Page 7 of Can’t Let You Go (Ivy Ridge #3)

FALLON

O f course, I’m running late on a day I absolutely should not be. Jason recently signed a contract to serve Blue Ox Brewing beer at weddings and events we have here at Meadow Grove. Today, I have a meeting with Isaac, Jason, and a few of Jason’s employees to discuss the work flow for events.

I am a little nervous about seeing him again.

He ended our conversation so abruptly at the rehearsal dinner, it felt like he wanted nothing to do with me any further .

It stung a bit. I should have put on my big girl panties and apologized for the way I left things in college, but things had changed between us.

It’s my fault they did, but still. I was young and immature.

The day of his graduation, I had planned on talking to him again.

I was going to find him, and congratulate him, but also apologize for ditching him, for ruining our friendship.

That is, until I saw him being fawned over and kissed by a girl, someone with dark brown hair, and stunning features.

I knew I couldn’t compare to her, so I let it go.

It’s not like I expected him to ask me out or anything, but I wanted my friend back.

I texted Isaac a few minutes ago to let him know I was running late. He’s a very laid back boss, and is always understanding when I’m a few minutes behind, or when Presley has to come hang out in the evenings with me for an event set up. I’m embarrassed though.

The meeting with Jason this morning is basically a meet and greet to go over the details of our agreement and get a taste for how his business works.

I pull my vehicle in the small parking lot in the back of the building, grabbing my purse and thermos of coffee in a rush.

I don’t run inside, because I don’t need to be all sweaty and out of breath when I get into the conference room, but I’m definitely glad I had the foresight to wear a pair of flats today rather than heels.

The large reception area is empty this early in the morning. I love the quiet weekdays around here, always remembering them during an event when there’s so many people you can barely make it through the crowd.

I stride through the room, my feet thwacking the ground in my rush.

I fling open the door to the hall that leads to the offices, only to crash into a large body.

My trusty binder goes flying, paper falling out as it tumbles to the ground.

My thermos falls from my hand, landing on the floor in a loud clang .

“Oh no,” I cry, bending down to grab it before it spills open. Thankfully, the seal is pretty good, but you never know. “I am so sorry. I can’t believe I did that,” I say without looking up. I’ve probably traumatized a vendor or someone else who works for the venue.

Great, exactly what I need .

Nothing like the event planner arriving to work in shambles to make you want to partner with the business.

“It’s fine,” a low, grumbling, familiar voice says. “Are you okay? I wasn’t looking.”

I tilt my head up, my sight meeting those beautiful chocolate brown eyes. Jason looks down at me, brows furrowed in an unknown expression—concern, or maybe irritation—as he tries to collect my papers and binder.

“I’m okay. I’m so sorry,” I repeat, as my mind stutters like a broken record. “Are you okay? I crashed into you hard.”

“You really didn’t. I’m fine.”

I nod, realizing I’m still bent at the waist. Jason rises, offering me his free hand, with the other clasping my strewn papers. My palm lands in his, and he helps me stand. I’m staring at him, probably slack-jawed. God, this is awkward.

I can’t stop the embarrassment that flares inside me as a few of Brad’s parting words flare inside my brain.

No wonder why you can’t lose all the extra weight.

I’ve gained a hundred pounds, probably more, since he saw me last. It’s taken me a long time, but I’ve been trying to be more confident in my new body after Brad wore me down time after time toward the last few years of our marriage.

The worst part was I hadn’t even realized he was doing it.

The comments weren’t constant, in fact, they were strategically spaced out, or subtle-enough digs that I didn’t process them as insults back then.

I thought I was the problem. He was right, I didn’t need the sweet treat after a trip to the park with Presley, or a second serving of spaghetti, because that was a lot of carbs.

After being freed from him, it took a lot of work and a lot of therapy, but finally I realized I wasn’t the problem.

My mind refocuses on Jason in front of me. He hasn’t changed much. I didn’t really take in his appearance the last time I saw him, but the signs of aging are there, but he looks like the same young man I remember so fondly.

We’re still standing in the doorway, Jason still holding my papers, when the conference room door opens. “Hey, Fallon,” Isaac’s voice carries. “How are you this morning?”

I offer him a slight wave. “Good. Sorry I’m running late. Presley and I overslept a bit.”

He waves me off. “You know I don’t mind. We were going to grab some coffee. You can go get settled, and we will meet in ten minutes. Need some coffee?”

I shake my head, lifting my thermos. “I’ve got it covered. Thanks, though.”

Isaac nods. “Jason, you coming?”

I glance back towards the man in question. He’s staring at me like he’s lost, but shakes it off. “Yep, be right behind you.”

Isaac heads off, and Jason attempts to organize my papers into a pile for me. “Thanks, and… sorry again?”

He shakes his head, but the slight grimace on his face makes me uncomfortable.

Gone is the man who offered a smile at the drop of a hat, doing anything to make you smile.

“No need. It’s good to see you, Fallon.” His voice goes low and gruff, and it sounds like he’s more irritated than anything.

He passes off the papers, and our arms brush.

He rushes off like he’s trying to get away from me as fast as possible.

I try to hold it back, but a shiver races through my body, leaving goosebumps in its path at the simple touch.

I feel like I’m nineteen all over again.

Ten minutes later, I’ve got my papers reorganized, and my coffee is mostly gone. My brain is finally functioning, and Jason and Isaac come back into the conference room. One of the other managers, Laila, and one of Jason’s employees enter, and I stand as they do.

I may be a bit of a hot mess, but I’m a professional, and good at my job.

Before I had Presley, I was an executive assistant for a CEO in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.

I worked my ass off, and I loved it. I’m not as sprightly as I was back then, being a single mom will do that to you, but I love getting to work again.

Brad wanted me to be home for Presley and our potential future children, and at the time, I didn’t have a problem with it.

I loved being a stay at home mom, but I also love working.

Jason enters the room, Isaac close at his heels. Isaac chuckles under his breath. “You all know we are very laid back. You don’t have to stand.”

I laugh, the awkwardness settling in my gut. I won’t have much to do in terms of setting up Jason’s contract, but I’ll be his go to when it comes to events, so it’s important I’m here to guide him through how we run things, and what to expect.

Both Jason and Isaac sit down, and Isaac starts the meeting. He gives us a rundown of what to expect with this contract, and then Jason chimes in with what his process will be. I’m listening closely, taking notes so I’m sure of what to expect.

Throughout the meeting, I can’t stop gazing up at Jason.

His brown eyes are focused, brows furrowed as he concentrates and takes notes.

He looks different, but I can still see the young man I once knew.

Perhaps I’m romanticizing the short amount of time we were friends, and the infatuations I had for him, but I don’t think so.

He’s changed, as to be expected when time passes.

He seems almost jaded. He’s not the happy man I used to know.

There’s a constant furrow in his brow, and something put it there. After the wedding, I peppered Megan and Josie with questions about him on a coffee date, all while doing my best not to share too much, only telling them that we knew each other in college.

They really only told me a fact I already knew.

He’s a single dad, and is a pretty closed off person.

I got that vibe from him the night of the rehearsal dinner.

He seemed happy to see me at the start of the conversation, but as the moments passed, it was like watching his memory of us slowly creep back in, and he shut down.

As soon as I mentioned his daughter, he shut down completely.

The story of Lennie’s mom seems to be a sore subject. I gently prodded for details, but neither Josie, nor Megan would give me any, which is fine. It’s not their story to tell.

Jason’s successful. He became the talented businessman he talked about being, despite some of his hesitancy toward graduation. In a way, I’m proud of him, proud of what he became.

Jason lifts his eyes from his paperwork, catching me staring at him. I inhale sharply, turning my eyes away. I keep my focus on the pile of paper and notes in front of me for the rest of the meeting.

“Fallon, do you have anything you need to add?” Isaac asks.

I shake my head, glancing down at the papers in front of me again. “Nope, I don’t think so. Just…” I clear my throat, for some reason anxious about this next part. “I need to exchange contact information with Jason and the team members working out here so we can be in touch if need be.”