* * *

Chloe needed this. She smiled as Adam Levine's super cool voice filled the club with her favorite Maroon Five song, "Lucky Strike".

Actually, she loved anything by them. The year before last she went to five of their concerts and would have probably indulged on the whole tour if Taylor hadn't put a stop to it.

Chloe stood on the dance floor, swaying to the music. Kelly danced with her date a few paces away. Chloe couldn't remember his name but remembered he was some sort of athlete and had all the muscles and tattoos that ticked the box for Kelly.

Chloe was waiting for Chase to return with her drink. She wouldn't normally have agreed to a second date so soon—and this was next day soon—but she thought why not. It was good to do something out of the norm, and it was even better to get away from her worries. She'd had another rough day, and even found herself snapping at one of the fashion assistants for leaning on her desk. Chloe didn't do things like that. She wasn't that type of person, and she wasn't in the habit of making others feel bad or like they were beneath her. She planned to apologize tomorrow and sort out her head too.

They were preparing for the Pierre Beaumont fashion show in a few weeks. Chloe was in charge, and she was excited for this particular show because Pierre had some eye-catching designs that everyone in the fashion world was talking about. He was fairly new in terms of being on par with some of the other big designers but had been designing clothes for about twenty years in Spain. He'd set up shop in New York three years ago, and things just took off from there.

Those were the sorts of stories Chloe loved to hear, and she loved it even more that she had the opportunity to show off his masterpiece designs.

The club was starting to fill out, and it was only nine. More people floated onto the floor as the music changed to Rui Da Silva's "Touch Me". Chloe liked that song, too, and appreciated the solid bass that enhanced the beat as it echoed throughout the room.

She looked across to the bar to see where Chase was. He was still waiting to be served and looked like he'd be awhile, too, with the host of people in front of him. It was a shame. She would have enjoyed dancing to this song with him.

It was fine. Maybe they could on their third date. She decided that not only was he good looking, but she really liked him. He was easy to talk to, funny, and had a great personality. So yes, if there was a third date she'd say yes.

Warm, strong hands slipped around her waist awakening her senses and pulling her from her thoughts. Good, he'd come back to dance with her. His hands pressed on to the flat of her stomach and pulled her up against the solid wall of his chest. She smelled the alluring fragrance of woodland aftershave that turned her knees to water and made her melt.

Sinking into him, she slipped her hands over his. This boldness he exhibited was very attractive. Chloe was always on her guard when it came to men, but maybe she could allow herself a little indulgence. If only for tonight. She leaned her head to the side as he bent down to press his lips to her neck. She smiled and turned to face him so she could kiss him properly but froze when she found herself gazing up into Wade's steely gray eyes.

Her breath caught somewhere between her chest and sternum, and her body stiffened.

"Keep moving just like that, baby. Why'd you stop?" His boldly handsome face smiled down at her with that paralyzing, strong, confident, sexy smile.

Her mouth dropped, and all she could do was glare at him, unable to move.

"Wade?" she breathed. As her strength and awareness returned to her, she straightened up and tried to step out of his grasp, but he held her in place.

He lowered to her ear, tantalizing her with the scent of his aftershave, which exuded his masculinity.

"We need to talk, Chloe." His warm breath caressed her skin like a gentle touch.

Talk? She didn't want to talk to him, and she didn't want to feel like this either.

"I don't know what you could possibly want to speak to me about." She wished he would remove his hands from her waist. Wade was one of those guys who could charm you into anything, bamboozle you with his slick talk and make you forget that there was anything to dislike about him. He could do that with one touch.

"We need to talk about us."

Chloe gazed up at him open mouthed. This was odd, very odd, and she was starting to wonder now if this was one of those weird dreams she used to have when she got too stressed out.

"Come on, baby, let's go." Wade smiled. The arrogance in his smile told her it was real. Along with the sexual energy that vibed off him.

"I'm with my friend," she said dismissively.

"She looks busy," Wade replied. The set of his chin displayed his stubborn streak.

"Oh, just leave me alone," she huffed.

With that he finally released her, allowing her to move closer to Kelly and get her attention. If Chloe wasn't feeling so weak kneed she would have walked away, and as far as talking went, whatever it was he had to say didn't matter.

"Hey, what's going on?" Kelly asked looking at Chloe with an I-told-you-so grin.

"What's your name, sweetheart?" Wade asked Kelly, shifting his weight from one leg to another in a self-possessed stance that emphasized the strength in his powerful, muscular body he took pride in.

Chloe looked him over, standing there before her, devilishly handsome with the gleam of the lights making his blonde hair sparkle. Even in a crowd, his presence was compelling. Only he could manage to bring such character and style to a simple long-sleeved black T-shirt and dark jeans. It would look too casual on anyone else.

"It's Kelly." Kelly glanced at them both. Her date moved closer to join them.

"Kelly, I'm Wade, Taylor's brother. You won't mind if I borrow Chloe for a while, will you? We have some unfinished business to tend to."

Unfinished business? What a way to put it, as if they'd been involved or something.

Chloe gave Kelly a weak look hoping she'd save her from whatever craziness Wade had planned for her, but no, of course Kelly wouldn't save her. She didn't know why she even bothered to be surprised when Kelly said, "Not at all," and offered her sweetest smile.

Noticing her despondent reaction Kelly pulled Chloe closer and leaned in to hiss, "Go. For heaven's sakes, go with the man." She was trying to be as discreet as possible, but Wade heard her. So did her date who chuckled at her encouragement.

"Great, you've been told. Come on, baby."

"Stop calling me that," Chloe retorted. Wade, however, ignored her and took her hand with gentle authority to pull her away.

Just then, Chase returned with her drink. A very puzzled look filled his face when he saw Wade holding her hand.

"Can I help you with something?" he asked Wade.

"Nope," Wade replied.

"Chloe is my date."

Chloe liked that he would be so protective of her. She opened her mouth to speak, but Wade intercepted.

"Sorry buddy, your date just ended."

Embarrassment flushed her cheeks, and she felt terrible when she saw the disappointment on Chase's face. It was so hard as it was to find a nice, normal guy and Wade just made her look like one of those women who came to a club with one guy and left with another.

All she could do was look back as Wade dragged her off through the crowd. He guided her down the ornate staircase to the foyer where they could be alone. As soon as they stopped, she hit him hard in his chest. If he'd been anyone else, he would have at least said ouch, but her strike had no effect whatsoever on the solid mass of muscle her hand contacted with.

"What is the matter with you, you jerk!"

Wade laughed. "I didn't do anything."

He thought it was funny to make her life miserable. What kind of person did that?

"Wade Vanderville, grow the hell up. We are in our thirties and you act like this is some kind of playground where you're allowed to mess with me. I've had enough of your shit."

He must have been able to see how mad she was at him, yet he continued to grin at her.

"I was on a date. I actually like that guy."

"How long have you known him?" He tilted his head to the side drawing her eyes to the rich outlines of his shoulders strained against the cotton fabric of his T-shirt.

"What? What relevance is that?" And it was none of his business.

"Come on, baby, tell me." The baby every minute was irritating enough, but then he went and picked up a lock of her hair, and that made her fume even more.

She made an attempt to smack his hands away, but he caught her hand and held onto it.

"Tell me." He stared deep into her eyes with that look that tended to paralyze her no matter how hard she tried to resist the effect.

"I've known him since last night," she firmly declared.

"Good. Forget him." He said that as simply as if he were talking about food or the weather.

Chloe gasped and stared at him wondering what the hell he was up to. "Wade something is wrong with you."

"Could be, but that's not the point here. The point is you're right. We're in our thirties and it's way past time to address this elephant between us."

"What elephant?" She knew what he was talking about but wanted to make it seem like she wasn't bothered by the past.

"The massive elephant that fuels this nonsense between us. I know we can do better things with our time."

"Like what?" She shook her head at him.

He smirked. "Baby, you don't want to ask me things like that." His look was filled with raw desire. She broke eye contact and frowned as she felt her cheeks warm, and only looked back to him when he released her hand and reached out to turn her face to him.

Wade was standing a breath away from her; anyone passing by would have thought they were a couple.

"I already know what I want." The corners of his mouth slid up into a grin. There was something dangerous about his smile. Something that made her hover between desire and anxiety. "The real question is, what do you want? And when you give me the answer don't think about it. Just do it." He turned his smile up a notch.

She narrowed her eyes at him, not knowing what to say. All she wanted was to be the creative director at Runway. That was the only desire she'd ever had in her life. That and…

Damn it…

Him.

The only other thing she'd ever wanted in her life was him, and he knew it. The arrogant smile on his face told her he did, and suddenly she felt extremely uncomfortable. She didn't want to be her stupid eighteen-year-old self again, and it was absurd that she could still think of him like that.

"I don't know what I want," she lied. "But I do need to get back inside and salvage the remains of my date." It wasn't healthy for her to be near him.

"No," he shook his head. "You don't need to do that. I told you, forget that guy. How about you give me your answer." His menacing smile spiked her nerves.

"I'm not like you, or some kind of animal. I can't just do what I want, who—"

His lips pressed over her mouth, stealing away her next words. Electricity rippled from his lips to hers and washed over her entire body. It held her in place and seized her mind, teasing her to give into the gentle thrust of his tongue as her lips parted. He tasted like raw passion, like the desire that fueled fantasies, and like that thing she needed but hadn't realized.

How could this be?

How could she feel like this?

Wade pulled back with a smile on his face and looked down at her.

Chloe felt light headed like she might faint, so she leaned against the wall behind her.

"Why did you do that?" she asked, bringing her fingers to her trembling lips, now swollen from the heat of their kiss. As far as she knew, he didn't want her, and all the taunts were a way of goading her. Was this another game?

"I wanted to," he breathed.

"You didn't exactly want me in the past, is this some kind of joke to you?"

He laughed, unphased by her question. "You were barely eighteen, and no, this is not a joke. So doll," he rested his hand on the wall beside her head and leaned in closer, tracing the line of her cheekbone and jaw with his other hand. "What do you want?"

Her brain was nowhere to be found, neither were any form of constraints to police her thoughts. He'd given her a taste of what she wanted and was offering it up again. Instinct and want steered her hand up to his face to guide him back to her lips. He smiled as he lowered again to kiss her.

This time when they kissed their unsated desire was on parallel to what they wanted. If Chloe allowed reasoning to guide her she would have run far away from him. Far, far away. Wade was bad for her, seriously bad news, and just wrong for her in every way, but she wanted him, and she enjoyed the taste of him. And didn't want him to stop kissing or touching her.

He tilted his head so he could kiss her more deeply, his tongue claiming her mouth as hers tangled with his. Then he stopped, before they really got going, and pulled back. As his lips left hers and he moved his hand from her waist, she felt the heat from their passion slip away. It slipped away and dissolved into the hazy cloud of desire that surrounded them.

"We'd better stop there, doll, unless that promise to rock my world is still on the table." He smiled slow and sensual.

She pulled in a breath and looked into his eyes, trying to will herself to think past her desire for him.

"I should get back to Kelly." She signaled back to the door and tried to stop blushing as he looked at her.

"Alright doll, now that it's clear what we both want I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yup." He winked at her and backed away. "Tomorrow." He smiled then turned.

She watched him go, still feeling the tingle of electricity ripple throughout her body.

What just happened?

As her senses returned in gradual amounts, she wondered what the hell had just happened indeed, and what would happen tomorrow.

* * *

* * *

Obsession was a bad thing. Even for him. It was a bad thing with people with his temperament who did whatever they wanted.

His focus on Chloe was bad enough before, but now that Wade knew what she tasted like it had awakened a desire within him that he didn't think he could control.

Before he used to just wonder what being with her could have been like. Now it was a fantasy that robbed him of sleep, engulfed his mind with nothing else, and guided his actions.

The next day he planned to go to Runway and see her, but his mother asked him to help her put up some shelves in her office at home. He thought it would only take an hour or two, but then she asked him to help her rearrange her files and some of the furniture. It seemed to be her way of getting him to spend time with her. He wouldn't have minded if he didn't have Chloe on his brain.

The opportunity to see her finally presented itself in the evening.

Wade found himself on Fawn Avenue, standing in front of the beach house Taylor lived in with Chloe and Kelly.

Taylor answered the door on the second ring. She had her hair wrapped in a white towel and some sort of gray gravelly face mask was on her face.

"What are you trying to do, scare people away?"

"It's an emergency mask to calm my skin. I have zits." She started saying something else, but he was too busy scanning the place for Chloe.

He hoped she was here.

"Oh, I just realized this is the first time you've been here." Taylor smiled, making the mask crack a little.

He looked back at her and nodded as he walked inside. "Great place you have here." The place suited her. He looked past the corridor, through to the living room, and up the stairs. It was very feminine and had a sweet candy-like smell. There were lots of pink and purple, flowers in vases and baskets of potpourri. "Where's everyone else?" He didn't ask for Chloe specifically because he could see Taylor obviously thought he was here to see her.

"Kelly and Chloe are in the kitchen baking. You're just in time for cake and ice cream." Taylor's green eyes sparkled.

He followed her through to the open-plan kitchen, adjacent to the sitting room where Chloe and Kelly were. Kelly threw flour at Chloe and laughed when it went all over her face.

"Hey, you crazy girl," Chloe cried, rubbing her face. She reached for a roll of kitchen towel, tore of a piece, and started wiping off the flour.

Both wore plain pink T-shirts and denim shorts. Wade admired Chloe's legs and found it hard to take his eyes off her. When she whirled around and saw him her eyes widened, and her cheeks turned that sweet rose color he liked.

"Girls, we have company, that means we need more cake," Taylor announced with excitement.

"Hi, Wade." Kelly beamed then glanced back at Chloe.

"Oh good, you guys have met." Taylor giggled.

"Yes, we have. Hey Kelly." Wade acknowledged her and then turned his focus back to Chloe, who was still looking at him.

He held her gaze and admired her. Taylor said something he didn't hear again, but he could tell she'd been talking to him because her pitch got a little higher and then she nudged him when he didn't answer.

"Can you guys not do that tonight, please?" Taylor chided, looking at both him and Chloe. "No foolishness and no arguments. It's fun night." She wiggled her fingers.

"Okay," Wade replied, but went right back to looking at Chloe. He didn't want cake or ice cream or any part of fun night. What he wanted was looking right back at him with the same interest that sparked within him for her. He recalled the kiss they'd shared last night, and thought of how smooth and soft her luscious lips were. He remembered that point when she'd melted against him and gave herself to him. Wade wanted her again.

"Wade, hello." Taylor shook his arm, disturbing the memory. Kelly covered her mouth and giggled.

"Yes." He looked back to his sister, who by now had her arms folded and looked back at him shaking her head.

"No foolishness, Wade, I mean it. Chloe is very stressed out."

Chloe shot her a pained look.

"I'm not stressed." Chloe raised her hands and widened her fingers.

"Yes, you are." Kelly placed her hands on her hips. "Maybe for more than one reason," she teased, cutting her a sly glance.

"I'm not stressed," Chloe repeated with emphasis, shaking her head.

"Chloe, I watched you eat an entire box of donuts when you came home, and you were talking in your sleep." Taylor wiggled her finger again.

Wade watched in fascination as Chloe's face reddened even more and she placed her hands at her cheeks.

"Why don't you guys just display me on the ceiling and take turns to pin the tail on me," Chloe grumbled.

"So, what is Chloe stressed about?" He looked at Chloe, trying to appear casual.

"I'm not stressed."

"Oh please," Taylor scoffed, gaping at her. "She's worried she won't get the creative director job. You know Mom never opens a new role, and if and when she does she always has someone in mind for the position before she's even announced it."

Wade met Chloe's uncomfortable gaze. He'd known her all his life and the one constant about her was that she was always into fashion. Not as in dressing fashionable, which yes she did, but she did more than that. She studied it, emulated it, and he had to admit was en route to being a copy of his mother. Wade was certain Chloe had nothing to worry about.

"You'll get it." He tipped his head in a curt nod and was pleased to see a small smile pull at the corners of her delicate mouth.

"Very good." Taylor tapped his shoulder. "Keep this up. I like it. I know you guys can get along if you try."

He agreed wholeheartedly. "Sure, we’ll try." Once he found his way back to Chloe's lips he'd be fine and would show her just how well they could get along.

Taylor smiled wide and nodded with appreciation. "Excellent. Right, I'm going to sort out my face. And hair. I'll be back down in about half an hour."

"How about I help you?" Kelly offered, much to Chloe's dismay. She looked like she didn't want to be left alone with him. With her cheeks tickled pink and an uneasy expression, she turned back to the baking bowls on the kitchen counter while Kelly joined Taylor and the two went upstairs. On the way up they talked about how good Taylor's mask was, and the great effects the ginger extract and banana blend would have on her skin.

In the meantime, Wade concentrated on the beauty before him, and the effects her glowing skin were having on him.

He made his way over to her and stood a few paces away. Wade thought he'd tone his forwardness down a notch tonight, just to allow her a chance to get used to him, and for him to get what he wanted.

She looked at him out the corner of her eyes first, then she turned to face him, gaping at him through cautious eyes.

"Hi," he began. His gaze moved over her flawless skin. This closeness reminded him of the past, and he conjured up the image of her naked body, perfect in every way, soft and tempting. Waiting for him to seize.

"Hi." She brought her fingers together.

"Stop worrying about the job. You shouldn't worry about things like that. It's just a job."

Laughter escaped her lips. "Says the billionaire playboy."

"I'm not a playboy." He wasn't, not anymore.

She laughed again. "Oh, I thought that was a joke."

"It's not."

"Okay." She didn't bother to hide the sarcasm in her voice. "Please don't tell me you think you're a saint."

"I'm not a saint, Chloe." A saint wouldn't be trying to guess what color underwear she was wearing, or thinking of her naked. "I'm not a saint, not a playboy, and definitely not a billionaire."

"Right, okay. The last time I checked you were still Wade Vanderville. You must at least think you're a billionaire."

"No, but my parents are."

"Of course, I see how that differentiates." Sarcasm mingled with humor. At least she wasn't looking at him with the usual scowl.

"I plan to work, to earn a living too, but my job won't be the center of my universe. Anyhow, enough of that. Come on, let's go." He managed to tame the uncontrollable beast within for all of two minutes.

"Go?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Yeah, you may need to bring a jacket."

"Wade, I'm baking. And even if I wasn't, the answer is no."

She had to be the very first woman who'd ever said no to him. It felt odd, but he loved a challenge.

"Why no?"

"I'm baking, my friends are upstairs, and we're having fun night."

"You'd have more fun with me." He liked this part, where she'd start blushing and look shocked at his openness and purely sexual focus on her. Now he moved closer and lowered to taste those delicious lips that fueled his obsession.

He smoothed his mouth over hers, and the kiss immediately became fiery. Wade enjoyed her and the smoothness of her tongue on his.

God, he wanted her bad, and he wanted her now. That was it, enough of this child's play. He pulled away from her and took her hand to usher her outside and into his car.

But she stopped as they got out into the sitting room and pulled back, shaking her head.

"Wade, I can't do this." She struggled to catch her breath and placed her hand on her chest drawing his attention to the hint of cleavage she displayed. "You're driving me crazy."

"Crazy isn't such a bad thing, baby."

"Maybe not for you, but for me it is. Wade this whole thing is crazy, and I think you may be under the influence of something," she stated tentatively.

"You think I'm on drugs." It was natural for her to assume it. He doubted it was something Taylor would have discussed with her in depth, or anybody else for the matter.

"I think there could be a big chance."

"I've been clean for over five years. I am not on drugs," he declared, remembering with perfect clarity his final contact with drugs. That last stint cost him dearly, and he would give anything to change time and change what resulted from that. The effects of that one incident had been enough to make him stop and change forever. He held her gaze, suddenly desperate for her to understand and believe him.

"Okay, well that's good. I'm glad, I am. As much as I can't stand you, I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you."

"You can't stand me?" He chuckled.

"No, I can't." She sounded like she was trying to convince herself as opposed to him.

"You seem to like my lips. I have quite a few more parts you'll like." When he gave her a cheeky grin, she rolled her eyes and turned to walk away, but he caught her arm and pulled her back to him. "Chloe, I thought we addressed this elephant last night."

"That's all you think it takes?" She looked at him with expectancy.

"What do you want?" He allowed his emotions to guide him. Emotions and urges. He thought everything else was just details, so he didn't worry about that. But maybe she did. He guessed he had to factor that in.

"I don't know."

He knew what he wanted. The image of her wearing nothing but that pink thong flashed in his mind. But this time he embellished the fantasy by adding her laid out on his bed with her hair sprawled across it. Her hair was much longer now, longer and sexier. Her breasts were bigger, too, and she'd grown into her womanly curves that screamed at him for exploration.

"Wade." She said his name sharply and glared at him. "Stop looking at my breasts," she snapped.

"I'll try."

She rolled her eyes again and shook her head. "Don't you think this is weird? We're at each other's throats for years, and now you have this sudden interest in me?"

It wasn't sudden. He couldn't exactly explain it, but this wasn't sudden. All he'd ever gone by is how he felt. That was why it was so easy for him to be an addict. The drugs enhanced him, made him feel invincible. When things were shaky at home between his parents, he'd just dose up, when things were rough in college and he teetered on dropping out, he'd just dose up. It was his answer to everything, and the women that were at his beck and call were just an added bonus. It was a dark way to live, and the whole thing nearly destroyed him; it did destroy him, and he'd hurt a lot of people in the process.

That life started in his first year of college and didn't end until he left L.A. She might think he rejected her and that he enjoyed the awkwardness between them, but what he was doing was keeping her away from him. From the dangerous way he lived his life, from how he was back then.

"I guess your silence means I'm right." Her brows pulled down in concentration.

"No. Doesn't mean you're right, doll, not one bit. My interest in you is definitely not sudden." Something sparked within her eyes as she looked at him. He hoped she'd drop this resistance now. He didn't want to talk about the past. As much as it held the fantasy image of her he didn't want to forget, it stirred up too much pain. His answer seemed to appease her, and since he knew she was attracted to him he chose to focus on that.

"Go out with me."

"I'm busy."

"Tomorrow." He smiled.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

At that moment Pisces, Taylor's white Persian cat, ran across the room, jumped through the flap on the back door, and ventured into the night. Her fur looked stark against the darkness.

"I have to brush the cat," Chloe giggled.

"Baby, get someone else to do it. Chloe, when can I take you out?"

She was trying to hide the smile of contentment on her face.

"How about you just stay for fun night?"

"How about we create our own fun night?"

"Wade." She bit the inside of her lip and gave him a pointed look. "If you want fun night, we already have one scheduled."

Ugh. He really didn't want to stay. He could just imagine them watching those boring chick flicks he absolutely hated while they ate cake and gossiped. But if that's what she wanted, he'd do it.

"You could help me bake," she teased, slipping out of his grasp and sauntering back to the kitchen. He watched her and followed, indulging on her perfect figure. He took in the definition of her tiny waist, then the curve of her behind.

Before she grabbed the wooden spoon she left near the bowl, he took her hand again.

"One more kiss, baby. You kiss me." It would fill the gap for tonight.

She was trying hard not to smile but failed miserably. He hooked his finger in one of the loops in her shorts and pulled her closer.

She pressed her hands against his chest as he smoothed his around her waist, coming in contact with smooth, silky skin. He didn't think he'd ever felt skin so soft.

"Come on, doll, remember don't think. Just do. Kiss me."

She smiled as she gazed up at him. "Come here then." She pressed against him as she stood on the tips of her toes and he helped her out a little by bending down to those lips that filled his dreams.

This kiss was sweet, just like her, but with a promise of something more. It reached out to that need he had for her, and also to that need he had for better in his life.

And like last night she consumed his thoughts. Filled his mind with her sweet kisses and fantasy body, sealing herself to his memory.

Chloe filled his thoughts even as he met with his friend Jared on Thursday to talk about a potential business idea. He called Jared last week while he was still in Japan. It was then that Jared put the idea to him: A company that arranged adventure and experience packages like sky diving, bungee jumping, and anything that could appeal to thrill seekers. At the time Wade had been contemplating coming home, and the idea just kind of helped him make up his mind. It was one more reason to come back. Something new that could be successful.

Wade and Jared were both adrenaline junkies, and he couldn't think of a better idea to suit them both. It seemed fitting to set up their own business where they could do what they liked doing the most, what came naturally to them.

Jared had worked for himself before so had the know-how of how to organize everything. Wade would provide the collateral from his trust fund, and that was as far as money from his parents went. When that was gone, he wanted to be in the position to have a good income he would make from the business and a good name for himself. Sure, it was a substantially large trust fund that might take a while to get through, but that was his plan.

Today's meeting would give them a chance to fire their thoughts out and also catch up. It was the first time that Wade had seen Jared since he left, so he felt a little guilty for thinking about Chloe when he should have been focusing on his friend.

They were on the rooftop of Mani's, their favorite sports bar. The perfect office away from an office. They'd talked a lot already about how they would organize everything and when they would start. Jared also mentioned meeting a marketing guru he'd come across and spoke highly of. A guy called Zeek who he wanted to bring on board to set up a campaign for them. He was supposed to be joining them here in a little while.

"This all sounds good, man. I'm very impressed," Wade commented, taking a sip of his drink.

"Glad you like it. I think this will take off massively." Jared grinned, his bright blue eyes lit up as he spoke. "And, what's even better is the competition is low." He brought his hands up to his black spiky hair.

That was a definite bonus. There were maybe three other companies in L.A. that offered a similar service, and of those, he would only class one of them as being serious competition for what they had planned. It was called Thrills, and Wade only thought of them because they were established and well known.

Wade was hoping that some of the clients at Thrills would venture their way. It might not happen but there was no harm in hoping. He thought they could start with a bang and offer some free packages that would bring people in.

"So, when should we start?" Wade smiled. They hadn't decided on that yet.

"I think end of next month." Jared sighed. That would take them into April. It would be spring and people would be planning for spring break and other getaways. That was a perfect time. "It will give us time to set up our shop, the packages, and market them."

Wade nodded, agreeing. "And with the packages, should we go in big with the jungle tours and excursions to Europe and Asia? Or just stick to the smaller ones?"

"Well Wade, you're the money man. It's up to you. I'm game for either." Jared laughed.

"Then let's go big and offer everything."

Why not? If they were doing this, they should do it properly. The aim shouldn't be to be as good as Thrills. It was to be better. Going in big may be expensive because it would mean getting more staff and outsourcing the places they wanted to arrange the adventures in, but it would be very profitable.

"Great. And the name, what should we call ourselves?” Jared looked excited. “I was thinking of Adrenaline." His face became more animated as he spoke and he made a show of lingering on the last syllable.

Wade nodded, liking that idea. "I love it."

"Woohoo, looks like we're in business man." Jared raised his hand to give Wade a high five. Like they used to back in college.

"I'm so excited to work with you," Wade smiled. "This is good for me."

It felt good to be doing something positive, moving in the right direction.

Jared offered an understanding smile. "Good. You're sure you're up to all this?"

"I'm fine, and it will be great to work with you."

"So, business aside." Jared straightened and clasped his hands together. The way he did when he was about to ask Wade something awkward. Then he got that tentative look everyone else had around him. "How are you keeping?"

That translated to "are you still on drugs?"

Wade took no offense to it. Jared had been his friend for years, and it was natural to ask. It was also understandable to ask because they were about to enter into a business partnership. Wade was sure Jared didn't want him messing things up.

"I'm not on drugs, and I don't plan to be ever again," Wade responded with a small smile.

Jared pressed his lips together and had that same guilty look everyone who asked had. "That's good. But, I really did just want to know how you were."

"Thanks. I appreciate that. I'm okay."

"Is it weird being home?"

"It's weird but feels right. I'm going to check out apartments as soon as I can."

"What, the Vanderville hotel isn't to your liking?" Jared laughed.

Wade smiled and shook his head. Vanderville hotel, he was perhaps right to call it that. His parents' house was huge with its five bedrooms, two living rooms, an office each for his mother and father, a tennis court, and swimming pool. It looked more like a hotel or holiday resort.

"I need my own space," he replied.

Being home was nice, but he wanted somewhere he could call his. Also, there was whatever was going on with his parents to think about. He knew all too well the tension that could cause. His father was definitely up to something that would inevitably be to his mother's detriment. Knowing that alone had made it uncomfortable for him to live there.

"You should check out Riverside. They've got some cool new condos close to the beach."

That sounded nice. It sounded like him.

"Oh, hey, our marketing wiz just came in." Jared lifted his head and motioned to a tall, lanky guy with blonde curly hair.

"Hey," the guy said with a bright smile when he approached them.

"Hey man. Thanks for coming." Jared got up to shake his hand. "Zeek this is Wade."

Wade put out his hand to shake Zeek's. "Hi Wade. I actually went to school with you."

Wade widened his eyes. He had no recollection of this guy. "Really? I'm sorry I…" It was perhaps rude to continue and let their marketing contact know he couldn't remember him at all.

Zeek chuckled. "It's cool. High school was a long time ago, and the jocks don't usually tend to remember the geeks."

Wade remembered Wesley. But that was more likely because he was with Chloe all the time, like a damn rash. He bit the inside of his lip hoping Zeek hadn't suffered the torture of High School Wade. He definitely wasn't a nice person back then, or yes, any other time, but particularly then.

"I'm sorry. But Jared tells me great things about you." That was him being nice and bringing the subject back to the purpose of their meeting.

Zeek pulled up a chair and sat opposite Wade.

"I'm glad to hear that." Zeek nodded.

"Tell him about the air show." Jared laughed.

Zeek straightened up. "Now that is a story to tell. I did a campaign for these stunt guys that flew World War II planes. Within a week, I sold a hundred thousand tickets. Then there was so much demand they had to schedule in another three shows."

"Whoa." Wade was thoroughly impressed. "How'd you do that?"

Zeek smiled. "I have my ways."

"Sounds like you'll be good for us."

"Believe me. I have all sorts of things planned." Zeek nodded with enthusiasm.

Good. Wade felt good about this. It felt like things were finally starting to come together.