Chapter 15

15

Easton

The music was way too loud and the women were flaunting themselves. I've had to tell at least three women I wasn't interested in buying them a drink. Luca was enjoying my misery.

"You are a cheap drunk. I'm not even buzzed yet. Maybe it's time to cut you off."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not a child. I can handle myself, you know."

Luca laughed and switched us to beer. The bar kept getting crowded.

"Can I have two martinis, please?" a woman asked, leaning on the bar and then I heard my name.

You've got to be kidding me.

Isla's eyes were red like she had been crying. Was it because of me? What was she doing here?

"Are you drunk?"

"This is a bar. Kind of expected, right?"

Her hands went to her hips. "This is what you do when you get bad news? You don't even drink."

Luca got up. "I'll leave you two to talk, but don't let him drive."

Wow! He was just going to leave me here inebriated.

"Is this him?" the friend asked. "I'm Ava. Heard a lot about you tonight. Hurt her and you die."

Ava had a big smile on her face and then winked. "Here's your drink, sweetie. I'm going to dance."

Isla took the seat next to me at the bar. As mad as I was, her presence calmed me a bit. She had always had that effect on me.

"Do you have your phone? I texted you a bit ago." She said.

"It's on silent in my pocket. Luca talked me into coming out for a drink. You know, on the count of me being the loser. Figured I could blow off some steam."

The truth was, right now, I was a complete failure. My heart was broken for everything I worked so hard for, but I shouldn't be mad at her. She was just doing her job.

"Are you mad at me? I'm sorry." She rested her hand on mine. "I didn't know they were going to cut it for longer."

"Would that have swayed your decision?"

"If you want me to be honest, no. My professional career means a lot to me. Companies count on me for my expertise and I can't let personal feelings cloud my judgement. You wouldn't expect me to, would you?"

I shook my head. "Never. It still hurts though."

"What do you say we get out of here and go back to my place? This isn't your scene."

She was right. Why was I here in the first place? I should have said no to Luca. Being angry in a bar wasn't the best decision.

"Sure. I can't drive though. You wanna drive my car?"

She took my keys and then my hand. "Of course, let's get out of here."

Isla

He was very drunk and stumbling as we got out of the car and treaded toward my place. I've never seen him this way. In college, he didn't drink. I couldn't blame him after the day he's had, but at least if he was here with me, he was safe from harm. Ava might get upset with me for leaving her at the bar, but she would get over it. Especially after all the talk about not letting Easton walk away without giving him a second chance. As much as I had in my life, I was still lonely. The companionship was lacking and then in walked him. It had to be a sign.

I pulled out my key and unlocked my door and got him to the couch. "Here's the remote. I'll grab you a bottle of water and some aspirin."

He might not be thinking clearly tonight, but we still needed to talk. I couldn't put it off anymore.

"Here you go."

He took the aspirin and put in his mouth and then chugged the water. "Much better than all that liquor. I don't understand why people drink that all the time. It tastes like crap."

I laughed. "So, can we talk? I know you angry, but we need to figure out what we are going to do about us. We both deserve some answers."

"I have a question for you, actually. Do you find it odd that Paul pulled my project due to low funds but is throwing some big Christmas party?"

"Depends. How long has the company been doing Christmas parties?"

"Never. This is the first year."

"That's a little odd, yes. Why would they start that this year? Especially after cutting your project?"

Paul was a jackass. That was clear from my interaction with him, but maybe I needed to dig a little deeper. There was no reason to pull funding for Parkinson's to throw a company party. Matter of fact, I doubt the Board of Directors would ever approve something like that. A party doesn't make them any money.

"I feel like there is something more going on. As soon as I found out, my stomach turned. Would you help me? You are the expert with money things."

"Do you happen to know any of the Board of Directors? If not, I am sure I could find out. This should be something brought up to them. Maybe he made the decision without their approval."

He shook his head. "I don't. But if anyone can figure this out, it would be you."

"I'll look into it."

He shimmied over closer to me, and put his palm on my cheek. "As for us, you are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I would be thrilled if you officially wanted to give us a second chance."

Easton was an amazing guy. Back in college, before we broke up, I planned on marrying him someday. Having kids. Buying a cookie cutter home and being blissfully happy. Things changed quickly once he was set to graduate. Yet, I still believe it was the right thing to do for us. There was no telling how different our lives would be if we hadn't broke up. Our successes might not have happened. The universe pushed us back together once again, and we would be stupid to ignore the not so subtle matchmaker.

"I want you," he whispered into my ear, biting my earlobe.

Why the hell not! We were going to be more than just fuck buddies. Easton could be my future husband, and we had a past. Why shouldn't I enjoy it? I stood up and slowing raised my dress. His eyes followed the hem of my dress and when it reached my underwear, he swallowed.

"Black lace… fuck."

He pulled it down, and laid me on the couch, putting his head between my legs. He was an overachiever in every aspect of life and that was my gain. He could eat pussy like a champ and fuck was he good at it.

"You taste like a delicacy. I could have this for dessert every night."

He knew dirty talk only made me more wet. Lucky him.

I scrunched my fingers up in his hair as all my nerve endings go crazy. "Fuuucckkkkkk."

He sat back up and wiped his mouth. "Now, let's go get some sleep. This liquor has made head all fucked up."

"Seriously? You don't wanna…"

"No. I wanted to focus on you. Thank you for getting out of that god foresaken place. Now, bed."

I take his hand and led him into my bedroom. Clothes were still strewn around on my floor from picking out a dress earlier. How embarrassing. His apartment was so clean and now mine was a pigsty.

"Sorry. I was going to pick up when I woke up in the morning."

He kissed me and pulled me to his chest. "I don't care about any of that. Now close those beautiful eyes of yours. I'll cook breakfast in the morning."

Was this going to be my life now? Falling asleep next to the man that my heart had been craving since college? Spending every night having mind blowing sex?

Fuck, was I lucky!