Chasing Forever

by Lisa Cardiff

  “So how was your first time?” he questioned, leaning into her shoulder, brushing against her.

  Regan laughed. “Ah, so we’re back to that now?”

  “Yep.”

  “As much as I hate to admit it, I did have fun. Well, at least until I fell on my face.”

  “It happens to the best of us. So where are your friends? Did they leave you again?”

  Crap. She needed to find Erica. She searched the kitchen and realized it was empty except for the two of them. That didn’t bode well for Ava’s staying power. Ava wasn’t known for her patience. If Regan didn’t find Erica she would be walking home alone unless she could find a cab, which was unlikely given all the bars had begun emptying out about fifteen minutes ago. “Maybe.”

  “Do you want me to help you look for them?”

  “Thanks, but I think I’ll manage.” Regan pushed away from the counter. “Erica disappeared with some guy named Mike a couple hours ago, so she’s probably a lost cause, but Ava’s supposed to be waiting for me by the front door, which means I’d better find her unless I want to walk home alone.”

  Regan made her way toward the front door and looked around. Other than a few stragglers, the main floor was pretty much empty. A fun night out with her friends was quickly morphing into a total bust.

  “Why don’t you call them? Maybe they’ll answer.”

  Regan jumped when she heard Lucas’s voice. She hadn’t noticed he followed her out of the kitchen. “No. I think I’ll just walk home. It’s only five blocks. I walked here by myself. I’ll be fine.” As she reached for the front door handle, she felt his hand on her shoulder.

  “Absolutely not. You can’t walk home at two in the morning by yourself. That’s insane.”

  “I don’t think I have much of a choice.”

  “I’ll walk you home,” he said, his hands on his hips, his eyes narrowed.

  “No thanks. I don’t know you.” Regan pulled the front door open, then paused. “Besides, what would your girlfriend think? Isn’t she waiting for you in your room or something?” Regan didn’t like the idea of walking home alone regardless of whether home was five blocks or one block, but she didn’t want Lucas to accompany her. She didn’t know much about him and his attention made her uncomfortable. Bringing up Olivia seemed like a good way to distract him from coming to her rescue.

  Lucas smirked. “The girlfriend issue isn’t relevant so don’t worry about that. As for not knowing me, do you want me to give a couple character references? Would that help?” Lucas pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. “We can call my mom or my coach. I don’t think they’ll be awake, but I’m sure they won’t mind saying a few words on my behalf.” He tipped his phone toward her so she could see a picture of a beautiful older woman with the word “mom” written next to it.

  Ah…that’s where he got his eyes.

  Regan stifled her laughter. She liked this playful side of him. “Hmm, I don’t think waking anyone up is necessary. Aren’t you the king of this fraternity or something?” Regan asked waving her hands in front of her.

  “King. No. President. Yes.”

  “So can’t someone here give you a reference?”

  “You really want a reference from a member of my fraternity?” His shook his head in mock disbelief.

  She scanned the room eyeing the people lingering on the main floor. A group of five guys passed around a bottle of tequila in the corner, laughing as they patted each other on the back. A couple too engaged in each other to see anyone else stumbled up the stairs, the girl giggling as the guy whispered in her ear. A few people were passed out on the chairs. Nobody seemed sober enough to remember their own name. They wouldn’t provide a credible reference. “Probably not a good idea,” she responded dryly, then sighed. “Okay, you can walk me home.”

  “I guess I’m the best of the bad options.” Lucas looked up at the ceiling and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’ll take it. Let’s go.” He held out his arm signaling her to go ahead of him.

  The front yard of the fraternity was crowded with people trying to decide what to do now that the party had fizzled. “So why are you being so nice to me or is your sudden chivalry part of a devious plan to take advantage of an unsuspecting freshman you shepherd back to the dorm?”

  “I don’t—” Two guys, with hats on backwards, ran up the steps separating her from Lucas.

  “Nice pick, Evanston,” one of the guys shouted as he passed.

  “What did that mean?” she asked, stopping on the sidewalk and turning around to watch the guys enter the fraternity.

  Lucas shrugged, ignoring the comment. “I don’t make a habit of shepherding freshmen anywhere.”

  “So, it isn’t a habit, just an occasional indulgence,” Regan said, quickening her steps. She wished she had re-evaluated her decision to go the party without a jacket. The temperature had dropped since her walk to the party and the loose weave of her sweater wasn’t providing much protection from the cool breeze.

  “Not even an occasional indulgence. This is a first.”

  “A night of firsts.” She stopped at the crosswalk, wrapping her arms around her torso.

  Lucas halted next to her, draping his arm around her shoulder. “You’re cold,” he said, his voice low.

  “I’m fine. It’s only two more blocks.” She tried to step out of his embrace, but his hand tightened around her shoulder, pulling her back.

  “I don’t bite and your sweater is damp.”

  “Exactly. It’s damp, not wet. I’ll live.” Honestly, she didn’t understand what Lucas wanted from her. There were a hundred other girls at the party. Why did he pick her out of the crowd? Granted, the attention was flattering, but it didn’t make sense. If he dated girls like Olivia, she couldn’t imagine that she would draw his attention. Olivia looked sophisticated and classy—Regan, not so much. Natural, petite, and different would be a better description.

  “Look,” he began, “I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable and like you said it’s only two blocks. Go with the flow. Live a little.”

  The crosswalk turned and she started walking again. “I think I’ve lived enough for one night. Besides, I’m more of a planner. The motto around our house is if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

  Lucas chuckled. “Right. Planning is a good thing, but some of life’s best surprises aren’t planned.”

  “And most of life’s worst surprises aren’t planned.”

  Lucas pulled her closer against him. “I guess this is what I get for approaching a strange girl at a fraternity party. I pick the sassy, jaded one.”

  She halted, turning her face up toward his, her eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean, you picked me?”

  Lucas turned to face her, placing both of his hands on her shoulders. A thousand winged creatures flopped around in her stomach itching to get out. Crap. She couldn’t be attracted to this guy. He ate girls like her for breakfast.

  He stared down at her. “You walked into the party looking all lost and adorable. Right then, I knew I had to talk to you.” He pushed her hair behind her ear, lightly brushing her neck, and she felt an electric current tingle down her spine. Double crap. Her heart started beating erratically, almost as if she’d just finished running a marathon.

  She looked down at her black moto boots, briefly wondering why she didn’t wear those heels Erica tried to force on her and those thoughts explained why this guy was dangerous to her. Well, to any girl, really. She cleared her throat. “So this is my dorm. Thanks for walking me home.”

  He tipped up her chin and his amber eyes searched hers briefly. Those eyes should be outlawed as a weapon of mass destruction because they brought her to her knees. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers, ever so softly, never releasing his hold on her chin. He pulled his head back, his lips hovering just inches away from hers. “They’re as soft as I thought,” he whispered, his warm minty breath teasing her senses making her body shiver.

  “Huh?”
Her eyes widened in surprise. As his lips curved up slightly at the corners, she thought of a big sign flashing, danger, danger, run away, don’t look back.

  “Your lips. I’ve been wondering how they would feel from the first second I saw you.” He ran his finger across her bottom lip, toying with it, and for one insane moment she was tempted to bite it or lick it. She didn’t know which.

  “Oh,” she responded because her mind lacked the ability to form a coherent response. She let out a forced laugh as she shook her head trying to clear the seductive haze he had managed to wrap around her senses. Her friends weren’t kidding. He really was the King of the Pantry Droppers. Charm…check. Deadly smile…check. Dreamy eyes…check. And she could go on and on. “Are you always such a smooth talker, Lucas Evanston?”

  Smiling, he turned to the side and that dimple made an appearance again. “Is it working?”

  She couldn’t help but laugh at his candor. “Maybe a little,” she admitted.

  “Well,” he said as he tapped her on the tip of her nose. “I’m glad we got that out of the way. Now you won’t be nervous next time.”

  “Next time? What are you talking about?” She tilted her head to the side.

  “Next time I kiss you, you won’t be nervous now that we have the first time thing out of the way.” He shrugged. “Just part of the night of firsts theme.”

  “If you say so.”

  “See you tomorrow morning at ten, Regan. Don’t be late.” He leaned in, kissing her on the forehead before turning to walk back in the direction they came.

  Momentarily stunned, she said absolutely nothing until he was halfway down the block. “Wait. What do you mean you’ll see me tomorrow morning?”

  “We’re going out to brunch.”

  “What? Why?”

  “I’m taking you out to brunch tomorrow.” She started shaking her head and he held up his hand. “Don’t tell me you haven’t had brunch before?”

  Well damn, she didn’t think she had. Brunch wasn’t something her family ever did. She could almost hear her dad’s autocratic proclamation that brunch was a frivolous waste of time. To him, everything but his career constituted a waste of time. “Nope. I don’t think I have.”

  “There you have it. More firsts for tomorrow.” He waved and started walking away again.

  Once inside her dorm room, she noticed Erica still hadn’t made her way home from the party. Although she worried about Erica and her lack of judgment, she was grateful she didn’t have to explain her actions either. She didn’t want to share any of the details of her night with Lucas. For tonight, they belonged solely to her.

  She plopped down on her bed, closed her eyes, and finally released the smile that had been threatening to erupt since the kiss.

  Chapter Four

  Present Day...

  The evening California drizzle misted his face, but Lucas hardly noticed. He was late for drinks with Drew, one of the few people he regularly kept in touch with from his fraternity days.

  He despised habitual lateness and made it a point to show up when he promised, but after coming face to face with Regan that morning, he had a difficult time concentrating, which made getting his work done a painstakingly slow process. The look on Regan’s face when she walked into his office that morning turned his stomach with remorse.

  Last week, when he saw her name in a memo on his desk as his summer associate, he tried to convince himself that there could be more than one Regan Pierce in the world, approximately the same age as her. After he read her resume, he knew it was his Regan, the one that haunted his dreams and stalked his memories, and he immediately regretted giving human resources absolute hiring authority for the position.

  At the time, it seemed like a good idea. He was buried knee deep in a corporate embezzlement case, and he didn’t want to spare the time to meet with a bunch of second year law students. Just pick the most qualified person was the only guidance he offered. Regrettably, that meant Regan Pierce.

  Did he hate Regan Pierce? Absolutely not. Far from it. Regan Pierce fucking haunted him with her jade green eyes and long auburn hair, and now he had to spend the summer mentoring her, close to her. Was it possible she’d become even more beautiful than before?

  Their history was better left buried in a deep dark place never to be revisited, but like the first time he saw her, he forgot all of their unsavory baggage the moment she walked into his office. He remembered everything about her all too well—her taste, the feel of her skin under his fingertips and a million other likes and dislikes permanently burned into his memory.

  It took all of his willpower not to reach for her as if she were his next breath of air. His fingers itched to touch her long auburn hair and her sensual lips that even when she scowled at him, curled up ever so slightly as if she were meant for love and laughter. And she still smelled the same, like peaches. He hated that he remembered her smell. Life could be a sadistic bitch, tempting him, teasing him when he could never act on any feelings he may or may not have for Regan.

  Pulling open the heavy wooden door, he stepped into the neighborhood bar where he met Drew every Wednesday. He loved that no one bothered them, but most of all he liked that he didn’t have to put on a show to impress his family, friends, or potential clients. A bunch of regulars minding their own business filled the bar, and that was exactly how he liked it.

  “Hey,” Lucas said, patting Drew on the shoulder as he reached their regular table.

  “You’re late,” Drew said, eyeing him over the rim of his frosty mug of beer. “The game already started.”

  “I know. Work was tough today. I couldn’t get away any sooner.” Lucas slid into the chair next to Drew so he could see the T.V.

  Within a couple minutes, their regular waitress placed a beer in front of him. “Thanks,” he mumbled.

  “So I read a press release that you settled that fraud case for an undisclosed sum. It must have been one hell of an offer.”

  “Yep, something like that,” he responded evasively, taking a sip of his beer. The settlement included a confidentiality agreement. He couldn’t say more without jeopardizing the deal.

  “Congratulations. I’m sure that means a partnership offer is in your near future.”

  “Maybe in the next few years, but who knows? I have to put in the time and the hours before they’ll offer me anything.” Lucas stared at the game on the T.V., not wanting to make small talk with Drew, something he normally looked forward to all week.

  After thirty minutes of monosyllable answers, Drew slammed his beer on the table.

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  Lucas regarded him guardedly. “Huh? What you mean?”

  “You’re shit company tonight, and this has nothing to do with your overwhelming workload.”

  Lucas ran his fingers through his hair. He wasn’t sure he should talk to Drew about Regan’s sudden reappearance in his life. He knew Drew remembered her and other than Drew and Olivia, he didn’t talk to many people from college anymore so if anyone could give him counsel on the situation, it would be Drew. He sure as hell wouldn’t breathe a word about Regan to Olivia.

  Lucas tapped the round cardboard coaster on the heavy wood table. “So,” he said. “My summer associate started today.”

  “Is he already causing problems or something?” Drew jumped up and clapped. The Giants scored.

  “She. My summer associate is a woman.”

  “Ah,” Drew said as if all the pieces of the puzzles finally came together. “So what’s wrong with that?”

  Lucas exhaled loudly and leaned back in his chair, resting his hands behind his head. “My summer associate is none other than Regan Pierce.”

  Drew’s mouth dropped open momentarily and then he burst out laughing. “You’re fucking kidding me, right?”

  “Unfortunately, I’m not.”

  Drew continued to laugh. “This should be an interesting summer.”

  “Right,” Lucas said, drawing out the word, letting his i
rritation with Drew show. “You can stop laughing now. It’s not funny. Seriously. What am I going to do? I’m this close to making partner.” He held up his thumb and index finger a few inches apart. “Any fallout generated from the Regan situation could jeopardize my future at Martin and Black.”

  “Yep. It looks as though life is trying to kick your ass with some poor timing.”

  “Thanks for the thoughtful reflection,” Lucas said sarcastically. “But I was kind of thinking you might have some constructive advice. What would you do?”

  Drew leaned back in his chair and crossed one ankle over his other leg. “What was her reaction?”

  He shook his head. “Not favorable.”

  “Do you think she realized you worked there and that’s why she applied?”

  “No,” Lucas responded immediately. “She was totally blindsided.” Lucas tapped his fingers on the table. “And she didn’t look happy about it either. She actually asked if she could have a different mentor.” Hard to believe it had been over six years since he had seen Regan. He spent every day of the next year after the night their relationship exploded, resisting the overwhelming urge to find her and apologize. When that first year passed, he focused on law school and later his job at Martin and Black and now…he rarely thought of her. Maybe someone would be wearing the peach lotion she loved, or he would see someone in a crowd with her unique color of hair, and the memories would surface. But for the most part, he’d succeeded in erasing her from his mind.

  “That’s perfect! Encourage her to request a reassignment and then she won’t be a problem. There’s what, two hundred attorneys at Martin and Black spread over three floors?”

  Lucas took a sip of his beer. “Something like that.”

  “Have her reassigned to a different senior associate, preferably on another floor. You could probably go the entire summer and only see her once or twice.”