“Credit card? Car? What?”

He nods, “Yes. As my personal assistant I will need you to travel with me at times and you need to look your best. Our firm is all about being professional, and having fun of course. Our clients are multi-billionaires and expect the best, so we show them the best.” I look down at my outfit and cringe. “You look fine, Bayleigh,” he tells me, “and the car will be used for whatever you need to. Working for me, I don’t want you to use your own vehicle or money. If you and Mandy go out for lunch or happy hour, use the card and if you run an errand for me, use the card and car. See where I’m going?” I nod, still in shock that these perks are being given to me. “Also, there’s a card for my driver, Johnson, so whatever you need, please call him and he’ll be at your disposal. Like I said, the information is all there, so be sure to read it over.”

“No problem. I got it.”

“I’m a very laid back and fun man, but I expect the best. My door is always open and I expect you’ll have questions, so be sure to ask. I’ll need you to attend meetings with me and take notes, review anything I write to make sure I don’t sound like an idiot,” he laughs. “In case I am absent, I’ll need you to still attend any meetings or functions. Other than that, there will be basic, every day assistant tasks, and like I said, if you have questions, ask.”

“Got it,” I smile. “So, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“What happened to your other assistants?”

“Well,” he leans back and smirks, “I’ve had a few and all of them were let go because of incompetence and one wanted me for herself,” he laughs. “I’m a smart man or else my name wouldn’t be up on the door alongside my best friends. I work hard and expect my team to work hard. I’m honest and expect honesty. Get it?”

“Yes, sir.” Saying this causes him to smile. We talk about some other tasks and he shows me to my office. I’m stunned. My desk is huge and there’s a long couch against the wall along with a bookcase, two chairs in front of my desk, and a view of Rochester. “Wow,” I exclaim, “this is awesome!” Turning around, I look at Damon, “Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome. Get comfortable and settled in. We have a meeting at noon,” he winks and heads out of my office.

Turning on the computer and taking out the information from the packet, I read everything over and nothing seems to be out of the ordinary. Breathing easier, I turn my chair to face the outside world and spread out my arms, feeling free.

Starting at noon until five, we have meetings and seeing Damon in action is brilliant. He’s confident with his words and people listen. We don’t have time to talk between meetings and I keep the notes clear and to the point. In the packet he gave me this morning, it states he doesn’t want essays, he wants the major points, any problems and solutions. In addition, he wants me to add any of my thoughts if I have any, and then all the notes need to be typed and emailed to him, but to store the paper notes in a safe place.

Finishing my email, I press send and gather my things. I head to Damon’s office to say goodbye and see Mandy sitting down, talking to him. Knocking on the door, I get their attention and smile, “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” I look at Mandy and the look in her eyes confirms my initial thought. Damon’s the Mystery Man. I know her too well and how she’s been acting.

“Have a nice night and good job today,” Damon tells me with a smile.

“Thanks. Mandy, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Sounds good,” she responds.

With a final wave, I head out of the office and to my car. When I get back home, I feel different. It feels good to be out of the house and doing something. I have a job and I’ll be making money. I look around my house and check my dad’s office. No one’s home yet. Grabbing an apple from the counter, I have a funny feeling. Looking around, I don’t see anything out of whack. Shaking my head, I ignore the feeling and head to my bedroom. Opening my door, I drop my purse and cover my mouth.

“Ryan?” I let out. Tears flood my eyes and I’m shaky. “Ryan, what are you doing here?”

His green eyes meet mine and all I can do is break down and cry.

“Bayleigh,” he simply says, “hi.”

“What are you doing here?”

Ryan walks around my room, touching my dresser and the pictures on my wall. He’s not talking to me and I have to sit down. This isn’t happening. Ryan Scott is not here. It’s been two years since I’ve seen him. After that night he up and left. No one’s heard from him and now he’s here as if nothing is wrong.

“I’m back,” he easily says. There’s something different about him. I’m not sure if it’s the calm in his voice or the bright green eyes that soothe my nerves.

“You’re back?” I repeat to him, “You think you can come here and be in my room as if nothing happened?”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m doing.”

“You’re an asshole, Ryan!” I yell. “You do not have the right to come back into town and into my life. I’ve been through hell and needed my best friend.”

“You have Tyler. He’s your boyfriend, right? And best friend.”

I squint my eyes at him, “Low blow.”

“How so?”

Throwing my hands in the air, I shake my head and ignore his stare. I’ve known the Scott brothers my whole life and never was able to tell them apart. Everything about them is the same, except when we got older, Tyler was the one who got good grades and did sports while Ryan got in trouble all the time and barely made it through high school. When we first met, Tyler smiled at me and something sparked inside. I mean, we were only five years old, and then I met Ryan, and we clicked too. I love both boys and when Ryan left, it was like a piece of me went with him.

“Care to explain why you’re back?” The thing about Ryan is he’s always up to something and I know his reason for being back isn’t going to make me happy.

“Ready?”

“For?” He leans close to me and looks at my lips. I’m paralyzed. What the hell is he doing? “For what?”

“Let’s get lunch. I’m starving for sushi.”

“I don’t want to get sushi!” I scream and plop on my bed, crossing my arms. I know throwing a tantrum isn’t cute.

“Well, I’m hungry so you can sit there and pout like a child, or come get delicious sushi with me.” He kneels in front of me, brushing his hands down my legs. “What do you say?”

“I want answers, Ryan.”

He taps the tip of my nose, “Soon, sweetheart. Now, about that sushi?” The cockiness oozes out of him, and a smirk plays on his face again. “Get your ass up, Bayleigh Renee. I’m starving.”

“You have issues.”

We make it out of my house and I’m stunned to see the car in front of me. Growing up this was his dream car and he worked so hard for it. I wasn’t sure if he would even be able to get it. This sexy beast is amazing. A 1975 Camaro and it’s all shiny and pretty.

“Macy’s my world. I never let anyone touch her or ride in her, so consider yourself lucky.”

“Oh I do.” I laugh and I’m not sure where all of this is coming from. It’s a little confusing and hard to understand. I take a moment and sit down, thinking about the encounter from the moment I saw him until now.

I feel Ryan’s stare and I don’t get nervous or panic. This is really starting to bother me. Something about him is pulling me in. He’s a puzzle that I want to put together. I want to know why I feel okay around him and why I’m not a hot mess right now.

“Are you going to tell me why you’re back?”

“I don’t think I need a reason,” he answers, starting the car and heading to the sushi place we’ve been to thousands of times. “I’ve been gone for a while. I miss my mom and Tyler.”

“Oh.” I’m sure he forgot to add me. I guess he didn’t think about me when he was gone. Sure, I’m a little hurt he never contacted me after the rape and didn’t ask if I was okay. I mean, I’m just his best friend, so whatever.