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AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME

Megan Slayer

Chapter One

“Did you check he’ll be there?” Carson Garett paced the length of his home office. Since he’d graduated, he hadn’t put down roots and wanted to visit his home town. No, he wanted to visit his first love—Luke Benjamin. “This is important.” He hadn’t seen Luke in over eight years, and once he’d learned there would be a ten-year high school reunion in Litchfield, he decided he’d attend.

“You know he had a boyfriend?” Sindy McCallum, his secretary and personal assistant, looked up from her tablet. “The social media posts say they’ve broken up, but what if he has a new boyfriend and hasn’t made the relationship social media ready?” She was one of his few friends and people he trusted. She placed the device on the desk. “He might have moved on from you, too.”

“He might.” Not if he knew Luke. They’d been tight when they’d been together. Ten years wasn’t much. They could be tight again. He peered over her shoulder at the photo. “Is that the boyfriend?”

“Yes, it says his name is Duncan White.” She swiped to his social media profile. “His information says single, but these days people change relationships so fast…”

“Luke, if he’s with someone, won’t be with Duncan.” He didn’t like Duncan’s face. He’d seen a hundred men like Duncan. They wanted something and would step on everyone to get whatever they needed. He seemed like the type to demand attention, too. Luke wasn’t an attention-grabber. He did his thing without fanfare.

“So, I’ve looked at the database,” Sindy said. “I don’t know why Cathy let us look, but she gave us access to the list of classmates who’ve returned their cards. Luke is listed, but it also says he’s bringing a plus one.”

Plus one? Although the initial thought annoyed him, Carson could work with Luke bringing someone. “Does it say who the person might be?” If there wasn’t a name, then chances were Luke checked the box in case he brought a date.

“No.” She closed out of the program on her laptop. “You could be setting yourself up for failure. You’re putting your heart into this pretty deep. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

If anyone could be straight with him, it was Sindy. “I know.” He resumed pacing. “I could have my heart shattered, but I don’t fail and I won’t give up.” He was ready to see Luke. Ready to prove he was worthy of his ex-boyfriend.

“You can’t buy or sell your way out of this if the situation goes sideways.” She stared at him. “I’ve seen the videos on the library website and Luke’s social media. He’s a sweet man. He’s quiet. Are you sure this is the same man you dated in school?”

“He is.” Carson had been savvy with his money since he’d created the running app. He’d invested most of his wealth, gave a big chunk away and lived frugally. Well, frugal with the exception of his appearance. He loved his haircuts to be just so and his suits to be tailored. The suit made the man. If he looked like he meant business, he’d be taken seriously. If he looked shabby, the sale wouldn’t go through. Besides, he hated to disappoint. He stopped behind his desk and spied the photo of him with Luke he’d tucked into the blotter. He missed Luke. Sindy hadn’t been wrong—Luke was sweet, quiet, and unassuming. He loved his books. So he was the polar opposite of Carson?

“What’s the plan?” Sindy asked.

“I’ve got our tickets, and we fly into Ohio tonight. You reserved the limo, so that’s done. We’ll take the limo to Litchfield. Did you book a hotel room?” Carson asked.

“In Litchfield? There aren’t any hotels.” She snorted. “I’ve got one booked in Abbottsfield, though.”

Beyond having a place to stay and escape, he had few points to his plan. What happened next? Only time would tell. If he could get Luke alone, he could talk and give them a chance for a second try at their relationship.

“Do you have a contingency plan?” Sindy asked. She stood and tucked her tablet into her bag. “Based on your silence, I’m going to assume not.”

“I don’t.” The plan had to work. He had no other choice.

“Our tickets are on our phones, and your bag is in the car downstairs.” She clutched her own bag. “I hope you get your happy ending.” She paused. “Consider this. Luke may not want your money or the problems that come with it. He might not want to be a possession. Don’t force him.”

“I won’t.” He nodded to her. “I’ll see you at the airport in an hour. Thanks.” He waited for her to leave, then collected his things. Phone, wallet, cash, jacket, keys. Where were his sunglasses? He patted his jacket pocket and located the item. Time to go. He locked his office, then headed through the apartment to the elevator.

He’d lived a nomadic life for too long. The apartment wasn’t his. Once the lease was up, he’d lose his office, too. Did he really want those things? He could have an office and home anywhere. When the elevator doors opened, he strode through the basement of the building to the waiting sedan. He waited in the backseat as the driver pulled out into traffic.

Carson withdrew the photo of Luke he kept in his phone cover. He missed Luke’s face, the way he smiled, the way he sighed in his sleep, the sparkle in his eyes, and his kiss. He missed his best friend. They’d been close. Luke knew him better than anyone. He saw through Carson’s bullshit. If they’d have attended the same college, they’d still be together. Luke was his soul mate.

He pressed the image to his lips. All he needed was one chance and he’d set things right. He’d let Luke go once and wouldn’t do it again.

Tomorrow evening, he’d get his man.

****

Luke scrolled through his email and frowned. The reminder note concerning the reunion that night seemed to scream for attention. He’d hoped he could avoid the event, even though he’d returned the card saying he’d attend.

He’d also said he’d bring someone.

What had he been thinking? If he went to the reunion by himself, he’d be looked at as the same boring man who only had a relationship with Carson because his classmates thought he’d begged Carson. Carson had begged him! If he showed up with someone, then what would happen if he saw Carson? What if Carson was single? What if Carson was happily involved with someone?