Page 11 of Accidentally, Scandalously Yours

I can’t.

I may not be her friend on social media, but that doesn’t mean I don’t look her up every now and then. And what I’ve seen over the last few months is that she appears happy with her current boyfriend. There’s a light in her eyes that looks good on her. I refuse to disrupt that happiness for my own selfish desires. Because who knows, maybe this attraction is simply that: chemistry and interest that wouldn’t work well in a relationship. I won’t risk the happiness she’s found for a possibility that might not turn into what I think it could.

“You look beautiful with or without the bling.” I allow her avoidance of my admission even though it’s the hardest thing I’ve had to do in a long time.

She smiles and all I can think is that she’s fucking radiant. “Thank you.”

“So, you graduated.”

Her eyes light up with excitement. “Yes, and I’ve found a summer internship at one of Dad’s magazines that I think would be perfect for me! I’m interviewing for it next week.”

If I thought Kristen was beautiful before, that beauty had nothing on what I’m seeing now. Her passion for what she wants to do in life brings her features alive in a whole new way. It’s heart-stopping.

“Does he know you’ve applied?” Her father owns Blaise Media, a publishing empire that distributes content through television, magazines, and digital media. He wouldn’t have any idea who’s applying for jobs in his businesses. I’m interested to know if Kristen has talked to him about this because he’s never shown her any support or encouragement in her goals. From everything she’s told me about their relationship, her father simply wants to marry her off. He’s dismissive of her intelligence and tells her often that she can’t do the things she wants to try.

“No. I want to get this on my own. It’ll be an amazing opportunity if I do get it. I think working in media will be a great stepping stone to building a platform for what I eventually want to do.”

“I agree.”

“How about you? Have you done any more work on your app?”

She’s referring to the time management app I’ve been slowly building for the last six months. I started working on it purely to help manage my own time, but a few months ago, Kristen encouraged me to consider publishing it, which I’ve put considerable thought into.

“No. I haven’t had a lot of spare time. I’ve prioritized sleep over the app.”

“Work or pleasure?”

“Not pleasure. Dad’s got me working around the clock on some mergers.” I’ve worked at my father’s company since I graduated college, in the corporate venture capital arm. It’s work I love, but it’s comprised of long hours that leave little time for anything else in life.

Kristen’s phone alerts her to a text that’s just arrived. After she checks it, she says, “I have to go. Charlie’s looking for me.”

I hate his name on her lips.

As she slips her phone back in her clutch and readies herself to go back down to the ballroom, I curl my fingers around her wrist. When I have her eyes again, I ask, “Are you happy?”

She takes a moment searching my face. Kristen does this a lot and I always wonder what she’s thinking. She’s the only woman I’ve ever wished for access to her thoughts. “Yes. Are you?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“I have to go. Hurry up and finish that app. I need it in my life.” She smiles. “And don’t give in to your father. Find a woman who makesyouhappy, Bradford, not him.”

I watch her go. My eyes are on her body but I’m barely registering what they’re looking at because the only thing I’m seeing is the woman I think could make me happy. The woman I have to fight myself over.

I am not a man who doesn’t go after what he wants, but Kristen has been my exception to many things for a year now, and it seems she will continue being that exception.

5

Kristen

Three Weeks Later

I stare at my phone. At the unknown number that hasn’t stopped trying to call me for the past hour. I never answer calls from people I don’t know, but I’m beginning to think this person isn’t going to stop. When the ringing ends, only to start again, I swipe the phone and put it to my ear.

“What?” That’s not how I usually answer a call, but with the mood I’m in today, this is all they’re getting from me.

“Kristen?”

My heart flutters at the deep voice on the other end. “Bradford?”

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