693Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5SD1SuXLm
Present Day ----
Jade – I have great news. I will be back in New York this Friday. I am hoping that I can see you. The only thing is that this time I will have a few friends with me. I hope that we can meet at the Tavern, lets plan on 7:30 this way I can see you at least once while I am in New York. I can’t wait to see you! There is so much we have to talk about.
Love,
Liam
Jade had read over that message at least a hundred times since she had received it on Tuesday, it was now Friday. Soon she would be seeing Liam again and she couldn’t be happier. Knowing that the communication has been a rather hard one with him being busy with the family business and all but she was excited to say the least. As she laid in bed wide awake having just taken a nap after class she began to wonder what it is that he wanted to talk to her about. The thoughts began to swirl in her mind, she knew that the week that they had together and just the little bit of talking here and there was something that was all new to her but she was anxious to see just what could be on his mind. As she got up actually excited for the day she began getting ready. After a rather long shower she was now contemplating what exactly she should wear. Knowing that Liam was different in a way from the guys that she had been set up with by Autumn and she wanted to make an impression. She began holding up multiple different outfits in front of her full length mirror showing herself how it would look on her and after about 45 minutes she finally decided on the blue spaghetti strap dress that hung just to the right length and clung to her form rather well and in just the right spots. As she began to finish her hair letting it fall in loose curls and applying again just the tiniest bit of make-up she slipped on her heels that she had to dig out of the back of her closet knowing that she barely ever wore them.
Heading out a little bit early she thought that she would beat him to the Tavern as she walked along the down town during dinner rush hour looking down to her cell 7:30 glared right back up to her as she started to make her way towards the front entrance of her bar…well hers for the time being that she still had a job after requesting a busy Friday off. As she stood outside the big metal door her breathing started to catch having this feeling wash over her as it did so long ago but shaking her head she pulled the door open. For almost the beginning of February it was rather mild in the heart of the New York state, although she felt a familiar chill hit her as she stepped into the bar her blue eyes scanned the crowd. Looking around she saw Carter, Natalie and Kristy the new gal that just started and as she waved Natalie ran up to her hooking her arm with Jades.
“Please tell me that you are not going to hog all of them” the bouncy blonde shrieked as Jade looked to her confused.
Jade laughed at her friend, “What do you mean all of them” as she turned to her friend as Natalie smiled her green eyes lit up like a little girl getting a pony. “Well table 34 in the back…has asked that once you get here you are to join them immediately, and lets just say there is a party of what is supposed to be 5 but the last one I guess is not here yet, but anyways there are 4 extremely handsome guys waiting for you. Please put in a good word for me” Natalie stated as she patted Jade on the shoulder.
Jade softly laughed to her friend as she walked away leaving Jade to head to the table and as she did she could see what she was talking about there were 4 very attractive men that were sitting there and as she approached the table her smile spread across her face as she came face to face with “Liam” she said without realizing she was talking out loud. Though as the dirty blonde hair of the man sitting closest to the edge turned, her heart began to beat faster and as soon as he met her eyes he returned her smile as though it was from ear to ear.
“Jade!” he exclaimed standing up instantly his arms wrapping her up close to him lifting her up off the floor and spinning her and soon returning her back to her feet as she laughed “Liam its great to see you again. I actually cant believe that you are really here.” She smiled as she hugged him again feeling the strong arms of her dear friend that was stealing her heart more and more.
He broke the hug as he looked to her reaching in a firm hand and stroking her cheek “I promised you I would. I did hope that it would be alone…but these knuckleheads wanted to come along on my vacation.” He spoke as he turned back to the table towards the guys “Jade I would like you to meet Tariq, Maxwell Beaumont and Bastian” and as he stated the other’s names Jade reached across shaking their hands as the younger looking one Maxwell looked to her “Well Liam you were right she looks like a keeper…the name is Maxwell as you know” he stated still holding Jade’s hand “I am the brother of the Duke of Ramsford – House of Beaumont back in Cordonia….but here just call me Maxwell” as he smiles to her his brown eyes showing to her that he would be the little brother that would get into the trouble as she then turned to Liam to hear him comment “Your name is Maxwell…..Maxwell” as he laughed at his friend shaking his head.
Jade began to laugh along with Liam but as he went to go sit down he began looking around a little bit as if looking for someone. “Everything okay?” she asked as she started to feel her nerves starting to calm a little bit.
“Everything is perfect” Liam stated as he smiled to her again, “Just waiting on my bes..” and soon his words were ended as Maxwell literally jumps up from the booth seat “Finally! What’s up Drake?” and in that moment her heart started to race as Liam excused himself. This wasn’t happening, there is no way that it could be the Drake that she was thinking about…there is no way that the same Drake that walked away from her could be back. Though as her mind started to race and her breath coming a little short she then felt Liams hand on her shoulder “Drake I want you to meet the girl I have been talking about so much” the excitement in his voice was enough to make any girl swoon but Jade was feeling like she was going to pass out ‘Please don’t pass out, please don’t faint….please don’t let it be him…you were just starting to get…’ and her thought process was broken as Liam started to slowly turn her as she was looking down to the ground and as she swallowed hard she raised her head only to come face to face with those brown eyes, shaggy hair that still was perfect for his face structure, those lips that formed the same heartbreaking smile, and that same blue shirt that clung to his body as if clinging to life.
As she realized she had been holding her breath she let it our slowly. “Jade this is my best friend Drake Walker, Drake this is Jade” Liam exclaimed with an excited grin of that to a man that just introduced what may be two of the most important people in his life. Jade couldn’t believe it …it was Drake… her Drake…the Drake that she had spent weeks thinking about, even months…until she realized he was not coming back. A tear started to flood her eye with the threat of falling as she closed her eyes a little bit hoping that when she opened them he wouldn’t be there. To no prevail when she opened her eyes he was reaching his hand out and that soothing voice that once spoke to her uttered “It’s a pleasure to meet you” respectfully she reached out and slid her hand into his and there is was that burst of fire that pushed through her entire body. “The…the pleasure is all mine” she swallowed hard as she looked to him fighting to keep it together though as he looked to her and gave her a nod as to tell her to not say anything she released her hand from his.
Liam smiled bringing Jade into his arms kissing the top of her head and then reaching out and firmly grasping Drakes shoulder “Finally since you are here…lets have a drink” as he smiled to both Drake and Jade turning to get back to the table he had Jade sit next to him as Drake pulled up a chair sitting at the end of the table. Being so close to him, just mere inches away Jade could feel her heart beating faster in her chest her mind screaming inside as she wanted to yell at him and beg him for answers. Knowing that she couldn’t do that right now as Liam has no idea what had happened just months prior between his best friend and her. As Jade sat there in silence hearing the men start to talk a little bit more she looked out the corner of her eye to Drake sipping his Whiskey…the top shelf brand as she could tell by the color she closed her eyes flashing back to that night.
Drake held her close as the kiss ravished through her…his lips tasted of pure whiskey, the details that she was bringing into her mind something she would never soon forget. “Please tell me that you will come back sometime when you can” she said quietly under the moon before they were to head back “I will…I will come back when I can” as he looked her right in the eyes before starting to lead her back to her place.
“Jade?” she heard her name being mentioned and when she opened her eyes she saw Maxwell and Liam both looking at her as if concerned. Not realizing at all that she had spaced out and just to how long she had been off in her mind. Drake on the other hand was taking another sip of his drink “Im sorry” she started “It was a long day at class…what was that?” she asked feeling the heat on her cheeks returning as Liam smiled and he stated “I was just wondering if I could ask the expert to where we should head out to kind of to be in a more private area” as he looked to Bastian who just nodded. Jade didn’t understand the look that Bastian was giving him but she shook it off as she stated “There…there’s a little place that I know of down by the shore that’s quiet you guys would be able to have a lot of fun” she smiled feeling her heart racing all over again as she heard a laugh come from Maxwell “Are you kidding, this guy has done nothing but talk about you since he got home from New York the last time…there is no way that you are not coming with us.” He smiled as he started to push Tariq out of the booth to get up.
Jade looked over to Drake who was now standing and as she went to get up her knees started to give way feeling that she was going to fall she instantly felt around her that strong hold, the warm hold that was shooting through her body again as she turned her head seeing Drake steading her “Be careful…you wouldn’t want to fall” as his brown eyes looked right to hers as it toying with her after that night he saved her from falling. She took in a sharp breath as she started to stand straighter. “Thank you for that.” She stated starting to look at him and wanting to ask him so many things but knowing that right now was not the time.
As Liam got out of the booth and left the money on the table Jade signaled to Carter to come pick up the money and the table knowing that she didn’t want anyone to take the gracious tip off the table knowing that it has happened before. Liam looked to Jade who was now looking to the ground her mind trying to wrap around everything that was unfolding as Liam then motioned for her to take the way and she did starting to lead the group of guys out and starting to walk. Most of the walk the guys talked to themselves mostly Maxwell, Tariq and Liam were talking though as she looked back to Drake seeing that he was walking almost in step with Bastian who was behind Liam she caught him looking to her as well. She had the look in her blue eyes that tried to send a message to him, trying to get to him “Why didn’t you try to contact me? Why didn’t you ever come back? How are you here and Liams best friend” and as he nodded again to her as if responding to not think about it she felt Liam taking her hand snapping her back to what was going on and whom she was walking with though as she felt the comforting grip on her hand it was not like it was when Drake even just looked at her. She felt different when Liam held her hand she felt safe, and as she looked to him he smiled giving her a little wink.
After a few more blocks Jade led them through a parking lot and then across a small pier leading to a secluded part right off the shore line, where the waves crashed against some rocks and the moon and stars danced not just on the water but on the black sand of the shore. “This place is AWESOME!” Maxwell let out a “whoo” in a cheerful manner as Jade couldn’t resist laughing at his pure enjoyment. “I hope that this will do, I can help build a fire if you wish.” She stated as she started to look at Tariq taking off chasing Maxwell around and as she went to look at Liam right behind him she saw Drake already picking up sticks that were just by the trees and starting to make a little area for a small fire. Bastian stood off to the side as if just to watch over the area seeming that he didn’t seem to really interact but she knew that sometimes, it was okay to be alone.
Liam walked over to help Drake leaving Jade to stand there and look on and as she did she started to close her eyes again and her mind flashed back to that first smile that she got from Liam when they met at the Tavern and how she felt so comfortable and safe, but found him to be the most charming man that she had ever met. Though as she started to sit down on a large rock her mind started to drift to the moment when she was sitting next to Drake on the pier that night and looking up to the sky on a night that was just like this and as she tilted her head to the sky she thought about what it was like that night looking over to him and finding him so mysterious though protected and at the same time felt the desire for her questions and thoughts as if heading to a unknown path. As she opened her eyes looking over to the two men working on the wood to start the fire she thought to herself about how she knew right then and there that she was going to have to tell Liam knowing that she was interested in him but knowing also that there was a fire with Drake something that wasn’t going away anytime soon.
After a few moments and a golden fire blazed just above the dark sand Liam started to walk back to her as he reached out for her hands “You know I counted down the days to when I would get back here” he stated starting to bring her to her feet and right to him her hands closing on his that were holding hers. “Oh really?” she questioned giving him a smile “You didn’t tire of me after that week when you were last here?” she let out a small laugh as he answered with a soft smile “I could never. I just wish that I had more time here…sadly with the family business I head back in the morning, unfortunately though I really don’t know when and if I will be back, so I wanted to make sure that I got to see you again.” He stated starting to lean in pressing his lips to her forehead. Though as she felt his lips she felt sad, the safe feeling with Liam that she had would soon be gone as well, and she knew after tonight she may never see Drake again then these moments would be just a drifting memory.
She looked up to him “I understand I know that you have a lot going on with the business I am just glad I got to see you tonight then, but you said that there was so much we had to talk about, what else is there?” as she leaned to him hugging him though as she rested her head on his chest she opened her eyes finding Drake looking over a look on his face that showed an expression that she couldn’t read and the moment that he realized that she was looking at him he shook his head and looked away. Though as she was starting to pull away from him hearing that it sounded like he was going to talk, she saw Tariq and Maxwell run towards him after finding a bucket in the sand and splashing water down on him as she quickly moved out of the way. Jade laughed out watching Liam get soaked as he then took off running after the two leaving her laughing and seeing him have fun.
Though as she stood there watching the fun moments she didn’t realize until it he was right there beside her that Drake had joined her. “Hey Morgan” he said shoving his hands into his pocket. Startled she looked at him “I…” she started to speak but finding as she looked at him that she felt her words clogging up in her throat again. “I still cant believe that you’re here…I thought that I would never see you again.” She started as she looked to him and then back at the water watching the grown men splash in the water “Trust me I didn’t think I ever was coming back. Morgan…I didn’t know you were the girl that he was talking about when he mentioned New York.” He started to speak as she looked down to the sand “I didn’t know you would end up being his best friend so we are even. No harm right..I mean what he doesn’t know…wouldn’t hurt him, plus not like I will ever see him again either” as a small tear started to fall she wiped it away. “Don’t say that ….he came back to you…I didn’t, not until I was told that I had to come back. I thought about looking for you while he was here..I didn’t expect for you to fall into my arms again, literally.” He said his voice a little deep sending a shiver down her spine. “Liam cares for you and as his best friend…I am not going to step in the way of that. So Morgan that night was great and I had a good time, but it cant happen again. I wont hurt him” and as Drake looked to her and saw the next tear fall she didn’t wipe this one away but she just nodded in agreement though as she looked at him and their eyes met again she could see the hurt in his eyes was deeper then he wanted to let it be known as she almost could see the walls starting to go up around him just like he mentioned that night that he does that quite well.
As the next few hours went on and the morning struck 1 AM Bastian ended up whispering something to Liam as he stood bringing Jade with him and as he pulled her close to hug him and saying goodbyes he leaned in pressing a soft kiss to her. “I will see you again, I just cant promise this time, but I must return home. I hope you can understand” and as he looked to her Jade nodded her head and responded “I do, who knows maybe someday I will end up in Cordonia, then you would have to show me all around that family business of yours” and as she said that Liams face lit up like a little kid. “I can only hope that its sooner rather than later, but until then” he started to lift her hand up to his lips kissing the back of it “Sleep well Jade Morgan” and as she smiled to him though feeling her heart breaking in her chest she started to walk back towards her place though soon feeling that she was not alone. As she looked back she came face to face with Drake as he indicated that he was going to walk her home knowing that Liam had to get to the airport immediately he gave his word to make sure to get Jade home safely.
“You know you don’t have to walk me home. I am a big girl and I know how to throw a punch” she stated as she continued walking not slowing at all for him really though as he caught up to her as she turned down an alley to take the short cut back to the Tavern knowing that she needed to have just another drink, knowing that she was kidding herself feeling inside her heart that Drake would never stay here with her and that she would never see Liam again. The tears starting to fall down her face as she tried to delete the proof right away. “Jade…will you just…hold on!” and as she didn’t and kept walking Drake reached out to her and grabbed her arm stopping her and turning her and pressing her up to a brick wall his body mere inches from her. She gasped “what…what is it that you want Drake….after that night I …” and as she went to speak out she stopped.
Drake asked her “You what?” and when she didn’t answer he stated again “You what Morgan?” as she yelled out “I thought after that night…that kiss that you would have found a way to come back….or at least made contact….but you…you didn’t. All I did for days and weeks was think about you….because for the first time in a long time I felt happy…I felt that finally I was going to have someone in my life someone that actually cared. Someone that I could get to know, I have never felt…” and as he looked to her she continued “It doesn’t matter Drake. You don’t care, you didn’t do anything. You didn’t find a way to call, email, text, nothing! It was like you didn’t give a shit after I know what you felt that night too and I know that it wasn’t just me feeling it!” she stated as the heat started to rise in her body and as she looked at him seeming to get angry he finally turned back to her “You are wrong. I wanted to so bad you have no idea but then I realized that there was no way that I would be good enough for you. Knowing that I would not bring you happiness like someone else could. Damn it Jade I wanted to come back but when I realized how in my life I normally just screw everything up, I didn’t want to do that to you and now….” As he cut himself off as he looked to her the anger and sadness in her eyes radiating like bullets to his heart as he couldn’t help it he reached out taking her face in his hands catching her completely off guard pressing her to the wall and kissing her deeply with that same fire that he did before. The taste of whiskey again coating her lips as the familiar flame ignited from deep within her.
Jade’s mind was running, heart beating so hard that it hurt and her lips kissing Drake back feeling just like that night that something was holding her up even though her knees were weak as he kissed her again. As she lived in the moment and then breaking the kiss she heard him say “I never wanted to leave…but now you have the interest of my best friend, who has done so much for me that there is no way that I can allow myself to feel anything no matter how I feel.” and as he let go of her shivering frame she looked at him as he looked right in her eyes. “Goodbye Jade.” He said as he turned on his heel and leaving her right outside the Tavern bar. Seeing him walk away again, knowing that this was it, she sunk to the ground and finally let the tears fall free not giving a care in the world; right there outside her bar she knew this time he wouldn’t be coming back.
After what seemed like forever Jade composed herself heading into the bar and deciding that in that moment she was going to be having whiskey….straight whiskey. Not remembering how she got home the next morning she awoke to her apartment door going off relentlessly and as she groaned getting out of bed and gripping to her head knowing that last night was a night that she thought would help her forget, this hangover only reminded her just what had happened. Though as she trekked to the front door hearing hurried little knocks on the door she unchained her chain on the door, starting to open it as she went to ask “Can I help….Maxwell? What are you doing here?” and as she looked at him with confusion written all over her face she heard him say “Im here to take you…” but she cut through his voice “Whoa… Maxwell how did you find me?” and as he laughed he looked right at her and said “You better get dressed, after all we have a plane to catch” and as Jade looked at him like he was crazy he looked back at her and said “You’re going to Cordonia…Liam will be so surprised” he said excitedly. Jade froze in place as she uttered “Cordonia? What? I don’t understand why am I going to Cordonia?” and as she looked to him feeling her heart race inside her chest and her mind buzzing, the excitement he was showing mixing with the head spinning in complete confusion, the liquor from the night before not helping to understand the reason why Maxwell was there and as she looked to him holding the side of her head she arched her eyebrow looking for him to calm down and answer her. “Well for the honor of marrying our Prince!” he shared excitedly smiling to her and giving her a thumbs up.
Jade looked at him as Maxwell walked into her apartment after she motioned for him to come in as she asked “Prince? Marry a prince? I don’t know any prince. Maxwell are you drunk or have you hit your head really hard?” as she started to reach up to feel his forehead. “Oh but you do…and you are coming back with me to gain the proposal from our prince as he has to wed before taking the throne.” He stated as he started to walk around a little bit starting to look in and out of things as if searching for a suitcase. Jade approached him blocking him in the kitchen as she exclaimed “Whoa whoa Maxwell what the hell is going on? I don’t know what you are on and I am certainly not going with you to Cordonia to try and get picked to get married. But calm down and just start over!” her heart racing as she was starting to now get a little bit nervous thinking that Maxwell had completely lost his mind.
As he finally slowed down for a moment he stopped right in front of her took a deep breath and said “Jade…as I have been telling you. I am bringing you back to Cordonia, I have never seen the prince look at someone as he did you, there was something there and you cant deny it.” Though as he looked to Jade she was shaking her head as he looked to her and stated “Jade you have to do this, it would mean so much to Liam to see you there as his potential pick at being his bride!” he exclaimed though soon her eyes widened in a shocked state as he looked to her again “That’s right Jade, the family business….is the throne to Cordonia….and yes…Liam is the prince.” And as he let her take that in for a moment Jade found herself frozen, how could she have just said goodbye to Liam but now go back to marry Liam, not just the Liam that she was feeling for but Prince of Cordonia Liam? “Oh shit!” her voice rang as she sunk to her bed as she then looked to a smiling Maxwell. “So, how fast can you pack?” he asked holding out her suitcase. 693Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx1nz0rUl0
To be continued!
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