Eloise

With the sudden appearance of Nicolas reentering my life, it became immediately obvious that I need to do my research now instead of later. Rather than on my future customers, I need to do some digging on both Jake and Nicolas.

I don't want any more surprises coming up. My poor heart can't take anything else popping up without warning. Not after the stress of moving and getting back into the habit of being busy.

Sitting cross-legged on the couch, I crack open my laptop as the television in the background plays old reruns of a detective romance I obsessed over back during my teenage years. Hardly paying it any attention, I type up StartBit Tech and click on the first website that pops up.

Knowing Jake must be pretty high up on the chain of command, I look into him first.

Finding the About Us tab, I pause when the CEO fills my screen. Rhett Landersan sits at the top of the page. Whistling softly to myself, I'm noting how attractive all of these higher-ups are. If only he didn't have a scowl carved onto his face.

Probably scared the photographer when this picture was taken. He missed the fact he was meant to smile while getting his picture.

Those icy blue eyes are giving me goosebumps and I'm not even near the guy. Here's to hoping he's so busy with his work that he never has a sugar craving.

Scrolling further down and skipping the paragraphs about the guy, I move on to the COO. When I see Nicolas' face, my heart lurches straight up into my throat and I choke on my gasp.

While he looked like he was doing well for himself, I never thought he'd be so far up the chain. Cursing under my breath, I stare at his picture for what feels like an eternity. Doted up in a nice suit, he doesn't look like the guy I dated back in high school one bit. Matured, to say the least.

Without realizing it, I find myself staring for far too long. There's no denying the curiosities forming by the minute.

Nicolas' surprised expression when seeing me for the first time pops up in my mind once more. With a smile forming, there's a small tingle at the pit of my stomach.

Despite this man getting to where he's currently at, somewhere, he's saved a small section to remember who I am.

Knowing I shouldn't entertain these curiosities, I linger for another moment before continuing to scroll further down.

Spotting Jake's face, I'm hardly surprised to see he's got the title of a CFO over his head. In charge of the financial department, I can see he's happy to spend money where he pleases.

Just like the other two men before him, he looks just as handsome in his photograph.

Look at me, reminiscing over an old relationship and then getting another tingle by taking in Jake's face.

All of these sensations are ones I should not entertain. A few smiles sent my way are hardly enough to give me a reason to start getting ideas here.

I am in no way ready to start making this new life of mine complicated by humoring anything in the romance field. All of my love needs to go to my business.

Besides, there's hardly a chance of anything happening at all.

Nicolas wouldn't dare do something that might result in repeating history. All of our old feelings have been left behind.

Jake, well, he's simply very charismatic. Those sweet smiles of his are a tactic used to get what he wants. Even if he likes to stop by each morning for one of the first baked muffins of the day, he's simply making sure I'm not going anywhere.

There's nothing there, not a spark or anything close. Just these pesky butterflies that can be crushed with the determination to keep my dream alive.

Letting out the sigh that's forming deep in my chest, I close my laptop and abandon my seat. Drifting across the apartment, I take a moment to appreciate the view of the city. Only on the fourth floor, I'm hardly high enough to see a sight worth taking my breath away.

All the same, it's one I find myself getting caught up in.

Before, I lived on the outskirts of the city, down in the suburbs where hardly much happened. There weren't many worries of heavy traffic or long walks along sidewalks with friends after days of school.

Rather, my life was boring and quiet. Well, as boring as one could make it. I lost count of how many times I walked through the quiet neighborhood, strolling through until I reached Nicolas' home. Whenever I needed time away from my parents, he was the one to take me in without ever questioning me twice. Even before we became a couple, we shared so many nights together.

To think I've yet to find anything similar since. Such happiness hasn't had the chance to come my way. Though, that's mostly my fault. I haven't exactly tried to look.

I've lost count of how many times Charity has invited me out to socialize. As single as I am, she's put in plenty of effort to meet the guy meant for her. Despite her effort to drag me along, I hardly ever agree to join her.

Maybe I should change that. With everything going so well, maybe I'm in need of a celebration. Some shared drinks and some socializing might do me some good. Plus, there was hardly anything good where we came from. Charity might enjoy not going to some rustic bar with the same twenty people sharing the same drunken stories.

That, and I can enjoy entering a business without gaining any unwanted attention while listening to the soft murmurs of gossip.

Making my mind up, I twist around, make my way out of my apartment, and head straight for the third floor.

Reaching Charity's apartment, it takes all but three knocks before she tugs the door open. Looking delighted to see me, she's all but dragging me inside.

Boxes are littered across the floor, half unpacked. Despite two weeks passing since our arrival to the city, she's yet to completely settle by the looks of it.

The woman all but floats across her home before she sinks against the couch against the wall. Jake happily agreed to assist in furnishing her home to aid in getting her here.

"I know I've said it a thousand times before," she breathes in heavily, "but this is amazing. I don't know how you did it but look at us. Thank you, Eloise. From the deepest part of my heart, thank you."

Scoffing under my breath, I step over her belongings and make myself comfortable at her side.

"Nothing to thank me for. I wouldn't be here without you." Having said the very same thing over and over again in the past, I straighten up. "You know, I came over here to see if you were busy."

One look at the half-eaten Chinese takeout and the paused show on the television answers my question.

"It's Friday night and I was hoping you'd like to hit the city. Maybe a club of some sort. I don't know, I need a distraction."

Charity lifts a brow, curious of my words. Of course, I can't go telling her my ties with one of the men who are in charge of the business we now work for.

"I'd like to enjoy one night without stressing about whether or not I'm going to no longer be able to keep my business afloat. Let's go have fun."

Eyes lighting up, she leans toward me and squeezes my hand. "I have never in my life wanted to hear those words from you more than I do right now."

Just like that, she's on her feet. Getting a good look at me, her nose scrunches.

"We're going to need to get you something a bit more appealing." Beckoning me to follow, she leads me to her room. Assuming I don't own anything nice, she insists on helping me out.

One thing she has completely unpacked is her closet. One look and I can see how opposite our tastes are.

"I know we're not the same in sizes here, but maybe we can make something work." When she starts plucking out dresses, I know she already has a goal in mind. The same goal as always.

Knowing how demanding she'll be if I don't try to pick up at least one guy here and get a true taste of city life, I cave and start trying on whatever she throws my way.

"I have not gone clubbing in ages." Vibrating where she stands, Charity radiates with excitement. It's a breath of fresh air. This is a new start for both of us.

While I might have my own set of problems, I know she has her list. Without needing to worry about looking over her shoulder every time she slips out of her home, she can act a bit more carefree now.

After trying on a few different options, I settle on a cocktail dress with a golden shimmer to it. A little tight in the chest, Charity rolls her eyes at me as I pluck at the fabric. Despite the smile tugging on her lips, she looks me up and down approvingly.

"We are not coming home together." The way she says the words, she's insinuating that I'll be the one to pull in someone. Doubtful, but I appreciate her optimism. Helps boost my confidence.

While she readies herself, I try to fix up the rest of my appearance. There's only so much I can do to fix the bags beneath my eyes or the thick curls that fight the summer heat, but I try nonetheless. The thought of getting any sort of action does sound pretty nice.

I've let far too much time pass by without giving myself any attention.

While I'm working on getting us a ride, she hunts down a location. The bigger the better, the more chance of being successful according to her. I don't complain. All I want is loud music and a drink or two.

Before I know it, we're off.