Almost Perfect: A Frenemies to Lovers Romance

by Claudia Burgoa

  “Hannah, listen to me,” he says, holding the driver’s door, so I can’t close it. “If I was taking the calls it was to avert the attention from you. The last thing I want is for you to have your life disrupted.”

  I laugh because he seriously believes those lies. “You won, Alex. It’s over.”

  He shakes his head. “Do you know why I’m always back at your door? Because I can’t imagine my life without you. But that doesn’t matter anymore. You’ll never believe me.”

  He shuts the door close and walks away.

  Fifty

  Alex

  One day life is fucking amazing, and the next, you’re at your sister’s place, fixing your shit because you fucked up royally.

  It can’t get worse, right?

  Wrong. My entire family is here to witness the circus I created.

  June’s going through every contract I’ve received in the past forty-eight hours. Bluffing over the phone to divert the attention from Hannah didn’t work as I expected. These guys are now pressing for me to sign deals.

  I was talking shit!

  “This is why you’re not allowed to talk to the press, or…anyone,” June says, staring at the pile she already reviewed.

  “I was bluffing,” I say. “It was the only way to divert the attention from Hannah.”

  She tosses a magazine in front of me. “Well, it didn’t. Hannah is being dragged through the mud.”

  “Can you fix it?”

  “You fired me!”

  “I’m not asking for myself, but for Hannah.”

  June glares at me. “Where is she anyway? I can’t get in touch with her.”

  I shrug. “With her parents?”

  “You should care. What happened to this is the real thing?”

  “Maybe it wasn’t, okay? You’re right. I was infatuated with the new toy,” I lie, because what else is there to say.

  I’m done fighting for someone who’s never going to see me as more than a fucking jock. She doesn’t need me because she has everything: money, a company, fame—if she wanted to use it.

  Jack laughs. “You’re giving up too easily.”

  “Moving on,” I say, feigning disinterest.

  Dad looks at me with a disapproving gaze.

  “What was she to you?” June asks. “And please don’t give me the bullshit you said before.”

  Hannah is like fresh powder. The morning after a blizzard. The waft of fresh air that I take before going down the slopes. The rush of adrenaline shooting down my veins while I’m flying.

  The doctors saved my body. Hannah saved my heart and my soul.

  That’s all I know.

  “June, I just need you to get her out of the tabloids, please.” I touch the contracts. “I’ll deal with the mess I created later.”

  She pulls out her phone. “Listen, I have to talk to Hannah and see if she has someone working on this.”

  June dials her number, and voicemail picks up the call. She tries two more times before giving up with a growl. Leaning forward, she drags over her landline phone, presses the speaker, and dials a number from her computer.

  “Killion speaking.”

  “Ethan?” my sister says.

  “Yes?”

  “Hey, this is June, June Spearman.”

  “How can I help you?”

  “I’m trying to get in touch with Hannah,” she says casually.

  “Let me transfer you to her office.”

  “Thank you, Ethan.”

  “Office?” I ask, confused.

  June frowns, but doesn’t say anything. We both know that Hannah doesn’t have an office. Does she?

  “This is Hannah Bell,” she answers the phone, and I let out a breath.

  “Bitch, I’ve been calling you for days and you’ve been sending me to voicemail.”

  “Hello to you, too, June.”

  “Why are you ignoring my calls?”

  “You know those times when you’re in a bad place, broken hearted, eating tons of cookies with ice cream, and drinking wine?”

  “Uh-huh,” answers my sister, glaring at me.

  Okay, so I avoided telling my family about our fight. More like how much I fucked up, and she left me.

  “Well, I’m there.” Hannah exhales loudly.

  “I’m your best friend,” my sister protests. “You’re supposed to call or text me when you’re there, so I can bring the wine, and we can bitch about the asshole.”

  “See, that’s the thing, I can’t tell you any of it. The asshole is your brother. So now that you know, let’s talk when I’m not in bashing the asshole mode.”

  “I can have Jack and Jason punch him for you.”

  Hannah laughs. “That’s not necessary but thank you for the sentiment.”

  “Anything for you,” June answers. “Can we talk about this?”

  “June…” she whispers. “It’s too soon.”

  “Well, let’s change the subject then,” my sister says. “Are you using a PR to handle the press?”

  Hannah laughs again, but this time it’s humorless. “No, June, you can do whatever you want with what’s happening. Tell the press I was high and harassing your poor brother. The saint.” Hannah snorts. “Say that I used him. Hey, maybe he sent me to rehab and saved my life. I don’t fucking care what you say, okay?”

  “Bitch, I’m calling to help you. I’m not the press or my brother.”

  “We both know you’re calling me for him. You need to do damage control and release a statement. I understand. He’s your brother and your client,” Hannah says, very matter of fact.

  “You’re my best friend,” June reminds her.

  “Listen, I’m heading to a meeting,” Hannah says with a calm voice. “I’m not doing any damage control because the last thing I want is for Alex to lose any of the contracts he gained from this mess. I hope that after everything, I’m still on your Christmas card list.”

  “Hannah.”

  “Take care, June.”

  June glares at me and shakes her head. “What really happened between you two?”

  I shrug. “Let’s just fix it.”

  “We can do a press release and just say that she’s a family friend and went to support you. Then, make the calls and tell these guys you thought about it and it’s not for you.”

  “You know how much I hate to take those calls,” I say. “But I did it to help her. I tried to divert the attention from her. Make it sound as if she’s not important.”

  June gasps. “Please tell me you didn’t do that in front of her.”

  “The worst part is she never let me explain. She left and took Draco with her.”

  She looks at me with worry sketched on her face. “When I introduced you two, I was expecting something different. I could see the two of you together. However, from day one, you two just couldn’t get along.”

  Closing my eyes briefly, I exhale loudly. It’s not like that, but what am I supposed to tell her?

  “What are you hiding?” she asks.

  Taking a deep breath, I tell her our story from the beginning. Skipping the parts that only belong to Hannah and me.

  She gives me a sad smile. “Why don’t you talk to her?”

  Didn’t she listen to our story?

  I don’t say that, instead, I tell her, “She wouldn’t let me explain. I’ve fucked up too many times. What’s the point of being with someone when half of the time you have to justify your actions?”

  “Love,” Dad answers. “If you have to ask, then you don’t love her enough, and this split is for the best. Give up now, son. This isn’t the right woman for you.”

  But she is.

  She’s the only person who has been able to reach me, who found me. The one who helped me find myself. I’m sorry I wasn’t ready to love her when we first met. There’s no fucking way I’m losing her because I’m an idiot.

  I love her the way I never imagined I could love anyone. This is the kind of love that stays in your heart forever. She’s my f
orever. There’s no fucking way I’m losing her. I just have to time everything right.

  “It’s safe to say she moved to Seattle?” I ask June.

  She closes her eyes and nods. We both know what that means. I look around the room and smile. “Well, I have to fix my life.”

  “Need help?” Jack asks. “We can expedite this move. Make it easier for you.”

  “Yeah, I’ll crash in your conference room while I figure all this out.”

  Jason pats my back. “We’re here for you.”

  Will Hannah take me back?

  Fifty-One

  When You Fall Down, Get Up!

  By Hannah Bell

  Everyone suffers from a broken heart. How you deal with it is what sets you apart from the rest. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with mine.

  I fell in love, but it’s over.

  Wait—I think you guys have to catch up before I can explain anymore.

  So, I met this guy at a liquor store. Not your typical tall, handsome, and broody. More like arrogant, funny, and hot AF. (He’s super tall too.)

  His pick-up lines were corny, but his low baritone voice made everything sound poetic.

  It wasn’t love at first sight. But something about him pulled me to him. There’s a magnetic attraction between us. It all sounds perfect, except… we started on the wrong foot and hated each other for it.

  My gut screamed to guard my heart against him—he’s bad news. I couldn’t fight his charm. He’s not only relentless but caring.

  He’s the kind of guy who’ll write letters because that’s the only option you gave him to get in touch with you. He’ll bring you unicorn socks on the worst day of your life. He’ll watch a marathon of Harry Potter movies with you and skip a weekend in Vail with his brothers for you. He’ll bare his soul to you and become your best friend, even when you’re trying to put oceans between the two of you.

  Our relationship was anything but ordinary. He’s my best first kiss. The best one-night stand.

  He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t need an excuse to make your day extraordinary. He’s the kind of guy who reminds you that life can be whatever you want to make it…

  He’s also the kind of person who will tell you that nothing lasts forever. Just because you loved like you’ve never loved anyone before, it doesn’t mean it’s meant to last.

  I thought we belonged together. Maybe we did, for a few beats, or a few chords. Our song is over. Not every love story has a happily ever after. It was just a happily for now.

  It ended, and life goes on. I’m grateful to him for giving me what I needed—when I needed it. Thankful for our moments of silence. The peace he brought into my soul. Our goodbye was abrupt, shocking, but not surprising.

  The worst pain is knowing that I lost my friend. He’s special. Unlike anyone else I’ve ever met.

  Here’s what I didn’t say, “Goodbye, my friend, I’ll cherish our time together—all of it. No regrets.”

  I’m proud of myself, because I was finally willing to love. Along the way, I made several mistakes. I didn’t enjoy us fully. Next time I fall in love, I’ll get it right. I’ll let my heart go wild and love fiercely. Because he gifted me hope. The hope that love exists, and I deserve it.

  I fell hard. But I’ll get up and keep walking. This journey has come to an end. I learned so much about myself and what I want for my future.

  Until Next Time

  P.S. I wish you nothing but success and happiness.

  Fifty-Two

  Hannah

  Yesterday, I published the last entry on my healing journey series. It was the best way to finish another chapter of my life. For closure, I tried calling Alex. He disconnected his number. I lost my friend, too. While I was checking my apartment’s listing, I noticed his apartment is for sale as well.

  It’s time to move on to a new chapter. One thing I have to find urgently is a place to live. I’m thirty and living with my parents. Don’t judge me, I’m searching for just the right apartment—or house. On a positive note, since it’s my birthday, I get the special treatment. Today is Hannah’s day at the Hades’ household.

  Another great thing that’s happened to me, I have a part-time teaching position. Chris Decker used his connection and got me an interview at his alma mater. I’m going to teach a couple of classes next semester. Also, I finally claimed one of the big offices in HANNETH communications. Ethan is thrilled because I’m giving him more time to do what he likes with the company.

  Everything is going great. Actually, it is a terrific day to turn thirty. June called me earlier to wish me a happy birthday. We’re back to normal. Like nothing ever happened between us. Alex is just the guy we’ll never speak about. My heart slows down every time I think of him. It’s okay. I’m grieving his loss. Soon, he’ll just be a fond memory.

  The guy who brought hope into my life.

  There’s a light knock on my door, Ethan enters my office, holding the biggest bouquet of flowers I’ve seen.

  “Happy Birthday,” he says.

  “Thank you?” I raise an eyebrow. “What’s with the flowers?”

  It’s a lovely gesture, but he already wished me a happy birthday and brought me a cupcake first thing this morning.

  “Would you believe me if I say that the guys and I pitched in to get you this?”

  I laugh and shake my head. Zeke and Rocco are still unable to communicate. Tucker called me earlier today. Also, they don’t send flowers. I’m the one who does that on their behalf.

  “What’s the story?” I ask, crossing my arms and looking at him.

  Ethan sets the vase on top of my desk. “Security called me. I had to go downstairs to sign for it.”

  I clap excited. “Aww, who sent you flowers? Are we finally putting ourselves out there?”

  He ignores me and hands me the card. I gasp when I recognize Alex’s handwriting.

  Unicorn,

  Happy Birthday,

  UNT

  Alex

  “Thank you?”

  He sets an envelope on the desk. I look at him, his blue eyes have a little humor in them, but also worry.

  I push aside the envelope because I don’t want to read that letter. Maybe it’s good that Alex’s phone is disconnected. I’m not ready to talk to him. Yet, my heart pounds because I can feel him.

  “He’s here,” I say.

  Ethan nods.

  “That’s why they called you downstairs. You had a visitor.”

  He nods again. “Just listen to him.”

  I sigh and reach for the letter.

  Hannah,

  I have a problem, and I hope you can help me. When you barged into my life, you changed the way I breathe, think, act, even what I watch. My entire life shifted because of you. Now, I need you near because oxygen isn’t enough for me to survive. I just need you.

  Your smile, your voice, and that sassy mouth are the only things I need to be happy.

  Remember when I told you what happened during the accident? That there was something missing in my life?

  It’s you.

  You’re the missing piece.

  You light my entire universe.

  You’re not my reason to live, but my reason to want to live.

  Nothing else in this world matters, but you. I want to work hard to become your forever person.

  Always and forever,

  Alex

  Attached there’s a printed picture of us from Instagram. The caption makes my heart skip.

  Stop the bad press. She’s the love of my life. She’s the one who saved ME.

  When I look up, Ethan is gone. Alex stands in his place. My breath catches at the sight of him. My pulse spikes erratically. He looks perfect. Handsome in a navy blue suit that highlights his eyes. Our gazes connect, and we don’t say a word for several seconds.

  I hate that he’s here—on my birthday. That his familiar scent relaxes me. I dislike the way his warm eyes look at me, as if I were his entire universe.

  �
�Hi,” I whisper.

  “I’m impulsive,” he says, his expression becoming intense. “When I see a problem, I fix it. Obviously, I can’t do my own PR. I suck. The last time I tried, I was making an ass of myself while my girl was hurting and having a panic attack.”

  I chew on my lip, studying him. He’s barely moving, and maybe not even breathing.

  “If you’re thinking I’m doing this because of what you published yesterday, the answer is no.”

  He places a business card on the table. It’s his business card, and the address makes me frown. “Redmond?” I gasp. “You’re moving to Redmond?”

  “Well, it was down to Washington and Colorado,” he explains. “Part of the operation is moving to Colorado while the rest is moving here.”

  He runs a hand through his hair, then checks his sleeve.

  “You wrote what you’re supposed to tell me?”

  He shows me his arms. “Only the keywords in case I forgot. I don’t want to mess it up. As I was saying, people swear I’m impulsive as fuck.”

  I nod in agreement. “You are impulsive.”

  “See, that’s what you think…but am I really?”

  I nod and try to hide the laugh.

  “Babe, we’ve been together for years,” he explains. “Our relationship has always been unorthodox.”

  I try to protest, but he stops me. “Let’s not deny it anymore.”

  I sigh, and he continues. “We don’t follow rules. It’s worked in the past. Well, kind of. We’ve changed, and it’s time to adjust the rules. Turn them around so we always win.”

  Alex walks around my desk, and when he’s standing almost in front of me, he turns my chair, so I’m facing him. He suddenly drops to one knee, and my hand goes to my heart when I see the red box containing a huge marquise diamond set on a rose gold band.

  “Alex—”

  “Hannah Hades-Bell, you’re the part of me that makes me better. The reason I want to continue living. If today was my last day on earth, I’d want to live it with you—just you. I can tell you many things, like when we first kissed, you claimed me as yours. Or that I’ve never understood the meaning of love until I met you—”