13.

"I'm tired, Mae. I just want to take a shower and crash," I said nonchalantly, trying not to make a big deal out of my sneaking in.

Esme shook her head at me. "You're too skinny," she said, poking my abs. "Let me fix something for you to eat, and then you can crash."

I sighed and rubbed my face, remembering that I hadn't been able to have lunch this afternoon. Setting up the new office had pretty much sucked all of my free time, and if it wasn't for Tia, my new PA, I would've probably starved. Though, I'm sure she bought all those lunches so she could have some time to talk to Benjamin.

I didn't miss the looks they kept giving each other.

Nevertheless, I was thankful, and today, I barely had time to breathe between meeting the contractor, the tech team, and the interior designer.

Now that I thought about it, I was fucking starving.

"All right. Lead the way, Mae."

She didn't say anything while she watched me eat dinner. The manor was dark and empty. I almost asked her where you and my uncle had gone, but I stopped myself. I didn't need to know.

"You are thinking of her."

My eyes snapped up, locking my gaze with Esme's.

"What?"

"I can tell by the look on your face; you get this sour expression, and you cast your eyes down."

"Shit," I murmured, dropping the fork and pushing the dish aside, my appetite already lost. "I hadn't realized it was so obvious."

"It isn't for someone who isn't looking."

I nodded. "I don't know what to do, Mae."

She picked up my plate, rubbing my shoulder in a comforting gesture. "I wish I knew what to tell you, Edward. I'm not really an expert. In fact, I'm the last person you should be asking about these things. Maybe you should try to go out with your old friends from high school. Didn't Alec call the other day?"

I nodded, remembering my old high school buddy, Alec. We had kept in touch through emails and social networks, so when he found out about my move, he called the manor asking for me. We had chatted for a while until he had to get back to work.

"I think you're right. I'll give him a call this weekend."

Thanks to my beta MariahajilE. I truly appreciate your help.

I'll try to update every Wednesday and Sunday, this will give me time to have more chapters pre-written.

You can find me on twitter: Riv3rBoy84

Thank you for reading.

-JR