One Night Stand With My Bestie's Brother

Chapter 9

"I'll make dinner so that we can celebrate together," she said. I returned her smile and nodded as I made my way toward the entrance. I chose to ignore the sound of laughter that I could hear coming through the screen door that led to the deck. I couldn't concentrate on anything with Shauna around, and the words of my argument with my sister were still very clear in my head. After getting into my car and starting the engine, I took a few deep breaths before continuing.

I drove to the city's core and made my way to the office there, parked in the garage and tucking the parking receipt into one of the pockets on the inside of my coat. Before proceeding towards the glass structure, I walked up to the pavement and took a quick glance to the right.

Sometimes I found myself longing for Avalon and the way I could clear my head by simply strolling along the river there. San Francisco was gorgeous, but it reminded me of the days that I’d raise hell with Thompson. I blinked, then quickly made my way across the courtyard and into the building. I took a few deep breaths as I made my way to the bank of elevators and pressed the button corresponding to the sixth floor.

I got out of the car and headed towards the enormous reception counter, where two women were sitting and handling the computers and telephones. I looked down at the blonde and noticed that they were just as flawless as the marble floors and the windows that were spotless. "Good morning, everyone. At 10 o'clock, I will be meeting with Mr. Mason for an interview."

She looked at the information displayed on her big monitor and then nodded. "Harrison Bright." [Traduction]

I said, "That's me," as she gave me a brief glance of appreciation before moving on.

His office can be found at the conclusion of this corridor. She gestured to the right, and as I looked in that direction, I noticed that the road bent. "He's got an assistant waiting outside with him, and she'll let him know that you've arrived," the assistant will say.

Before I continued on my way toward my destiny, I thanked her and moved on. I noticed a redhead seated at a desk that was very much like mine, and she gave me a little smile as she passed my way.

"You must be Harrison." She said that to me with a cheery grin on her face.

"I am." The lady introduced herself to me as Heather and stated that she would let Rick know that I had arrived. Before she contacted him, she offered me something to drink, and I politely declined her offer while shaking my head to show my appreciation.

After this interview, it was obvious that she would be interested in having lunch with someone, but I wasn't interested in joining her. I was still trying to work through the fallout from the previous evening. I proceeded to a little couch and sat down, waiting for the go ahead to walk into the presumably large office.

Before going inside, Heather instructed me to do so, at which point I stood there with my palms pressed on the inside of my coat. The workplace was very roomy, and it featured a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding city and the ocean in the distance. I looked across at the older gentleman with graying brown hair that had been cut short as he was approaching me to shake my hand. Please, Mr. Bright. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.

He grinned broadly at me while looking directly into my eyes and motioned for me to take a seat. I decided to take a seat in one of the inviting seats that were located across from his workstation, and he proceeded to settle into the enormous chair he had brought with him. He appeared to take a quick peek at the piece of paper in front of me, which I took to be my resume, before clearing his throat.

When the topic concerning Ian was asked, I thought for a bit about how I should respond before stating that we had different points of view and that I had made the decision to relocate here earlier. I was planning on returning at some point in any case. Rick nodded, and then we talked about my previous work experience and how passionate I am about my current position. As I was leaving, he gave me another firm handshake and gave me the assurance that I would hear from him very soon. This gave me a positive feeling.

I turned around and went back to the street, where I stood there for a while looking in both directions. I was here and might as well have lunch. I took off my coat, folded it in half, and slung it over one arm before making my way to a quaint Italian restaurant around the street.

I was conscious of the fact that the women I passed were looking at me, but I chose not to recognize their gaze. My mind kept going back to the two kisses that Shauna and I had exchanged, as well as the way that she had made me feel on the inside. I realized that kissing someone else wasn't the solution to my problem since I needed to move on from that. I pushed through the thick door and requested the woman working inside for a table for one while she c****d an eyebrow at me.

After being shown to my seat, I requested for a drink to sip on as I perused the menu. After placing my lasagna order, I brought out my phone to see the notifications that were displayed on its screen. While I was enjoying my beer, I went through my inbox and highlighted the emails that contained potential leads for freelance work.

I received a text from my mother asking about the interview, and when I responded, I grinned and congratulated her on a job well done. I simply hoped that I could have a conversation with her about Shauna and the feelings that I was developing for her.

I took my time eating lunch while I mulled over what I would do if I wasn't offered the job. There were also businesses located in Los Angeles and the bay area, in addition to San Francisco. The only thing that was keeping me here was some foolish invisible tie to memories. I was free to go wherever I wanted and could do anything that I wanted to.

After consuming all that was on the platter, I put it to the side. After placing a bill on the table, I got up and headed for the door to get in my car. I got in my car and drove to a beach that was less crowded and less well known, and it was a beach where I frequently visited Thompson. We had a lot of fun going out, but we also enjoyed hanging out together in quieter settings where we could just discuss and throw around ideas. I pulled over to the rightmost spot possible and sat there staring through the glass for a good few minutes.

He was aware of my crush on Shauna and frequently made jokes about it with me. Thompson was the only one, and he took it to his grave with him the night he was driving too fast on the highway and slammed into a rock, which sent him careening off the edge of the cliff and into the lake.

He was such a jackass for abandoning me in such a precarious position. I heaved a sigh and sat back in my chair as I could feel the weariness from the previous month beginning to take its toll on me. If I were to close my eyes for one brief moment, there wouldn't be any adverse effects.

After some time had passed, I came to and noticed that the position of the sun had changed significantly in the sky. I fell asleep? I gave the area a quick check and then looked at the clock on the dashboard of the car. I closed my eyes when it had been three hours already. I checked my phone to see if there were any new messages, and when I saw that there were only a few, I put it down. It has nothing to do with the job at all.

I became aware of movement to my left and grimaced upon recognizing a familiar red automobile in the distance. Shauna? She put the car in park in the first available improvised space, sat back, and appeared to be deep in concentration. When exactly did she become aware of this beach?

After I had kept my attention on her for a long, Shauna eventually turned to face me. Her eyes widened in astonishment as I shrugged, and I smiled to myself as I did so. She exited the vehicle and made her way up to me while wearing a bulky sweater wrapped tightly around her petite frame. I observed as she climbed into the passenger seat of the vehicle. After she had finished closing the door, I questioned her, "Are you familiar with this location?"