by Raquel Belle
I smiled at her, surprised that she was so genuine. “I’m glad your sister joined the team and is enjoying her work. What’s her name?”
“Casey Shane … She works on the internet security team … she and your table are this way.” The woman led me to a table that was right in front of the dance floor and stage.
“I’ll make sure I stop by their offices one of these days and mention that I’d met you,” I said cordially.
“I’m sure she’d love that … My name is Riley, by the way. Have a good evening Mister Mason,” she said and left me to my seat. I sat in between two women, who seemed to be the wives, or plus-one’s of the men on either side of them. They both smiled at me cordially as I sat. The woman to my right took more interest in me though. She picked up my place marker and seemed impressed.
“You’re from the JNM Company?” she asked, her voice was smooth and cultured. She wore a form-fitting red dress which seemed a little too sexy for a private school’s donor’s dinner, but who was I to judge. I mean, it wasn’t like the kids were there.
“Yep, I’m Mark Mason,” I said and offered my hand to shake hers. Her eyes widened with interest once I specified who I was.
“I’m Genevieve Welleby. I’m the founder of a boutique law firm,” she said. I glanced past her at the man on her right, he was staring into his water glass, seemingly in another world. “I went to Norman Port when I was a kid, I donate every year,” she said.
“Yeah, one of our partners also went to school at Norman Port but he had a charity event to go to tonight. If not for that, he’d be here now,” I said. “Sorry if I’m being rude, is this your date?” I asked, gesturing to the man who had yet to look up from his water.
“Yes, my plus one,” she said and smirked as if she knew a secret about the man.
It was one thing I noticed over the years as our social circles jumped tax strata, the wealthy were often weird as hell.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if I can have your attention please?” A familiar female voice came through the speakers. The sound was smoky and alluring, but also commanding—like a teacher’s voice. I turned my head to see who was on stage, and my gut bottomed out. I felt as if a rod had just been thrown through me. It was Stephanie.
“On behalf of Norman Port Private School, I’d like to welcome all of our donors and their guests to Norman Port’s fiftieth annual Donor’s Dinner. If you all can give yourselves a round of applause,” she said and paused as the room filled with applause that sounded like a gentle storm.
Stephanie wore a sleek, floor-length, golden gown. Her hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and she looked like she could be in attendance for the Oscars or the Grammy’s—not to mention that she hadn’t aged a day. She was still beautiful, and from the curves showed off in that dress, she was still sexy as hell. I rubbed the center of my chest, as it burned with all of the emotions I still had buried for her. Above the desire and lost love, was guilt. So much fucking guilt, that I wanted to hide my face, so she wouldn’t have to see me and be confronted with the hurt I caused her so long ago. I mean …? We had been engaged. We both had very real plans to get married and start a life together, but it got messed up. I messed up.
The applause died down, and Stephanie continued with her speech. Her voice melded into the sweetest background ambience, as I devoted every inch of her to memory. Her lips were the same plump pink, and she still had that little Marilyn Monroe mole on her lip. Her face was the same diamond shape. Her body, though—she still had the hourglass curves and flawless, cream skin. Just looking at her and hearing her voice made me a little stiff below the belt. It’s crazy how, just like that, everything could come rushing back for me. As if somewhere in the back of my mind she was still mine.
“And again, thank you for your generous donations. Enjoy the food and enjoy the night,” she finished to another round of applause and gracefully stepped off of the stage. I watched, as she walked to a table just left of the stage. Maybe it was where all of the school officials sat. When she sat down, almost everyone there started talking and laughing with her. I noticed a red- headed guy put his arm around her. He kissed her cheek, and she didn’t seem to mind it one bit. Jealousy crept up the back of my neck, all the way to the tips of my ears. Was that her boyfriend? It had been a long time, yet it wasn’t like I expected someone like Stephanie to remain single. But, still, the thought of it killed me.
“Mark?” Genevieve smiled.
Startled, I looked at her. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just … I recognized someone I haven’t seen in a very long time. If you could excuse me.” I stood, just as the servers were coming around with the first appetizer course. I walked the perimeter of the dance floor towards Stephanie’s table, but I slowed the closer I got to her. I had nothing planned to say, and what if that guy was with her? Then I decided, fuck it, I had history with Stephanie. I was with her and committed before she ever met that guy.
I stopped behind her chair, and her date noticed me first. He quirked his brow when he saw me. “Hi, I’m Mark Mason,” I said and offered him my hand. From the corner of my eye, I saw Stephanie freeze.
“Mister Mason, I’m glad you could make it. I’m Principal Shane. Every year we’re blown away by JNM’s contribution to the school,” he said.
“Nice to meet you,” I said. The guy was charming; I’d give him that.
“We couldn’t be more grateful,” he said.
“Norman Port has a special place in our hearts, and we’re happy to contribute,” I said, and then looked at Stephanie. She hadn’t turned to look at me since I stopped by the table. “Steph?” I said.
She took a breath, then turned, a blank smile on her face. “Mark … Hi.”
“It’s really good to see you,” I said, as I searched her aquamarine eyes. She was guarded as if under lock and key, or more than that, behind miles of steel in an impenetrable vault. I didn’t recognize the detachment in her eyes, and I didn’t like it. But there was a lot separating us, time on top of hurt.
“Likewise, I’m glad you’re doing well,” she said and turned around, effectively dismissing me. I could tell everyone at the table caught that, and it got uncomfortably quiet.
I gave Principal Shane a nod before walking back to my table. My face felt hot, and my chest burned. I wanted, more than anything, to turn around, throw myself at her feet, and apologize for the past. I still wanted her, more than that—I still needed her. We had been about to get married. Stephanie was the only woman I could see myself settling down and having a family with. She’d been my rock back then and now … she barely even looked at me.
I sat down, and Genevieve put her hand on my knee under the table. “I didn’t know you were close to the faculty as well.” she said.
I looked her up and down and tilted my head. “What are the two of you, anyway? Aren’t you here with him?” I thrust my chin at her date.
“Never mind him. He’s my submissive,” she said. My brows furrowed, and I glanced at the poor shmuck once more.
I sighed. “My god, this is a nightmare.”
Chapter Six
Stephanie
My body felt like ice, and at some point, while he stood behind me, I’d stopped breathing. It didn’t feel real, as I turned to look at him either. He hadn’t aged a day, but somehow, he’d gotten sexier. He could’ve been Henry Cavil’s doppelganger but with vibrant green eyes. He needed a shave too, as stubble covered his chin and jaw.
“Steph, you okay?” Shane asked. The table of invited faculty and teachers seemed to have recovered after beholding all that was Mark. They continued their conversations, but Shane scooted his chair closer to mine and put his arm around the back.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” I said dismissively and reached for my glass of water. The catering servers came around with our first course. My heart rate was slowly returning to normal, but I couldn’t shake the awareness I felt that Mark was somewhere behind me sitting in the same room.
“That didn’t seem like �
��fine.’ There’s no way you wouldn’t flirt with a guy like that,” he said knowingly. “He’s all kinds of sexy and rich too …?” Shane tilted his head at me, urging for me to spill. I sighed deeply and picked up my fork to taste the small appetizer in front of me.
“We have … history, that’s all,” I said.
Shane’s eyes widened and he pushed his chair back to stand up.
“Let’s take a walk to the bar, yeah?” He offered me his hand, and I had no choice but to take it. “So, tonight I’m not your boss,” he said. “I want all of the details.” I looped my arm through his, and we started a slow beeline around the tables towards the open bar. I took a deep breath and launched into the story.
“We went to the same university. Well, we dated, and it was serious. We had been engaged and everything,” I said.
“What? You and the most eligible bachelor in Seattle?” Shane exclaimed a bit too loudly. We drew some curious looks. A few women sized Shane appreciatively, blissfully unaware of the fact that he preferred men.
“Well back then he was just another hot guy. He was my hot guy,” I said, I and felt a small twinge at the center of my chest. “We were so in love, or at least that’s what I thought.”
“Oh shit, don’t tell me. He’s secretly a huge asshole?” Shane asked.
I nodded. “He went with his partners to an investor meeting in Silicon Valley. After they secured their millions, they celebrated and he …” I paused, the memories I had tried to suppress for so long were rushing back to me. “He cheated on me,” I said. We reached the bar and sat at two free stools. A few people were there, already ordering drinks.
“Well, fuck him. You’re a catch Steph, and any guy would be an idiot to do something like that to you,” Shane said. He asked the bartender for two martinis and then turned to me again. “Now that I know the backstory, I think you handled that well. You gave him the cold shoulder and he felt it.”
I shrugged and traced a vague pattern on the marble bar top.
“I never wanted to see him again, but it was bound to happen, I guess, especially since we’ve both stayed in the same city.” I shrugged. Shane glanced to the right and then did a double take.
“Shit, he’s coming over here,” he said.
My heart rate spiked, and annoyance seeped into my chest. Why couldn’t he just leave me alone? The bartender gave us our drinks, and I took a gulp of mine.
“Sorry to interrupt again,” Mark said. His hair was beginning to fall loose from its gelled style. It had grown to his neck and was thick and wavy as ever. I couldn’t look at his green eyes for too long—staring at a face so painfully familiar just made me want to cry.
“Well, you are, Mark. You’re interrupting,” I said
His eyes widened for a moment, and then he moved as if he wanted to touch my hand but thought better of it. “I just wanted to speak to you—catch up, you know?”
“Shane is my date, and you’re being rude,” I said. Mark glanced at Shane once and then back at me.
“You’re dating your boss, Stephanie?”
I pressed my lips together. A large part of me wanted to throw something at him. “What does that matter? We’ve reported it to HR, and they are aware of our relationship.”
Mark’s jaw clenched, as he glanced at Shane again. “Would you mind if I chatted with Stephanie? We go way back.” His tone was almost challenging, as he worked hard to be polite with Shane. My jaw dropped. Was he really being territorial over me? What right did he have to be jealous? We hadn’t seen each other in seven years!
“Ah …,” Shane hesitated. I silently begged him to play along and not leave me alone with Mark, but a guest chose that very moment to walk up to us. She was a short, middle-aged woman with salt and pepper hair. Her features were attractive, and she wore a modest blue dress suit.
“Excuse me, Principal Shane? A few of the other guests and I were having a bit of a debate at our table, and we were wonderin’ if you could come clear a few things up for us?”
Shane looked at me apologetically. We were in a room full of donors, and the school’s founding family was ever vigilant from their center table and the event was technically work for Shane. He couldn’t turn the woman down.
“Sure, ma’am, it’d be my pleasure,” he said in a good-natured tone. As he stood, he mouthed “sorry” to me and left me alone with Mark.
“Are you still mad at me, after all this time?” Mark asked. Jazz music started to play through the banquet hall’s speakers. My eyes flicked to the stage, and I saw that the studio band had finally made it. They must’ve set up like ninjas.
“Steph,” Mark said.
“I’m … I’m not mad,” I said. “I’m annoyed that you inserted yourself between me and my date, as if you still have some kind of claim to me.” I picked up my glass and took another drink, but I ended up finishing it in one swallow. Shane had left his drink behind. It was an open bar, and if he wanted it he could just order another one. I slid his glass in front of me. Mark noticed but didn’t say anything. Instead, he leaned over the bar and asked for scotch.
“Can we talk outside, where it’s quieter?” Mark asked. The room was warming up, conversations were flowing over dinner, and the music provided a nice backdrop for those actually enjoying themselves.
“Why do you guys give money to Norman Port?” I asked. Mark didn’t grow up in Seattle, that much I knew.
“Jimmy went there as a kid,” Mark said.
I sighed, wishing I’d known that before taking the job offer over the other private school that wanted me. The bartender gave him his drink, and he buttoned his suit with one hand before offering me his arm to hold on to.
“I can walk on my own, thanks,” I said. I stood up with my—well, Shane’s—drink, and then Mark took his. He led me to the balcony. It was cold, but there was a lot of seating and a great view.
“There’s a heater over here,” Mark said. He led me to a group of chairs that surrounded what resembled a fire pit. He flipped a switch on the side of it, and the metal grate started to heat up and pump out warmth. “Do you want my jacket?”
I snorted, after all that time, it didn’t seem like he had changed. He was still an idiot. “You’re really dense,” I said. I sat down and took a sip of my drink. Mark sat next to me, and he gripped his glass nervously.
“What is it? Why’d you bring me out here?” I asked. My chest felt warm, and I was glad I had the alcohol. But, instead of getting me drunk, it was working to regulate my body temperature instead.
“I wanted to catch up,” he said slowly. “You’re really dating that Shane guy?” Mark searched my face, and I searched his. He looked at me as if he really wanted me to say no. I didn’t understand him. He came up to me, as if no time had passed, and he still had feelings for me?
“Yes, we’re dating,” I said. I was lying through my teeth, but Shane would play along.
Mark sighed. “I don’t know, when I saw you I just thought…”
“That I’d come running back to you with open arms? After how we left off?” I asked.
Mark took a deep breath. “Babe … I mean, Steph ...” He huffed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Mark, please, spare me. You have no right to call me that. We’re not even friends anymore,” I said, my tone heating by the second. “I mean how dare you! I have my own life now and you’re not part of it. That’s on you. So don’t come to me acting as if we should be two peas in a pod again because that pod was broken a long time ago!” I stood up, not caring that I sounded like an idiot with that analogy. I was angry. Still, after all those years, I was angry with him.
“Steph, I’m sorry! That was a stupid mistake, one I hate myself for having made!” Mark stood too and reached out to touch my arm, to try and hold me back. “We were supposed to get married. I wanted to marry you, Steph!”
I snatched my arm from him and stormed back into the hall. I didn’t want to face him or deal with him. It was too hard, and it was clear that his goa
l was to win me back. But that ship was long gone … I didn’t want him anymore, not after everything that had happened.
“Steph!” he called after me, but he knew better than to chase me down. I stepped inside the warmth of the ballroom and took a deep breath. My heart was fluttering as if I had just gotten off of a roller coaster. I finished Shane’s drink and dropped the glass off at the bar. I maneuvered back to the table and sat down to find that my plate had been changed for the salad course. I dug in, needing something to cushion the alcohol I had just chugged. My head felt like it was filled with bees, and I didn’t want to be in the same place as Mark anymore. I couldn’t. I reached underneath my chair and grabbed my purse. I didn’t even look up to excuse myself or say bye to anyone.
“Steph, wait up,” Shane said. He caught me just before I could step through the room’s huge, double doors. We walked into the hallway, and he gestured inside. “Why are you leaving? What happened?”
“I can’t be here anymore. I’m literally getting hives just being in the same room as him. I’m sorry, I can’t,” I said, pleading with him to let me go.
Shane sighed. “Fine, but, I’m gonna call you later. Answer, okay? I’m saying this as a friend and not your boss.”
I paused, taken off guard. Of course we have a great rapport at work, and when we go for drinks after certain school meetings. But Shane had never referred to me as a friend before then.
“Okay, thanks,” I said, touched that he wanted to make sure I was okay. He squeezed my arm and let me go.
***
Leena drove to the hotel to pick me up. She had a change of clothes, which I put on in the lobby bathroom, and then we were headed to the nearest bar. It was a pretty nice pub, made to look all tavern like. Two more drinks in, and I was finally swimming in a comfortable haze of tipsiness, and my troubles and worries were briefly dampened.
“Ugh, this place is disgusting,” Leena said for the tenth time. She was on her third drink, and her eyes kept moving around the bar. Her curls were silken and hung around her shoulders. Her makeup was impeccable, making her honey eyes look all smoky, and she wore a sexy black romper with a leather jacket over it. It occurred to me then, that she’d probably been out before picking me up.