Page 43 of Van Cort

RIVER

Closing the door behind me rings déjà-vu in my mind from when I came back after our first adventure to the casino. But there’s one big difference now.

I pull my case into my room and collapse onto the bed.

Did all of that just happen?

Considering it as a work trip, there was little I accomplished. Although that was my head speaking and not my heart. My heart did plenty – falling and tripping all over the place.

The smile on my face is so easy as I think over the time away and the whirlwind that is everything Van Cort.

The mansion, the town, the island… and while there were parts of Everett’s past he shared that were painful and sad, devastating even, for me, the time away showed me that I was wrong about him.

And he’s not just the man from our first date who wanted to sleep with me and ghost.

I run my finger up to the solid gold pendant hanging from the delicate chain, perhaps the most precious thing anyone’s given me before.

It’s late, and it takes me a minute to remember what day of the week it is after agreeing to stay. I can’t remember how long the secondment to Everett’s expires, but it’s not really started yet, so that’s something for tomorrow.

Unpacking can wait, and I curl up on the bed and text April.

I’m back :-)

Well well well – what time do you call this?!

I switch up and video call her, not having the patience to type out all the things.

“Hey!”

“Well?” She jumps right in.

“Well, what?” My grin spreads over my face, and I don’t even attempt to hide it.

“Don’t give me that. You know.”

“He grew up in a freaking mansion outside of Vancouver, which is beautiful and secluded and is intimidating as hell. He owns most of the local town, too,” I rush in.

“Okay, so the exact kind of background and upbringing that you’ve hated and had to stand up to - the entitled and privileged - all your life. What’s got you looking so gooey-eyed?”

How do I explain it?

“He was different there.”

“Less cryptic, please.” April’s brows rise with her command. She’s not taking any prisoners here.

“Urghh, that’s the hard part. It was a lot of little things that all add up to a big change.

At least for part of it.” I run my hand over my forehead as I try to articulate.

“He’s complicated. A mystery still in many ways, but it felt like he could be his real self when we were there. He opened up.”

“Okay, you’re coming to visit. We’re having a girls’ weekend, so we can dissect this and figure out where you are because I’m pretty sure I told you not to let your heart get mixed up, and I don’t believe for a second that’s not where you are.”

“I’d love that. Really, April, I would.” How would she react to knowing I’ll be working for Everett for the next few weeks, and so I can’t take time off? “But I’ve taken time off work already, going away again, plus I’m—”

“Fine. I’ll fly up to you. I’ll arrive Friday night and leave Sunday. No Everett interruptions, agree?”

“Are you sure?” It would be amazing to have time to properly visit with April, and my heart swells at the possibility.

“We can see your folks, eat out. Drink in.”

“It’s a date.”

***

After an early night, I wake up knowing that I’ll see Everett again. Only back under his suited armour.

I confirm the details that were meant to be for Monday and head to the Van Cort office.

When I arrive, just before my usual start time, I’m escorted through the reception and to the finance floor, where there’s a run of desks outside what seems to be a senior manager’s office.

Everything is immaculate. Expensive. Exactly what I’d come to expect from the man. It shouts at the prestige I know the company is built on - the gold it’s built on.

I’m introduced to a woman who comes out of the only office, and she puts me at one of the desks and hands me a file.

It only takes me ten minutes to realize that it isn’t exactly difficult, and whilst I’m still operating under the assumption that he did this for reasons other than my acumen, I find myself hoping that there’s at least something relevant or pertinent for me to do. Otherwise, it’s a big risk for me.

As the day goes on, there’s nothing from Everett. No texts. No calls. Maybe he’s just busy.

I wish my heart was as invested in that thought as my mind is.

On Friday it’s still the same, and I’m mentally battling with the memories of the start of our…

relationship. It’s only been two days, and the gold chain around my neck tells me it’s different this time.

I try to hold on to that. At least I know April is due in tonight.

She’s coming right to my place from the airport as she got the day off, and we’re intending to go straight back out.

She’s my oldest friend and the only person I’d ever call myself a girl’s girl with, and I can’t wait for her to visit.

By the end of the day, Everett’s schedule is still full and any hope to speak to him at work vanishes as he’s still in a meeting when it’s time for me to leave. But I won’t let that taint my weekend plans.

April is already unpacked and in the kitchen as I come in the door.

“Eeee!” she squeals as I put my bag down and we envelop each other in a hug, erasing the distance of months apart.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” I beam at her.

“Neither can I. And what,” her eyes drop to my chest, “is that?”

“This?” I clasp the gold pendant between my fingers and smile at the memory and sentiment it represents.

“That would be a gift from Everett. From his estate.”

“He’s got gold pendants lying around the place?”

“No. He had a piece of gold we found melted down and made into this for me.”

“Are you serious?”

“I am.” I grin.

“Okay, we need to drink. And talk.” She heads to retrieve the wine from the fridge. “Tell me everything.”

As if on cue, Everett’s messaged twice since I got home, and as much as I’ve said it’s a boy-free zone, I won’t ignore him.

His timing couldn’t be worse, and the frustration that he’s decided now is the time to contact me aggravates me.

He’s been in the same building as me for the past few days, and there’s only been silence.

While April is at the bar, I re-read and return his messages.

Dinner?

I’m sorry, I have plans. X

Doing what?

I’m out with a friend. Got to go. X

April comes back to our table and places my cocktail in front of me as she raises hers between us to toast. “No more messages. How can we talk about him while you’re texting him every chance you have?”

“Fine. No more phone.” I clink her glass with mine and slip my phone back into my bag.

“So, it was him then?”

“Maybe.” My voice springs up an octave.

“What side of him are we getting then?”

“Hey, don’t be like that,” I defend, but I know she’s only watching out for me, and she’s not wrong. There are two sides to him.

She smiles and shakes her head at me. “Oh girl, you’ve got it bad.”

“What?” I take a sip of the cocktail and feel the heat of the alcohol hit.

“Look, I can’t tell you what to do, but just be careful. Don’t let yourself be manipulated.”

“I’m not. I promise. He wants a more serious relationship. There’s no way he would have shared what he did if that wasn’t the case, trust me.”

“Bad?” Her eyes turn sad.

“His father was… an evil man by all accounts, and I can only imagine what he might have had to endure. I’m not sorry he’s dead.”

“Given how much I know you love your parents, that is saying something.”

“It’s not my place to share. And, we’re here to have fun and celebrate, so let’s change the subject, deal?

” There’s a big part of me that doesn’t want to share any of the details of our time away with anyone.

Like what happened at the house belonged there, safe and secure from anyone picking over our actions and behaviour.

“So, if we’re done with my love life, what about yours? ”

April has always been popular, but she’s reluctant to settle down, or make a decision, so it’s no surprise that she’s been seeing a couple of different people. And we’re still young. We don’t need to be thinking of commitment and families yet. That was never our priority.

But as the thought intrudes, I’m back in the town, with Everett making that coded suggestion about a proposal. I wash it away with the rest of my cocktail. Dragging April after me, we dance the next few songs away before refilling our glasses.

And repeat.

And repeat.

Until I can’t remember anything bad about Everett, or the situation we’re in, and all I know is that he can make me feel things I haven’t before.

***

The door. Someone’s at the door, and it’s not someone banging on the inside of my head. Maybe.

The thudding repeats, refusing me the option of falling back into the coma of sleep I need after last night. A woozy head is the least I deserve for mixing my drinks like that. It’s April’s fault. Actually, it might have been mine.

I pull myself from bed and wrap my robe around me before making my way to the door. Checking the peephole, I see who it is, and mentally school myself.

“Everett, hi.” I smile, opening the door just enough to talk to him through.

“Any reason the door is closed on me?”

Okay, straight to it then. April will kill me if I let him in and introduce him to her like this. “Err, no. Just not right now. Sorry, I wasn’t expecting you.” I smile again and try to limit the blow but know he’s not pleased.

“Clearly.” He looks at my comfy robe and bare feet. “When can you be ready?”

“Ready? I’m sorry, I thought I told you I was busy.”

He cocks his head to the side. “Busy all weekend?” He checks, as if he doesn’t understand what I am saying.

I watch his brows knitting together as he takes a step back.

It puts me straight into a defensive position, the need to justify my answer desperate to spill from my mouth.

“Yes. You didn’t ask last night, but I have plans this weekend.

Just because they aren’t with you, doesn’t mean I don’t have them with someone else.

” My eyes hold his green gaze, and I will myself to stand strong.

After everything we shared at his family home, he should be able to trust me.

I watch as the sharp edges and hard exterior slip back over him like a shield. He’s the replica of the man I first met, the man who thought he could sleep with me and then leave, complete with a tensed jaw, like he’s trying not to speak the words he wants to say.

“Someone else.” His voice is smooth and enticing, daring me to challenge him. I remember his command when we arrived at the mansion – to do everything he asked. Does he think that extends here?

“Yes.”

“Are you going to tell me who?”

It would be easy to tell him April is sleeping down the hall and will be here until Sunday, but his automatic assumption has made me mad.

“I’m spending some time with a friend, and you don’t get to dictate every second of my life, even if you might try.

” My feet dig into the floor, and I grip the edge of the door as if I can physically hold my ground.

I can see he’s uncomfortable, so am I, but we could be open and honest while on his terms. These are mine.

And he doesn’t get to rule over me like this.

I think about the conversation we had in the town, how the idea of vows crept into the conversation. Would he expect honour and obedience to be in those vows? Does compatibility for him mean doing as I’m told?

“You wanted compatibility, Everett. You shared with me, let me see behind whatever mask you show the rest of the world. Do you really think so little of me to assume that as soon as we’re back, I’d be off with another man?”

“That isn’t what I’m suggesting.”

“Then give me the benefit of your trust and I’ll see you after the weekend.”

The look on his face threatens a reaction akin to rage, but he doesn’t say anything. He steps back again and then turns, heading straight to the car parked on the curb.

My stomach knots with guilt, but it’s a stupid response. We weren’t even serious until going away, and now he wants to monopolise my time? It’s like it’s all or nothing with him.

No.

I’ve done the right thing.

Stood up to him.

I second-guess the decision all the way through making coffee.

“Who was at the door?” April doesn’t lift her head from the pillow as I come back to the room with our morning caffeine hit.

“One guess.”

She’s sitting up, her face aghast at my response. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. I don’t know if it’s sweet or overbearing and controlling.” She doesn’t need to know that it’s all of the latter two.

“After everything you’ve told me about Everett Van Cort, sweet would never enter my mind.”

Her words hit, and I run my mind over everything I know of Everett. She’s right, sweet isn’t the first one that he conjures. Sharp, handsome, smart, but there’s more. Another side to him. A fun side. One that lets me in behind what he shows the rest of the world.

But maybe it goes deeper than that. Maybe he’s not comfortable being vulnerable or open with anyone at first and keeps his true self hidden away.

Unless… he wasn’t all buttoned up at the trip to the beach, was he?