Chapter Fourteen
Celeste’s POV
“Celeste, I’ve been looking all over for you. Long time no see.”
I looked up at the drop dead gorgeous man in front of me in bewilderment.
A pair of dimples cut into his sculpted face as he smiled at me. My eyebrows furrowed at the hint of affection that twinkled in his green eyes.
I hadn’t a clue who he was.
“Celeste, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten all about me?”
He placed an elbow on the cocktail table beside me and lazily rested his chin on his hand, narrowing the space between us. Thick, dark lashes framed his eyes. They were deeper and clearer than the finest jade gemstones I’d ever seen.
The man’s gaze delicately brushed my face, as if committing each feature to memory.
“I could never forget you.”
His voice was a husky murmur so low I could just make out the words.
It sent my heart racing.
I was a grown woman. I couldn’t let this twenty–something year old kid charm me into a puddle on the banquet hall floor.
“Ryan Edwards,” He stood tall and extended a hand, “Notorious popsicle smuggler.”
I shook his hand before I could process his words. Warm fingers curled over mine, squeezing, and a trail of goosebumps erupted up my arm.
Rein it in, Celeste.
“Popsicle smuggler?” I asked, puzzled.
He released my hand.
“I used to steal popsicles from home and sneak them to you over the wall. Your parents never let you have any because of your lactose intolerance.” A dimple popped out as he gave me a lopsided grin. “You really don’t remember?”
My eyes widened as realization dawned.
It was that sweet rascal who lived next door until his family moved away. He was five or six
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How had I not recognized him?
I beamed up at him. “Ryan? I can’t believe it’s you!”
Before I could think, I threw my arms round him. He gently squeezed me, and the hardness of his arms and chest surprised me. There was lean muscle under his clothes.
I pulled away, feeling too hot. Ryan was like a little brother to me. I shouldn’t be thinking about what was beneath his clothes.
Not having sex in ages was taking its toll.
“It’s great to see you again, Celeste.” he said.
I narrowed my eyes. “Of all the stories you could have used to jog my memory, why did you choose the most embarrassing one?”
He grinned. “We both know that’s far from the most embarrassing.”
folded my arms. There couldn’t be anything worse than my reaction to dairy.
“Don’t believe me? There’s that time you cut your own bangs.” He started counting on his fingers. “When you set off your dad’s car alarm and lost the keys under the seat. The entire street saw you and that guy locked in there with your-”
I covered his mouth and glanced around to make sure no one was listening. Ryan let out a throaty laugh as I released him.
I narrowed my eyes. “Two can play at that game.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I was a perfect child. No one found me topless with-”
“You asked for it.” I cut him off. “Remember when Mr. Landly’s chihuahua chased you down the street? You literally peed your pants before I rescued you.”
I laughed from my stomach.
Ryan said. “I told you I spilled my juice! And we both know that chihuahua was a rabid demon.”
“Ah–huh, if you say so.”
He shook his head with a smile.
“So you don’t recognize me, but you remember that incident?”
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Chapter Fourteen
+25 Bonus
I wiped my eyes. “It’s seared into my mind.”
“That’s regrettable.”
“Plus,” I said as I looked at the man he’d become. “You were a scrawny teen when you left. Now you’re almost two heads taller than me and you’ve filled out. You’ve changed a lot.”
“You haven’t changed one bit.” He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “You’re still the same Celeste. Funny, beautiful.”
My stomach fluttered.
“And so much fun to tease.” He chuckled.
I scoffed and punched his arm.
“Don’t get cheeky with me.” I glared at him. “Even if you shot up like a weed, I’m still older than you.”
Ryan clutched his arm with exaggerated pain and I rolled my eyes. He was always a trickster. I see that hadn’t changed.
“How did you know I’d be here?” I asked.
“Oh, I came with a friend. When I saw your name in the exhibit, I thought it might be you.”
He must be someone’s date.
Ryan ran his fingers through his hair. I itched to fix it like I used to when he was a boy.
“What have you been up to since I moved away?” he asked.
“After highschool, I studied jewelry design here. Several companies scouted me, but I fell pregnant shortly after graduation.”
He nodded, listening intently.
“So I stayed home to raise my daughter. I was a housewife until my divorce a few months ago. Nothing impressive.”
“Celeste, don’t put yourself down.” He sounded serious for once, taking me by surprise. “You made a huge personal sacrifice for your family. That’s something to be proud of.”
Ryan had said just the right thing. Self doubt often crept in and reminders like this were much needed. He had matured after all this time apart.
“Besides,” He pinned me with those mesmerizing green eyes. “Now that you’re available, I won’t feel guilty when I pursue you.”
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Chapter Fourteen
+25 Bonus
I couldn’t help but laugh. I was mistaken. Ryan may have grown into an unrecognizable man, but he was the same jokester he’d always been.
Maybe just a little bolder.
“I have no time for romance. I’m working tirelessly to get my career off the ground so I can afford to take custody of my child. Besides,” I looked him up and down. “I don’t date little boys.”
I smirked as he winced. He must be a terrible flirt. That would teach him not to play with a woman’s heart.
Just then, Grace returned with our design professor in tow.
“Sorry for the wait. I got stuck in a deathly boring conversation. Thankfully Dominique rescued me.” She passed me a drink as she eyed Ryan with glee. “But I’m glad you weren’t lonely.”
I knew what she was thinking and she couldn’t be more off–base.
Our professor turned to me.
“Celeste, I wanted to catch you before I left. There’s an upcoming design exhibition that would benefit your career. You should participate.”
It was kind of her to think of me.
“That would be amazing.” I said with a smile.
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