People pushed me around as I walked down the street. Quite a few of them turned to cuss me out, but I didn’t hear them. The tears kept falling and I couldn’t stop them. The numbness had seeped in and felt it restricting my breathing. I didn’t even know where I was walking anymore. I just started to walk as soon as I made it out of the office building, and I couldn’t stop. I feared if I stopped then I would break. I hit a street corner and I looked around. The street to my left was closed down for a street faire and I turned to walk down the middle of the road with the stream of people. There were vendors and stalls selling food and goods. There were also games and kids activities. I wondered with all the kids running around if school was out, but it was after 4 p.m. and so I figured everyone was just off school for the day. Looking around, I stopped at a couple of the stalls and picked out two gifts for Elliot. I thanked the vendor and walked through the crowd. I stopped at a guy who

“Avez-vous besoin d'autre chose, monsieur?” [Do you need anything else, sir?] I looked up from my paper at the waiter and smiled. “Un café et deux sucres, s'il vous plaît.” [A coffee and two sugars, please.] He bowed and scurried off. I set my paper down and looked out into the street. It was busy, as most Saturday mornings were. There were plenty of tourists, but also the usual Saturday locals were enjoying the sunny day. Smiling, I thanked the waiter when he brought me my coffee. Pouring the sugar in my coffee, I looked out over the street again. The small flat I rented was only a couple blocks from this spot and this place was my go-to early in the morning. I had gotten up late today since, for once, I had a clear schedule. Four weeks I had been in France. I was overseeing the construction of one of our international branches which was nearly finished. The completion gave me mixed feelings. Part of me missed home and the other part didn’t want to go back. France was a distraction

*** Three Years Ago *** “You wouldn’t believe our luck, dude!” Jason set down four shots in front of me and fell back on the couch. “There is a whole damn bachelorette party down there.” “Oh?” I smiled, grabbing two of the shots and throwing them back one after the other. Jason took his shots and downed them as well. “I’m taking multiple of them to bed. It’s my goal for the night.” Rolling my eyes, I looked over the club. We had landed in Las Vegas two hours before, checked into the hotel, raided the mini bar, and then headed out to the club. It was busy even for a Friday and I let my eyes roam over the bodies in the club. “You are gonna find someone and you are going to fuck someone. You got it? You’ve been an uptight twat all week.” “That had nothing to do with the fact I wasn’t fucking someone and all to do with my father’s board meeting.” Jason laughed. “Sure, but it would have helped!” Rolling my eyes, three girls came up to our VIP section and Jason’s face lit up. Motio

“So, have I passed your other qualifications?” We were walking back to the strip after spending some time at the park. The strip was crowded and I kept a hand on her waist as we walked. “One. Yes.” I chuckled. “How many qualifications are there?” “Five, actually. Need to have four out of the five to even be considered.” She laughed as she walked, moving us through the crowd seamlessly. “What are the five? You said looks, which I passed with flying colors.” Stopping and moving back toward the wall, she raised an eyebrow. “Flying colors? Aren’t we a little full of ourselves.” “What? If there’s one thing I’m confident in…” “Features given to you by your mom and dad that you literally did nothing to control? Geez, have a little more self-worth, why don’t you.” My mouth fell open. Her mouth quirked up and she started to laugh. She pressed her back against the wall and shook her head. “You pretty boys all think you’re the fucking tits and it makes me laugh.” “You think I’m pretty

Evie’s eyes widen a bit as the words left my mouth. “Z…” “Tell me you don’t feel it. Tell me it’s just me and I’ll leave now.” “And if…if I do feel it? The pull? The need?” I stared at her for a few moments without saying a word. Leaning in, I kissed her lips gently, barely pressing against them. As I leaned back, I smiled. “Take responsibility. Remember, you’re the adult in this. I will defer to my elders.” Her surprise was quickly replaced by laughter. “As you wish.” She said before standing up, out of my view. As she walking down the aisle, I got to see her in the bridesmaid dress. It was soft lavender and in a very Grecian looking style. There were braided ties that held up the dress and crossed around the back. She walked up to the alter and headed to the far left. Her eyes caught mine and she winked. I watched as she picked up a violin that was plugged into a small amp on the deck. Placing the instrument at her neck, she started to pick at the strings and make adjustments