Page 11 of Only Fate

Adrian smiles, not appearing nearly as surprised to see me as I am him.

This damn man.

He’s my new recurring nightmare.

Was he put on Earth to make my life a living hell?

If only I could go back to the past. I’d never spoken to him before the night I showed up at River’s dorm. If I’d fled and gone with my original plan of calling an Uber, I’d never have known what it felt like to have him rip apart my heart.

“Good morning, Terrance,” he says, offering him a head nod before returning his attention to me. “Essie, what a surprise.”

Surprise, my freaking ass.

Adrian traces his finger along his thick bottom lip. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Really?” I cock my head to the side. “Pretty sure you knew I lived here.”

If he’s trying to hold back the arrogant smirk on his face, he’s failing.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Can I talk to you in private?”

“Of course.” He glances over me to Terrance again. “If you’ll excuse me for a moment.”

Terrance, looking majorly confused and wrinkling his forehead, slowly nods.

He and his late wife worked at the firm for years. I’d job-shadowed his wife in high school. He’s always been a kind man … but now, I’m holding a little grudge against him.

He’s bringing Adrian into my space.

Adrian is stealing yet another opportunity from me.

Call him the damn job swiper.

Swiper, no freaking swiping.

Now, curious stares are on both of us as Adrian follows me toward the door. Not only is he bombarding me in my town, but he’s also making me the gossip topic for the next month. That’s another reason I need him to stay far, far away from me.

The sun beats down on us as soon as we’re outside, and Adrian pauses to hold the door open for a couple.

As soon as he steps to the side, I whip around to face him and cross my arms.

“Why are you here?” I snap.

“Meeting with Terrance,” he replies, as if it’s obvious.

Okay, it is, but it was a valid question.

I can’t stop myself from shoving his shoulder.

It does nothing. He doesn’t even fall back an inch. Instead, he steps closer into my space. The smell of his cologne seeps into the air. I pick up a faint scent of masculinity with notes of mint and cedar. It’s a smell that makes you stop in your tracks, wanting to smell more.

The smell of a professional, sophisticated man.

Not the cheap body spray of a college kid who spends too much time studying and hardly ventures out into public. That reminds me of our good times—when we locked ourselves in the library, enjoyed late-night dinners in diners like Shirley’s, and sat in his car talking for hours.

“Shouldn’t you be living your best life in your new office at Adaway and Williams?” I seethe. Saying their names puts a sour taste in my mouth.

“I quit.” He shrugs, like it’s no big deal.

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