Chapter 2
Victor
Never did I imagine I’d find myself back in Granite Falls, New Hampshire after my ex-fiancée, Harmony, fled from our reality TV wedding and ended up getting back together with her ex-boyfriend.
Talk about baggage.
But now, she’s become one of my best friends, and I’m here for her birthday party. Who am I kidding? She’s one of my only friends, other than my best friend I met in university, Sebastian.
I’d be lying to myself if I denied I had any other ulterior motives for returning to Granite Falls. My mind drifts to Serenity. Thoughts of her fierce green eyes that can cut through even the most hardened businessperson during negotiations make my heart do something strange inside my chest.
“Are you nervous?” my driver, Jay, asks from the front seat, pulling my attention to him. He has worked for me since I became CEO of Barlowe Technology, the company my grandfather founded.
“Why would I be?”
As we turn away from downtown, the street is swallowed up by huge pine trees. No matter which direction I look, I can’t see more than five feet without the line of trees blocking my vision. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to my usual view in the city.
He laughs. “You’re avoiding my questions, so yes, I’d say you are.”
I glare at Jay, but he remains unfazed. He knows me well enough by now to see I’m not mad. I rarely ever am. “I’m not nervous.”
He raises his brows and glances at me for a moment through the rearview mirror before focusing back on the road. “This is the first time you’ll see Serenity again since she helped patch you up.”
I rub at my shoulder on instinct. A few months ago, a former Barlowe Technology board member kidnapped Harmony, and when I went to rescue her with Elias, her now boyfriend, I was shot.
Serenity’s soft, gentle hands worked on me until my bleeding stopped, and she kept me alive until the ambulance arrived.
I sigh at the single thought about Serenity. Other than Harmony, she’s the only woman to look at me and not hit on me just because I’m a billionaire. No, I’d say Serenity hates me because of it, and that sends a thrill through me.
Being near her will only bring trouble, but I can’t resist the pull.
Jay turns down a long, gravel driveway, leading to a small cabin nestled in the back of the property surrounded by large pine trees. My heart is thrown into overdrive as we near the parked cars. Serenity is there somewhere.
I’ve been waiting for this reunion since I last saw her. And somehow, I’ve resisted the urge to call her several times. Perhaps it’s the thought that I’d seem like a weirdo stalker.
And I’m not a needy teenager who can’t control his impulses.
When the car is parked, I open my door and halt when Jay says, “I’ll go downtown. Call me when you’re ready to leave.”
I nod and exit the SUV, ambling over toward the crowd gathered on the side of Elias and Harmony’s home. There are a few women surrounding the birthday girl. Other than Elias and me, the only other man here is Sully, Harmony’s father.
As I near them, I spot a waffle station with a plethora of different toppings. There’s chocolate, caramel, M&M’s, chocolate chips, whipped cream, peanut butter, and a few other toppings I can’t place before walking past.
Harmony chatters animatedly as she stands beside Elias who mans the grill.
The scent of gas and chicken intertwine inside my nose.
My steps slow to a stop when I spy Serenity next to her sister.
Serenity throws her head back and laughs at something.
The sun glints off her red hair, turning it into a fiery explosion.
So, she does know what a smile is. She just doesn’t grace me with one.
I’ll have to tuck that information away for later. It has now turned into my life’s mission to earn one of her smiles.
Serenity bends over, scoops up her daughter, and twirls her around in circles. Serenity’s forest green dress flares out around her like she’s a fairy and has a magical lure that I can’t resist. Summer shrieks as they continue moving in circles until they both fall to the ground.
Huh. So, that’s what motherly affection looks like?
“Victor!” Harmony hollers from her spot. She strides over to me and wraps me in a hug. “I’m so happy you could make it. Serenity bet me you wouldn’t come.”
I smirk and pull away from her embrace. “Yeah? And what did you win?”
Harmony leans in close as if she’s going to tell me a secret. “A batch of her famous brownies.”
My mouth waters. Brownies are my favorite dessert.
I wink and say, “You’ll have to share them with me since I helped you get them.”
She pats her belly. “I’m not sure any will be left over. They’ll be gone in less than five minutes.”
Serenity marches over with a purpose and crosses her arms over her chest. “Why are you here?”
Harmony gasps. “I invited him. Don’t be rude.”
“Why would you invite him? He’s the reason you were kidnapped.”
Harmony waves a hand. “None of that matters anymore. We’re all safe and sound while Mr. Smith is locked up.”
My gut twists with a burning hot knife lodged inside. If it weren’t for me—or Mr. Smith, the unfortunate board member—Elias wouldn’t have ended up in the hospital protecting the woman he loves. Harmony wouldn’t have been kidnapped. And I wouldn’t have been injured.
After everything that went down, I had background checks done again on every single one of my employees.
I clear my throat. “If I may interject. I apologized for everything that transpired. Not to mention I paid for all the hospital bills.”
Serenity huffs out a harsh laugh. “Oh, yes. Mr. Billionaire threw his money around. I’m shocked at the money you spent—what must be like pennies to a man like you.”
A fire flares to life inside me. This is what I’ve been missing since I last saw her. “Harmony has accepted my apology. And so has Elias. Why won’t you?”
Her gaze doesn’t waver as she stares me down. “People like you aren’t trustworthy.”
“People like me?”
“Yes, men who are born into wealth and think the world should bow to them.” She places her hands on her curvy hips. “Rich and entitled men who don’t spare a second thought about the pain they cause others.”
Harmony claps her hands together, but neither Serenity nor I spare her a glance as we stare each other down. “Hello? Are you two going to kill each other?”
“Nah,” Elias says, suddenly appearing by his girlfriend’s side. He leans down and whispers, “I think they’ll fuck each other.”
Serenity chokes and turns to the soon-to-be dead man. She’ll never let him out of here alive. “What the fuck?”
Elias shrugs. “Sorry, I tried to whisper it. It’s not my fault you listened to what wasn’t meant for your ears.”
Serenity turns on her heel. “I’m done with this.” She sashays away, heading back to where her daughter sits at a picnic table, happily eating.
I try to peel my eyes off her, but I have to study this piece of art while she’s not in a museum and still in my presence. Even if her distaste for me is all I can get, I’ll take it.
Someone nudges me, and when I glance down, I find Harmony beaming up at me. “You like my sister, don’t you?”
I open my mouth but snap it shut again. I wouldn’t really know how I feel.
I haven’t had a real, long-lasting relationship with emotions that weren’t surface level, but there’s something about Serenity that I can’t place my finger on.
Am I in love with her? No. But I can't deny the lure I feel whenever I'm near her. Jay caught on, too, so maybe I’m not the best at hiding it.
“She’s beautiful but no. And even if I did, she can’t stand me.”
“Serenity doesn’t have a good track record with men who come from money,” Harmony whispers directly into my ear, and I can’t help but wonder who this other man is. “But don’t forget fighting is great foreplay.”
She winks and saunters back toward Serenity and Summer, leaving me standing there, stunned into silence.
And I can’t help but remember the first time Serenity threatened me.
Four Months Ago
Everyone is watching us. Never in a million years did I think a bunch of random women would be interested in watching me marry.
But Everlasting Love, the reality TV show my board of executives forced me on, made my wedding a spectacle.
Sure, people are naturally drawn to talk about public figures but more in the way of gossiping.
I stand here, waiting for Harmony to utter the words “I do.”
If she doesn’t, I stand to lose everything. She’s aware of this fact. We both know it isn’t a love match, but we have grown to respect each other, and I find myself searching for her just to “hang out” as she’s put it.
I think the best term that applies to us is “friends” rather than “lovers.”
My eyes are glued to her, but she looks anywhere other than at me. The murmuring crowd makes a sensation in my stomach, like a bunch of bees are buzzing around in there.
Finally, Harmony meets my gaze, and I hold in a sigh. She’s not going to say it. The look on her face makes my heart plummet.
“I’m sorry, Victor, but I do not.”
I don’t move from my spot as she rushes down the stairs and blazes a trail for the double doors. Serenity turns to me and hisses, “If she says you did something to her, I’ll be coming for you.”
I bite my lip to resist the urge to smile. This occasion doesn’t call for happiness, but Serenity’s fire … It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. And I’ll never find anyone like her again.
Present Day
A peel of laughter pulls me back to the party. Just moments ago, Serenity practically spit in my face, but now, she’s laughing at something Harmony said. For some reason, this woman that haunts my thoughts, finds me repelling. And only me.
I inhale deeply and stuff my hands in my pockets, making my way to the picnic table. Pasting a smile on my lips, I forge ahead. I can make it through the next two hours without staring into Serenity’s alluring eyes.
And I can go back to the city tonight without thinking about her. With my focus solely on work, I can forget about her.