2. CHAPTER TWO - FORCED INTO SECLUSION
Chapter two
CHAPTER TWO - FORCED INTO SECLUSION
S eeing Lily again felt really good. I couldn’t exactly remember the last time I had seen her, possibly a couple of years ago, but I could never forget those iconic brown eyes of hers with the sprinkle of golden flecks scattered over the white part.
Lily had always been like a little sister to me, the same way Colton had been like a brother. So, imagine my surprise when I found out she was the owner of the new bookstore that had just opened up in Greendale.
Just looking at her made my heart skip a beat, and I assure you I wasn’t the type to be in such a situation. For the last four years, I had been voted Greendale’s most eligible bachelor and sexiest fireman for eighteen months and counting, so believe me when I say there was no woman capable of making my heart flutter— or so I thought.
The look Lily had on when Tina walked in was one I knew all too well. I had seen it countless times on the faces of women around me, so many times that it was impossible for me not to understand what had actually happened back at the bookstore.
As I got back into my car, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of hurt at the way Lily had completely brushed me off back there. We had gone from old friends catching up to practical strangers all because of her.
I glanced at Tina, who was seated in the passenger seat right beside me, and I could feel a scowl make its way to my lips. Tina was in no way anyone important to me. She was just a girl I had picked up at a bar a couple of days ago, and now she didn’t want to let me be.
Tina tried to strike up a conversation with me, but I didn’t want any part of it. She pouted, leaning closer. “So, are we headed back to your place?” she asked, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
I kept my eyes straight ahead. “Nah, I’ve got some things to take care of. I’ll drop you off at your place and call you later.”
She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “But Alex, I thought—”
“Not tonight, Tina.” I cut her off, not interested in hearing her complaints.
I could see the disappointment on her face, but I shrugged. I really didn’t give a fuck. To me, she was just another one of these bimbos— utterly useless.
The drive to her place was silent, except for her occasional attempts to get me to change my mind. I ignored them all. When we pulled up to her driveway, she leaned into the window, clearly about to launch into another protest.
“Alex, can’t we just—”
I didn’t wait to hear the rest. I hit the gas and zoomed off, leaving her standing by the driveway in shock with her mouth open. I glanced in the rearview mirror, watching her figure get smaller until she was out of sight.
As I made my way back to my house, thoughts of Lily kept flooding my memory. Her bright eyes, the way she looked at me— like I was someone worth knowing, not just the town’s bad boy. My knuckles tightened on the wheel in frustration. I needed a way to get close to her again, and going back to the bookstore would just be a futile attempt.
Then it hit me— her bookstore was new. She’d probably be looking for ways to put it on the map. I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I haven’t had to in quite a while. After two rings, Rachael picked up.
“Good morning, Master Alex. What can I help you with?” she states. This was the last thing I have wanted to do in a while, call my family’s personal assistant to call in a favor. After spending so much time trying to build myself, trying to make something on my own, but even I know what the power is that I have. The Sinclair name could open doors, even if I hated using it.
“Rachael, I need you to look into a store called Chapter & Verse. Find out if they have any promotional requests.”
There was a pause on the other end. “I’ll have to use your family’s influence for that. I thought you didn’t want to associate yourself with the Sinclair family again.”
I clenched my jaw. “Just get it done, Rachael.”
She sighed but didn’t argue further. “Understood.” I cut the call and threw my phone on the passenger seat.
A little while later, when I got home, my phone buzzed. I picked it up and answered. “Do you have the information I asked for?”
“Yes, Mr. Sinclair. The store is trying to acquire the services of the renowned author Richard L. Ginsberg for a book signing event.”
I felt a surge of satisfaction. “Good work, Rachael. Now, arrange a small meeting with Mr. Ginsberg urgently.”
“Of course. I’ll get right on it.”
I cut the call again, a sly smile spreading across my face. If everything went the way I wanted, I’d have another chance with Lily.
I slumped onto the couch, feeling the weight of the day lift just a little. The snow was beginning to fall outside, the first sign of winter settling in. It reminded me of how quickly things can change. One minute, you’re living your life as usual. The next, everything’s different. I wanted things to be different with Lily. I wanted to know her, to understand what made her tick, what made her smile. I wanted to be more than just her brother’s friend.
As I stared at the falling snow, I couldn’t help but think of how I’d left things with her today. When she saw Tina, the look in Lily’s eyes was like she had seen right through me. She had seen the worst parts of me. But maybe, just maybe, I could show her that there was more to me than what the town believed.
With a deep breath, I stood up and headed to the kitchen, the phone still in my hand. I dialed another number, one I hadn’t called in years. It rang for a while before a familiar voice answered.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Colton. It’s me. We need to talk.”
There was a pause. “About what?”
“About Lily.”
Colton sighed. “What did you do?”
“Nothing yet,” I said, my voice firm. “But I want to make things right. I need your help.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, man. What’s wrong with Lily?” Colton’s voice rose in anger.
“I told you Colt, nothing bad happened. I just want to help out her new store.”
“Oh that.” Colt paused, then let out a resigned sigh. “Alright. What do you need?”
I grinned to myself. Now, it was time to put my little plan into action.
After we were done talking and I hung up, I felt a strange feeling of hope and anxiety. Tomorrow was another day, another chance. And this time, I wasn’t going to screw it up.
The next day, I called the chief of the fire station where I served. “Hey, Chief, it’s Alex.”
“What’s going on? Everything alright, Sinclair?” His gruff voice came from the other end of the line.
“I’m good, Chief. Just need to take some time off. Got some personal stuff to handle.”
There was a pause, then a sigh. “Alright, but you know we’re short-staffed with the holidays coming up. We need you here.”
“I know. I’ll make it up when I get back, promise.”
“Fine. Take care of what you need to. We'll manage.” He sighed.
“I will. Thanks, Chief.”
I hung up and got into my car, driving toward the cabin I had reserved for our rendezvous. The snow had become really heavy by the time I arrived, and I had to wade through it to get to the porch of the cabin. The cold bit at my skin, but I barely noticed. My mind was focused on one thing: Lily.
Once inside, I began to warm up the cabin, gathering some logs for the fireplace. As I prodded the fire, I heard the sound of a car outside. I turned toward the sound with a small grin on my face—she was here.
It didn’t take a minute before the sound of a knock on the front door echoed through the cabin. I made my way to the door, opening it to reveal Lily Wyatt as the Uber drove away behind her. There was an obvious look of confusion on her face as she noticed who it was.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” she snapped, not even bothering to be nice.
I smirked. “Is that how you should be talking to the manager of Mr. Richard Ginsberg?”
Her mouth widened in surprise. “How did you—”
Before she could finish, I simply chuckled and opened the door even wider. “Better come inside before you catch a cold.”
She hesitated for a moment, then walked inside. I offered to take her coat, but she shook her head. “I can handle it,” she said.
She took off her coat and hung it on the coat rack by the door. The cold had flushed her cheeks, and her hair was slightly damp from the snow.
“Where’s Mr. Ginsberg?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
“He’ll be with us shortly. Please, make yourself comfortable.” I told her.
She nodded, not answering, and made her way to the living room. I watched her walk away, the sway of her hips, the way her hair bounced with each step. The fact that she wasn’t paying any attention to me somehow only made me want her more. It was then I understood that I had to have her. I needed to.
Lily looked around the cabin, taking in the rustic charm and the crackling fire. I watched her from the doorway, her presence filling the room with unexpected warmth. She took a seat on the edge of the sofa, her eyes scanning the room. “This place is… nice,” she said, though her tone was guarded.
“Glad you like it,” I replied, moving to stoke the fire. “Can I get you anything? Tea, coffee?”
She shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m fine.”
I could see the wheels turning in her mind, trying to figure out my angle. I leaned against the mantle, crossing my arms. “You seem tense, Lily. Relax. I’m not here to make you uncomfortable.”
She gave me a skeptical look. “Then why are you here, Alex? What’s your game?”
“No game,” I said, meeting her gaze. “I wanted to see you, to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“About the way things ended yesterday.” I said, closely watching her expression. “I figured I owed you an apology.”
“An apology?” she laughed. “Why in God’s name are you apologizing?”
Honestly though, why was I apologizing? I thought to myself.
“...I mean, it’s you, after all.”
Hearing her say that made me feel a bit angry. What did she mean by ‘it was me, after all?’ My eyes darkened as I met her gaze. “And what the fuck does that mean?”
She laughed again. “Let’s face it Alex, you know what you are. The entire fucking town knows what you are. You may be my brother’s best friend, but to me you’ll always just be the town playboy.”