Here is another update! This story seems to be getting harder and harder to write. But I love a challenge so I will continue with it! I will update soon so enjoy and please review :)
Chapter 4
"Rachel".
How he managed to sound so cool and collected, as if it were a common occurrence for an ex who broke your heart to drop in unexpectedly, she doesn't know. Especially when her stomach was churning and her pulse was racing. His body language was relaxed, his expression calm, but his eyes were alert, still assessing her. She suppressed a shiver. The tension between them was becoming unbearable.
The urge to turn around and leave was so tempting that she had to physically dig her toes in her shoes to keep from bolting. She lifted her head, trying to calm her racing nerves. She knew if she didn't say anything she might give in to that temptation. "It's been a long time", she said her voice just as cool as his. Good Rachel she thought silently to herself. She knew she couldn't let him see her nervous. Jesse had never been fond of seeing weakness in others. He always said that if you showed weakness, it gave the other person an advantage. But then again, he always was very good at hiding his emotions she thought ruefully.
She thought she saw a faint hint of a smirk on his face at her answer, but she blinked and it was gone. "Seven years" he said calmly, but there was something dark lurking at the edges. Her stomach clenched. Before she could respond, he gestured toward one of the recliners. "Have a seat", he said, his voice casual. She walked slowly toward one of the recliners. She breathed a silent sigh of relief when she sat down, glad that she managed not to betray how weak her legs suddenly felt.
He sat behind his desk, and Rachel caught a whiff of his cologne. It was masculine, warm and rich. She thought she detected a hint of eucalyptus. That was his signature scent he wore when they were dating. She shook herself mentally, trying to suppress the memories that particular scent dredged up, particularly with intimate moments shared between them. "So what are you doing all the way out here in L.A.? I always thought you would be in New York, being destined for Broadway and all", he said, those eyes still assessing her.
"Actually I do live in New York" she said holding his gaze. "What about Broadway? If I remember correctly, you always said that you were born to play the role of Elphaba", he said, a tiny hint of a smile on his face. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. She ignored the warm feeling that spread throughout her at his words. She couldn't believe that he remembered that. But then again memory was never one of his faults. "Actually, I've starred in a few Broadway hits, some of them off Broadway" she said trying to keep her tone steady.
He lifted an eyebrow. "Have you auditioned for the role?" he asked. She shook her head. "No. I actually spend most of my time conducting Broadway workshops and helping others perfect their craft" she said. If he was surprised he hid it well. He nodded slightly. She knows that it was unusual, especially considering how competitive she had been in high school. But she had changed. "Well I'm pretty sure when you audition for it you'll get it. That and singing Don't Cry for Me Argentina as Eva in Evita" he said.
She felt her heart start to speed up at his words. She remembered he told her those exact same words after he came back from spring break after the Run Joey Run fiasco. "I can't believe you remembered that" she said quietly, a little awestruck that he remembered. "With your talent Broadway was always an inevitability for you. And there are a lot of things I remember" he said quietly, but his gaze was intense as he looked her in the eyes.
She felt her mouth go dry at his words. She knew instinctively that he was talking about the Nationals fiasco. She could feel the unspoken words that hung between them. She fought silently to hold his gaze, in spite of the tension the permeated the room. She cleared her throat, hoping to ease the nervous tension inside of her. "Well to answer your first question, I'm here for business" she said, secretly glad that her voice was calm. "What type of business?" he questioned.
"Personal" she said. She could see something shift in his eyes at her response, but it was gone a second later. She tried not to shift in the chair as she waited on his response. He stared at her, his gaze suddenly penetrating. She held his gaze, her show face in place, but her insides twisted in nervousness. The tension was becoming uncomfortable as he continued to stare at her. It was broken by the ring of the telephone. She didn't know whether to be happy or upset at the interruption.
He picked it up, still holding her gaze. "I thought I told you to hold all my calls Veronica" he said calmly but there was a hint of irritation in his tone. He paused a moment and a slight frown came to his face. "Okay. I'll be out there in a minute" he said. He hung up the phone. "This will only take a few minutes" he said. She nodded. He stood up and she fought to keep her gaze on his face. The dark purple silk shirt he wore fit him perfectly. She could see that he obviously worked out. "Did you want anything? Water, Tea?" he asked. "I'm fine" she said with a small smile. "Okay. I'll be back" he said before walking out of the room.
As soon as he closed the door she let out a long sigh of relief. "Get it together Rachel" she said aloud to herself. She tried to focus on some positive things, but all she could picture was the way he gazed at her when she told him she was here for personal business. His gaze was still unnerving even after all these years. He could always see right through her. It had been exciting in high school, but now it just made her feel on edge. Frustrated, she got up and walked to the bank of windows at the back of the office.
She gazed down at the busy avenue below, trying to focus her thoughts. For the thousandth time it seemed she started to doubt whether she should've come here at all. In hindsight it seemed completely reasonable to make this trip. But now that she thought about it, believing that a few dreams warranted her coming out here seem foolish and impulsive. She wondered if this would have harsh repercussions.
From the looks of things he was doing extremely well for himself. He looked healthy and seemed to be in control. As always. She sure didn't want to disrupt his life. Plus, she had Finn and her life back in New York. Maybe I should've let sleeping dogs lie she thought silently. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice that he had come back into the office until she felt a warm presence behind her. She turned around and swallowed a startled gasp.
He was standing so close to her that she could clearly see the grey flecks in his eyes. She could feel her blood rushing to her head as he continued to stare at her. Up close the smell of his cologne was intoxicating, making something twist in her stomach. If he knew the reaction that his close proximity was having on her he hid it very well. She could feel that old potent electricity between them. She wanted to move but she was effectively trapped between him and the window. She knew she needed to say something to break the tension between them.
"Is everything okay?" she said inwardly wincing at the breathless tone she had. "One of my clients" he said breaking her gaze and going to stand beside her to gaze out of the window. "Oh. Is it serious?" she asked. "Just one of the hassles of being a producer" he said with a slight smirk. She nodded silently. "Listen, I have some very important clients coming in soon" he said turning to face her. "I understand", she said, trying to ignore the disappointment that shot through her at his words. The thought crossed her mind at how reckless and foolish she was to come here.
"But I would like to continue our conversation some other time. Perhaps over lunch or dinner" he said calmly, but his gaze was penetrating, trying to gauge her reaction. She felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness shoot through her. She was excited that her trip was not in vain but nervous at having lunch or dinner with him. This definitely wasn't in her plans. But she knew the sooner she got this over with the happier she would be.
"I would like that" she said giving him a small smile. He nodded and walked back to his desk. She followed him. He opened a desk drawer and pulled out a piece of stationary with the company's logo written on it in elegant handwriting. It looked expensive. He opened another drawer and pulled out an expensive gold pen and handed it to her. "Write down your number and the hotel you're staying at so I can get in contact with you" he said. She hesitated for a moment before complying.
"What if I want to get in contact with you?" she asked. He smirked lightly at her. He opened another drawer and pulled out a business card. As he handed it to her their fingertips brushed. Every nerve in her body lit up with that single touch. Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at him. His eyes darkened. "That's how you can reach me" he said, but his voice was slightly husky. She nodded quickly before picking up her clutch. All of a sudden she knew she needed to get out of there.
"Okay. Well I'll let you get back to your business" she said, her tone slightly breathless. He nodded and she walked toward the door. She put her hand on the door knob and was about to pull it open when his voice stopped her. "Rachel" he said. She stiffened slightly but looked over her shoulder. He was staring at her, his eyes still dark. "It's good to see you" he said, his voice calm. She swallowed the sudden lump that appeared in her throat. "You too" she said managing to keep her tone even. He nodded and she left, closing the door quietly behind her.
It wasn't until she laid down in the hotel bed that she released the breath that she seemed to be holding ever since she laid eyes on Jesse St. James again.