The Sun and the Moon

➸ Chapter Ten: New Developments

Will

Allie stands in front of me looking more beautiful than I thought possible. Her dark hair cascades over one pale shoulder and her dress follows every contour of her body. The anger in her eyes is gone and her gaze softens.

"Should we get back to the party?" Allie says, gesturing vaguely to the door behind me.

"We probably should," I say, not really wanting to dive back into the party. "People will start to wonder."

Allie nods reluctantly and crosses the room towards the door.

"I just have to do this again," I whisper as I draw her to me.

As if on instinct, she tilts her head up and our lips collide. My hands grasp the sides of her waist and her hands slide around the back of my neck. Allie tangles her hands in my hand and my fingers tighten around her waist. We break apart and my lungs struggle for air.

"Wow," Allie whispers. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that."

After a quick unrumpling of clothing, Allie and I rejoin the party.

Our fingers remain laced together as we exit from Allie's room. Allie's mom descends upon her, but when I try to follow, someone else diverts my attention. A small, balding man in a tweed suit seizes my arm and asks,

"So, Will, I was wondering if we could have a chat."

I don't recognize him and I say,

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"Sorry," He chuckles, his eyes crinkling good-naturedly. "I guess I was a little too eager to talk to you."

He rifles through his pockets and pulls out a card. He hands it to me and I scan through it. When I see his name, I glance up at him and he nods at me as if reading my mind.

"Dalton Hart, nice to meet you." Dalton thrusts out a hand at me and I take it.

"I just...wow." I stare at him, my eyes are wide and uncomprehending. After the accident, I attended therapy at the practice he owns. I had never really gotten a chance to talk to him but he was a big name back in New York. And pretty much everywhere.

"Why are you here?" I ask bluntly, too confused to formulate anything more polite.

"Can't I check up on my favourite patient?" An odd gleam shines in his eyes and I look at him warily.

"I doubt you would make a trip to London just to say hello to a previous client."

He tilts his head in acknowledgment.

"You are correct, Mr. Collins. I wanted to see you for more...professional reasons." When I remain quiet, he continues. "It's my understanding that you're currently studying for an MBA. And I believe that my company could benefit from acquiring someone with your specific talents."

"I-I still have another two years to go." I choke out.

"I would be willing to wait."

I stare at him, my thoughts racing around my head faster and faster until I feel like I'm going to be sick. The entire party is too much, it's overwhelming. The noise, the people, the job offer. I need to get away, even for just a second.

"I'm sorry, I have to go," I mutter as I stride away from Dalton.

I wrench open the first door I find and slam it shut behind me. I close my eyes and rest my forehead against the chilly wood.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" A petulant voice sounds from behind me and I whip around.

A little girl is lying on the ground, her elbows propped up on the floor to keep up her head. Raven black hair separated into pigtails.