Page 12 of I Choose You

Now she sobered a little. “He didn’t take your virginity or anything, right?”

I opened and closed my mouth, hesitant to share all of this with her. Besides, now wasn’t the time. I did have to get back to work at some point and this could take a while.

“You dated him?” She hardened her gaze. “Did he bully you?”

“It’s awkward, okay?”

She shrugged, glancing at her computer monitor when it pinged. “Look, you said he’s there to talk about the deal. Maybe it won’t even go through. Don’t start stressing about something that might not be an issue.”

“Todd can’t wait to make this a deal.” My retort matched my mood. Glum and resigned.

“Okay, but still. High school was a long time ago. Whatever stood between you then can’t matter now. You’ve changed since high school. We all do. Can’t you assume he has too?”

I shrugged one shoulder. “Easier said than done.” I rubbed my stomach, hoping to ease the knots there. “Maybe I should take you up on that suggestion to go on a vacation.”

“Ha.” Rena clicked her tongue and shook her head. “I mean, yeah, a workaholic like you needs a break now and then. But no, you need to slay your demons. Give him a shot. Give the deal a shot.”

I grimaced at her, tense as stress filled me.

She lowered to my eye level and smiled. “Come on. What’s the worst that could happen?”

5

KADEN

Of all people.

“Thank you, Brooke,” the thin, reedy man called out as she left.

Without a word, she turned away and escaped down the hall.

“Mr. Ellis,” I began as I stepped into his office and offered him my hand to shake.

“Morning, Mr. Wagner. Pleased to meet you.” He frowned, pulling his phone from his pocket. A cringe followed his glance at the screen. “It’s my son. I need to take this.”

“Hey, no worries. Family first, always.”

He sighed, relief tugging his shoulders down with my comment. “Of course. That’s what we believe here too. Family first. He fell and broke his arm.” He put the phone to his ear, answering and asking him to wait for a minute. “If you could just excuse me for one moment while I take this.”

“Take your time. No rush.” I sat and smiled at him, reassuring him I would be fine here. God knew I needed a moment to get over the shock of seeing Brooke Ponder for the first time since high school.

Jesus. It’s been that long? Twelve years. I hadn’t seen her since.

“Look, Joey. I’m at work. Can’t your brother help with the Nintendo? No, no. Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.”

I frowned at Mr. Ellis’s words as his voice trailed off down the hall.

“Brooke Ponder,” I muttered to myself. I rubbed my hand over my mouth, musing about the woman that girl had grown into.

She was gorgeous. A knockout. All that long black hair running almost down to her ass.

I groaned quietly, shifting in my seat. That ass. When she’d led me to the office, it took everything in me not to stare. Not to drool, either.

Here I was giving Kody shit about this and now I’m just as bad.

That dress clung to her curves, emphasizing breasts she definitely hadn’t had in high school. Her skin was glowing. And those tats? Fucking sexy as hell. All that ink was such a contrast to the girl she’d been in high school.

The Brooke I recalled from high school had been so quiet and shy, always whispering and hanging out with that other equally mousy and nerdy girl whose name I doubted I’d remember after all this time.