It's been since October that I've written a short story (remember those?!). I missed writing short stories on my characters from the A Tragic Heart series. I believe this series will always be my favorite and the characters will always be the most real to me which is why I write little blurbs about them...so I never have to let them go.
As promised, this one is a continuation to the last one and it's from Ronan's point of view. Clearly it would belong with the second novel, RED and jumps eight years into the future (from where RED left off). You can check out the first part to the story here:
There
she was. Sitting across from me in an expensive restaurant in Los Angeles just
talking away. She had a smile painted across her face as she spoke and her red
hair was now dyed blonde; a new look is what she called it. She looked
beautiful…even more beautiful than I could remember. Adulthood looked good on
her and it was clear that she was far from that high school girl who broke my
heart way back when.
She
went on about her idea for the photoshoot she wanted to collaborate with me on.
For the most part it sounded like a good idea but I couldn’t really tell you
because I wasn’t listening much. I just kept thinking about how she was the
most beautiful girl in the room…in the world. Just a few days ago I was with a
gorgeous model in my bedroom and now here I am with my high school lover and
thinking about just how unattractive that model was compared to her. She has no
idea.
“Enough
about work,” I interrupted her as I reached across the table and grabbed her
hands. Her nails were painted black and her skin was smooth. “How have you
been, Peyton?”
She
gave me a smirk before answering, it was almost a blush. “I’ve been great,
actually. I’m in a really good place and things just keep getting better. I
never thought I’d say that but…here I am,” she replied.
“That’s
good. You seem really happy,” I responded with a little disappointment in my
tone. I was happy that she was happy but there was a part of me that wanted her
to confess that she missed me. I wanted her to say that she still needed me
even though we’ve been apart for eight years.
“Before
coming here I got to spend time with Mason and the rest of the family. The kids
are getting so big…they’re not even kids anymore. Can you believe that?!” she
asked. “Lila’s going to be starting college soon!”
Lila’s
her baby cousin. Mason is her dad’s first cousin who took her in after both her
parents died while she was still a baby. For her, his kids are basically her
little sister and brothers.
“That’s
crazy. Time really does fly. Who would’ve thought we’d be here? A lot has
happened,” I said taking on a slightly tighter grip onto her hands.
“It
really has. I can’t even keep up anymore,” she basically mumbled.
Before
I could say another word the waiter came and interrupted us asking if we were
ready to order. She wasn’t sure what she wanted so I ordered for the both of
us. I told her not to worry she’ll love it and she responded with a “you always
knew me so well.”
We
talked more over dinner, mostly about work and how I would make her vision come
to life. She loved my input and told me this is why I’m her go to person for
things like this. We make a great team. If only she knew what that truly means
to me. It’s crazy how she was the one to hurt me so I let her go but I’m the
one longing for her again. Most people will say I’m insane but they’re
obviously the ones who never met Peyton Hayley Giordano.
She
suggested we go back to my condo where I have an in house studio. She wanted to
get a visual of how things will be set up. Of course I wouldn’t object to it.
She’s always welcomed in my home. Aside from being my ex she’s also one of my
oldest friends. Nothing will ever change that.
We
walked inside together and I offered her a drink. She declined. All she wanted
was for me to show her to the studio so I did.
“I have
an idea,” she announced.
I
lifted my head to look at her, letting her know she had my attention. “What is
it?” I asked.
“Let’s
do things a little differently. I want a photoshoot tonight. Just on a whim
kind of thing. All natural,” she replied.
“Okay.
Let me get my camera set up,” I said about to walk out of the room before she
stopped me.
“Here’s
the catch!” she said staring at me biting her bottom lip.
“Go
on,” I urged curiously.
“I want
to be nude. Nothing covered. All natural, like I said. No retouches, nothing
but my natural self.”
I was
speechless. “Peyton-“
“I
wanted a shoot like this for a while and I could’ve asked anyone but I wanted
you to do it. I mean, who better than you? You’ve already seen the package.”
“That
was years ago,” I replied. “It’s different now.”
“Are
you seeing someone?” she asked.
“No.
Not really,” I responded quickly.
“Then
what’s the problem?”
The
problem was I was still in love with her and seeing her that naked will definitely send me over the edge.
I couldn’t tell her that though.
“I’ll
go get my camera.”
When I
came back she started to undress slowly. I watched her take off every piece of
clothing and I wanted to forget about the photoshoot. I just wanted her.
“Ready?”
I asked not able to take my eyes off of her.
“As
ready as I can be,” she said pushing her newly blonde hair out of her face.
We took
shots on the bed, the shower, my balcony…almost everywhere. Not once did she
feel uncomfortable. The photos came out beautiful. She was just about to start
putting her clothes back on when I said something to get her attention.
“What
if I didn’t want you to put those back on just yet?” I asked boldly.
She
stopped and stared for a bit so I walked closer to her. She didn’t make a move.
She seemed shocked.
“Roe,
what are you saying?” she asked as I ran my fingers up and down her arm. I
always loved the softness of her skin.
“I’m
saying that I still have feelings for you and I can’t let you leave me
tonight…not like this.”
“Roe-I
don’t think-“
I cut
her off with a kiss. She pulled back but before she could interrupt I kissed
her again. This time she let it happen. She let her panties drop out of her
hands and wrapped her arms around my waist. I guess this was happening on my
balcony in the middle of the night. Let’s just hope paparazzi didn’t follow us
here…
