Page 67 of The Compass Series

He drank more than he ever told me he did.

He stayed out later than he’d ever mentioned before we moved in with one another.

His mother told me he was overwhelmed with his new work commitments and the upcoming move to California, which I understood.

I’d only wished he would’ve told me if he felt that way—not his mother.

Before I could reply to his rude comments, he looked past me. “You haven’t met my business partner yet. Connor, come here,” Jason said, waving someone over.

I looked up to see who he was calling out to, and my heart skipped before crashing to a full-blown stop as I met the bluest eyes I’d ever witnessed in my life.

Captain America.

In a suit.

My breaths evaporated the second our eyes locked. For a moment, I thought his eyes widened with realization, too, but when he blinked, it disappeared. His gaze softened, and he extended his hand toward me.

“Hi, Aaliyah, is it? I’m Connor. Nice to meet you.”

My chest ached as our hands shook. His eyes were still as blue as I remembered, yet his smile seemed a little more broken.

I parted my lips to speak, but at first, no sounds came out…not until Jason awkwardly cleared his throat and nudged me.

I pushed out a smile. “Hi, yeah. It’s nice to meet you, Connor.”

Connor.

I loved that name a lot—even if it wasn’t Steve Rogers.

He looked like a Connor. Sweet, gentle, kind.

Jason downed his drink and gestured toward Connor. “It’s because of this guy that we’re off to California in a few weeks. Can you believe it? I’ll be running my own real estate company.”

“Not exactly your own,” Connor said with a small smirk. “More of a team thing.”

“Yeah—for now, big boy. I’m pretty sure after you see how well I run it, you’ll be handing the business over to me in no time,” he joked. “Besides, you’re already busy with your other investments. I’d gladly take it off your hands.”

Connor laughed, but it felt cold. I hadn’t known his laughter could feel so chilled. “Roe Real Estate is my firstborn. I’d never give it away,” he said, and it was clear he meant it.

I had no clue why Jason was even pushing the idea. He should’ve been grateful for the opportunity he’d been given, but then again, he had been drinking. Whenever Jason drank a lot, his personality shifted a bit. I loved him a little bit more when he was sober.

I couldn’t stop staring at Captain— Connor . It appeared the past two years had been good to him. He seemed even more built, his hair was groomed perfectly, and he had a very nice beard. He wore a designer suit ten times better than most of the individuals in attendance that night, and his eyes…

His eyes were still glued on me.

It appeared neither of us could look away, and I didn’t know what to think about it at all.

My heart began to race, pounding against my rib cage, and I forced my stare away from Connor to avoid Jason picking up on any of my awkwardness. “Well, um, it was nice to meet you, Connor. But I was actually on my way to get some fresh air. So if you’ll excuse me.”

I gave Jason a tight smile before hurrying off, tripping over my own feet and almost falling face-first in my high heels.

Within seconds, a pair of arms caught me, and I looked up to see those blue eyes once more.

Every hair on my body stood up straight as Connor stopped me from falling.

I felt the heat in my cheeks as he held me.

“Sorry,” I muttered, still flustered like no other.

He pulled me up to a standing position and smiled. That one felt more real, the kind of smile I remembered from him in the past. “Not a problem.”

“She’s a bit clumsy sometimes,” Jason commented, walking over to us. “Just watch your step a bit more, will you, Aaliyah? I don’t want to have to make a trip to the emergency room,” he joked before turning to Connor. “How about I get you a drink, and we go over some details about a few things?”

That was my sign to keep walking away before Connor could see how humiliated I was.

Unfortunately for me, before I could make my way out of the room, I was ambushed by Jason’s associates, and I was cussing at myself for not keeping my head down more.

It was the first night I’d been around anyone who Jason knew on a work level, and they all overwhelmed me.

I felt out of place, the black sheep in a way.

They looked at me differently and spoke to me as if I were the most na?ve person alive.

Not only that but they also had a way of being catty with smiles plastered across their faces.

“So, Amanda,” one woman stated, giving me a smug smile.

“Aaliyah,” I corrected, returning their fake smile.

“Oh, yes, sorry, that was the last girl. So, Aaliyah, it’s nice to see Jason with someone who has a normal body type. One can only date so many supermodels.” She pursed her lips, and her evil partner in crime joined in.

He nodded once. “Here’s hoping this marriage lasts longer than the last two!”

Cringeworthy laughter ensued from all involved.

“I think it’s good he’s finally thinking of settling down. Though, it does seem a bit rushed, don’t you think?” another woman questioned.

The man leaped back in. “Well, you know what they say, the only thing Jason jumps into faster than weddings is divorce.”

They all laughed again, having the time of their lives as they mocked me.

“I’m sorry, I was just going to head—” I tried to cut in, but they weren’t having it.

“How old did you say you were again, Alice?” the first woman asked me.

“ Aaliyah ,” I hissed, annoyance filling me up inside. “And I’m twenty-four.”

“Oh, so young! I swear, Jason makes them younger and younger each time,” she commented. I parted my lips to defend myself, but the guy dived into the conversation before I could.

“Well, good for you, Aaliyah. You’re living the new American dream. With Jason, money is no longer an issue, and I know you gen Z kids don’t want to work. You ever think of starting a blog? Maybe a YouTube channel?” Insert mocking laughter here.

“Actually, she’s an employee at one of the biggest magazine lines in the world, Wayne, unlike you, who still lives with your parents,” a familiar voice said, joining the conversation.

The amount of comfort that hit me as I turned to see Marie was astronomical.

She gave me a wink before turning back to the judgmental crowd. “And Ruby, isn’t it true that your husband just filed for bankruptcy? Perhaps you shouldn’t cast stones when you already have rocks in your own garden.”

Ruby huffed and puffed but didn’t say anything in response to Marie. It was clear who the queen bee was, and Marie Rollsfield sat on top of the throne. She stood like royalty, and the bullies retreated as if they were unworthy to take in the same air as her.

“A word of advice, love,” Marie said, turning to me with the brightest smile. “Don’t ever let peasants intimidate you. You are more than they could ever dream of becoming.”

“I’m quickly learning that I don’t think I really fit in with this business side of Jason’s world.”

“Good,” she agreed. “These people are animals. You don’t need or want to fit in with this world.” She gave me a sideways hug. “But you do fit in with our family, and that’s all that matters. I always wanted a daughter.”

If she knew how much I’d always wanted a mother, too…

“What about Jason’s business partner, Connor? Is he one of the good ones?” I asked, trying to seem nonchalant about it but curious about what kind of business person he was.

“One of the most genuine human beings in this world. He’s a good person—which isn’t common to come across in our world.

I’m a bit shocked that the dark side of the business hasn’t crushed him yet, but he always seems to make mountains out of molehills.

It seems he has angels in his corner. I’m glad Jason is working with him.

Even though Jason is older, Walter and I hope Connor can be a bit of a mentor to him.

He has a good head on his shoulders. With his help, Jason can do big things. ”

I smiled, pleased with the knowledge that Connor was just as good of a person as he had been when I crossed paths with him two years earlier.

Marie lightly nudged my arm and whispered, “Now, go get your breath of fresh air before the hyenas come in and attack again.”

I smiled. “How did you know I was running to get some air?”

“Oh, sweetheart, don’t forget, I was you once upon a time—the outsider brought into a world unknown where people judged me for my looks, for my skin tone, for my lack of finances.

I remember needing a few quick escapes from time to time.

If you go to the left, take the elevator to the rooftop.

The view is beautiful. Just remember, when you take those breaks, strengthen that invisible crown of yours and remember who you are, and remember you have a whole team in your corner now. ”