by Sandi Lynn
“Chase, where are you? Your father is looking for you.”
“I’m on my way. Tell him I was up late finishing the coding for the new computer system.”
“Did you finish it?”
“Not yet, sweetheart, but I will before he finds me.” I smirked. “Make sure my coffee is on my desk because I need it.”
“You know I hate lying to him. I could lose my job,” she whispered as she moved her face closer to the phone.
“You’re not going to lose your job, darling. And besides, you’re not lying to him. Like I said, it’ll be done before he finds me. I’ll see you soon.” I hit the end button.
The wind blew across my face as I gunned it and turned up the radio as loud as it would go. I pulled into the parking garage of Calloway Tech, parked in my parking space, and entered the back of the building. I stepped inside an empty office, took the flash drive from the inside pocket of my suitcoat, and inserted it. “Okay. Let’s do this.” I smiled as I began typing. Fifteen minutes later, and it was done. That was me. Always putting shit off to the last second. I pulled the flash drive out, shut down the computer, and headed to my father’s office.
“Well, hello there.” I grinned at the beautiful brunette sitting outside his office. “You’re not Audrey.” I took a seat on the edge of her desk.
“Hello.” She bit down on her bottom lip. “I’m a temp. Audrey is out ill.”
“Ah. Sorry to hear that, but lucky for us, you were able to fill in for her. Chase Calloway.” I extended my hand.
“Isabella.” She smiled as she placed her well-manicured hand in mine.
“Chase!” my father yelled as he opened his office door. “Get in here.”
“It was nice to make your acquaintance. Maybe we can grab a drink or three after work.”
“I’d love that,” she swooned.
Walking into my father’s office, I shut the door, took the flash drive out of my pocket, and set it on his desk.
“There you go, Dad. I told you I’d have it finished by today.”
“You were up all night finishing it?” His eye narrowed at me.
“Of course.” I tucked my hands in my pants pockets.
“Isn’t that the same suit you were wearing yesterday?” he asked with suspicion.
“This?” I looked down. “Of course not. Do you know how many of these suits I own?”
“Really?” He glared at me as he turned his computer screen around. “It says here you were boozing it up last night at the strip club. That is you? Correct?” His brow arched as he pointed to the picture of me with a drink in one hand and a half naked Rachel in the other.
“So what? I needed to unwind before I finished the program. The only thing that matters is it’s done and ready to go. Right?” I raised my shoulders.
“Get out of here. I’m sure you need some coffee.” He smirked.
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll see you later.” I began to walk out of his office.
“Chase?” he called out.
“Yes?”
“Stay away from my temp.”
“Well, Dad.” I grinned. “You sly dog. Keeping the temp all to yourself?”
“For fucks sake, son, get the hell out of here and get to work.” He shook his head.
Walking out of his office and past Isabella’s desk, I gave her a wink and smile. I loved beautiful women and she was definitely beautiful. I walked into my office and threw my briefcase down on my chair.
“Did you see your father?” Lexi asked as she followed me in.
“Yes, Lexi, you can relax. All is good.” I grinned. “So, what’s on the agenda for today?” I asked as I picked up my coffee cup and took a soothing sip.
“You have a meeting at one o’clock with Lux security. They want an update on the app for their systems.”
“Shit. I don’t have an update yet. No worries, hold all my calls and I don’t want to be disturbed. I have an update to get ready.”
“Sure thing, Chase. By the way, you have that fundraiser to go to tonight.”
“What fundraiser?” I glanced at her.
“The one to which your father is sending you to represent the company for him.”
“Ah yes. I forgot about that. Thanks for reminding me.”
I sat down at my desk, picked up my phone, and dialed my father’s office number.
“Good morning, Calloway Tech, how can I help you?”
“Hello, Isabella, it’s Chase Calloway. How would you like to attend a fundraiser with me tonight? There will be free food and drinks among other delicious things.”
“I would love to go with you.”
“Excellent. Send me your address and I will pick you up at seven o’clock.”
“I look forward to it, Mr. Calloway.”
I ended the call with a smile on my face.
“Hey, bro. How did it go with Rachel last night?” Steven walked in my office and playfully punched my arm.
“No complaints.” I smirked. “By the way, stop taking pics of me and posting it on your social media. My father saw it and he wasn’t happy.”
“Come on, Chase.” He laughed. “How else do you think you’ve been named L.A.’s sexiest and most eligible bachelor?” He grinned.
Chapter 3
Kinsley
As soon as my feet hit the pavement of Los Angeles, California, I stopped and stared at the beautiful sight before me. The palm trees, the mountains, and the hustle and bustle of people all around. I took in a deep breath as a man approached me.
“You need a cab, lady?” he asked.
“Actually, I do.”
“Right this way.” He smiled.
I climbed into the back and the cab driver looked at me through his rearview mirror.
“Where to?”
“I don’t really know.” I bit down on my bottom lip.
His brow arched as he turned and glanced at me.
“Have you never been to California?” he asked.
“No. I just decided this morning that I was moving here.”
“Wow. Okay. So, I take it you don’t have a plan?”
“No. It was rather an impulsive decision. Well, actually, it’s something I’ve dreamed of ever since I was a kid.”
“Ah, something or someone pushed you here before you had the chance to really think about it?”
“Yeah. You could say that. I came here to reinvent myself. Start my life over.”
“Well, then, welcome to the City of Angels.” He smiled. “I’m Reece, by the way.” He held back his hand.
“I’m Kinsley.”
“Nice to meet you, Kinsley. Tell you what. My cousin owns the Coral Sands Motel in Hollywood. I’ll take you there and make sure you get a room. Rates are cheap. You can start there and then figure things out.”
“Thanks, Reece. I appreciate it.” I kindly smiled.
He pulled up to the curb of the Coral Sands Motel. After I paid him his fare, he took my suitcase out of the trunk and walked me through the door.
“Reece!” an older woman from behind the counter exclaimed. “What brings you in here?” She smiled as she hugged him.
“Madeline, this is Kinsley. Kinsley, this is my cousin Madeline.”
“Nice to meet you.” I extended my hand.
“Kinsley just moved here, spur of the moment type of thing. She needs a room.”
“Ah. I see.” Madeline smiled. “I can definitely help you with that.”
“You’re in good hands, Kinsley,” Reece spoke. “Here’s my card. Whenever you need a ride, call me.”
“Thank you, Reece. I will.” I took the card from his hand.
“Good luck. Hope to see you again soon.”
I handed Madeline my driver’s license and credit card.
“The rate is $90 a night and you will be in room 24, which is on the 2nd level. If you need anything at all, please let me know.”
“Thank you. Do you know where the closest phone store is around here? Preferably within walking distance?”
“There’s actually one about two blocks from here, but I’m afraid they’re already closed. They’ll open again tomorrow morning at ten.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
I pulled my suitcase behind me out the doors to the courtyard and up the steps to room 24. Once I was inside, I let go of my suitcase and looked around. I was surprised at how nice and clean the room was. The walls were colored in yellow with a double-size bed, two nightstands that each housed tall lamps, a small round table with two chairs, a TV, and a microwave and mini fridge that sat in the corner. I pulled the drapes closed and went into the bathroom for a bath. I was exhausted and needed to relax and think about my next move.
As I lay there in the hot water, I thought about the events of today. My eyes swelled with tears as the scene of Krista and Henry played over and over in my mind. Had I moved here a year ago like I wanted to, I would have already been settled. Damn Henry for coming into my life. I kept telling myself that everything happens for a reason. It was what I’d told myself since I was sixteen years old and worked for Mrs. Buckley at the antique shop. It was what she told me.
“Kinsley, everything that happens to us in life happens for a reason. There are no coincidences. Never forget that. Every event and situation will only make you stronger for the next challenge.”
And she was right. I was stronger because of my childhood and life. She was like a mother to me. This sweet, frail seventy-year-old woman whose life was her antique shop. Her husband passed away when she was fifty-five and they never had any children. I worked for her for six years and saved every penny I made for when this day would come. I didn’t make very much, but it didn’t matter because Mrs. Buckley was like family to me and I loved working for her. The year she died, I’d finally had enough money saved to leave Indiana, but then I met Henry, and somehow, he swept me off my feet. I thought maybe he’d make my life better in Berkshire. Since I decided to stay, I ended up taking a job at Freddy’s diner. A grease pit where I worked for a year as a waitress, being treated like shit and getting groped by the pigs that dined there frequently. But I could handle them.
Maybe finding out about Krista and Henry was a blessing in disguise. Who knew and only time would tell. I was here now and today was the start of my new life and I would never let another man deter me from my plans. In fact, I was staying away from all men for a long time.
After my bath, I changed into my pajamas, grabbed my laptop, and climbed into bed. First things first, I needed to find a job ASAP. Even though I had quite a bit of money saved, it wouldn’t last long without a job, especially with what things cost in California. After an hour of searching and just finally applying to a temp agency, I decided to pull up apartments for rent. Where did I want to live? I didn’t know. I knew nothing about California. My eyes kept closing, so I shut down my laptop and went to sleep.
Chapter 4
Chase
I slowly opened my eyes as the sun pierced them through the blinds.
“Ah.” I placed my arm over my eyes as I turned my head.
“Good morning, handsome.” Isabella smiled as she stroked my chest. “You were amazing last night.”
“Why, thank you. You weren’t so bad yourself.”
I climbed out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
“You can get dressed now and go,” I shouted from the bathroom. “I’m sure you have plans today.”
“Actually, I don’t,” she spoke.
“Well, I do.” I smiled as I emerged from the bathroom. “I have some waves to catch with a couple buddies of mine.”
“Super cool. Can I come?” she asked in her way too high-pitched voice.
“Sorry, darling. Men only.” I winked as I picked up her clothes off the floor and tossed them at her.
“When can I see you again, Chase?”
“Well, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you at the office on Monday.”
I walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen for some coffee.
“But we’ll both be working. I meant when can we go out again?”
“Oh.” I turned and looked at her. “I’m not sure. I have a busy weekend. I’ll be in touch.”
She stood in the middle of my kitchen and began to cry. For Christ sakes.
“Why are you crying, Isabella?”
“Because I get the feeling that we won’t be seeing each other again and I really like you.”
Rolling my eyes, I walked over to her and gripped her shoulders.
“You’ve only known me twenty-four hours. That clearly isn’t enough time to decide if you like someone.”
“So, you’re saying you don’t like me?” The tears streamed down her face.
“No. No. I didn’t say that. It’s just I’m a very busy man and I see a variety of women. It seems to me that a girl like you is looking for some type of relationship.”
“So?”
I sighed. “I’m not a relationship type of person. We had fun and everything and now it’s time to part ways.”
God, how I hated explaining this to women.
“So, you used me?” Her teary eyes turned to anger.
“Sweetheart, we used each other. It was all in fun.”
“But I thought you really liked me.”
“I do, but not in a relationship type of way. Would you like some coffee before you leave?”
“Ugh. You’re just like all the other douchebag men out there in the world!” she shouted as she turned on her heels and headed towards the front door.
“I do believe I’m one of a kind,” I shouted as the front door slammed.
Shaking my head, I picked up my coffee cup and took a sip. After popping two aspirins with a shot of scotch, I showered, grabbed my surfboard, and headed down to the beach.
“Bro, what took you so long?” Steven asked.
“Yeah, we were getting worried something happened to you,” Alex spoke.
“I was dealing with a little problem named Isabella.”
“Isn’t that your dad’s temp?” Steven asked.
“Yes.”
The three of us put our boards in the water.
“Dude, she’s one smokin’ hot ass chick. What was the problem?”
“She didn’t want to leave, and she wanted to know when we’re seeing each other again.”
Alex laughed. “Obviously, she doesn’t know a thing about Chase Calloway.”
“She does now, and she left crying. I hate when they do that.”
“Just another broken heart amongst all the others in the sea of Chase Calloway.” Alex smiled.
“She’ll be fine once she gets me out of her system,” I spoke.
Steven and Alex were my best friends. My bros. My buds. We’d been friends since freshman year in high school. All three of us grew up rich and we all attended Stanford University. Steven and I obtained degrees in Computer Science while Alex pursued a degree in Biochemical Engineering and now worked for his father’s pharmaceutical company. We were roommates in an off-campus luxury three-bedroom apartment during our college years. In between studies, we partied as if our lives would end tomorrow. Hell, we still did. Some things never changed. Except for Alex. He met Lindsey and fell in love. She changed him, and Steven and I didn’t like it.
We were out and had just caught the last wave that hit. The three of us were chilling with our boards in the water, waiting for the next one, when Alex said he had something to tell us.
“I’m going to ask Lindsey to marry me and I wanted the two of you to know first,” he spoke.
“Dude, you sure you want that?” Steven asked.
“Of course I want that. I love her.”
“You two already live together. Why do you need to get married?” I asked.
“Because it’s the next step in our relationship. I love her more than anything in this world and I want her to be my wife. Why is that so hard for the two of you to understand?”
“Because it’s not natural. Marriages don’t last, dear friend, and you know it,” I spo
ke. “Besides, who wants to be tied down to the same pussy for the rest of their life?”
“I do, and you know why? Because for the hundredth time, I love her, and I can’t imagine my life without her. But the two of you wouldn’t know anything about that because all you care about is getting drunk and fucking a different woman every damn night.”
“And? What’s wrong with that? You were one of us once. Don’t forget that!” I pointed at him.
“Yeah, bro,” Steven spoke. “You were just as bad as we were.”
“Yeah, the key word being ‘was.’ But all that changed when I met Lindsey. Nah, forget it. You two will never understand.” He waved his hand. “I thought you’d be happy for me. You’re my best friends.”
“Look, man, I’m sorry,” I spoke. “We are happy for you. We know you’re happy with Lindsey and she’s a great girl. We just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“I’m not going to get hurt. I love her and she loves me.”
“Love fades, bro,” Steven said.
I turned and splashed water at him.
“Not ours. I’m asking her to marry me tonight. In fact, I’m going to head back to shore. I want to make sure everything is perfect,” Alex spoke.
“I’m done anyway,” I spoke. “You coming, Steven?”
“I guess.” He sighed.
“He’s making a mistake,” I spoke as I poured two glasses of scotch.
“No shit,” Steven spoke as he took the glass from my hand.
“Why the hell would anyone want to commit to one single person for the rest of their life? Everyone knows it won’t last. They just try to convince themselves that it will for some kind of temporary happiness. My father is the perfect example of that.”
“I don’t know, bro.” Steven shook his head. “Obviously, Lindsey put a spell on him.”
“I agree.” I held up my glass. “No woman will ever do that to me. I don’t and will never give anyone that kind of power. Fuck no.”
“Yeah, bro! Fuck no!” He tapped his glass against mine with a smile.
“I need to get laid and drunk,” I spoke as I finished off my scotch.
“Me too, man.”
“Shall we hit the Skybar tonight?” I asked with a grin.