Page 1 of Rekindle

Chapter 1

Seeing my parents would be the antidote. My family. Everyone. The banter, gossip, loud music, food, and light-hearted teasing was the best part of being around them and what I needed right now.

One more month before the end of the year and it had to end just right, especially now after a rough year. Life needed to give me a pause. Especially after breaking up or taking a break—I haven’t decided yet—from the prominent man I never thought I’d date.

Gareth Cole.

He was a developer in Chicago and I met him in a club he owned, a side venture he wanted to explore.

Emily, my best friend, begged me to tag along to the nightclub he recently opened just to get me out of my comfort zone. The music was so loud the insides of my body vibrated to the sounds of the bass coming from the speakers. Club lights frantically danced around the ceiling, giving everyone a chance to shine on the dance floor.

I followed Emily everywhere as a safety net. I was so naïve, coming from a home where I was very sheltered. I had no idea what to do in a club. Never frequented one in my life. I “danced” but really all I did was move left and right as if I knew what I was doing. Emily took my hand and led me to the bar to take a break at least. It was there I met Gareth.

Dark hair, stubble beard, and the classic white shirt unbuttoned at the top with black suit jacket was the perfect cocktail I wanted to taste. I wasn’t experienced in the least, but it didn’t stop my mind from imagining all the lurid moments I would love to have with him. I remained quiet and at times smiled while Emily engaged in conversation with him. Best part of that night was his smile and his sexy cologne that somehow sneaked into my senses.

At the time, they were just thoughts.

Gareth was focused on conversation with Emily. I wasn’t sure he had even noticed me, much less if he was attracted to me. He hadn’t said a word to me the entire night.

But a phone call the following day changed everything. His voice on the speaker was like a hymn I wanted to worship. He asked for a date and that date turned into another date and then another, and not even a month later, we were officially an item.

He was my first for everything. I guess it was all the honeymoon stage—briefly burning bright but easily extinguished. Even now I have to take a deep breath just thinking of the things he said when we fucked and the other times when we made love.

I would stay weeks at his place at a time, having the code to his apartment to come and go as I pleased. I figured the next step was to tell my parents about him.

I asked Gareth about meeting my parents, and he agreed. I called my mother and told her the news that I was in a relationship.I spent hours on the phone with her, answering all her questions about him. She’d asked about his occupation, looks, height, and personality—all the inquiries about his life I answered to the best of my abilities. It was cute hearing her excitement. Since I was far from home, she wanted me to be happy.

Especially now.

Conversations with my mother later turned poetic every time I would speak of Gareth. I was so swept off my feet with him at first, I hadn’t noticed the realities and responsibilities of dating a man like him.

Parties,never-ending meetings, traveling—that was his life. I spoke to his voicemail more than I spoke to him. I thought I could handle it, but it was overwhelming and lonely. His work was his mistress, which was one of the many reasons why I took a break. Then there was his best friend, who hated me and felt resentful of our relationship.

A chime on my phone brought me back to reality.

I was expecting a call from my parents when I saw Gareth’s name appear on my screen. My cheeks grew warm just reading the text message.

Could he feel me thinking of him? I entered the code to my phone and paused before I pressed on the message. My inbox would be flooded with his voice and text messages saying he was sorry. I finally opened my eyes.

I miss you. Call me.

He still thought of me, and I would be lyingif that didn’t make me feel thrilled. I couldn’t help but smile. He must feel remorseful for what happened, and we did need to talk.

Hopefully, over these last four months, he was able to think about his best friend’s negative influence on our relationship and probably come to some conclusion on how we could move on without each other. It would be easier to text him and say, “It’s over,” and just move on, but I had to see him at least one last time.

To close a chapter in my life and maybe just become friends.

???

I hoped this was a sign—a positive one—snow wasn’t falling when I stepped outside. Almost like life was finally cutting me some slack. Unfortunately, the slack only lasted two city blocks before bitter wind and the cold wet snow started to come down, taking with it my positivity about seeing Gareth again.

SuddenlyI felt hot and sweaty in fifteen-degree weather. It wasn’t as if I was going to a job interview or anything. I was simply going to see a man I knew. One who happened to know my every strength and weakness. It was no big deal; at least that’s what I told myself as I approached his building.

Once I was through the revolving doors, I checked in with security. Without question they let me through and escorted me to the private elevator. My hands started to sweat, and my heart started to beat uncontrollably. The numbers increased on the counter

and so did my heart rate, and I just wanted to get to the last floor of the building.

This wasn’t an interview. Why was I ready to get this over with? Why was my stomach not cooperating? Even breathing became an issue. I closed my eyes and did my best to center myself. This was Gareth. I knew him. I knew his weaknesses, strengths, and his personality in and out. Nothing was a surprise to me when it came to him.

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