Still Only Human

Alec- I can’t believe I agreed to attend Donovan’s party. He’s a good friend, but I can’t stand ninety percent of his associates—rich snobs, the lot of them. I get that with his job this world is part of his life now, but it’s definitely not mine. Still, I shouldn’t complain. Becoming a part of Donovan’s circle has helped business. My company now has more upper-class clients than I ever imagined. After I completed community college and received my diploma, I reached out to one of Don’s connections and landed a job with Lockhart Design. I’ve been there for nearly fourteen months, and I love it. Beats cleaning high school classrooms, that’s for sure. After Jess left, I wanted nothing more than to curl up in a ball and die. For months, that’s all I felt capable of. But eventually, I dragged myself out of the pit and forced myself to keep going. As I pull up to Don’s, I notice his sister’s car in the driveway. Great. Jazz is in town. That won’t be awkward at all, considering the last time I saw her, she was bent over Don’s kitchen table while he was out on a date. I’m not proud of fooling around with his little sister. Hell, I’m not proud of most of the girls I’ve fooled around with these past couple of years, each one a desperate attempt to erase someone I could never forget. Because the truth is, I’ve never been in love since Jess. I’m not sure I ever will be. Eight months with her was enough to change me forever. What I felt for Jess was real—once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. Even when I’ve hated her, cursed her name, I know it’s only because of how much I loved her. Inside, Don’s place is impressive. He really splurged. As I step into the living room, I spot Don, Finn, and Don’s business partner, Jackson. A waitress—easy on the eyes—hands me a beer as I head over. Don beams the moment he sees me. “Alec, you came! I’m so glad. Come, come—you know everyone.” Finn is on me straight away, giving me a hearty pat on the back. “It’s a good thing you showed, mate. We finally get to meet Don’s new girlfriend!” All of us laugh, teasing Don. He lifts a hand, shaking his head. “Whoa now! I wouldn’t say girlfriend. We’re just… casually seeing each other.” Jackson lets out a mocking laugh, pointing at Don. “Yeah, buddy, last time I checked, that’s called a girlfriend!” We’re all cracking up at Don’s expense. He tries to look annoyed, but we can all see the grin tugging at his mouth. Jackson shoves him playfully. “Hey, is she bringing that friend of hers?” Don smirks. “Yes, but she isn’t single. If she was, I’d be seeing her instead!” Jackson laughs loudly, clapping Don on the shoulder. My mood is lifted—until Jazz walks in, giving me those eyes. The I want you eyes. I know the time we shared meant more to her than it ever did to me. She’d like more, but I’ll never want it with her. And the guilt of that hangs heavy. “Hey fellas,” Jazz says lightly. “What are you boys gossiping about?” Finn nods toward Don. “Don’s girlfriend.” Don groans at the word, which makes everyone laugh even harder. Jazz just smirks and points across the room. “Speak of the devil.” A tall, lean brunette rushes past me and straight into Don’s arms. She giggles—a sound that prickles something familiar in me. “Hey, babe, we were just talking about you,” Don says warmly. She turns to face us, and I feel frozen, like I’ve been turned to stone. That face. That voice. Flick. Our eyes meet, and she pales as though she’s seen a ghost. Her gaze darts past me, concern flashing across her features. I don’t want to turn around. My chest is pounding so hard, I swear the whole room must hear it. But deep down, I already know who I’ll see. When I finally do, my heart nearly stops. Jessica Taylor. Her blue eyes are wide, mirroring my own shock. A face I’ve dreamed of countless nights, one I’ve tried to hate, to erase—but could never let go. “Alec?” she breathes. I nod, trying to sound indifferent. “Jess.” But inside, my heart feels like it’s come alive after years of dormancy. Memories crash over me, raw and painful. The heartbreak I shoved into a corner of my soul is suddenly wide open again. And I know, in that moment, I’ve never truly moved on. --- Jess The room spins. I can’t breathe. Alec Parker is standing in front of me, real and solid, when I never thought I’d see him again. Flick’s hand squeezes my shoulder, grounding me back into reality. Everyone’s watching us, confusion hanging thick in the air. Finn steps closer to Alec, resting a hand on his back in quiet support, the way Flick does for me. Finn tilts his head toward me. “Jess and Alec know each other. She’s the Jess.” Donovan’s eyes nearly pop out of his head. “Jess? Jess? Alec’s Jess!?” Finn nods, and the room falls silent, tension filling every corner. I need a drink. Now. “Excuse me,” I mutter, slipping away—only to be intercepted by a smiling Blake Cameron, arms already spread wide. “Jessie!” He hugs me tightly, kissing each of my cheeks. “Blake,” I say with forced cheer. “Always a pleasure. I was just grabbing a drink—” “Allow me.” Blake signals to a waitress, who rushes over. He hands me a glass of wine, then steers me back toward the group—the opposite direction I want to go. Flick greets him with open arms. “Blake, darling! I hope you’ll make it tomorrow night.” “Oh, you can count on it,” Blake says eagerly. “I’m a huge fan of her work.” Don chimes in, doing introductions. “Everyone, this is Blake Cameron—one of my clients. Just bought his third house with us last week. He’s also a crazy book collector. He and Felicity met when she was delivering one of his orders while I was appraising another property.” Flick and Don exchange a look so tender I can’t help but smile—until I notice Alec’s gaze fixed on me. Heavy. Searching. I want to disappear. I finally understand how Anne Elliot must have felt seeing Captain Wentworth again. Torn between wanting to speak and wanting to run. “I need some air,” I whisper, slipping out onto Donovan’s terrace. The view is gorgeous, glittering lights stretching into the night. But all I can feel are the butterflies in my stomach—the ones I thought had died years ago. Seeing Alec again has awakened them, fluttering and frantic. Feelings I never imagined I’d experience again.