Stuart

Nikki is behind the front desk when I arrive at the Princeton office Monday morning. Her eyes go wide, and she lets out a little shriek, hopping out of her chair and circling the reception desk. She stops in front of it, in front of me, wringing her hands as if she wants to give me a hug but is unsure whether it’s allowed.

“I didn’t think you’d be back!” Her voice is breathless, and I notice her usual too-tight wrap dress has been replaced with tight pants and a long sweater.

“Derek and I are discussing how long I’ll stay,” I say, noncommittal. “I didn’t realize you were still here.”

Nikki and I had a one-night stand years ago. It was a stupid mistake on my part at a time when I thought I was returning to Saudi for a very long time, possibly forever. Needless to say, it put a strain on our office relationship and caused some friction between her and me and Mariska. Supposedly it’s all behind us now.

“I’m here working with Slayde. He’s running the satellite office here.”

“Right,” I say with a nod.

Slayde Bennett is a young guy Derek hired to help with research and surveillance. He’s a good worker, from what I understand. Thorough. He’s also the boyfriend of Mariska’s best friend Kenny.

“Is Slayde here?” I look around the office, but Nikki shakes her platinum-blonde head.

“He’s out today, had a meeting with some doctor in Bayville.” My brow lines at the mention of that familiar location, but she quickly adds. “I don’t think it’s anything serious.” Motioning toward the back office, she leads the way. “Your things are still in Derek’s old office.”

“I’m not planning to stay long.” I follow her, looking away from her ass. I only want one ass… “I just stopped in to make a phone call then I’m headed to the condo.”

“I’ll leave you alone then.” She stops at the door and smiles. “It’s great to have you back.”

I only nod in response, and she closes the sleek wooden door. The entire office is dark wood, glass, and stainless steel accents. It’s all very masculine and professional. Going behind the enormous desk, I experience all the same sensations as the last time I stood here in an expensive suit looking out the window of this office. My shoulders are tense, and my thoughts fly to a place far from here.

The phone cuts through my discomfort, and I reach out to touch the button for speakerphone. “Stuart Knight,” I say.

“Let me guess, you’re already searching for a reason to leave.” Derek’s voice is a good, familiar sound, and he’s exactly right about how I feel.

I have to laugh. “You got me.”

“At least knowing your ass this long has some perks. I confess I was surprised when you said you were coming back. I thought Montana had won this time. What happened?”

Exhaling, I drop into the soft leather chair. “Too much to go into here, brother. I’ll have to tell you another day.”

“Over scotch at Mediterra. I’ll drive up tomorrow.”

Derek relocated to North Carolina when he and Melissa got married. So did my little brother with his wife Elaine, who was already living there.

“Anything pressing you need me to handle?”

“Not really. Slayde does a great job handling our business in Princeton. I’ll go through my files and see if there’s anything that might interest you. We can chat about it all tomorrow evening.”

“Sounds good.” I hit the button to end our call. I take a moment to look over the files sitting out on the desk.

Alexander-Knight LLC specializes in online security for several of the largest banks in the country. It’s all about keeping the hackers out and maintaining online security. We get notices of threats pretty regularly, which we do our best to follow in the hopes of arresting minor criminals before they commit major crimes. It’s good work, but to me, it’s as boring as hell.

I flip through a few documents, open a few windows on the computer. From what I can tell, nothing is outstanding. Shutting the computer down, I collect my keys and head out the door.

---

Mariska

Back a month with no sign of an engagement ring is all the encouragement Pete needs to start leaving me little gifts again. The first was a beaded hemp bracelet wrapped in purple tissue.

Kenny had pulled it out of my cubby and tried it on her wrist. “Here we go again,” she muttered under her breath.

My eyes flashed out to the gym where my constant admirer was working with a retiree. “Stop, he’ll hear you.”

“He’s fifty feet away!”

“He’ll know you’re talking about him if you’re holding his gift.” She rolled her eyes and stuffed my gift back in my cubby.

Now, following my new haircut and new clothes, the gifts are preppier. Kenny leans on the counter looking at the latest addition, a slim phone case. It’s white with gold stripes and has my initials in a circle on the back.

“Can I be Pete’s forever love next?” she teases. “I need a new phone case.”

I straighten when he walks up beside her. “Hey, Mare.” He puts his hands on the counter and leans forward, flexing his triceps. “Would you mind mixing up a cinnamon bun smoothie for me?”

Blinking away, I dump dark green powder in the mixer and reach for the canister of protein. “It’ll be a second. I’m making Kenny’s Matcha tea, and I’ll need to wash everything so it doesn’t taste weird.”

“You’re the best.” He smiles and steps back dropping his chin and grinning up through his eyebrows. “Sorry for the extra work.”

Kenny exhales a groan. “She has to wash the blender anyway.”

Cutting my eyes at her, I empty half a cup of ice and hit the button. The loud whirr prevents any more discussion, but Pete gives me a wink. His eyes are bright blue, and when he grins that way, a dimple shows on his cheek. He’s actually a great guy. My heart’s just never been in it.

Releasing the button, I grab Kenny’s insulated cup and dump it in, passing the drink to her.

“Cinnamon bun…” I say flipping through my notebook, quickly passing the sketch that always shreds my insides.

“Thanks,” he says, waiting. Kenny is still with us sipping and watching. I can’t tell if he’s waiting for her to leave. I’m silently praying she stays.

“So anyway,” he says with an exhale, looking from my best friend to me. “You know the Cay is still open. Tuesday is ladies’ night. Want to ride over with me?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I…” My mind scrambles, and I look to Kenny for help. “I have to go to this… thing.”

“Come on,” Pete says, reaching across the counter and patting my hand. “It’s just a drink. You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”

“But I promised Kenny—”

“It’s okay!” She straightens, smiling. “You can meet Slayde and me there.”

My mouth drops, but I close it fast. If she were on the other side of the bar, I would have kicked her hard.

Pete turns to her grinning. “You’re going to the Cay tonight? Awesome!” Looking at me, he does a little finger gun. “I’ll pick you up at eight. I know it’s a work night, so we don’t have to stay late.”

“Sounds like fun,” I say, jerking the glass mixer off its base and carrying it to the sink. With my back turned, I press my lips into a frown. I can’t believe Kenny tricked me like that. At least she and Slayde will be there.

The space is an upscale dance club in Bayville that’s all brass hardware and red vinyl everything. It still shines like a penny, and defying our initial predictions that it would close in a year, it’s actually buzzing with activity for a Tuesday night. I can’t believe I’m here.

Pete holds my arm as we enter. I’m pretty conservative in a black shift dress that stops mid-thigh. It has a skinny brown-leather belt at the waist, and I wore my matching booties. I almost just wore my khaki pants and a shirt, but ultimately I decided it is a dance club. I should wear a dress even if dancing is the last thing I feel like doing. I’m thankful for the switch, otherwise Pete and I would have looked like twins.

“What can I get you?” He leans forward and speaks in my ear over the loud thumping of the bass.

“Tequila Sunrise,” I shout, scanning the crowd for our friends. I know they’re here because I texted Kenny from the car.

Finally I spot them. Kenny is wearing a filmy red dress that’s thigh-high and has spaghetti straps. Slayde is in his usual jeans and black tank, leaving his muscled arms and ink on full display. I watch a moment as he smooths his hand down her arm. My best friend leans in and kisses him lightly on the lips, and I try not to ache for Stuart.

When she sees me, she waves and skips over on mile-high black stilettos. “Hey! Hey!” She dances up and gives me a hug.

Slayde follows at a slower pace. Once he reaches us, he squeezes my shoulder. “Hey, girl, you ready for tomorrow?”

“I think so. Thanks.” I nod as Pete hands me my drink and take a long pull hoping the alcohol will ease my racing nerves.

Slayde and I have been working on finding the doctor who diagnosed and treated me all those years ago, and he’s pretty sure he has the right guy. Tomorrow afternoon, we’re headed to his office in Seaside Park to try and get some answers.

“I’ll pick you up at one,” he shouts as a David Guetta song blasts through the air.

“My jam!” Kenny squeals, grabbing my arm and dragging me to the dance floor.

Her red dress shimmers around her upper thighs, and her deep purple hair swishes in long whips with her movements.

“I have to confess…” Kenny starts. We’re back to back then we turn and face each other for a little shimmy in time with the music. “As much as I miss the old Mariska, I love your new look. Tres chic.”

I shake my head, letting my new haircut bounce around my cheekbones. “I feel like I’m in disguise. I don’t know who I am anymore.”

Her dark brows pull together, and she does a little frown. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

Shrugging, I raise my eyebrows and take another long sip of tequila. “I don’t see how I could feel any other way.” After all I’ve lost.

Her purple head tilts to the side. “Still, I hope you’re looking for answers and not giving up on finding them.”

“I’m not looking for anything.” My voice sounds strangely cold to me, but it’s the truth. These past few weeks have taught me nothing is guaranteed. I’m not holding onto anything anymore.

We’re at the edge of the enormous dance floor in the center of the bar. A disco ball sends showers of speckled lights all around us, and strobes bounce off every shiny thing. A spray of fake smoke filters around our feet, and girls dressed in fringe twist and churn in dancer cages at the four corners.

A second level houses rows of red-vinyl booths with small tables leading to balconies where patrons can look down on us from above. It’s impressively posh, and it’s steadily filling with Ocean County singles.

We’re in the middle of a crowd of dancers, and they’re all moving and swaying to the beat when I notice a few girls to the right of us by the bar pulling each other’s arms and pointing. One starts to giggle and covers her mouth, and curiosity gets the better of me.

Turning my head, I look for whatever has them so excited. Two men, impressively tall and very well dressed are standing across the bar. Looking closer, I realize Slayde is talking to one of them. Pete is standing beside him looking a mixture of disgusted and uncomfortable.

My throat tightens as I watch them start to walk in our direction. When the tall man steps out of the shadows, I stop dancing. I’m standing on the dance floor facing Stuart.

My heart clenches, and my stomach cramps. I can’t decide which way I want to run—to him or out the door. He studies me for several moments, and I see all the emotions warring in my chest reflected in his eyes.

He’s my man.

He’s not my man.

I need to go to him.

I need to stay away from him.

What is he doing here???

Kenny stops dancing when she sees where I’m looking, and I feel her hand clasp mine. “Are you okay?”

I can’t answer her. I can’t move as Stuart Knight begins moving toward me. Dancing couples part before him like the Red Sea before Moses, and in my peripheral vision, I notice Pete is coming toward me from a different angle.

Stuart arrives first, and for a moment we’re suspended in time so close we could touch each other. My skin is humming, and my head feels light.

“You’ve changed your hair.” His voice is like warm liquid spilling through my insides. I almost close my eyes. Almost.

“I’ve changed a lot of things.” I’m shocked at how calm my voice sounds. My heart is thumping all around in my chest.

“Not everything, I hope.” He smiles, revealing those straight white teeth. My thumb itches to touch his chin.

“I wouldn’t even know how to begin to answer that.”

Another song starts up, and the dancers around us close the gap, twisting and turning to the music.

Pete’s at my side, and I feel him touch my arm. “Is he bothering you?” he shouts over the noise, but I can’t look away from Stuart.

I notice Kenny at my side, taking his arm. “Come on, tough guy,” she says. “I’ll buy you a drink.”

A dancer bumps into me, sending me straight into Stuart’s chest. A wave of cedar-tinged Stuart-smell assaults my senses, and I exhale a little noise. Thankfully, it’s lost in the music. Oh, god, how I’ve missed his scent.

“Can we go somewhere else?” Our faces are so close, and his smoky hazel eyes brim with… something. “Away from the noise?”

I’m afraid to be alone with him. I don’t know if I’m strong enough yet. I’m pretty sure I’ll never be strong enough to tell him to go to hell. I don’t even know if that’s what I want to say. Still, with all we’ve been through and all I’ve learned, I can’t be the person I was before.

“I don’t know,” I answer truthfully. “I’m not sure if I’m ready.”

He glances down, and my eyes run all over his face. His hair is longer than he usually wears it. It ends in shaggy curls around his ears. His face is lined and tired, and his body is lean again, like it was when we were first together when he was fighting the drugs.

“You’ve been working.”

“Trying to kill the pain.” His voice is rough, and it moves something inside me.

“The stairs in the back lead down to the beach.” I point in the direction of the DJ booth. “We can walk along the shore if you want.”

He nods and follows me as I lead us through the crowd to the back entrance. A wide patio is attached to the back of the club, and couples are scattered around in different levels of engagement. I don’t linger, walking through them and going down the wide staircase to the beach below.

Stuart is right behind me, and the closeness of this man sends waves of desire crashing through my insides. I have to fight it.

“It’s warm tonight,” I say, pausing to slip off my booties.

“Can I help you with those?”

Shaking my head, I walk straight to the water. It’s breaking in small waves tonight, sending little ripples of briny sand between my toes.

“So you’re here with Pete?” I can’t tell if that’s jealousy in his voice, but I decide not to notice.

“He’s easy.” My voice is quiet. “Safe.”

“Since when do you like safe and easy?” The taunting in his voice makes me want to cry. I can’t do this with him. Not after everything.

“What do you want, Stuart?”

“The same thing I’ve always wanted. You.”

Another wave of emotion crashes in my chest. “No.” Shaking my head, I turn to the side. “I can’t hear that from you. You left me when I needed you. I reached for you, and you weren’t there.”

Stepping forward, he catches my hand, pulling me to his chest. “You were so hurt. I felt like seeing me hurt you more.”

I push him away. “You blamed me. You went away because you were angry with me for what happened. Be honest. You went away to hurt me.”

His chin drops, and I watch the line of his jaw move. “I was angry.”

“I knew it!” I shout, turning to walk away, but he grabs my arm, stopping me.

“But not at you.” The pain in his eyes expands, and I see my torment reflected there. “I was angry with myself. I didn’t protect you when you needed me, and I couldn’t forgive myself for letting you be hurt. I love you, Mariska. You’re my gypsy. You’re my wife.”

I shake my head, pulling away. “I’m not your wife. I’m not your anything. I never was.”

He looks down, and I watch as he runs a hand over his stomach. “To me you’re everything.”

“No.” Shaking my head, I cover my ears with my hands. “I only wanted a family. I wanted one so badly, I was ready to believe anything to make it real. I was young and stupid.”

“No you weren’t. You’re mine.” His strong arms surround me, pulling me to his body. “We can’t go from what we had to this. It’s not possible. You came in and changed my life. You changed everything. Every day you’re in my mind. I can’t shake you no matter how hard I work, no matter how hard I punish myself.”

“Stop…” My insides ache. Every word he says is a firebrand to my chest. “You don’t know what I know. When those things happened, you thought I had a gift. You thought I had special knowledge, but I don’t. I’m not special. I’m sick, and I’m meeting with a doctor tomorrow to find out how much.”

Stuart’s face darkens, and his brow lowers. “What do you mean you’re sick? What’s wrong?”

I’m so ashamed of the truth. I don’t know how to say it to him. Still, I have to tell him everything so he’ll see what I know—that I’m wrong for him, and he has to let me go.

“When I was a child, I had a virus. It affected my brain…” My voice trails off, but Stuart holds me in that intense gaze.

“And?” he orders, and I hear an edge in his tone. “What does that mean?”

“I was diagnosed schizophrenic.” My chin drops as my insides collapse. “My grandmother took me away from the hospital and kept me at home with her. She said I had a gift, and she changed the diagnosis into some kind of spiritual thing.”

“You think that’s why you have your dreams?”

“I know that’s why I have them. What I don’t know is how much of it is real, and how much of it is a delusion, a break in my mind.”

My cheeks are coated with tears, and I want to go. He won’t let me. He holds me tighter against his chest, cupping his hands on each side of my face, and wiping my tears away with his thumbs.

“I don’t care.” His voice is thick. “If you’re sick, we’ll get you a doctor. They have medicines—”

“If I’m sick, it changes everything.” Pushing back, I put space between us. “I’ll never be able to have a family. I won’t take that kind of risk.”

“You’re still the woman of my dreams.” He reaches for my hand, but I move it away. “I believe in us, Mariska. I believe in you. You saved me from a life that was killing me. Come home with me. I’ll take care of you.”

Shuddering a breath, I turn my face. “Please leave me alone, Stuart.” My insides hurt so badly. I’m so close to giving in to him, but I can’t. I have to find answers. “I need you to leave me alone.”

“Okay.” His arms drop, and he steps back. “I’ll leave you alone.” I exhale a breath, my eyes heating as gratitude mixes with the emptiness in my chest. “But I won’t leave without you. When I go, I take you with me.”

My brow lines. “What do you mean?”

He reaches out to touch my cheek. “I’ll be in Princeton at the condo. When you’re ready, I’ll be waiting to come and get you.”

A flame kindles in my heart at his words. I have to find the answers to my past. I can’t go forward or build a life until I know the truth about myself. Still, as much as I want to fight him, I can’t ignore the inner shift I feel. He’ll wait for me. Those four words give me the strength I need to make this journey. The strength to believe I might come out on the other side. I might survive this.