⧫ WILLIAM ⧫

Is it possible to fall for two completely different people at once?

Four years ago, I never would have imagined being in this situation. But here I am, torn between two women—and the crazy thing is I'm not even dating either of them. One only wants me as a friend, the other is already in a relationship.

People say no one can make you feel things, but in my experience, it all depends on the intentions of the people you surround yourself with or come across. What people say can make you feel things whether it's hope, excitement or in other cases guilt, self-doubt.

Being around Pollyanna gives me the sense of longing for something more, but I can't force her to want it too or with me, for that matter. Katerina brings out a desire in me to protect her, even though she's stubborn enough and capable of handling things on her own. Her brightness and surprising impulsivity makes for interesting work days but nothing has surprised me more than the morning after the night out I spent with her and her friends.

She exuded a seductive confidence out of nowhere, going toe to toe with Fabiana, claiming me as hers of all things. But it wasn't just what she said, it was how she did it—it lit a damn fire within me.

"Where's your head at, Will?" Adam's voice brings me out of my thoughts as we drive to a restaurant for a business meeting—one I'm not particularly excited for, but I know it's in the best interest of the company.

"I'm good." I assure him, but there's skepticism in his eyes observing me. "I am. It's just business." But the doubt in my voice isn't fooling anyone. My mind can't help going back to the day my friendship with Cruz ended. He tried reaching out, left me several voice messages and apologetic texts, but nothing he could do or say would change or fix what he and Fabiana did.

"Just keep in mind, even if they accept your proposal, there's a couple of other clients shopping between the two agencies. We don't want to give any reasons to pick them over us."

"I know what's at stake."

"Good, then it shouldn't make a difference that Fabiana will be in attendance as well."

My teeth grind into each other, but I keep my focus out the car window. He doesn't know about her recent impromptu drop ins— at the office or at my penthouse.

"Nope."

Adam's eyes narrow, but he saves whatever response he wants to say as we pull up to the curb of the restaurant. Joe opens my door and I step out, buttoning my suit, taking in the surroundings.

Once inside, the hostess greets us with a cordial smile, informing us that our party is already here. Swallowing the bitter tastes of inferiority, knowing that they're waiting on us, I follow as she leads the way to our table. The restaurant is full for its lunch hour, buzzing with conversations and sounds coming from the kitchen.

Fabiana comes into view first, an expression of worry on her face. She leans in close to Cruz. He takes her hand, and brings it to his lips, in a consoling manner. Her hand cups his face and she slants forward pressing her lips on his; but the kiss picks up in intensity rather quickly.

The lack of emotion I feel seeing them together in person surprises me, but watching her kiss him so passionately—after her attempts to talk to me and all the bullshit she spewed about making a mistake and missing me—I can't help feeling pity for Cruz. The hostess clears her throat as we near the table, with their continued kissing.

"Oh." Fabiana startles, seeing us and wipes at her lips. She reaches to do the same to Cruz, who genuinely looks embarrassed, his hazel eyes lifting to mine slowly.

"Gentlemen, can I get you started on something to drink?" The waitress asks, handing out menus as Adam and I settle into our seats.

When she leaves, Cruz straightens and offers a tentative smile. "I'm glad you both were able to meet with us. H-how have you been?" He stutters, appearing to feel foolish, but I busy myself glancing over the menu.

"Good, we've been good. Business has been holding steady." Adam answers straight away keeping things professional, avoiding awkward silence. "I hear your firm acquired a campaign with Hendricks Industrustries, congratulations."

Cruz's genuine smile relaxes the stress on his face. "Thank you." Watching over the top of my menu, he glances at Fabiana whose eyes are lowered. A waiter returns with our drinks, but my eyes snap to my evil-ex, sensing her foot begin to slide up my leg. "We didn't think we'd get someone so high-profile so soon, but it's all thanks to Fabi's charm. She's hard to resist." Cruz continues, giving credit to his two-timing partner.

The sly smirk on her face I used to find sexy is painting her in a new light. I shift my leg and slide my chair back, keeping myself out of reach. "You know there's a dark side to charm." I take a sip of my drink. Cruz moves his gaze to me. I spare a glance to Fabiana and then focus on him. "It can camouflage emotional manipulation, persuasive control, and deception." Adam's knee knocks into my leg under the table. "But I'm sure you have nothing to worry about, hopefully her business morals differ from her lacking personal ones."

Fabiana cackles. "Please. Get off your high horse, William. How's that little hot pepper of yours?"

Adam intervenes. "Oh, you've met Pollyanna. She's great isn't she? At first, I questioned Will's sanity, but I think she's been really great for him."

"Pollyanna? I was talking about his secretary, Katerina." Fabiana's eyes shift between us.

"Katerina?" Adam chokes on his drink after taking a sip. "She's not—"

"She's not my secretary, she's my assistant." I cut him off and press my heel on his toes, hoping he keeps his mouth shut. Thankfully, a waiter emerges asking us for our meal choices.

"Alright, well, let's talk business." Adam announces when the waiter leaves and switches gears, focusing on the main reason for this meetup.

The rest of the hour, we negotiate over the client who's on the fence between our agencies. I propose a deal to approach the client with a dual option to have us work on the campaign together. It will benefit both companies in the end. We'll handle the content and social services while they take on the branding and PR. After some back and forth and very little input from Fabiana we come to an agreement on terms.

"I'll get the legalities squared away as soon as I get back to the office and send copies to you." Adam reaches his hand across the table to shake their hands.

"We'll get our best people on the project and have them meet with yours," I say and even though my pride is screaming at me to walk away, I also extend my hand to Cruz. He stands to take my hand and walks a few steps away from the table.

"Thanks, Will. I'm really glad we can work together again."

"Keep your eyes open, Cruz. Something tells me you could have given me the same advice but you made a choice that cost us our friendship. She's going to hurt or ruin you."

He narrows his eyes at me and I squeeze his hand as the two faced woman I thought I knew joins us, extending her hand out to me, too. "I'll be in touch." Leaving her with her hand held out, I walk away.

⧫ ⧫ ⧫

My head snaps up at the knock on my office door at the end of the day. Katerina pushes her glasses up and gives me a small wave. I smile and she walks in further with her notebook and pen in hand. "Do you have a second?"

"Of course. Come in." Walking around my desk, I lean against the front of it, crossing my arms. "Do you have your pitch ideas ready for the campaign meeting tomorrow?"

She nods, holding her notebook up and takes a seat in a chair. "Yes, I have them written down. But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about though. I...have to make a confession."

"A confession?" My lips twitch, but watching her wring her hands nervously I take a seat in the chair next to hers. "What is it?"

"I...I don't even know where to begin. I've been trying to figure out how to fix this since the first day we met...well, at work I mean." She holds her head for a moment. "I'm not making any sense. This probably wouldn't be so hard if I didn't like you." She shakes her head, holding her hand over mouth while I can't contain the smile from spreading on my face. "I probably shouldn't have said that. But it's probably for the best—get it all out in the open and hopefully you won't hate me."

"I could never hate you, but...you're confessing you like me?"

"No. Yes. No. Well, that's part of it, yes." She closes her eyes, groaning. "I can't even do this right." She looks down, flipping through her notebook. A loose paper slips out and flutters to the floor. I lean down to pick it up. It's worn and looks like it's been folded and unfolded several times.

"What's this?" My brows furrow opening it.

"Oh, that's not..." She reaches for it, but I shift my hand and stand, reading the items.

My Life Goals is written at the top with flowers surrounding the words. Several items have been check marked, others have been striked through. Some look like they've had white out used more than once with something new written over it.

✓ Fall in love

✓ First Kiss

✓ First Makeout

✓ Get a 4.0 at least once

✓ Lose my virginity

✓ Learn a foreign language

✓ Graduate high school

✓ Get into college

Ride in a hot air balloon

Try weed

✓ Get drunk

One night stand?

✓ Graduate college

Go on a motorcycle ride

✓ Get my own apartment

Get out of debt

Give up junk food for a week

Drink enough water everyday

⏤get a plant⏤

Keep a plant alive

✓ Learn self defense

Travel (Italy, Paris or Greece)

See the ball drop in person on New Year's Eve

✓ Get a promotion

Spend all day at a spa

✓ Meet my favorite athlete or celebrity

✓ Practice gratitude everyday

Buy a house

✓ Always say 'yes' to new and positive things

Always choose happiness no matter what happens

Find my life partner and soulmate

Become a mom?

"This is quite the list." I murmur, still observing the items. Katerina reaches for it again and I lift it above her head out of reach. "When did you start it?"

"Mr. Cardona, please." She makes a quick grab but I switch hands behind her back. She teeters on her toes, unbalanced and I hold on to her, our eyes lock onto each other with the proximity. She feels soft and warm against me and all too tempting.

"What happened to using my first name, princess?"

"We're at work...Will." Her large gorgeous eyes are focused on my mouth and it takes everything in me to not lower mine over hers in that moment.

I swallow, my gaze lifts to hers when she asks in a whisper, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because...I'm thinking about kissing you."

"Oh." Her eyes move between mine slowly, then drop to my mouth before looking at my eyes again and it's the sexiest thing I've ever experienced a woman do. But while I'm glad to know she likes me, I'm a damn hypocrite—lusting after someone who isn't available. Guilt and shame gnaws at me and my stomach twists uncomfortably.

"What's going on here?" My head whips to the door. Malcolm is standing in the doorway, his hands in clenched fists and his eyes blazing with anger.