Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage 

or in friendship is conversation.

-

Oscar Wilde

--------------------------

Terry moved towards the entrance when he heard the doorbell. He decided to work from home today instead of going to his company. He opened the door, smiled wide when he saw Jenny and Margaret standing there holding multiple bags and files. 

"Jenny, Maggie, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Terry greeted them.

"Hey Terry," Jenny greeted back while Margaret scoffed, pushed him aside and entered inside the room with Jenny trailing behind her. Terry shakes his head as he closes the door and follows them into the living room.

"Why are you both here?" Terry asked, sitting down on the couch.

"We had to deliver all these things to Laura," Jenny replied, smiling wide. 

"You all knew she lives here?"

"Of course," Jenny said as she tried to arrange the files. "She has been staying here for so long. We believe that staying here helps in dealing with her love crisis."

Terry cocked his brow. "Love crisis?"

"Jenny, I don't thi-" Margaret starts buts in vain.

"Yeah, Laura is in love with you," Jenny declares, smiling wide.

Terry's eyes widens in shock and disbelief. "Love?"

"Yeah, didn't you notice the way she looks at you. Just being near you makes her blush from head to toe. I think it's mainly du-"

"Jennifer, I think that is enough," Margaret shouted, giving all the items she was carrying to Jenny. "Go and place this in Laura's room." Jenny nodded her head without an argument when she realizes what she blurted out. She climes the stairs to find Laura's room.

Carrying a soda from the fridge, Margaret moved towards Terry. Plopping down on the couch, Margaret smiled. "How's life going?"

Terry leaned forward. "I asked Laura to move out." Margaret blinked and then hit his shoulder with her purse. "What was that for?"

"When we were kids, you hated when I compared you with Tristian or Troy. They didn't mind but you certainly did. So, don't you dare compare Laura with that barbarous bitch. You hear me? Laura is streets ahead than her. I would get it if you asked her to move out because you want some privacy but if that's not the case then I'm going to hurt you. Don't avoid her or your attraction towards her just because you think she's like Stacy. She really isn't and go easy on her, she's having a hard time at work. You don't have to put more pile on her plate."

"I just want to be alone," Terry muttered, stretching his legs. 

"The girls believe that Laura is staying here because she's in love with you. Though Laura never agreed with this assumption."

"She's not in love with me," Terry stated though deep inside he wants it to be true.

"I agree. I think it's just a crush and the after effects from your charm. Anyway Tessa is planning on setting her up with an old friend of hers. If that works out then I'm pretty sure she will forget about you."

Suppressing a growl, he said, "Laura doesn't date anyone."

Margaret raised her eyebrows. "For a man who doesn't want anything to do with her, you tend to have a lot of information about her."

"She's in our inner circle and I hear things."

"Of course, you do. And yes, she doesn't date a lot but only because she doesn't have time. Her business is still growing and it needs all her attention but this date will happen. Laura promised to go on a blind date in December. And it's December, finally."

He frowned. Isn't it better if Laura dated someone especially if she's attracted to him? He didn't do relationships, for fuck's sake, and he wasn't going to change. He preferred casual sex now and Laura definitely isn't casual. 

Damn, still it hurt. The thought of Laura dating someone.

"I know Stacy destroyed so many things but it's been months, you need to start thinking about healing. Forget about her, she was never worth your time."

"And Laura is?"

"You know about Laura."

"I felt the same way about Stacy when I first met her."

Margaret tilted her head toward Terry. "Did you really? I know you liked her, maybe even loved her once but deep inside did you really think that she was it? The woman for you?"

No, he didn't and that's why it hurt even more. He should have listened to his instincts instead of ignoring the red flags about Stacy. 

"I'm not asking you to date Laura, just think about it. You like her so don't give up without trying. Who knows maybe you'll end up like Mia and Tristian. Let go of your resentment, it's time you think about your life."

Terry closed his eyes and sighed.

Laura and his friends and brothers had some mutual adoration going on. He didn't judge people by how his family or friends responded to them. But their dislike or coldness to someone influenced how Terry viewed them.

And if someone loved his family and got that love back? The person went up several points in Terry's personal ratings. Stacy never earned those points but Laura most certainly did.

A shame he hadn't seen her since two days. She leaves early and comes home late. 

Would Laura come early today?

The zing of anticipation that ran through him was disturbing. But...face the facts. He did want to see her.

Because he was attracted to her? Naturally. Even more though, he'd simply like to get to know her.

She was damned likable. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. In reality, though, it'd be best for both of them if she weren't there. 

******

"What?" Terry asked when Laura settled on the chair near the kitchen island and just stared at him without a word. She straight, her aching back creaked as if she was a hundred years old rather than in her twenties. She was tired, starving and it's late. She didn't care about avoiding him anymore especially when there's just two more days left to move out.

"I need food," she muttered. "I'm hungry."

"Okay, I'll be done within few minutes and then you can do what you want," Terry replied, giving his attention back to his cooking.

Laura frowned. "I don't know to cook."

Terry smiled, clearly knowing her talents when it came to cooking. There were times when she, Mia and their friends burned Tristian's whole kitchen. "You can order then," he said, without looking up at her.

Laura took a deep breathe, not understanding how this man can't get a clue about what she is trying to tell him. "Why can't we share? You're cooking anyway," Laura explained, trying to be as polite and calm as possible.

"Like we share a house?" Terry asked, sarcasm evident in his voice.

Laura rose to her feet, exhaustion turning to annoyance, and walked around the island to stand in front of Terry. Terry dropped the spoon he had in his hand, startled by her sudden action. She stepped forward and grabbed his collar, anger getting the best of her. "I'm a woman who does desperate things at desperate times. I'm sorry that I stayed at your home without your permission. I thought it can't be that bad since it was not harming anyone and I had a delusion that since we had common friends, you would at least be a bit friendly and understanding. Clearly, I was wrong and once again, forgive me for hoping that you wouldn't mind sharing a bit of food with a poor woman who is starving after a very long day." Laura didn't wait for his reply as she turned to leave but didn't get too far. She turned back to find Terry holding her hand and staring at her with a smile. "What?" she snapped, patience running out of her.

"You don't sound like you're in love with me," Terry said, pulling her towards him.

Laura's eyes widened. How does he know that? I think it's probably because you're a bit obvious.

"Love? What are you talking about?" Laura questioned, trying to get out of his grip.

Terry turned off the stove with one hand and placed it on her waist, holding her close to him. "Jenny dropped off some of your things and she was very enthusiastic in letting me know about your secret love."

Laura closed her eyes, embarrassment filling her whole body. Just you wait, Jenny. Wait, until I get my hands on you.

"She was just kidding," Laura replies, her gaze fixed on his chest.

"Was she?" Terry teases as he lifts her chin. Laura gulps as she meets his eyes. Her pretty, makeup-less face lost its annoyance and she stared at him. She looked like a doe caught in headlights, just as terrified, just as frozen and just as cute.

She forced out a, "Terry –" but that's as far as she got before he hooked her at the waist with an arm and yanked her into his body.

He slid his hand down to curl it around the back of her neck and he whispered, "Laura."

She blinked and he watched her lick her lips, his gut clenching and she breathed, "It was just a crush."

Terry grinned.

"Not that it's still there," she hastened to add.

Terry's grin turned into a smile.

"Or I plan to do anything about it," she continued.

Terry just kept smiling.

"It's just you were so nice and handsome and I didn't have any luck in dating. It's nothing serious," she finished.

Terry's body started shaking with his chuckle. He couldn't help but be amused.

He bent his head, pressed his face in her neck and whispered against her skin, "Is that so?"

"Yeah," she replied and his arm gave her a squeeze.

"I'm neither angry nor upset about the home anymore," he clarified gently. "Jenny told me you're busy for a month. Wanna stay here until then?"

"You don't mind?" she asked him quietly. "I.. I don't want to impose you."

"You're not," he muttered.

For some reason, his words made her relax deeper into his frame. After this, her soft voice came at him, still quiet. "I'll move out next month, I promise"

He lifted his head and looked down at her in his kitchen, his arms in the evening. She tipped her head to the side.

"You really don't have a problem?"

He wasn't following.

"About what?"

"Staying here."

Right. She wants to stay here.

"Yeah," he answered.

"Good," she muttered, her eyes drifted to the side and then came back to him. "Food."

"Right," he whispered and let her go.

He moved to the cupboard where he kept his plates.

"Do you like Chicken Parmesan?"

She nodded her head, still stunned from Terry's close contact. She felt her body craving for him.

"Wine," he called as he was pouring it. His head turned her way to see her face soft, her ear dipped to her shoulder, her brown eyes intent on him. Her brown eyes looked cute with her purple hair, a combination that is not common.

"Yeah, I can have wine," she went on quietly. "I need to get drunk."

Terry laughed. Fuck, she was entertaining and her eyes were damn expressive. Every emotion was right there for him to read.

She really was beautiful. Everything about her appealed to him, from the stream-lined, healthy body to her clear glowing skin to a mouth that made him think of all the uses he could put it to. And those legs. He wanted to wrap them around his waist so he could plunge deeper.

Bad Terry.

But damn, he liked her.

It'd been many months since he'd enjoyed holding a woman in his arms this much. Since he'd simply enjoyed being with a woman this much.

How could he not like this woman? One with a sense of humor and a sensitive heart.

He was in trouble. Lots of trouble.

******

Happy New Year! 

Hey there, it's Allison. If you're feeling the new year energy just like me then I'm sure you would love this chapter.

Don't forget to vote, comment and share my story.

See you next Tuesday!

Allison