Fall in love again

is ironic about that, is decorating had been what I loved most before Carson died. Being hired to decorate for a living had earned me a name in these parts of the state. Magazines had featured me,

my way to that spark again. I wanted to have my life back, a life

oughts. Looking down at the screen, I saw that it was my life-long friend, Jenna Perry, now Matthews, since she got married. The name on the screen read ‘Twink’ which was the nickname she had gotten in college. A few drunken nights had left us with some pretty ridiculous nicknames. Mine happened to be

as exactly what I n

ncerned. “I called your parents a few hours ago and they

ant to bother you. I didn’t t

d it looks like a ghost town. You’re not here, so where are you?”

u’re in town? I didn’t k

illy. Now stop dodging the

long. Sinking down into the cold leather of my stiff couch, I decided it was best to try and explain t

n face it alone. I’m just not ready. I rented a condo not far from the hous

ong and stubborn female out of my friends. Always the leader, the one who took charge and wouldn’t take shit from anyone. Where w

’m staying the night because tomorrow we have big plans.” She screamed

s are you talking about?” Kno

her now, jumping up and down with a goofy grin on that face of hers. It made it hard for me not to smile, and if anyone could get me to smile it

*

e to dress like this?” I asked skeptically. Obvious

tly. I watched her as she put on the finishing touches of he

y feel to it that was kind of annoying. Luckily I knew I would get used to it. Jenna came behind me and placed a thick silver belt across my midsection and fastened it in the back. Groaning at her persistence,

ake long walks in the park, and then we would go back home and talk for hours on the little pier behind our house overlooking the lake. Afterwards, we would go inside and make love to each other until the sun came up the next morning. I missed the way his hands felt when he touched my body, and the way he tasted

Kori!” Jen

a wide-eyed and snapped, “Why are you

ice took on the motherly tone she always had when she was worried. Placing her hands on my shoulders, Jenna turned me to face her. Her soft, brown

got caught up in some memories. I haven’t been out since my last date night w

’ll be hard to get back on track, but I have faith in you. You c

I transferred, I met Carson. It was at a little coffee shop near Duke where he was attending med school. He happened to be standing too close to me at the counter, so when

ve fun. Straightening my shoulders, I put on a smile and grabbed for my clutch. “Let’s go,” I urged with

ting red dress. Brady’s reddish-brown hair had grown since the last time I saw him, but his midnight blue eyes were still the same. He was a twenty-seven year old pr

xcited about tonight.” The undertone to his voice had me curious, like he was up to something. Most li

ing the door. Oh yeah, something was up. He kissed Jenna on the cheek before opening the door for her to climb in the front. He may be a comp

zing together,” I

his way to his side of the car. “But I know without a doubt that one of

count on tha

ee.” She

ded on our way, I decided to try and figu

t then turned his face back to

g Jenna a sideways glance. He and Jenna looked at each other and it seemed like a silent conversat

re. Directing the conversation to me, he casually explained, “My brother invited us to a cocktail party that his company has every so often i

and scared all in one. “Did I just hear you ri

dy grinned

nervous about it because he was going to be seeing me with Carson. He had moved on to another woman, who I met at the wedding. She was a snooty l

’m coming?” I a

d to him about it yesterday. I think

I got my degree in interior design, I had always thought I would one day work for this area’s lead architectural firm. It just so happened that it’s Gale

eagerly awaiting the guests. Every time I see valets, I have a Ferris Bueller moment. Like for instance, the part in the movie where the two men took the

es, let’s go!” B

er seen anything so immaculate in all my years of decorating, but what caught my attention were the various paintings. Jenna’s artwork was spl

and come on,” Jenn

her. “You have a lot

all about it later, but w

on, I stated adamantly, “Yeah, and

amazed to see that there were hundreds of people milling about in the wide open expanse of the room beyond. It was an open-style room with tables lined up everywhere, drinks and food decorating every single surface. It

ging a glass of champagne from the table. Jenna and I both grabbed one as well, and

eat. The food looks am

o a few designing conventions, but never to anything as grand. It had to be hard to find employers tha

downtown, Jenna and I stood there

bout seeing him ag

idea. It’s been so lon

and smiled. “I’m sure y

et me up with him again

alking alongside of him was his brother, Galen. A chill ran down my spine, making me shiver, and it wasn’t the temperature in the room. Galen’s ga

I had left years ago. The same man I had loved and hated to leave. “Kori, look who it is

tened in the soft, serene light of the room, and his eyes were the same majestic blue that would make anyone melt at first glance. They were so clear they looked almost magical, and

hold out my hand, so I did the latter. He took my hand and instead of shaking it he just held it

nd, he looked over at his brother. “Can you believe it’s actually t

d while looking around the room, feigning boredom. I could tell he was ly

insisted. She winked at me behind Galen’s back, and I nar

o play matchmaker with me. Even though Galen and I had a past, I didn’t think I was ready f

knew she clearly understood what I meant by that tone, but she s

s friend. “I’ll keep her company. She’ll be safe with me.” For some rea

orner of the room, where we sat on a vacant sofa. “I’m

s the first time I’ve been out in a while. You seem to be doing

d. “I’m managing pr

, look at them,” I said, watching the crowd. “They seem happy, all smiling and laughing.” I

bit my lip to hide the embarrassment. Galen released my hand and settled it on my leg. His fingers brushed my thigh and it made everythi

omething to get my mind off of his touch. “How does it feel to be owner

well I think.” He tilted his head to the side and studied me. “How about you? I’ve heard some ama

ow, I always wondered if I would hear from you,” I said softly. Averting my gaze, I took a sip of the champagne. I would have loved to work for M&M, but given min

Galen a

of times as his admission sunk in. “What

loor. “If I’m not mistaken, it was about four months ago, but I was told you ha

adly. “But who did you speak

nt to pry, so I left you be in hopes that

ated. “I left Charlotte and moved to Charl

r expertise,” he said while playfully nudging me in th

e sadness I felt. “Actually, I’m not decorating at the mo

d, but when you do decide to start back,

I’ll keep t

gether. It all brought back memories. Memories of a time when we were carefree and happy and of a time when we were always together. Galen sidled closer and reached for my hand again. His hands were warm, and that warmth travelled to every nerve ending

ith Galen much longer. “Kori, it’s getting late. I think we’re about to leave. Are you ready to go?” Jenna asked with a smirk. Letting out a

me if you want to s

ve and never look back. I glanced from Galen to Jenna. They both ap

think I’ll go home,”

ould have coffee or dinner?” he suggested. Galen searched my face for an answer, but I kept my expressions bla

the only words I

w Brady and Jenna to the elevators. Before the doors closed, the last thing I sa