinks she is. I am glad she insisted I come on this trip though. It has been a pleasure to meet you.”

Ally

“Cooper, I don’t think you understand how this works.” Ally laughed as he leaned back against the wall.

She shook her head. “You have to talk to a girl before you can ask her out.”

”I knew I was missing something.” He glanced over at her, where she was leaning her shoulder against the wall next to him. “And out of everyone here, who should I talk to first? They all look the same to me.”

“Then pick one. Talk for a minute, then if she is still interesting after that minute you keep talking to her. Do that until she is no longer interesting or until it’s time to leave and you get her phone number.”

He groaned and laughed at the same time. “That sounds a whole lot like speed dating without anyone to ring the bell when it’s time to move on to the next one.”

With a well aimed punch to his arm, she flashed him a smile. “Cooper, I’m not the one making you find a date to bring to your big family dinner or find yourself shamed for life. That is your mother.”

“I’ll be shunned Ally, not just shamed.” He tapped his head against the wall in frustration. “Does she really think that forcing a girl to come to a tense family gathering is going to inspire me to propose to her? And even if I did theoretically propose to this stranger, the girl would have to be crazy to say yes after knowing me for less than a week. And I don’t want a crazy or desperate girlfriend, fiance, or wife.”

“Ironically, you are pretty desperate at the moment too. It could be a match made in heaven.”

“Not funny, Ally.”

Ally continued to scan the room. “Your mom just wants you to be outrageously happy and give her grandbabies. And to her that means finding a girl to fall in love with. And apparently you haven’t brought a girl over to meet her in over a year. She thinks you are a lost cause. Now, start small and just focus on finding a girl who doesn’t annoy you to death in the first few minutes of conversation.”

“Why don’t you have to bring a date?” He glared at her. As if it were her fault that his mother had singled him out as the only one required to bring a date.

Pushing off the wall, Ally attempted to drag Cooper with her. “I am not her darling child. Just her friend’s daughter that has been around forever. Now, as your wingman or whatever, I will help you get started.”

“How would you help?”

“I can start the conversation, introduce you, then all you would have to do is flirt long enough that she melts into a pile of goo in your arms. Then you can ask her to dinner.”

“Melts into a pile of goo? Do I really want that? And I think you overestimate my flirting abilities.” If he could have leaned any further into the wall, Ally was guessing that he would have.

“I’ve seen you flirt. You have got it down fantastically. I think you just need to want to. Besides, you have plenty to work with.”

“Plenty to work with?”

Ally folded her arms and smirked. “You keep repeating me. And yes, you are the cliché fantasy. Haven’t you heard the phrase tall, dark and handsome.”

Cooper leaned forward, his attention riveted on her face. “You think I fit a fantasy cliché? Or your fantasy cliché?”

She bit her tongue. Now was not the time to be dipping into that conversation. “Focus, Cooper.”

He suddenly pushed off the wall and stepped directly in front of her. “I’ll make you a deal.”

“What deal?” Ally’s eyes narrowed.

“If I do my best and try to convince someone to come to my family’s dinner and still end up solo at the end of the night, you have to be my date to the dinner.” There was a light, dare I say a gleam, behind his eyes as he spoke.

Shaking her head she laughed, “Not a chance. I’m already going. And your mom knows me and would know that I was your fake date.”

“You wouldn’t be fake.”

That pulled her up short. “What do you mean by that?”

He stared into her eyes for a very long time until she could barely think straight. The last time they had been this close they had been in high school and he had been trying to convince her that they both needed to practice kissing. He had almost convinced her back then and his gaze was still just as effective. Only, Jessica Florez interrupting had saved Ally from agreeing to his dumb idea back then. Jessica must have overheard their conversation because she had swooped in and planted a kiss on him without even looking at me.

“You can practice with me.” Jessica had cooed at him. And thus started their dating relationship that had lasted until graduation. 

Shaking her head, Ally pulled herself back to the present. There was no Jessica Florez to distract him now. “Cooper, I am not going to be your fake date. Go find yourself someone who can.”

“I don’t want a fake date.”

There was something in the way he looked at her that got her heart pumping wildly and her breathing kicked up a notch. He stepped closer. So close that she could feel the heat from his body against hers, even though they were not touching. As his head leaned in closer to hers she couldn’t find the motivation to look away. He was going to kiss her.

At the last second she whispered. “Is this all to save yourself from your mother and her dinner?”

Cooper abruptly pulled back. His eyes pierced her. “Is that what you think this is?

“Yes.”

He practically jumped away. “It wasn’t. Now, do we have a deal? I’ll try, really try. And if not, you go with me…as my real date.”

Without thinking it through she heard herself laugh lightly. “Deal.”

“Let’s get this over with then.” Cooper strode off in the direction of a knot of girls standing off to the side near where we had been standing. 

Ally watched him walk away, stunned, and finding herself slightly hoping that he did fail. If only so that she could be his real date for once.

Kaela

“Kaela Maricosa.” Father’s voice boomed throughout the house, causing Kaela to jump up from her desk.

Quickly she emerged from her room. “Yes, Father?” 

“Come to my office immediately. We have business to discuss.” His voice bounced off the marbled halls.

Rushing to the large oak doors separating her father’s home office from the rest of the estate, Kaela paused and took several deep breaths. She’d learned quickly that arriving in his presence winded and out of breath was considered unseemly and thus, expressed prohibited.

College couldn’t come soon enough.

Opening the door, Kaela pasted on a smile. “Father?”

“Kaela. Come in. We need to talk.”

“Yes, Father.” Settling gracefully into the large wingback leather chair situated across from her father’s large oak desk, she smoothed her dress across her lap.

He fingered his steeples and looked at her as if he were analyzing her. “Kaela, your mother has brought to my attention a few matters needing my consideration and guidance.”

Kaela waited quietly, while frantically going over what she could have possibly done wrong that would warrant an office visit.

“Are you considering attending a secondary educational institution?” His eyes narrowed as he spoke.

Kaela’s ramrod straight posture may have been the one thing keeping her from wilting into the chair.

“Yes, Father.” Her gaze focused down on the desk in front of her. Weren’t seniors supposed to do that?

“That will not be necessary.” His hand sharply cut through the air between them.

She couldn’t stop her mouth from dropping open.

“Close your mouth, girl. And listen.” He didn’t wait for her compliance. “There is no need to get all emotional about it. I am looking to correct your misassumptions. You will not be needing to attend any further education. In fact, that brings me to the other important matter I need to inform you of.”

“More?” Kaela nearly choked on the word.

“Such outbursts are unseemly. Get yourself under control. Immediately.” He barked. His fist slammed on the desk.

“Yes, Father.”

“Now, I am expecting to receive Stafford Walsh III in just a few minutes. You are to quietly sit in the corner and be as attractive as you can manage.”

Kaela glanced down at what she was wearing.

Her father must have caught the look. “Yes, your wardrobe is not ideal. I had supposed that you would have been keeping your appearance neat and comely, as expected of you. Go and change, then come back as soon as you can. Your late appearance to the meeting may prove to be more conducive to what I intend.”

Going back up to her room she mentally ran through her options. How exactly was her appearance essential for him to meet with a client?

She debated on how long to take changing and what to change into but in the end, she was back down at her father’s study door dressed in a pretty and modest yellow sundress in under 5 minutes.

Knocking, she held her breath. At his mild ‘enter’ she slowly opened the door.

Sitting in the chair she had recently vacated was a man only a few years older than herself. He turned toward her, no doubt wondering who would be interrupting their meeting. Her father motioned her to the chair in the corner he had previously spoken of.

“Pardon me.” She whispered and sat down.

Kaela didn’t listen as the two of them went back to discussing terms of some legal contract. It wasn’t until she heard the word union that her attention focused on the two men in front of her. The man sitting across from her imposing father was speaking.

“…My father has ordered me to ensure that decorum will be maintained and be an utmost priority in both public and private settings. I have also been instructed to obtain written and signed confirmation that all of my father’s requirements are met.”

“I can sign that now with ease.”

“From both parties.” Mr Walsh paused, glancing briefly over at her. “Today.”

Father nodded. “Kaela come over here and sign these papers, then return to your chair.”

Seeing no reason to not do as he said, she signed the several sheets of paper he placed in front of her before returning to her seat.

“I will return these to my father and we can proceed from there.” Mr Walsh rose. “Miss Maricosa can see me out.” He raised his hand in Kaela’s direction as if he wanted her to take it. She hesitated, glancing at her father. At his nod, she rose and took his hand.

Hers tingled at the contact.

Neither of them said a word as they navigated the halls to the foyer. It wasn’t until they reached the front door that he stopped.

“Do you have any idea what you just signed? You didn’t take the time to read any of them.” He asked her softly.

“No.” She shrugged. “But it couldn’t be much worse than here.”

At that, he squeezed the hand he was holding tighter. “What do you mean? Are you being mistreated?”

Kaela quickly shook her head. “No, no. I was informed today that my father will not allow me to go to college and it has been hard to wrap my head around. Yet, he still hasn’t told me why.”

“The papers.” Mr Walsh repeated, pausing to be sure she was listening. “You signed a betrothal agreement.”

“Betrothal. To who? I’m still in high school.”

His hesitation was much more noticeable this time. “To me.”

“You?” She stepped back. “No. How old are you?”

“I am a college freshman. We wouldn’t get married now. It would be in a few years.” He hurried to reassure her. “I knew that our fathers have been planning on this for a very long time and I wanted to meet and get to know you well before marriage was even close to happening.”

“And that’s why I can’t go to college.” Kaela’s shoulders slumped. At least he couldn’t be that much older than her.

“Not while under your father’s care, no. I, however, see no issue with you going to school.”

“Really?”

He glanced back in the direction of her father’s office. “Kaela, I believe that marriage is about two people caring enough about each other to support both of their dreams together. A partnership, not a tyrannical rule.”

“I believe I may come to like you, Mr Walsh.”

“Stafford, please.” He brushed a kiss on her hand. “I look forward to getting to know you and your dreams, Kaela.”

Mona

Mona groaned as the covers of her bed were thrown off of her.

“Get up.” Miriam said, folding her arms and standing over her as Mona attempted to blink her eyes awake.

“Why?” She groaned again, trying to pull her sheets back over her face to block out the fading sunlight. “I just finished studying for my data analysis class a few hours ago. I want to sleep.”

“Not a chance. You promised me we would go out. I’m holding you to that.”

“Tonight?” As Mona finished struggling to wake up, she was met with an interesting sight through the crack in the doorway. “Who are they?”

Miriam giggled. “Don’t worry about them. And yes, tonight.”

Mona ignored her and continued to peer around Miriam at the men surrounding Jason. “Are you taking up a collection? Because if you are, I am going to have to find somewhere else to stay.”

“No!” Miriam protested with a laugh. “Besides, my room isn’t big enough to keep that kind of collection. Jason brought them to hang out.”

“Hang out? Do I really take that long to get ready?”

Miriam was already nodding before Mona finished the sentence. Shrugging, Mona headed straight to the bathroom, not acknowledging anyone. It wasn’t until she got back to her room that she faced Miriam with a curious stare. “You aren’t trying to set me up so that you don’t have to keep dragging me away from my desk whenever the two of you want to go do anything, right?”

“I promise that I am not. As far as Jason trying, I don’t know. He didn’t say anything about asking a guy to date you for a long time.”

“Wait. What?” Mona threw up her hands. “Are you saying that Jason has tried in the past?”

At her nod, Miriam spun around and out of the doorway. “I think I will wait out here with them. Hurry quick. The dancing starts in less than 30 minutes and it is a 20 minute drive.”

Dancing?” Mona shrunk. “I hate dancing.”

It was Jason that looked over at her and smiled. “Hey Mona. Glad to see you’re alive.”

“I was studying.” She growled leaning in the doorway of her room.

“Was is past tense.” He perked up, nodding his head at me. Immediately the two guys turned their heads almost in comical unison to look at her as well. Mona blushed. Jason continued. “If you are done studying, then you can help me take these two fine friends of mine on a tour of the city tomorrow. They are new to the area.”

“Transferring in late?” She eyed the thinner blonde first. He wasn’t super skinny, like she would weigh more than him, but definitely trim and in shape. The other one was dark, dark everything. Dark black hair, dark brown eyes, dark blue shirt. She couldn’t see his pants because the couch he was sitting on was blocking her view but she was guessing that they were dark too.

The blonde shook his head. “I’m just dropping Trey off. He’s starting next semester.”

As Mona went to disappear back into her room she paused in the doorway, glancing back at Trey. “You know that coming early isn’t like getting a head start.”

“Maybe not from an educational standpoint but I’m sure there are plenty of social activities to occupy him while he hunts down a job.” Blondie said.

“And you are?”

“Harry.”

“Are you his interpreter? I admit, stony silence is a hard language to pick up.” She gave both of the newbies a flirty wink, smiling towards Trey.

All three guys chuckled but Mr Dark Mystery still didn’t speak up.

“Alright then. I’ll change and we can go.” Mona slammed her door and fought the urge to flop onto the bed. Opening up the opposite side of the closet she perused all the ‘fun’ clothes Miriam insisted she would need for going out. Since that very expensive shopping trip, the only going out that required any sort of dressing up was when Miriam ambushed her into a social event.

Emerging a few minutes later in a cute, flirty green dress and strappy sandals, Mona headed straight for the door. “Coming?” She called when she reached for the doorknob.

Both Trey and Harry stood almost automatically and quickly joined her out in the hallway. Jason was in less of a hurry as he continued to whisper in Miriam’s ear.

“So, are you two being forced into social activity as well or is that just me?” Mona slowed her pace as the three of them strolled down the hallway so that she could hook arms with both of them.

Trey seemed startled to find her standing there, and even more surprised that her hand was on his arm. Had he already forgotten her?

“Not exactly.” Trey answered, a slow smile spreading across his features as he focused completely on her face. “Jason has a way of being very persuasive.”

“In what way?” She couldn’t disguise her curiosity. Jason didn’t seem persuasive at all, then again he hadn’t really ever tried to convince her of anything.

Trey glanced back in the direction of her recently vacated apartment, probably looking for Jason, and then over at Harry. Mona purposely didn’t look away from Trey’s face, waiting. He cleared his throat and kept his eyes staring straight ahead toward the exit.

Harry laughed as we neared the front door. “Jason promised there would be lots of gorgeous college girls no matter where we went.”

“And that is what convinced the two of you to come out tonight? Pretty girls?” Mona sighed. 

Harry flashed a bright smile her way but she pointedly ignored it. He was looking more and more like a flirt than a friend or dancing buddy. She refocused on Trey who was still not looking at her.

Cocking her head to the side she caught Trey’s gaze by nudging his hip. She smiled brightly. “You coming for the pretty girls too, Trey?”

“I’m coming for you.” He finally held her gaze and didn’t look away.

“Me?”

His smile was worth the wait as it warmed her completely, heat tingling along her cheeks. “After meeting you, I don’t think I can let you out of my sight. Some other lucky loser would snatch you up in a heartbeat and I’d never get to dance with you.”

She softly squeezed his arm. “You only have to ask. I’d say yes.”

Kessa

“Kessa!”

Why was there never any way to go more than five minutes without Jen yelling her name? Little sisters could be so annoying. Taking a deep breath to keep from snapping back, even though this was the fifth time she had had to stop her homework to go find out what her four year old sister wanted.

“What Jen?”

“Leland is at the door!” Jen’s voice echoed through the house.

I stood to peek out my bedroom window overlooking the driveway. A silvery blue mustang was parked where mom’s van usually was.

“What?”

She slowly started walking down the hall to peer over the railing overlooking the entryway. Kessa could hear her sister’s giggles.

Standing just inside the open door was Leland Brolditern. He wasn’t one of the popular jocks at school but they definitely didn’t have a drop-by-unannounced kind of relationship. In fact, more often than not he seemed surprised they even knew each other.

“Oh, you.”

He looked up and smiled, giving a short wave.

As she descended the stairs she looked around, expecting their dad to be hovering nearby just as he did anytime a boy was at the door. “Where’s Dad?”

Jen looked up at her with wide innocent eyes. “Dunno.”

“So you opened the door without an adult, not knowing who it was?”

Jen shrugged and ran off. Kessa turned to face Leland.

“What brings you by?”

“Tonya.” He looked down the hallway Jen had fled down.

Stifling a groan, Kessa motioned him back toward the living room. Tonya had once been her best friend. They had done everything together. It was almost a year ago that she suddenly stopped. No texts, no phone calls, nothing. She wasn’t dead or anything. Just switched crowds.

Kessa had been left reeling at the sudden change. She had gone from being Tonya’s only and best friend to a stranger. Tonya had somehow managed to jump from one friend to about 50 overnight. That is where Leland came in. He was one of the 50. And since he was apparently observant he knew that I had once been her friend.

Maybe he forgot because he acted like it never happened but about a week after Tonya’s sudden life change he had stopped me in the hallways with concern etched into his eyes. He’d asked if I was ok and commented on how Tonya seemed so different.

He didn’t start hanging out with Kessa all of the sudden or anything. Just every once in a while he would check in on her to make sure she was good. He hadn’t checked in for a while now. Maybe his internal conscience had reminded him to check in on the loser girl who had lost her only friend.

“Why come to me?” She folded her arms. Talking about Tonya was still hard.

“She is acting off. Sometimes she looks around at us as if she thinks someone or something is missing.” He was looking straight at her with an intensity that made her want to squirm.

She waited.

“She saw you during lunch today and looked startled.” He continued, not looking away. “As if she was surprised to see you. It looked like she was ready to bolt over to you. Then she flipped her hair behind her shoulder and continued talking to Lisa.”

Kessa didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t tried talking to Tonya since she had decided to cut ties. When Kessa had gone up to her at school, Tonya acted as if she didn’t even know who she was. It was not a pain she wanted to willingly revisit.

“This isn’t exactly my favorite topic, Leland. Can you get to the point?”

He motioned for her to sit next to him on the couch. She did, reluctantly. “Kessa, I haven’t pushed you into anything during this past year because I care about you. I’d rather not bring up Tonya at all and say that I came over to simply be with you. Yet every time I have tried talking to you, to get to know you, all you hear is Tonya’s name and you shrink away.”

Kessa sat up straighter. “I didn’t mean to make you feel stuck in between us.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.” He ran a hand through his hair. “What I’m trying to say is that last year when Tonya disappeared from your side I really wanted you to know you had a friend in me but I had the misfortune of being from the group she ditched you for so I was always associated with her and the pain she caused.”

Letting the words sink in, Kessa couldn’t tear her eyes from him. “I don’t see you that way.” She faltered. “I mean, seeing you doesn’t remind me of Tonya.”

He shook his head. “You do. It does. And that’s ok. I realized a few days ago that I needed to come out and tell you how I feel. And with what happened to Tonya today at lunch I had a reason to come. Though now that I say it out loud I realize how dumb that sounds. I shouldn’t have waited for a Tonya reason to come see you.”

He didn’t wait for her to respond, reaching out and holding her hands between them.

“I like you, Kessa. You are strong, funny, and amazing. Would you go out with me?”

“I…yes?” Kessa wasn’t sure how Tonya acting strange at lunch translated into him asking her out but when he asked she had the strongest urge to hug him.

“Really?”

She nodded, feeling her smile grow bigger. “Yes.”

His intense gaze dropped down to their hands and he squeezed. “I think Tonya had some sort of head injury and literally forgot who you were.”

“What?”

“She keeps looking confused, complaining her head hurts and only seems to calm down when she sees you. Then she jumps back into the new Tonya from this last year.”

“How long has this been happening?” Kessa felt her hands start to shake.

“A few weeks. It wasn’t until today that I knew for sure that it was you that she was looking for when she’d get confused.”

“I don’t know what to do with that.” Kessa confessed.

“Me neither.” He shrugged, giving her a sheepish smile. “I’m hoping it doesn’t make you change your mind about that date.”

“No.” Kessa let out a breathy laugh. “Not at all.”