Page 4 of Stolen Sun

“Do you remember Declan Adams?” I ask, completely unsure what her reaction will be to this part ofthe news.

She’s looking at me with big eyes. “The guy who single-handedly turned the cheerleading team against itself senior year then became prom king and brought both cheer captains as his dates at the end of that same school year?”

“That’s the one.” Although I didn’t remember the two prom dates, I do remember that he managed to smooth over all of the drama he caused within days of the cheerleaders finding out he was secretly hooking up with at least five of them. There were always juicy rumors floating around about him, and some were a little too far-fetched to be believable.

“Well your day was infinitely more interesting than mine. So, wait a minute. Declan Adams is your new client?” Her eyebrows pinch together now.

“That’s right.”

“Isn’t that a conflict of interest or something?” She looks more concerned than I anticipated.

“I’m not a doctor or therapist. It’s fine if I know my clients prior to creating their letterheads,” I try to justify, knowing where she’s going with this.

“If memory serves, weren’t you kind of in love with him? I know you never wanted to talk about it, but I always got the impression that was because he broke your heart.” She calls me out on the sad truth about the past I have with Declan, even though I didn’t need any help remembering. Those memories are ones I’ve learned to live with. When he hovered over my desk with that same darkened look in his eyes that he had back then, all the parts of me that used to belong to him began to stir. Also reminding me that time does not change some things.

“No, it’s fine. I’m sure he still plays in the no-strings-attached arena, and we both know that isn’t my type,” I mix a lie with a truth. Kate has always been able to see right through bullshit, but I don’t really want to talk about him.I’ve stayed busy enough all day to avoid overanalyzing that meeting. It would be best if I didn’t relive the history of Declan Adams now.

Kate and I didn’t become close until senior year, and by then, the details around my almost relationship with Declan were old news. He was a star baseball player with new girlfriends every other week, and I started dating Nate just a couple of months into the school year. From what I can remember, the only reason Kate knew there was a past at all was that she found a box of notes from him in my room.

“Hmm. Or… that might be exactly what you need right now. You’re pushing six months of celibacy here!” She practically shrieks the last part.

“I don’t have the experience required to survive dating a man like Declan,” I argue. “Besides, I let him think I’m still married. And, I’m a professional.” I say, trying harder to get out of this conversation.

“I think you mean he doesn't have the experience to date a woman like you. It's time to let go of the past, Noel. People aren't always who they seem to be. When do you meet with him again?”

“Friday morning to tour his office. I like to get a feel for the company to make sure my designs are fitting. It usually gives me an edge compared to others. It will be strictly professional,” I over explain myself and hope she won’t notice.

“Well then, we need to go shopping,” she comments.

“Um, we just established that I’m not interested in dating him,” I protest, confused by her line of thinking.

“You still need to feel at the top of your game! This is your first big project since, well, you know… A new outfit will keep your mind in the present, so you can focus.”

I think about it for a second. “Okay. I like it. I can take off a little early tomorrow,actually.”

“Me too!” Kate shrieks, and we both laugh because she rarely goes to work at all.

Chapter two

Noel

The GPS guides me to turn left into a large parking lot with several semi-trucks, a large warehouse, and a brick office building. I park close to the front door next to Declan’s truck. Swarming butterflies in my stomach threaten to flutter their way out, and my attempts at evenly breathing barely keep them contained.

I’m almost ten minutes early, so I check my face in the rear view mirror. Then I look down to check my outfit. Kate was right about wearing something new. I feel professional, and it helps that I never wore this with Nate. He is always creeping into my thoughts. Something as simple as a shirt will remind me of a comment he made or a time we went somewhere while I was wearing it. This outfit doesn’t have any connection to a time with Nate. This outfit is just for me.

Once I feel ready, I grab my bag from the passenger seat and get out of my Porsche Cayenne S. Walking into the office, I’m pleasantly surprised to see a well-designed space. Dark leather chairs offset light flooring. The walls are smattered with understated decor that is clean and modern. Adding to the aesthetic, the receptionist immediately stands and walks around her desk.

“Mrs. Williams, Mr. Adams is ready for you. Please follow me,” she greets me politely.

“Thank you, and Noel is fine.”

“Mr. Adams prefers to keep things formal in the main office,” she explains as she leads me down the only hallway off the main lobby.

“Oh.” I’m too surprised to say anything else. Declan Adams? Formal?

The receptionist, who I assume is Claire Morris, knocks on the first of three doors in the hallway.

“Come in,” Declan’s deep voice answers.

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