Page 2 of I Never Stopped Loving You

“We could go to Zack's. Oh look. They’re letting another group in.”

Her shrill excitement only causes my back teeth to grind harder together. Just a little longer.

“Sounds good, Princess,” I answer mindlessly as I kiss the top of her head.

The scent she has on reminds me of…her. The one that disappeared without a trace. The one that I’ve been searching over fifteen years for.

“Angie!”

Another man’s voice shouting over the crowd draws Angela’s attention. She quickly pulls away from under my arm, and my body breathes a sigh of relief to have her claws retract from my skin.

“OMG, Marco! I didn’t know you were working tonight. Noah, this is Marco. He’s been my BFF since like forever.”

Dear God. I’m going to end up slitting her throat along with her father's if she doesn’t stop talking like a fucking teenager. When I saw she was a near-replica of what I’ve dreamed my little rabbit would look like, I thought it was a bonus treat during my hunt.

Marco stares at me for a moment, studying me, as if he could even attempt to chip away at the layers to try and see who I really am, but he won’t. I hold my hand out to shake his, and he glances at Angela for a second before taking it.

“Nice to meet you, man. Noah, is it?”

“Yes. It’s Noah. Nice to meet you. I’m glad I could finally meet one of Angie’s BFF’s.”

I let the last part roll off my tongue with arrogance, but Angela doesn’t even notice. Of course she doesn’t. Angela doesn’t care about anyone but herself. She’s probably one of the most narcissistic women I’ve ever met.

But he noticed.

“Yeah, Angie’s told me a bit about you. We were all wondering if you really existed or not,” Marco says as he releases my hand.

“Oh, stop it.” Angela jokingly smacks Marco in the shoulder before turning to me. “They just didn’t think that I would ever date a lawyer. I mean, most of you are really uptight, and none are as handsome as you are, Teddy Bear.”

She cuddles up to my side and clings to my arm that’s wrapped around her the way a cat clings for dear life as it’s being lowered into a bath. I wrap myself tighter around her and play the part of the perfect boyfriend, shielding her from the cold.

“Well, I hope you guys like the tour. We’ve outdone ourselves this year. It’ll be sure to scare the shit out of you. Don’t scream too loud, pretty boy,” Marco teases as he turns back to the building.

“Don’t mind Marco. Out of all my friends, he’s the most protective. He’s always been like an older brother to me.”

Yeah, and secretly in love with you, too. Idiot. How oblivious can you be to not see the way he stares at you? I saw those love-sick, puppy dog eyes light up the second he saw her. The light in them died just as quickly when he saw her attached to me. Too bad. He’ll probably eventually get the balls to tell her how he really feels. He’ll promise to love her and worship the ground she walks on. She’ll give in, realizing that Marco means safety. Someone to love her even as she grows old and no longer fits the “trophy wife aesthetic”, as she called it.

Once I’m finished with this hunt, I’ll break her heart, and he can pick up the pieces. Because she will never be the one thing my body and soul crave…

My Little Rabbit.

CHAPTER 2

WILLOW

NOVEMBER PRESENT DAY

“Willow! You’re going to be late,” Jenna shouts from downstairs.

Deep breaths. You got this. It’s just an interview…One that you’ve been preparing yourself for over the last two years. A coveted spot at Andersons’ and Sons Law firm.

“Willow!”

“Coming,” I scream back.

I glance one more time at the reflection staring back at me. My natural strawberry blonde hair is pulled up in a tight bun with only a few strands of my bangs framing my face. My green eyes are sparkling, barely lined with black eyeliner and just a swipe of mascara. My lips are tinted with the faintest shade off from my natural lips. My glasses are clean and shiny, with no smudges on the lenses. I decided to wear glasses today instead of my usual contacts because I've always felt like glasses fit me better, especially for the courtroom.

My outfit was carefully picked by my roommate, Jenna. She’s a fashion major at Wayne State. I’m basically a living, breathing doll she can dress up to try out the latest fashion trend or a new design she whipped together overnight. She’s brilliant.