Page 46 of Organized Chaos

Brandon’s eyes never deviated. I gulped, having lost my speech and the power to comprehend my surroundings.

"Oh, come on. Just one drink."

I wanted to slap him across the face.

Sure, I had no future with Brandon, nor would anything transpire between us. But the way he was staring at me... I wanted to experience that lust-driven look just once, to know how it felt to have Brandon Cooper speak to me like I was a woman instead of a little girl.

Was that too much to ask?

Apparently, it was since this man couldn’t take the hint. “I really appreciate it, but I'm waiting for someone."

"What idiot keeps a woman like you waiting?"

“I guess that’d be me.” Brandon towered over the man, who mumbled meekly, slinking away to the side.

The entire world came to a stop.

Brandon was close enough so I could smell his clean scent, and I... couldn’t breathe or move, infatuated.

Kismet!

Chapter 13

Brandon and I lostcontact after the night of my essay competition. Brandon’s ego was bruised, and he hadn’t spoken to me since.

Distance only elevated my obsession with Brandon. I yearned to learn of his whereabouts so I could “accidentally” show up at the venue. I hated beingthatgirl, but after years of obsessing and stalking the same man, I had accepted it without qualms—I am that girl.

When I discovered that Brandon attended this event annually, I begged Raven to visit Nice every summer.

A few years ago, Raven moved to Paris for a fashion design program and also to live closer to her parents. Soon after, she started working with her mom. Currently, they run a boutique store together in Paris.

While we weren’t blood sisters, Raven and I remained thicker than thieves. Over the last few years, I had spent all of my breaks with her. My home in New York was lonely, devoid of human contact. Whereas France, and especially Raven’s neighborhood, gave me life.

That’s also how I met Gabby. Her parents were ex-pats as well and lived in Raven’s apartment building.

When they invited me on this trip, I realized the dates for this convention coincided with Gabby’s birthday. Although my family was wary of granting me freedom, Raven didn’t want to deter my budding friendship with Gabby, realizing that my quirky personality didn’t leave many socialization opportunities. After speaking with Gabby’s parents extensively, Raven indulged me, allowing me to go off with them.