Page 9 of Forgotten Desires

“Yale.”

Her pouty lips pursed. “Yale? Wow. Smart guys.”

“Goddamn it, Crew! We’re playing a game!” Ford yelled again.

“Some of us were,” I said to Brynlee and then turned to my best friend and threw the ball. “Here. Now fuck off.” Ford flipped me off, I returned the gesture and then went back to the beautiful woman before me. “There. Where were we?”

“I think you were telling me how smart you are with all your cheesy pickup lines,” Brynlee said with a tilt of her head.

The way she talked to me made me want to spend hours with her. She had no idea who I was, where I came from. That gave me a freedom I’d never felt before with a girl. In New York, my family name is known. My grandfather and father are multi-millionaires. Both built an empire that would one day be mine.

I didn’t have the luxury of casual dating or meeting a girl on a beach at home, but here I did.

“How about we take a walk and I’ll try a few of my favorites out on you?” I offered, hoping she’d take the chance.

Her lips pursed. “How do I know you’re trustworthy?”

“You don’t.”

“So why should I go?”

I leaned in, my voice was low and husky. “Because that’s the fun of spring break. You take a risk and hope it pays off.” I extended my hand and waited. Brynlee looked at it, back at my face, and then placed her palm in mine, and that week got infinitely better.

“Do you remember when we met?” I ask, pulling myself from the memory.

“Of course I do. I also remember when you left.” There’s no anger in her tone, just sadness and hurt lingering there. “It was ten years ago. I’ve gotten past it, but I remember.”

“I do too,” I admit. “I was leaving in a day, and I wanted to spend every second with you. I never wanted what we had to end, Brynn. It was fucking incredible, but I didn’t know how to walk away. How did I tell you that my life was already mapped out and we could never be more than just the time we’d spent?”

She lets out a long breath and then stands slowly. “I don’t know, but the way you did it was wrong, and it broke my heart.”

I get to my feet. “It broke mine too.”

Her eyes fill with sorrow and then she forces a smile. “It was a long time ago. I hope you’re doing well. It’s clear you are, since you own the company my brother is doing business with.”

It feels like she’s dismissing me. Not that I blame her. Not that I thought I deserved anything more, but it isn’t what I want. I would give anything to catch up, know more about her life, tell her about mine. To talk to her the way we did when we were kids.

“Do you want me to go, Bee?” I ask.

Her eyes flash at the nickname, but she recovers quickly. “No. You should stay, you were invited, after all. I just need to make my rounds. It was good to see you, Crew.”

I take a step back, allowing her the space to leave. “I hope we can talk again.”

Brynlee smiles again and nods once. “I’m sure we will, since we’re seated next to each other.”

Then she walks away, and I feel the same tear in my heart I did ten years ago.

three

BRYNLEE

Imanage to spend most of the night away from my table. I dance with anyone, and I meananyoneI see.

He called me Bee. Like I’m still his little honeybee? I don’t think so. He’s going to need a reminder that bees sting and right now I’d like nothing more than to cause him pain like he caused me.

I’m searching for a new dance partner when Asher approaches me, hand out. I take it eagerly. “You look beautiful, Brynn.”

“You look quite handsome yourself.”

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