I’m standing here now staring into the eyes of a dream I once had. I don’t know if I’m ready to relive every moment again. If I go “catch up” with Chase, that’s what is going to happen. The only thing we have in common is the past. I have moved on. I kindly decline his invitation to go out with him. I tell him if he needs to get in touch with me, he can contact the publishing company. He states that I will be hearing from him again. I can’t dwell on it. I have a career to lead. He walks away from me and looks back, but I didn’t stop him. I let him go… Maybe forever.

On my way out, I stop to say my farewells to Mrs. Ward. It is time for me to put an end to my past once and for all.

Unfortunately, Carrie stops me on my way out.

“What can I do for you, Carrie?” I ask. Even though she looks bad and I definitely look better than she does, in my mind, in this moment, we are seventeen again.

“He’ll never want you, Hailey. Remember that. You’ll never be good enough for him.”

I am kind of taken aback by her statement. According to Chase, they have had no contact for six years.

“And you are?” I ask in an aggravated manner.

“Yes, I am. I love him a lot, and he knows it. We will get back together,” she says with a smirk on her face, gloating.

“I’m so happy for you. I hope you have a happy life together. I wish you all the best.” I just want to get out of this place. It was such a mistake coming here.

“I’m just warning you to tread lightly where Chase is concerned, because he’s mine.”

“Are we five? I don’t want your man.”

“Yes you do. You’ve always wanted him.”

“Carrie, you’re pathetic. Grow up.”

“You can’t even deny it.”

“I’m done with this conversation. Goodbye.”

I walk away from the bitch and out of the gymnasium. I never want to see or hear Chase O’Brien’s name again.

CHAPTER 13

Chase

I UPPED THE INCLINE on the treadmill and I’m nearly gasping for air. I have just been so pissed off lately that I have needed to work extra hard in the gym. P says I need to get laid. Maybe I do. I don’t plan on picking up some random woman. I have only had one woman on my mind lately. I have been debating with myself about whether to contact Hailey or not. She didn’t necessarily say not to call her. She just said to call the publishing company.

“Please pick up a chick. I’m about to get you a hooker and send her to your house. I can no longer keep up with you on this treadmill,” Parker says as he runs harder and harder on the machine next to me.

“I’m done with women. Between Megan’s crap and Hailey blowing me off, I give up.”

“Are you dating guys?”

“No, I love women. I’m just tired of all the BS that goes along with them.”

“Why don’t you just call the publishing company or show up there? She can’t reject you in person in a public place. It’s been a month since the reunion. You need to make a move, or she’s going to think you’re not interested.”

“I don’t fucking know anymore. I’m off today and tonight. Maybe I’ll go shower and stop by there. If she rejects me, though, it’s your fault.”

I leave the gym and jump in my Explorer. I need a plan. I keep thinking so much about a woman who has no ties to me. It’s crazy.

The flower place a few blocks away catches my eye. I go inside and order three dozen roses and have them delivered to the publishing company. The card reads simply: To Hailey, From Chase.

I don’t want to overdo it. The plan is for them to deliver the flowers to her office in an hour. She will get them at noon. I call her office receptionist and tell her that lunch will be delivered for Hailey and to make sure she is available at 12:15 p.m. I ask her what she likes to eat, and she says she eats mostly salads. That is perfect, because that’s what I eat a lot, too.

I stop at Saladworks and order two salads to go. I hope this plan works to get her attention.

I keep checking the clock in my car. When it’s 12:15, I figure that the flowers should have been delivered, so I park my car in the garage and ride the pink elevator to the nineteenth floor. Her receptionist has a big smile on her face like she’s been laughing.

“I’m here to see Hailey McCormick. I have a lunch date with her.”

“Hi, I’m Melanie, her receptionist. Are you the mystery man?” she asks.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a mystery...”

“Go right in. She’s waiting for you.”

My heart is pounding. If she rejects me, I don’t know what I’ll say or do.

I turn the knob and walk into Hailey’s office. She is facing the window.

What is she going to say next?

CHAPTER 14

Hailey

I HAVE A MEETING with a potential client at noon. Melanie calls and tells me that I have to cancel it because I have an anonymous lunch meeting. I have no idea who it could be. She says they asked what I like to eat. She told them salad. She says she is cancelling what I have on my schedule. I don’t think she should, but she feels maybe I should see what this meeting is about. I am curious.

Around noon, Melanie comes into my office and says I have a delivery. She has a smile on her face and asks me to come to her desk right away.

“Can’t you just sign for it?”

“Oh, I did. You need to come and see who it’s from. I want to know.”

I roll my eyes at her and proceed to her desk. There is a gigantic box with a huge red bow on it. She says a florist delivered the box.

“Who’s it from?” she begs to know.

“I’m opening it in private. I have no idea.”

“You’re the worst. I need to be nosy.”

“I’ll tell you later.”

I take the box into my office and shut the door. I am afraid to open them, hoping that they aren’t from my ex, Sam. He is such an asshole, always trying to get back with me, but I’m not interested in him. I think that he may be using this gift as a last resort.

I lay the box on my desk and carefully remove the ribbon. A card is taped to the box so I open it. The front of it reads: Thinking of You. I open the card and nerves hit me right away. My stomach drops. It just reads:

To Hailey

From Chase

My heart flutters. As much as I’ve lied to myself, I did hope they were from him. I hoped he would have contacted me even after I acted so cold to him. I’ve wanted to apologize to him. I did tell him to contact the office, but it’s been a month, and I never heard from him. I’d given up all hope, but now I hope it will be him who walks into my office for lunch.

I stand up to look out at Central Park and think. Then I hear a knock at the door. Someone turns the knob, apparently sent in by Melanie. I stay looking out the window, literally too scared to turn around. I am afraid to see my future.

“Hailey.”

I know the voice. I let out my breath that I’ve been holding.

I turn around to face him. “Chase.”

“I brought lunch for us. You have time to sit and eat?”

“Yes, of course. Listen, Chase, about the reunion. I’m sorry for how I acted. I was holding on to bitter memories.”

“Let’s just talk. Don’t worry about that.”

A tear falls down my face even though I really don’t want to get emotional right now.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, walking reluctantly toward me.

“No one has ever done anything this nice for me before. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. You deserve it.” He puts his hand on my cheek. “You have always been special, Hailey. You just never saw it within yourself. I saw it.”