"Carter? Is that you?" He looks down at me with his eyebrows furrowed.
Crap, what do I even say? Who's Carter? Sorry super sexy man, my name is Alex. I don't even know anybody named Alex! Where do I even come up with this shit? Don't quit your day job, Carter, improv, and acting is not in our future. Oh, for fuck me. I don't even have a day job!
I really need to stop arguing with myself. It can't be healthy.
"Uhm. Yeah. Hi, Xander. It's been a long time." I say meekly, shrugging my shoulder.
"No. Fuckin'. Way. Are you kidding me right now? I always knew that no one else out there that had eyes like yours. When I first looked at you, it had me second guessing. But then you flashed me that sexy little birth mark behind your ear and I just knew." His voice lowers to a growl and instantly my body floods with heat.
"Holy shit, Carter. You look... incredible. How have you been?" His eyes travel up and down my body sending shivers straight down to my core as he blatantly checks me out.
I have to clench my thighs tight as I begin to mentally panic. Horny and anxiety ridden. What a good combination. I internally roll my eyes. All right, how do I explain this...fuck, where do I even start?
Sorry that I disappeared. Sorry that I never called you to explain. I never stopped missing you. I thought of you for years until it hurt too much, and I shoved all the memories of you into a little tiny box in the back of my mind and labeled it No Touchy. Internally slapping myself over and over in the forehead. Oh yes, Carter, a terrific way to start a conversation with the most attractive man in the world. Idiot.
I look down at my watch and groan.
"Xander... I really am sorry. I do have to go. I'm going to be late." I try to grab my bag again when he stops me.
"Wait. Please, just wait. Don't disappear again without talking to me. Will you meet me for coffee? Would three o'clock give you enough time?"
I can't help but laugh at the childish look in his eyes as my own lock in on his bottom lip that was currently locked between his teeth. How could I say no to that?
"Alright, I'll see you at three. I'll meet you at my favorite place." I wink at him as I walk away.
Let's see if he remembers me as well as I remember them.
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I can't believe it. Grandpa left me his land and the cabin in his will. It's mine and I just can't wrap my head around it. I stare down at the ring of keys in my hands, my thumb runs along the little leather key chain that I had gotten him for his birthday the year before I had to leave and my heart clenches painfully in my chest.
I can feel the tears fall from my chin onto my shirt. He left me everything he had. There's a note in his will that says he knew how much the cabin had meant to me as a child and he hoped that I would be able to share those feelings with my own family one day. My heart hurts. I miss him so much already. The thought of going to the cabin, only to find it empty, makes me feel cold.
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Smith. I appreciate everything you have done." I dab my eyes with a crumpled, tear-soaked tissue to try and dry my tears before I shake his hand and stand from the desk.
Grandfathers' wishes were to be cremated and for his ashes to be spread out on his property. His physical body may be gone but his soul will always remain at the cabin. Mr. Smith lets me know it would take a few days, but his ashes will be gathered and someone from the office will have them delivered to the cabin for me to spread. I sigh heavily. I guess I'm going to be sticking around here a bit longer than I anticipated.
"Of course, Ms. Jones. Again, my deepest condolences." Mr. Smith leads me from his office and back over to the main reception area.
"Do you have a restroom that I can use to freshen up a little? I'm sure I look a bit of a mess right now." I dab my eyes again as another few tears spill over.
"Of course. Right this way." Mr. Smith turns and walks me down a small hallway behind the reception desk and motions to a door for the restroom.
"And again, if you need anything or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me again." I nod my thanks to him and duck through the door, heaving a sigh as it closes behind me.
I grab a few tissues and look up at myself in the mirror. I try to wipe away the mascara tears that have streaked down my cheeks and give myself a mental scolding. I knew I shouldn't have done my damn makeup.
Once I'm as put together as I can be, I take one last look in the mirror. My auburn hair curls softly down my back. My blue eyes stand out against the tear-stained redness. I have a light dusting of freckles across my cheeks and nose. I know that I'm a decently pretty woman, nothing extraordinary but picturing myself standing next to the God that Xander has turned into, I can't help but cringe.
Okay, Carter. Get a grip. I'm not here to look pretty for anyone, let alone Xander. So, enough. No more crying. I sigh and turn away from the mirror. I can do this. I square my shoulders, open the door, and walk out into my future.