Page 1 of Jonathon, After All

One

What do you say to the man who took your virginity, broke your heart, and ruined your entire life? Jonathon Hawthorne had practiced numerous speeches and thought he’d be ready when the time had finally come but his brain had locked and his lips were frozen shut. So he did the next best thing and threw a drink in Leo von Hessen’s face.

Then, Jonathon ran.

He mumbled apologies as he pushed and shoved his way out of the Plaza’s overcrowded ballroom and sprinted down a marble hallway with an Austrian prince and a security detail chasing after him.

“Sorry! 911! Out of my way!” Jonathon shouted once he’d made it outside, dodging pedestrians on the sidewalk and leaping into the back of a cab. “Sorry!” he said to the woman he’d stolen it from. “Please, drive!” he told the man behind the wheel, ducking so Leo wouldn’t see him through the back window.

“Where to?”

“The Olympia.”

“They kick you out, or you running because you slept with someone’s husband?” the driver asked, watching Jonathon through the rear view mirror.

Jonathon remained slouched low in the seat and held up his hands. “I was saving them the trouble and who knows how many husbands I’ve slept with. Although, I don’t believe he ever married,” he murmured to himself.

“Who?”

“Never mind,” Jonathon said with a wave, dismissing the driver.

He would hear about it online soon enough, if he was that interested in society gossip. Jonathon had much more important things to worry about: Aunt Muriel was probably livid and there was a strong chance she was already canceling his credit cards and freezing his bank account. Jonathon would be broke by sunrise and he had no idea where he was going to go, but he wasn’t ready to face his aunt.

She was going to have so many questions. And the drama! Jonathon shuddered and his soul puckered in anticipation of the histrionics. Best to lay low until she had run out of steam and forgiven him.

If Muriel ever forgave him.

Muriel usually did and she did her best to understand and support Jonathon, no matter how ridiculous his stunts were. But he had truly done it this time. She was probably mortified and telling anyone who would listen that he was disinherited.

“Here we are,” the driver declared while pulling up to the curb in front of the Olympia.

Jonathon quickly paid and ran through the porte cochère, nodding at the doorman as he hurried to the elevator. A young man with bright eyes and a warm smile was already waiting to go up and he offered Jonathon a polite wave as they waited.

“It’s a lovely night!” he said cheerfully when the doors opened and they stepped inside. The unmistakable smell of falafel wafted from the bag of to-go containers in his other hand, making Jonathon’s stomach gurgle loudly.

“I hadn’t noticed,” Jonathon admitted, grimacing at his watch. “I might have a fifteen-minute head start on her,” he muttered to himself, earning a concerned cough from his companion.

“Is everything alright? I’m Riley Ashby and I live in 8B,” he said cheerfully and gave Jonathon’s arm a gentle, reassuring pat.

“I know. I’m Jonathon Hawthorne.” He nodded but his nose burned and his eyes stung and blurred. “I should be fine if I can somehow manage to…evaporate before my aunt gets back from the gala,” he said with a nervous laugh. He checked his watch again. “She’ll need a few minutes to recover from the shock and she’ll demand they bring her car around immediately but it’s still a madhouse around the Plaza,” he rambled. His knees began to knock and dark blotches bloomed around him as the elevator grew darker.

“Whoa! You don’t look alright!” Riley said, hooking his arm around Jonathon’s when he drooped against the back of the elevator.

“I told her I didn’t want to go to the von Hessens’ stupid gala. I tried everything I could and I wore the most horrid ensemble possible, but Muriel wouldn’t listen. Too many wealthy, eligible men for me to miss out on, she said. She thought I might even catch a margrave!” he added with a hard eye roll and immediately regretted it as he slid down the wall.

“Easy!” Riley leaned and tugged on Jonathon’s arm, attempting to keep them balanced.

The ding! from the elevator and a gentle slap on the cheek from Riley helped and Jonathon was able to pull in a deep breath, clearing his head.

“Why don’t you hang out at our place while you figure out your next move?” Riley suggested. “I’m sure whatever happened wasn’t as bad as you’re imagining it was.”

A loud giggle burst from Jonathon. He covered his mouth, crying as he replayed the moment in his head.

“I threw a drink in a prince’s face. At his own birthday gala!” he explained in a loud whisper, causing Riley’s eyes to grow wide as he towed Jonathon out of the elevator and down the hallway.

“Okay… That’s not good, but it’s not the end of the world,” Riley said before his nose wrinkled and he halted them in front of the door to 8B. “Wait here for just a moment. I need to let Giles know that we have company.”

“Oh.” Jonathon shook his head when he recalled that Riley’s husband, Giles Ashby, was famously reclusive due to his severe anxiety. “I don’t want to be any trouble.”

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