Chapter 19
Nineteen
Jaclyn
Present
From what Natalia showed me yesterday, Gaeta is absolutely beautiful.
We walked along the beach after lunch and caught up some more. I learned that Martin is a clothing designer. He showed me some of his cool designs. He told me he loves street style and he is always having an idea spark whenever he is out and about. Max is his number one supporter but also his main model which I love for them.
Max looks so incredibly happy with Martin. He looks like he’s in his element.
Kayden has been traveling to London a lot, visiting one of his friends out there. He is living in his hometown in California. I didn’t know he lived there because he never mentioned it.
He told me he doesn’t like to think too much about his time there.
After we finished catching up, we all went back to our rooms. When I got into my room I watched some TV and worked for a little while until I got a call from Brandon.
Junior was getting ready for school when they called me. Junior told me he was having fun hanging out with Brandon and that he misses and loves me.
I was asking Brandon to make sure that Junior took his meds and ate a good breakfast. Brandon got annoyed with me and hung up so that they could leave, but not before Brandon asked me if I’ve been taking my meds.
The only thing I feel like could help me and my confidence is just seeing Junior in person.
I wish I could just grab Junior through the phone and squeeze him in my arms.
I turn the water off and grab my towel from the rack. I wrap myself in the white towel before opening the bathroom door.
I scream and flinch when I see a familiar tall figure standing in front of the window. Hayden turns around, a soft expression on his face when he looks at me.
I hold onto the towel for dear life as I stare at him. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Hayden walks away from the window and towards me. “Enjoying the view.” His eyes rake over my body and I swear I see his pupils dilate. He turns his head to the window. “You have a nice view of the beach.”
I narrow my eyes at him when he looks back at me.
Today Hayden is wearing a cream colored collared shirt and black trousers. The shoes are Loro Piana which are a very expensive brand.
He dresses so differently from how he dressed in college. His style is more mature and clean. On his Instagram, I would sometimes see him in his usual street style whenever he’s out and about in New York.
My eyes go to the ring on his ring finger.
Why would he kiss me with that stupid ring on his finger?
“How did you even get in?” Hayden ignores the question and walks closer to me. I back up once but he doesn’t stop until he has his hand on my waist and pulls me closer to him. “Hayden-”
“Shh,” he says quietly before leaning down. I can’t help but shiver as he leans down and puts his face in my neck. I suddenly remember that I am wearing just a towel with absolutely nothing underneath. Hayden’s soft hair grazes my jaw as he presses his nose against the side of my neck. “God, you have no clue how much restraint I have,” he whispers, huskily. “The only reason I haven’t claimed what’s mine yet is because I am giving you time to adjust to the fact that this is happening,” Hayden says in my ear before leaning away from me and looking down at my eyes.
God.
I always knew that Hayden was intense and had a way with his words, but Jesus, I didn’t know that he somehow became more smooth.
Even the way he looks down at me like he wants to grab me by the neck and show me that I’m his makes me feel weak in my knees.
But you’re not his.
You never will be, remember? He’s getting married.
I push myself away from him and glare. “Stop doing that.”
Hayden smirks down at me. “Doing what, princess?”
My face softens at the pet name he would always call me.
I was his princess and he was my knight who would always fight for me.
But then that one night happened and ruined everything.
Hearing that nickname after so many years does something to me. It makes me want to run into his arms and forget about the past.
Pretend like nothing ever happened but it did.
I wish sometimes I could just forget everything and not remember what it felt like to finally fall after flying.
“You need to stop flirting with me when you have a fiancé. You’re practically cheating on her.”
Hayden’s smirk vanishes and instead he has on a mask. It’s like the ones he puts on in fights so that no one knows what his next move is.
“You need to stop assuming things.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Assuming things? You are literally having a wedding in Italy.”
Hayden shakes his head lightly. “How was your shower?”
“Fine,” I say, while gripping onto my towel together as if it will fall right off. “Can you leave so I can change?” Hayden chuckles lightly as a knock sounds on the door. I leave Hayden standing in the middle of the room as I go to the door. I open it a little and see two familiar faces. “Alex! Carter! How are you guys?” I ask while bringing Alex into a hug. Carter was never the type of person to hug people.
“It’s so good to see you sweetheart,” Alex says before I let her go. “How have you been? We’ve missed you so much.”
She has a wide smile on her face while Carter just has his regular straight face on.
Even though he isn’t Hayden’s biological father, Hayden and him are so similar it’s almost creepy.
I smile while saying, “I’m doing great. Just busy with work mostly.”
“That’s good. What are you doing right now?” Carter asks before his eyes move to Hayden who comes up from behind me. “I didn’t know you were in here.”
Hayden pulls me behind him and it’s only now that I realize I’m in just a towel.
I need to change asap.
“I came to check on her. She loves sleeping in and well we are in Italy. We can’t be sleeping in when we have such little time here, yes?” Hayden says and Carter just glares at Hayden.
So they still don’t have the best relationship.
Alex smiles, looking up at Carter. “Isn’t that sweet? It’s great that both of you are here actually.” Alex looks back at Hayden and I. “I need you guys to go to the store for me and grab a couple of things if that’s alright?”
“Of course, Alex,” Hayden smiles down at her before looking at me. “You aren’t doing anything anyways right?”
I look away from Hayden and look at Alex who has a smile on her face.
I nip my bottom lip and curse at Hayden in my head.
“Sure. I’d be happy to.” I smile at them. “I just need to change.”
“Of course. We’ll let you get to it.” Alex says before leaving with Carter.
Carter takes Hayden out of the room so I can change.
While changing I think about what a horrible idea this is.