"Mary, please," my father said. "Leave the boy alone. I admire his ambition to make it on his own."

My mother lowered her voice. "Psh, he'd have a wife by now if he would just do things my way."

"You know, Mom," I said, "I'm still in the car and can hear you."

"Let's just get there and pray that this evening is beneficial." She said as she pulled out her phone and began texting someone.

TWO AND HALF hours later, I was standing in the corner, drinking another glass of wine while my mother moved from person to person. She was attempting to kiss up to some guy who owned a communications company. Every now and then, she'd walk a young girl up to me to introduce her, and I'd have to stand there and make small talk. I just wanted to get the fuck out of there and get home so I could pack my bags and prep to leave for London. I was making the trip to take care of something for my father regarding Gramps' newspaper.

I was just about to find my father and tell him that I'd had enough when the hair on my arms began to stand on end. Something about the air in the room changed. It felt electrified. I caught a glimpse of a girl walking by, heading toward the exit of the hotel ballroom. Her light brown hair was piled on top of her head. She walked up to the guy my mother had been brown-nosing all night and kissed him on each cheek. He brought her in for a hug, then whispered something in her ear.

Something about her was very familiar. I started to head in her direction.

"Cale? Cale, darling, I'd like you to meet someone." My mother grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop. I turned to see a young girl standing there, smiling. She couldn't have been more than eighteen.

"Ashley Jackson, This is my son Cale. Cale, this is Ashley. Her daddy owns a condominium housing development on Beaver Lake."

I glanced at my mother and smiled before turning to Ashley.

"Really? I just bought a house on Beaver Lake."

Lucy smiled. My mother didn't.

"What? You bought a house? By yourself?"

I slowly looked down at my mother. "Yes, Mommy Dearest. I bought a house, by myself. I have this thing called a job. I work for my money."

Ashley covered her mouth with one hand in an attempt to hide her laughter. My mother's mouth fell open, and she stood there, stunned into silence. I downed the rest of my wine and set the glass on the tray of a passing waiter. I glanced back and saw the brown-haired girl leaving the room.

"Ashley, if you'll excuse me. I really have to run. Mother, it was good seeing you again."

"Cale, you're being rude, darling."

Glancing over to Ashley I smiled. "Ashley, excuse my rudeness. I really have to get going. Tell Dad I said goodnight, Mom."

I turned and quickly made my way to the exit. When I pushed open the doors, I started jogging toward the elevators. The doors were shutting, but not before I caught a glimpse at her. She was staring down at her phone, her face hidden in shadow. She appeared to be crying.

The doors shut and, just like that, she was gone.

"Fuck," I whispered.

I pulled out my cell. I had the photo I was looking for saved in a specific folder. I tapped the screen and pulled up the picture.

There she was with her light brown hair and the most beautiful green eyes I'd ever seen. I studied her face as I stood in front of the elevator. When the doors opened, I stepped in and pushed the button for the ground floor.

I was tired of feeling like this. Empty. Alone. Searching for someone I'd never see again.

I headed out to the front of the hotel and hailed a taxi. When it stopped, I opened the back door and slipped inside.

"Twenty-seven Downing Court, please," I said to the driver.

Ten minutes later, I was walking into my apartment and throwing my keys on the side table. I grabbed a beer and I headed for the sofa. As I sank into the cushions, I let out a sigh.

I turned on the TV and channel surfed as I drank. After a few minutes, I texted Jack.

Me: What are you doing?

Jack: Just got done fucking my date in the ally outside her apartment. You done hobnobbing?

Me: Yep.

Jack: Want to meet for a few beers?

I stared at Jack's text. If we went out, I'd end up getting drunk. I was too pissed off at my mother not to. It was always like this. Every time I saw her, I ended up going out and drowning my sorrows in beer. Way too much beer.

Me: Nah. I'm gonna head to bed.

Jack: Pussy.

I laughed as I got up and set my phone on the table next to my empty beer bottle. I walked into my bedroom, stripped out of my clothes and crawled into bed.

Another night all alone. I thought.

I closed my eyes and all I could see were green eyes.

Maddie...

"COME ON, MADDIE. Stop being such a drama queen." Zoey said as we walked through the airport.

I attempted to hold my frustration back. The one time I really wanted to bitch about my mother, Zoey wouldn't hear it. Zoey complained constantly about her parents. Her mother was always on her back to find someone and settle down. Zoey, on the other hand, wanted to live life on the edge. Her rare autoimmune disease had led her to live her life each day like it was her last. In a way, I envied her for that. I think almost dying last year had really thrown her for a loop.

I stopped and looked at Zoey. Before I could say anything, she opened her mouth.

"Listen, I'm not trying to be a bitch, Maddie," She said. "I'm really not. But that party was two days ago. So your mother humiliated you and made you leave the party in tears. So you broke down in an elevator and cried. Who gives a shit? Next time, tell the bat off!"

I was about to respond when the announcer came on. Zoey put her finger up to my mouth and said, "Shh, hush up."

I closed my eyes and prayed for strength. If she weren't my friend, and sick, I'd have knocked the hell out of her.

"That's my plane boarding! Gotta go! Have fun in London while I'm in Jamaica!" She quickly kissed me on the cheek and skipped off toward her plane. I watched her as she walked away. She had on tight jeans and a blouse that you could practically see through. Her body was to die for, not soft like mine. I could stand to drop about ten pounds, but Monica said it made me look sexy with the added curves.

I was about to turn around when Zoey yelled, "Maddie! No fish and chips. Your ass is already getting bigger."

My mouth dropped open as she laughed and waved to me before disappearing into the crowd.

"Bitch," I whispered before turning to head for my gate. I just wanted to get this stupid trip out of the way and get back home.

THE GUY SITTING next to me at the bar had been eying me for a while when he asked, "What do you do for a living sweetheart?"

I smiled and replied, "I'm an import manager."

"Nice. What brings you to London?"

I laughed. "Chocolate."

He took a sip of his beer and said, "Chocolate huh? I'm pretty sure you have chocolate in the States."

I took a sip of my wine and nodded. "Our supplier asked me to come with them to London. We were trend shopping. I'm helping them with their packaging before visiting the factory we ship from."

He looked at me like I'd just spoken in another language.

He was from the States, too, and the wedding ring on his finger wasn't lost on me. He turned to me and said, "Listen, babe, do you want to come up to my room or what? This small talk is getting old."

What?

I glanced at his ring before looking him in the eye. I smiled as I drank the last of my wine. Grabbing my purse, I slipped off the barstool and faced him.

"Why don't you think about this for a bit?" I said. "You have a wife back home, maybe a child or two, but I sure hope not. What do you think your wife is doing while you're sitting here trying to pick up a lay? I bet she's taking care of your house, the bills, the kid, the dog...all that shit a wife does. If you're not happy, leave her. Don't fuck around behind her back you asshole."

I turned and headed for the elevator.

I am so over men, I thought. They are nothing but pricks. No one will ever hold a candle to Cale. None of them.

Once in the elevator, I said a quick thanks to God that tonight was my last night in London. Three days in this town and I was ready to get back home. I hit the button for the tenth floor and leaned against the wall, closing my eyes.

"Wait! Hold the elevator."

I know that voice. I was instantly taken back to two years ago, to a beach with the most beautiful green eyes I'd ever seen.

I opened my eyes just as the doors closed. I quickly reached for the button to open them again, but the elevator began moving up.

"No! No, no, no, no!" I yelled as I hit the button for the ground floor. The elevator continued to whisk me up to my floor. The doors opened and I hit the ground floor button again causing them to close as the elevator begin its descent to the ground floor.

"Hurry, you damn thing," I shouted. The doors opened and I ran out of the elevator. I looked around frantically. Where is he? I know it was him. It was Cale. I know it!

I quickly walked over to the reception desk. The young lady working there looked up and smiled. "May I help you with something?"

"Do you have a Cale...?" Oh. My. God. I don't know his last name. "Um, do you have anyone with the first name of Cale staying here?" I asked as anticipation sped through my veins. The front desk clerk looked at me like I was insane.

I know it was him. I'd know that voice anywhere.

She smiled politely and began typing. "I, um...let me see if I can...uh..." I looked at her with pleading eyes before she smiled and looked back down at the computer screen. "Hmm, I'm so sorry. There is not anyone with the first name of Cale staying at this hotel."

My whole body sank with disappointment. I closed my eyes and shook my head. "Miss Powers? Are you okay?"

I opened my eyes and smiled, nodding. "Yes, I'm just...stuck in the past. Thank you for checking."

She gave me a confused look before smiling the way people do when they feel sorry for you. Or think you're a lunatic.

I headed back to the elevator. I needed to snap out of it. Why the hell would he be in England? I was never going to find him. Two years ago, I walked away from him, and now I had to live with that regret for the rest of my life.

I walked into the elevator and took in a deep breath. I could almost smell him.

"Jesus, Maddie. You seriously need to move on." I said to myself. I pulled out my phone and sent Monica and Zoey a text.

Me: Hey, girls. Coming home tomorrow. I need to get wasted and find a guy. Anyone up for a night out tomorrow?

Zoey: Hell yeah I am! I know just the place to go!

Monica: I'm down for a little bit of fun. Does this mean you're finally letting him go?

Zoey: Oh, the mystery man, Cale! Jesus Maddie. You need to get screwed and forget about him.

Me: Monica...yes and Zoey...I know. Tomorrow night is the night.

I PULLED THE covers over my head and sighed. "Oh mother eff-er. I'm never drinking again," I whispered. Last night's events hit me like a brick wall.

After getting back from London last night, I met with Monica and Zoey at a club. Zoey made me a bet that I wouldn't ask a guy to dance. And not just dance, but dirty dance with him. I also had to make out with him before the night was over. Before I knew it, I was in the corner of the club with some guy feeling me up. I must have needed it, though. The feel of his erection grinding against me caused me to have a full-blown orgasm as he pushed against me and squeezed my breasts. When he whispered in my ear that he wanted to fuck me against the wall, I knew it had gone too far. I pushed him away, apologized for my behavior, and made my way back to Zoey and Monica who were sitting at the bar laughing.

My phone rang and I jumped. I reached for it and somehow managed to speak, even though my mouth felt like it was packed with cotton.

"Hello?"

"Why, good morning! Do you remember your orgasm last night?"

I rolled my eyes and let out a moan. "God, Zoey. Are you ever going to learn that if you dare me I'm gonna do it? It was a mistake, and I feel like a whore."

She laughed. "Please. When was the last time you had an orgasm?"

I slowly sat up and leaned against my headboard as I tried to remember my last orgasm.

"Umm..."

"Yeah. See, if it takes you that long to think of the last time, you for sure needed it. Besides, he was hot and I'm kind of pissed that you got off as easily as you did."

"Change of subject. I did my part, now you have to up hold your end of the bargain."

I slowly dragged my ass out of bed and dragged my feet along the floor as I made my way to my bathroom.

"What was it again?" Zoey asked with a chortle.

"I believe I said you had to find a guy and date him for a month straight. No one else. Just him."

"That's right. Has my mother been talking to you? She has been on my ass lately."

I smiled as I hit the speakerphone button on my phone and set it down on the sink. I turned on the water and splashed my face. "No, I haven't been talking to your mother. She's right though, Zoey. This lifestyle of yours is dangerous. You need to find someone."

I heard her sigh. "I'm fine! I can't even remember the last time I was sick."