Chapter 5 05 | don't

"Hey, Amy." Luna called, tucking her dark bob behind an ear. "I need to get some things sorted out at the back. You don't mind covering for me, do you? I won't be long."

I smiled at her, dropping a new box of supplies at the end of the shop and walked up to the front desk. "Sure, no problem."

Luna was a friend and classmate of mine. Her parents owned a utility shop and whenever she wasn't too busy with school work she'd be here helping out. Their employee Zack had called in sick and she was filling his saturday shift.

She muttered her thanks and slid past a door leading to the back, leaving me in charge. Business was slow today and only less than a dozen people had come in all day. I'd dropped by to return a note she lent me after classes on wednesday and ended up helping her move a few boxes.

I found myself moving for the magazine rack, scanning the various glossy covers for one that appealed to me. I bit the side of my lip in thought and went for one I frequented, absentmindedly flipping through the pages when my phone chimed. I dropped the magazine back on the rack and slid out my phone, finding text messages from my sister, Jo.

Josephine

1:34 PM

omfg is this you????

The text was followed up with a link, sending me to the page of a popular online magazine. I scrolled hastily, stopping at the first image on the site. My heart stuttered, and not in a good way.

Holy crap.

A photo of Finn and I dancing in the ballroom of the Henley hotel graced my screen. The picture had been taken in the most precise moment, our bodies pressed together as we stared at each other in a way that could easily be mistaken as intimate. To anyone we looked like star struck lovers sharing an romantic moment.

I steadied my breathing as I read the caption.

Billionaire tycoon Finn Harris spotted slow dancing with a woman that is not Hailey Ford.

I scrolled further, scanning the page for things they wrote about me. Luckily it was a short piece and they didn't include my name, although they hinted that I'd soon be traced down by people eager to know. Being an inactive user of social media did pay off. When I got to the bottom, several related articles were suggested, all of which had to do with Hailey. Apparently being a rich model/influencer made her life public property, and Finn was her boyfriend. And now I was the woman said boyfriend danced with.

Quickly, I did several Google searches and found out that not only did other blogs carry the story, physical magazines did too. That meant that anybody and everybody could see it.

I closed the app and inhaled. I bet the tabloids were lapping up this juicy story, no doubt. It explained why I had been getting more glances from people on campus than usual. Hailey was supposed to be on that page, not me. And it was all Finn's fault.

I returned back to the cash register and texted Jo, giving the excuse that I was too busy to check it out at the moment. Hopefully she'd let it be. Next was Nate. This was going to further highlight his established point that Finn's dance with me wasn't casual, if the flowers were any of indication. I'd told him to stop watching Disney.

The bell at the entrance chimed as someone came in. I was engaged with my phone until I felt a presence stand in front of me. I looked up and my eyes widened as my heart stopped. This time in a good way.

As if he was well aware of his effect on me, a small smile formed on his mouth.

His gorgeous mouth.

I instantly chastised myself for the lucid thoughts that ran through my head. I came to the conclusion that Finn Harris was bad for me. I could feel all the promises I made to myself gradually fade with each second I spent with him.

And he barely did anything except look at me in that way that made me feel giddy and excited and anxious all at once.

What was someone like him doing here, in a store downtown away from the the bustling city he fitted perfectly into?

"What can I help you with?" I finally found my voice, trying to hold his gaze when all I wanted to do was avert my eyes at the intensity of those green pools.

"I came to see you," his voice was low and rough as he spoke, and the room suddenly felt a whole lot smaller.

He was dressed casually-a change of pace from his formal attire of suits-in dark jeans and a sweatshirt that clung well around his broad chest. His dark blond hair was mussed, like he just rolled out of bed. Fuck, it was sexy as hell.

"How did you know that I'd be here?" I asked, resting my palms on the counter top.

He shrugged, eyes finally leaving mine to briefly scan the store before returning to me. "Lucky guess. When is your shift going to be over?"

"Actually, I-"

"Oh no, she doesn't work here. Go on ahead and steal her away." Luna appeared from the back, a smug smile on her face as her eyes moved between Finn and I.

I sent her a wide eyed look as I retrieved my bag from the back. By the time I returned, she had him engaged in an animated discussion. One of the many skills that I lacked-the ability to hold a decent conversation. She was small compared to him and had to tilt her head back to talk to him.

Finn walked ahead of me, leaving the shop and giving me a chance to talk to Luna.

"That man's the definition of an Adonis. He could melt my pants off with his looks alone." Luna gushed, looking like she needed to seat down and cool off.

"Do me a favor? Install one of those filters you sell in the shop in your head, will you?" I laughed, waving her goodbye before stepping out.

Finn was standing by a black G-wagon in front of the shop. A well built man stood not too far off by another sleek, black vehicle and telling by his stance, he was with Finn. Or for him.

"There's a café just within walking distance where we can talk." His eyes studied me careful like he expected me to refuse. I didn't have any reason to. I had some things I wanted to talk about too.

"Okay."

Slipping my hands into my coat pockets, I joined him and we began the short walk to the Café. No words were uttered, just our footsteps filling the deep void. Finn didn't attempt conversation while I used the time to prep myself ahead.

We got in and settled in a corner booth, Finn ordering a cup of black coffee, strong and I a cappuccino. The waitress could barely keep her eyes off Finn, the longing in them unmistakable. Maybe they didn't have multi-billionaires drop in often.

"I'm sure you've seen the stories going around about the dinner."

I licked my lips swiftly. "They think we have a thing going on. I didn't know dancing with you was going to be a big deal. Why didn't you dance with Hailey? I mean, she's your girlfriend after all."

He was silent for a moment and didn't break eye contact as he said, "I know you were listening that night. To the argument."

My jaw fell. My face warmed up, blood rushing up. It felt embarrassing to be caught so openly.

"And I know you know about our... unconventional arrangement."

The gears in my head were clicking in place. He had no idea I barely understood what was going on, but I could at least try... "Your arranged relationship?"

He winced, looking mildly irritated. "Yes. That one."

Oh my, "is that why you danced with me? To get back at her?"

"Partly," he admitted without hesitation or falter. His face was expressionless, a little disinterested, but bare nonetheless. "She ended things with me that night and there was no way I could end the dinner without dancing with my girlfriend. It was a partnership with her father, I was the host. So compromises had to be made and we can see how the papers are handling that."

"Why dance at all? And why me?" The question that ran though my head anytime thoughts of him came to mind.

He didn't look in my eyes. "Impulse."

"So what, you're worried I'm going to out your secret?"

"What do you want in return for your silence? I promise I'll triple any amount you could possibly get from the media."

I frowned. What type of person did he peg me for, an opportunist?

"I'm not about to go telling the world about your relationship problems, get that clear," I bit out, narrowing my eyes well enough that he squared up. "You wish I gave a fuck. If that's what this whole meeting about, then I think we're done here."

He nodded, taking my anger better than I'd expected. "I also came to set things straight, do you a favour. The dance was out of obligation, not that I have feelings for you."

I gasped at his bluntness. "What?"

"It's hard for any woman not to fall for me. You were pretty easy to read that night."

"I do not like you!"

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

"Look, Amanda. You're a nice girl, the kind of niceness that should not be associated with people like me. I'm the kind of person your mother warned you about."

The bastard. I glared at him, watching him serve my judgement with ease. His green eyes were watching me like they always did and the thought that he presumed he had me all figured out made my blood boil even more than the blatant rejection.

I was sick and tired of people acting like I was an equation they understood and could easily read inside out. It stirred a buried bag of insecurities and nasty memories buried deep that always made me cry.

But this time I was going to do anything but. I'd sealed that chapter of my life closed two years ago, and I would not take it lightly with anyone who thought they could just waltz into my life, rattle me and disappear into thin air.

No.

"Falling for you is the last thing I'd ever do, Finn Harris. And if you think I'm like those girls that fawn over you, you're very much mistaken. I hope you have a nice life," I stood up and grabbed my bag. "I would've said it was nice meeting you, but that would be a fucking lie. My mother warned me against that too."

I got up and was a few steps away when I remembered something. I spun round to where he was watching me and marched back to the table.

"I don't know how you got my address, you arrogant, entitled son of a bitch, but I want it erased from your memory. And maybe I can get yours so I can return your stupid flowers. I don't know what possesses a man to send flowers to a girl he doesn't give a shit about."

And with that I walked out, leaving my half empty cup of coffee and finding my way back to Luna's. I got into my car that was parked and drove off, trying to keep my mind busy with anything but Finn's aggravating face.

*

"I can't believe you have me drinking on a school night."

Nate had met a girl at a friend's party and he was absolutely smitten. He arranged that we meet at a bar, probably so he could rub it in my face that he was fortunate in his love life.

She was nice and fun altogether, very different from Chloe. Her voluminous red curls were held up in a high ponytail with striking blue eyes and lips that pulled into the most charming smiles. I quietly sent out a prayer that her attitude would compliment her beauty.

"Amy, this is my girlfriend, Sienna and Sienna, this is my first born, Amanda." Nate said, standing beside her.

Sienna offered me her hand which I took. "It's a pleasure meeting you, Amanda."

"Likewise," I smiled, grimacing at Nate's first born comment. "Don't mind Nate."

"He's told me so much about you." She grinned, and I instantly took a natural liking to her. I was relieved she didn't feel threatened by the hot best friend like Chloe had been. She trusted him.

"Okay, girls. What will it be?"

"Let's do shots." Sienna clapped, almost bouncing on her feet.

Nick ordered a round of three shots and we counted down before downing the hard liquor. I grunted as the liquid burned down my throat, leaving a hot trail as I gasped.

Sienna laughed and patted Nate on his back. "Another round?" She was as unmoved as a bull.

"One more." We both agreed. I was driving and I'd hate to be tipsy. After downing the next one, the three of us hit the dancefloor and lost ourselves for an hour and by the time I felt beat, I was buzzing with perspiration.

I had to bid Nate and Sienna an early goodbye, not wanting to wake up late tomorrow morning.

"Drive safe. I really enjoyed myself." Sienna engulfed me in a hug and I giggled against her neck.

"Me too." I waved them off and stepped out of the club, feeling the cool air envelope me. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to locate where my car was parked. I recognised the smoky grey colour from afar and walked to it, pressing the unlock button on the key. The lights blinked and I paused, noticing the back bumper had been mercilessly defaced with a deep gorge threatening to rip it apart.

My jaw fell, and the feeling of shock I felt was soon replaced by rage. A further inspection of the damage and I found scratches so severe that the person who caused this might have been drunk or brain dead. And unbelievably fucked up to hit and run.

I steadied my breathing, closed my eyes and counted to three. By the time I opened them, I still felt like wringing someone's neck.

I was not going to get upset after the fun I'd just had. Absolutely not. I unlocked my door and noticed a white card wedged between the glass. I slipped it out and got in, reading the content.

It was a complimentary card with the words Elliot Larsen, written simply on it. Below was an address and a messy scrawl.

Sorry for the inconveniences caused. Call me, let's fix this.

So it wasn't a hit and run after all. I switched my car into reverse, driving out of the parking lot. By the time I got home it was past one and I didn't think anyone would fancy being contacted at this hour. I decided to call in the morning and dropped on my bed, exhaustion numbing me instantly.