The Exception (12 page)

Drew

I hated leaving her, but I had no choice. I had to be at the office in the morning by seven, and I would have had to have gotten up really early to leave her place to come home and get ready. Today confirmed what I already knew. I was in love with Jillian Bell. This strong feeling was something I’d never felt before. I’d never felt this way about any woman I had ever dated, including my ex-fiancée. All I wanted to do was hold her tight and tell her that everything was going to be okay. What the fuck was I doing? She shouldn’t be alone tonight after hearing the news about her sister. Fuck it. I went into my closet, grabbed a suit, packed a small bag, and took a cab back over to her place since I sent Roland home. Whether she needed me or not, I was going to be there.

As I stood outside her door, I took my phone from my pocket and called her.

“Hello,” her soft voice answered.

“Hi. Come to your door.”

“Drew?”

“Yeah. It’s me.”

I heard the locks unlocking and she opened the door as her phone was still pressed to her ear.

“I don’t think you should be alone tonight,” I spoke as I stared into her beautiful blue eyes.

“I agree.” She smiled.

I slipped my phone back in my pocket and stepped inside her apartment. She took hold of my hand and led me to the bedroom. After stripping out of my clothes and setting my alarm, I climbed in where I wrapped my arms tightly around her and she snuggled against my chest. Neither of us spoke a single word. I kissed the top of her head and we both drifted off to sleep.

The annoying sound of my alarm going off woke me out of a deep sleep. Letting out a moan, I reached over and turned it off. Jillian stirred and opened her eyes.

“Good morning.” Her lips gave way to a sleepy smile.

“Good morning. Go back to sleep. I’m just going to take a shower and get ready for work. I promise to be quiet.”

“Nah. I’m good. I’ll go make us some coffee while you’re in the shower.” Her lips pressed against my chest.

“You don’t have to, Jillian.”

“I want to, Drew. Now shush up and go take your shower.”

“If you insist, Madame.” I rolled on top of her and kissed her soft lips.

After getting out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist and walked to the kitchen.

“Here you go, sir. One fresh cup of coffee in a brand new stylish mug compliments of Bed Bath & Beyond.”

I chuckled. “Thank you. If you don’t mind, I’m going to take it in the bathroom with me so I can finish getting ready for work.”

“I don’t mind at all. I’ll take mine back to bed with me.”

She climbed into bed while I shaved in the bathroom.

“So tell me how it felt to take a shower in your old shower.”

“Weird,” I replied. “What are your plans for today?”

“Kristen is getting out of the hospital, so I’m going to spend the day with her.”

“Good idea.”

“Anything exciting going on at work today?” she asked.

“If you consider spending the day in meetings, then yes. The day will be filled with excitement.”

Once I finished shaving, I walked into the bedroom and stared at Jillian as she sipped her coffee and checked her phone. God she was so beautiful and my cock was starting to get hard just looking at her. I’d never wanted to make love to anyone like I wanted to with her. Fuck it. I walked over to the nightstand, picked up my phone, and called Lia.

“It’s me. I’m running late this morning, so tell Harrison I’ll be there soon. I have some business to take care of first before I head into the office.” I smiled at Jillian.

“And what kind of business would that be?” Jillian asked.

“Oh, I think you know exactly what I’m talking about.” I removed my towel and climbed on the bed.

****

Jillian

“Can I see you later?” Drew asked as I walked him to the door.

“I don’t know. It depends on Kristen.”

“I understand.” He kissed me. “Call me later, okay?”

“Okay.” I smiled.

As I poured myself another cup of coffee, a call came through on my laptop.

“Good morning, Bean. I was hoping you were up. I take it your guest spent the night since I didn’t hear from you.”

“He sure did.” I smiled as I leaned over the counter with my hands tightly wrapped around my coffee mug.

“How fucking freaky is this whole thing?”

“You haven’t heard the freakiest part yet.” I bit down on my bottom lip.

“Oh my God, tell me.”

“The apartment I’m renting is his old apartment. He’s my freaking landlord.”

“Shut the fuck up! You’re lying.”

“I swear on my grandmother’s grave.” I held up two fingers.

His jaw dropped and he was speechless. “Okay, Jill, this is all too weird. Like crazy universe shit weird.”

“I know, right? Anyway, I have something to tell you.” My light mood turned somber.

“What’s wrong?”

“The chemo and radiation hasn’t helped Kristen and the cancer has spread. She’s dying, Kel. The doctors gave her six to nine months.” Tears filled my eyes.

“Jesus, Jill. I’m so sorry. I can be on the next flight to New York.”

“It’s okay. Just come this weekend like planned. I know with work and everything, it’s hard.”

“Fuck. Are you okay? Of course you’re not. That was a stupid question.”

“I’m hanging in there. In fact, I’m getting ready to head to the hospital.”

“All right, go. I’ll talk to you later and I want to hear all about Hawaii guy. I thought you said you’re in a man-free zone. I knew it wouldn’t last.” He smirked.

“I’ll be honest with you, Kel. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. My head has so much shit going through it right now.”

“Maybe you need to go talk to a shrink or something.”

“Maybe I do. I’ll talk to you later.” I blew him a kiss.

“Bye, Bean.”

Kellan was right. Maybe I did need to talk to someone. Grabbing my phone from the counter, I sent Noah a text message.

“Morning. When is Kristen being released?”

“Morning, Jill. We’re on our way home now. She wants to see you.”

“Tell her I’m on my way.”

Drew

As I stepped into the conference room, Harrison and Lance both glared at me.

“You’re late, Drew. You know how I hate to be kept waiting,” Harrison spoke.

No one and nothing was going to ruin my good mood today.

“Well, Harrison, some things are worth being late for.” I smirked as I took a seat across from him.

“Is that so? Then maybe there’s another company out there that would respect my time and the contract to my new software program.”

I sighed. “If that’s how you feel, then you’re free to leave.”

“Hold up a second,” Lance interjected and shot me a look.

Harrison narrowed his eyes as he stared at me. Or should I say glared at me.

“I’m serious, Harrison. If me being late has you all hot and bothered, then maybe you should find another company for your software. But I will tell you this; you came to us for a reason. This is my company and I decide whom I want to do business with, and right now, I don’t care for your attitude. You think your software is unique? I can find someone else with something just as good, so it’s no skin off my back.”

“Drew!” Lance snapped.

Harrison sat there, contemplating his next words.

“You know what, Drew, I like you. You have balls and balls is what I need for my company. So let’s get started, shall we?”

After our meeting ended and the contracts were signed, I shook Harrison’s hand and walked him to the door.

“What the fuck was that all about?” Lance asked. “And why were you late?”

“She’s here.” I smiled as I grabbed the contracts and headed back to my office.

“Who’s here?” Lance asked as he followed behind.

“Jillian. The girl I met on the plane and spent some time with in Hawaii.”

“Huh? She’s here in New York?”

“Yes. We ran into each other yesterday on the street. We had lunch, talked, did some shopping, and I don’t think I need to tell you what happened next.”

“So you were late because you had sex with her this morning?”

“Yep.” I took a seat behind my desk.

“Okay.” He nodded his head. “That’s a damn good excuse for being late. So now what? Are you two officially dating?”

“I don’t know, to be honest. Remember I told you she was on that self-discovery journey? We hadn’t talked about what happens next. She just found out yesterday that her sister is dying.”

“Man, that sucks.” He looked at his watch. “But what matters is that you were reunited with her. You’re Drew Westbrook and you always get what you want. Remember that. I have to go. I have that meeting with the tech department. I’ll fill you in later.”

After he walked out of my office, my phone pinged with a text message from Jane.

“Mr. Drew. You didn’t sleep in your bed last night and you weren’t home this morning. I’m dying to know why you were going to look at dishes.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’ll fill you in when I get home. I promise.”

“You better.”

I was happy. Actually, I was fan-fucking-tastic. I didn’t know if I’d ever felt so good. Having her here in New York, in my apartment, was euphoric to me. I had missed her so much and I worried about her being out in the world all alone. But now, she no longer had to be alone and I was going to make sure she wasn’t.

****

Jillian

When I walked into Kristen and Noah’s apartment, I found Kristen sitting on the couch, drinking a cup of coffee.

“Hey.” I forced a smile.

“Hey, you. Come here.” She held out her arms to me. “How are you?”

Seriously? She’s the one who just found out she’s dying and she’s asking me how I am?

“I’m okay. How are you?” I asked as I looked at the gorgeous big rock on her finger. “What the—”

“He asked me last night. Apparently, he’s had this ring for a while and was going to ask me on our dating anniversary.”

“Oh my God! It’s gorgeous. I’m so happy for you!” I squeezed her tight.

“Thanks. Will you help me plan my wedding? We want to get married as soon as possible since I don’t have much time left.”

My heart.
Fuck
. The ache I felt when she said that nearly sent me into a crying fit. But she wouldn’t want that, so I had to hold my composure. I’d fall apart later.

“Of course I’ll help you.” Tears filled my eyes.
Shit
.

“Why are you crying?” she asked with a pout.

“Because I’m so happy for you and Noah.”

“But you’re thinking why bother since I won’t be alive for much longer,” she spoke.

I couldn’t believe she just said that as I placed my hands over my mouth.

“NO! I’m not thinking that at all. Why would you say that?”

A small smile crossed her lips. “Because that’s what everyone will think. I love Noah more than life itself and he wants us to be married, even if it is for a short while. We’ve talked so much about marriage in the past and I’m not going to let fucking cancer keep me from marrying my prince charming.”

“I love you, Kristen.”

“I love you too. So what did you do yesterday after you left the hospital? I was worried that you hid out in your apartment and cried all day.”

“You’re never going to believe it. You’re just not.” I smiled as I slowly shook my head.

Her eye narrowed as she tilted her head to the side.

“Oh God, Jill. What did you do?”

“Well,” I slowly spoke.

“Ugh. Stop it! Spit it out!” She grabbed hold of my hands.

“Yesterday after I left the hospital, I decided to take a walk. Where I was walking to, I had no clue. All I knew was that I needed to walk and I ran into someone on the street.”

“Shit. Don’t tell me it was Grant or your parents.”

“I ran into Drew.”

“Shut up!” She cupped her hands over her mouth. “Drew from Hawaii? Drew that you had sex with?”

“Yes. That would be him.”

“And?”

“We had lunch, went back to my place, had sex, went to Bed Bath & Beyond to buy some dishes, went to dinner, he dropped me off at home, we said goodbye and then he came back within an hour, spent the night, and then we had sex again this morning.”

“Wait. You threw me off when you said you went to Bed Bath & Beyond.” She laughed.

I shrugged. “We were going to order dinner in, but I didn’t have any dishes to eat on. So, we went and bought some. But wait. There’s more and you’re going to freak the fuck out. Are you ready?”

“Wait. Let me take in a deep breath first. Okay. Go.”

“He’s my landlord. I’m his tenant. Go ahead, freak the fuck out now.”

“I’m sorry, what?” she asked in confusion.

“The apartment that I’m renting is his old apartment. I’m renting it from HIM.”

Kristen sat there, staring at me, without even blinking.

“Just hours after you left your fiancé at the altar, you met a man on a plane to Hawaii. You ended up at the same hotel, hung out with him and his girlfriend. He breaks up with his girlfriend, you spend the day together, have sex and then say goodbye. You move to New York, unknowingly rent an apartment that belongs to that man you met on a plane to Hawaii and run into each other on the street, which neither one of you had knowledge that the other one was here. Correct?”

“Yes. Sounds about right.”

“He’s your soul mate, Jill. All the fucking signs are there.”

“Shut up. I don’t believe in soul mates.”

“You don’t have to believe, baby sister. The universe led you to him. You were meant to leave Grant on that very day, or else you would have left his dumb ass way before that. But no. It was that day. The day you and Drew were on the same flight to Hawaii.”

“You’re crazy.” I smiled. “It’s all a coincidence. Plus, he wasn’t even supposed to be on my flight. The earlier flight he was on got cancelled due to mechanical problems, so the airlines put him on my plane.”

“Ah ha!” she yelled as she pointed her finger at me. “And his seat just so happened to be next to yours. Wake up, Jill.” She grabbed hold of my shoulders and lightly shook me. “Drew is the man you’re supposed to be with.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not supposed to be with anyone. I’m on a journey to find myself; to know who I am.”

“Duh, and your journey led you to him.”

“But I really hadn’t even started my journey yet when I met him,” I spoke.

“Then he is your journey. Maybe you’re supposed to go on a journey with him.”

“No. That’s ridiculous. I need to journey alone.”

“Ugh. I give up.” She threw her hands up in the air.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Enough about me. Let’s talk wedding!”