Page 23 of Entwined
“Whatever it was, you’ll never have it,” I shot back. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have packing to finish.”
I turned away, dismissing him as I resumed folding my clothes. Vaughn lingered for a moment longer, seething, before he finally turned to leave. But before he could disappear down the hall, I couldn’t resist a parting shot.
“Please make sure you respect my home while I’m gone, or I’ll be forced to remove you.”
His teeth clenched so hard I thought they might crack, but he said nothing as he stalked off. The moment he was out of sight, Easton burst into laughter, a grin breaking across his face. I couldn’t help but smile, too. God, it felt good to dig at Vaughn, to remind him that I wasn’t the same girl he used to torment.
“You should pack if you want to come,” I said, my mood lifting slightly.
“Fucking awesome,” Easton grinned, jumping up to head to his room.
For the first time in a long while, I felt like I had the upper hand. And it felt damn good.
Chapter 10
The city felt alive as we arrived at the triplex. Easton had never seen it before, and his reaction was everything I’d hoped for. His eyes widened as we stepped into the marble-floored foyer, the elegance of the space making an immediate impact.
“Holy shit, Joey,” he murmured, spinning slowly to take it all in. The place was stunning—high ceilings, modern art on the walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked Park Avenue.
I smiled, finally feeling a bit lighter after the tension of the last few months. “It’s something, isn’t it?”
“Something?” He laughed, running his hand along the back of a sleek leather couch. “This place is incredible. I can’t believe you’ve never stayed here before.”
I shrugged, heading toward the terrace. “Colson and I had plans to live here during the winter, but… things didn’t go as planned.”
Easton followed me out to the terrace, and I could see the awe in his eyes as he took in the view. The terrace was expansive, with a private pool, several seating areas, and a stunning view of the city skyline. The warmth of the almost-summer air wrappedaround us, and I breathed in deeply, the scent of fresh flowers mingling with the city’s energy.
“This is unreal,” Easton said, leaning against the railing. “You could see all of Manhattan from here.”
I nodded, joining him at the railing, the city sprawling out beneath us like a glittering maze. “I love it here. I used to visit Central Park with my parents when I was little, and now I’m just a few blocks away. It feels… exciting. Like I’m starting a new chapter.”
But even as I said the words, a pang of melancholy hit me. The excitement of the city, the thrill of being here—it all felt muted, knowing I couldn’t share it with Colson. I stared out at the park in the distance, the memories flooding back.
Easton noticed my change in mood, his hand resting on my shoulder. “You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”
I sighed, not bothering to deny it. “I can’t help it. He should be here with me, experiencing this. We had so many plans, Easton. And now… now it’s just me.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, just let the silence between us settle. Finally, he spoke, his voice soft. “You know he’d want you to enjoy this, right? He wouldn’t want you to be sad.”
I nodded, but the ache in my chest didn’t lessen. “I know. But it’s hard. I look around, and all I can think about is what we won’t share. This city, this place, it was supposed to be our future. Now it’s just a reminder of what I’ve lost.”
Easton turned to face me, his expression serious. “Joey, you’re allowed to be sad, but you’re also allowed to live. Dad wouldn’t want you to waste away in grief. This triplex, this life—it’s stillyours to enjoy. Don’t let Vaughn or anyone else take that away from you.”
I blinked, surprised by the conviction in his voice. “You’re right,” I admitted, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I need to start living again. For me.”
“And you will,” Easton said, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “This is just the beginning. You’ve got an entire summer in the city ahead of you. And I’m here, so we’ll make the most of it.”
I smiled, genuinely this time, feeling a spark of hope. “You’re right. It’s time to make some new memories.”
“Damn right,” Easton grinned, stepping back from the railing. “Now, how about we christen this terrace with some drinks? We can toast to new beginnings.”
I nodded, following him inside. The sadness still lingered, but it didn’t feel as heavy anymore. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to move forward—to start living the life I’d envisioned, even if it wasn’t exactly how I’d planned.
As Easton rummaged through the kitchen for a bottle of alcohol, I took one last look out at the city. I once dreamed of living in Manhattan, but it was out of my reach until I married Colson – now it was all possible. And as I thought about what the future might hold, I knew I had to make the most of it—for Colson, for myself, and for the life I still had left to live.
The Monday morning light streamed through the tall windows of Vaughn’s office, casting an unwelcome warmth over thepolished wood and sleek lines of the space. I stood just inside the doorway, my eyes sweeping over the room that had once been Colson’s sanctuary. Vaughn had wasted no time in claiming it for himself after his father died. I didn’t fight him on it. I knew I had to pick my battles.
Vaughn was at the head of the conference table, his gaze icy as he watched me enter. The other executives were already seated, shuffling papers and pretending not to notice the tension in the air. Vaughn had made it clear from the moment I walked in that he had no interest in civility today.
