The One That Got Away Read online

  The One That Got Away

  By Lexie Miers

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter One

  Cassidy

  The welcoming aroma of my favorite coffee shop enveloped me like a comfy blanket on a cold winter’s night. It reminded me of the snowy evenings I would sit in front of the fire at my mother’s house while indulging in a book all about love and clichéd events that were prelude to an inevitable happily-ever-after ending.

  Someone shoved me from behind, urging me forward. “Okay. Relax.”

  I was stuck in a never-ending line inside a coffee shop in the financial district, waiting for my morning brew. Even though I’d been living in Denver for years, I still wasn’t used to the hustle and bustle of it during rush hour.

  I was born and raised in the small town of Crested Butte, Colorado, nestled between two mountain ranges. A real little mountain town, where everyone knew everyone, which was both a big blessing and an annoyance of living there, especially for a kid. We were always safe and well taken care of, but when we were the ones being reckless... we were busted. Over and over again.

  I still imagined myself riding down Alpine View Lane on my bike, the wind in my hair, whizzing past the well-maintained houses.

  “Order for Cassidy!”

  I pushed through the crowd of people and grabbed my cappuccino, then headed out the door as quickly as I could. Luckily, I still had a few minutes to walk to my destination.

  Scoring an interview at one of the most prestigious companies in the city was a dream come true, and the starting salary was more than I’d ever earned in my life.

  It was for an executive assistant’s position at Emmerdale and Quinn, a company that did insurance claims—something I didn’t have much experience with, but was willing to learn. I’ve been told I’m a quick study, so the intimidation factor was low.

  The fresh autumn air was crisp and for a moment I could breathe... until a van with a broken tailpipe spoiled the moment and polluted the area around me.

  At times I wished I didn’t have to work in the city, but the money was here, and I needed it.

  My little brother, Nathan, who was not so little anymore, had been in an accident a few months back, and been critically injured. He’d fractured his spine in two places and required three separate surgeries, in quick succession.

  Money was tight, there were gaps in his insurance coverage, and since he had to stay in the hospital and both out parents were gone, I was the one who had to work twice as hard to make sure all the bills were paid.

  Of course, they weren’t.

  Medical bills were insanely high, especially in Nathan’s case. He required orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and in-patient care. Applying for a job that required experience I didn’t have was a bold move, but I was optimistic.

  I had to be.

  I crossed the street and walked along the sidewalk towards the address I had burned into my brain. To say I’d been excited to receive the call to set up the interview appointment was an understatement, and I’d been laser focused on researching the company online ever since.

  I did do a dorky little happy dance which no one should ever be allowed to see.

  I’d told Nathan about the interview when I visited him at the hospital, but he wasn’t in the best mood, so I just left.

  I was an overall positive person, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. This was a little out of my comfort zone, as well as above my qualifications, but the fact that they called me back to arrange an interview seemed like a good sign, or at least a good starting point.

  I only had one chance to impress them, and that was exactly what I was going to do. I ditched my normal casual ponytail for an elegant bun at the nape of my neck, pulling my hair out of my face. A suit with a black pencil skirt, and short, tailored jacket along with a light pink blouse was both professional looking and kept me warm on this brisk fall day. A pair of new, inexpensive black heels finished off my look. I hadn’t paid a lot of money for them, but they were comfortable enough that I could wear them for hours and not have aching feet.

  I only had a block to go when I realized that I was going to be late for the interview. I picked up the pace and soon found myself in front of an endless set of stairs, leading up to the building of Emmerdale and Quinn.

  “Oh, shit. This is going to be bad,” I muttered to myself as I began to climb the stairs, one by one, as my skirt was tight—a fashion choice I would regret for the rest of my life.

  The stairs lay before me like a daunting obstacle course, and when I finally reached the top, my heart was pounding like I’d run a marathon, but worst of all... a large digital clock on the glass wall showed me what I’d been dreading.

  I’m late.

  I rushed to the mirrored glass door, and as I was about to open it, someone came through from the other side after pushing it open forcefully.

  Damn!

  My chest was on fire and I struggled to breathe. It wasn’t because I was late, or because I had to climb a million stone steps in a tight skirt, but thanks to the door being pushed in my face, my coffee had spilled all over my light pink shirt.

  “Oh my gosh. I am so sorry,” the man said to me. “Can I get you a napkin?”

  I glanced up at him and shook my head. “No, I’m running late, but thank you.”

  As the man walked away, the door closed and I caught sight of my reflection. A miserable sigh escaped my throat and my shoulders slumped. My pink shirt was stained with coffee, which was also dripping down my skirt and onto the ground. I threw the empty coffee cup in the trashcan a few feet away from the door and wiped my hands with the soaked napkin. Things couldn’t get any worse, could they?

  I took a deep breath, trying to convince myself that everything was going to be fine, buttoned my jacket, attempting to hide my coffee-soaked shirt as much as possible and pushed through the glass door. Maybe there would be enough time for me to visit the restroom and try to salvage my shirt and whatever dignity I had left.

  The reception area of Emmerdale and Quinn was massive, with luxury seating in hues of greys, with teal throw pillows and glass accents. A massive crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, and the front desk was made entirely of marble. A gorgeous redhead wearing a headset sat behind the desk, and I quickly walked over to her.

  “Good morning, and welcome to Emmerdale and Quinn,” she spoke with a warm smile. “Can I help you?”

  “Good morning. My name is Cassidy Moore. I’m here for an interview for the Executive Assistant position.”

  The redhead glanced briefly at the clock on the wall.

  Heat flushed my neck and cheeks. “I’m a few minutes late, I know, I wasn't expecting all those stairs. I bet you guys are super fit, right?” I expelled a nervous giggle, but when the redhead glanced at me blankly, I knew she didn't find me the least bit amusing. “Look, I spilled my coffee and I was wondering if there was a restroom I could use—”

  “Mr. Ross doesn’t like it when people are late. In fact, it is the one thing he doesn’t tolerate,” she said curtly, with a hint of sass only a redhead could pull off.

  I had absolutely no idea how to respond to that. When I was about to open my mouth, she spoke into her headpiece, holding her hand up to silence me.

  “Mr. Ross, your first potential candidate has arrived. Yes, she is. I know how you feel about that, Mr. Ross. Of course.”

  She glanced up at me w
ith her green gaze, and even though my face was flaming hot with embarrassment, my blood ran cold. A feeling of impending doom slithered its way up my spine and I pursed my lips.

  “The restrooms are up the escalator to your right, first door on the left. Your interview will be in the second office on the right. Mr. Ross is already waiting for you, so I suggest you hurry, or you’ll never have to walk up those steps again.”

  And judging by the look on her face, she wasn’t going to give me any further instructions or warnings. Her eyes did that all on their own.

  I made my way to the escalators as fast as I could, passing through a security gate and handed a visitor’s pass to the security guard. I had to stay positive and focused. I was counting on getting this job so I could start paying off the mountain of medical bills waiting for me on my kitchen table.

  The escalator allowed me to take a few deep breaths, get my shit together, and calm down. This was going to be fine—better than fine—actually. I was an intelligent young woman who was able to do anything I set my mind to. I could do this.

  I walked down the hallway and entered the restroom. I needed to be quick.

  I was already on thin ice with Red downstairs, and I was pretty sure she would mention her blatant disgust for me with her boss.

  Mr. Ross.

  Hopefully he wasn't as intimidating as he sounded. I glanced at myself in the mirror. Shorter tendrils of hair hung loosely around my face, and my elegant, low bun was now just a bit of a mess. No wonder Red looked at me with such disapproval.

  I didn't attempt to fix it. Instead, I removed the hair pins and let my long, blonde hair tumble down my shoulders. I looked better with my hair down anyway.

  Grabbing a few paper towels from the dispenser, I blotted my shirt a few times, just to get some of the coffee out. I glanced at my watch and groaned as I threw the wet paper towel into the wastebasket and rushed out of the restrooms, searching for the second door on the right.

  Around me, people diligently worked, and it seemed a little more relaxed than the formal lobby area. I was eyed by the employees I passed, and I simply gave them a friendly nod. Reciprocation was minimal, but then again, they’d never seen me before.

  I reached the second door and stopped in front of it. Inhaling deeply, I tugged on the bottom of my jacket with both hands to straighten it then lifted my right hand and tapped my knuckles lightly on the door. “Come in,” a voice sounded from inside.

  The tone was impatient, and familiar for some strange reason. Maybe it was true that all executives sounded alike, as they did in the movies.

  My heart pounded in my chest as I opened the door and stepped inside. The room was brighter than I expected, sunlight shining in through the large window to my right. There was a great view of LoDo as well.

  Two teal-colored love seats faced one another with a low coffee table between them, giving me the sense that it wasn’t quite as formal as I expected. The atmosphere was comforting, comfortable almost. The silhouette of a man dressed in a black suit stood by the window with his back to me, and I closed the door.

  “You must be Mr. Ross,” I said and moved towards him. “I’m—”

  “Cass?”

  My body froze as the familiar voice echoed through my mind as the man turned around. My eyes widened while I stood motionless, unable to move a muscle. In front of me stood the one person I was certain I would never see again in my entire life.

  Or at least, I’d hoped I wouldn’t.

  “Liam?” I breathed.

  He slowly and carefully approached me and a flood of memories came rushing back to me. The football practices I watched on the bleachers at our high school. The homecoming game. All the summers we spent together, the clear, starry nights, the snowball fights, the hot cocoa we drank at the bonfires, prom night.

  The wonderful memories of us together in Crested Butte.

  Of course, the bad memories rushed back in too, drowning me like a tidal wave. The sight of his car driving out of my driveway the last time I saw him. The tears I wasted on him for months. Not a single phone call from that moment. Nothing.

  The nights I’d spent alone in all the places we used to go. Driving around endlessly trying to figure out what I had done wrong. Why he didn’t want me anymore. Why I wasn't good enough for him.

  Hot tears blurred my vision. Everything around me was frozen in time and I was unable to move.

  I let out a slow breath... the breath I’d been holding since I saw his face.

  After all these years, he looked exactly the same. Light green eyes, brown, styled hair. The five ‘o clock shadow on his face, the dimple in his right cheek.

  His broad shoulders, his beautiful hands, and the way he smelled.

  Everything was the same.

  Except it wasn’t.

  Before me stood a stranger, somebody I used to know.

  Chapter Two

  Liam

  I’m never easily surprised.

  I’ve studied human behavior for almost ten years in this business. Their cues, their body language, and my perceptive nature were all partly the reason for my success. I could read people, and I could read them well, which was something not many could do.

  I could catch people in a lie, analyze them within a few minutes of meeting them, all the while making them feel comfortable. That was crucial in my line of work.

  As a senior executive for Emmerdale and Quinn, I liaised with important clients and had to build strong, working relationships with them.. But it was getting to the point where I needed an assistant who could do the tasks I didn't have time for. Coordinating meetings, sorting out the paperwork, and drawing up contracts.

  I’d had an assistant, Katie, but she resigned unexpectedly, after the stunt she pulled a few weeks ago.

  The last few weeks have been tough. Not only was my schedule packed with my normal responsibilities, I now had the added burden of interviewing potential new assistants.

  So far, the candidates were not promising, and that didn't surprise me.

  Nothing did anymore.

  But seeing Cassidy standing in front of me surprised the hell out of me, and I was left speechless.

  She was even more beautiful than I remembered. Her long blonde hair hung down on her narrow shoulders and her blue eyes were wide and bright.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked eventually.

  Her shoulders tensed at my question and she inhaled deeply. “You’re Mr. Ross.”

  Oh, shit... she’s here for an interview.

  “I am,” I said with a nod. “How have you been?”

  “Good.”

  Silence stretched uncomfortably. “How long have you been in Denver?”

  “You’re Mr. Ross,” she muttered again, the disappointment in her tone painfully obvious.

  I cleared my throat. “Yes. Have a seat.”

  “Sure.”

  I watched as she took off her jacket and noticed the coffee stain on her light pink shirt as she sat down. “Rough morning?” I asked as I sat down as well.

  “A little bit,” she answered curtly.

  I shifted in my seat and cleared my throat. “You’re here for the executive assistant position.”

  “Right, but I didn't know it was for you.”

  That was pretty obvious by now. She looked like she wanted to run. Every muscle in her body was tense and her discomfort was palpable.

  “If you did, would you have still applied?”

  She frowned. “Getting this job isn’t about you, Liam. I...”

  I leaned forward. “What is it?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” she answered and straightened her shoulders. Something was bothering her.

  Maybe it was me, and I didn't blame her one bit. After the way I’d treated her all those years ago, I was surprised she hadn’t yet punched me in the face.

  “So, what makes you think you’re qualified to be my assistant?” I asked, although I already knew the answer.

  “I’m a
perfectionist when it comes to my work. I’m hard-working, I’m always on time, except for today for some reason.”

  “The steps got to you, didn’t they?”

  Cass glanced at me and nodded slowly. “Yeah. I’ve never been one for steps.”

  “I know,” I whispered and cleared my throat again, glancing down at her resume. “What else?”

  “I have excellent telephone and computer skills. I work quickly and efficiently with minimal mistakes, and I really feel like I can be a great asset to...” Her voice trailed and her gaze met mine. “To you.”

  I skimmed through her impressive list of scholastic accomplishments. “You attended UC Denver, with a pre-law major and a business minor. Then went on to earn your paralegal certificate.”

  Her mouth dropped open a little, I assumed in surprise that I surmised everything so quickly. But then she lifted her chin and ploughed forward. “That’s right. Business Law was my favorite subject and I wanted to have a well-rounded education.”

  “You graduated magna cum laude, at the top of your class,” I said, not surprised how well she’d done in pursuing her goals.

  She had been the same when I knew her. Ambitious. And would do anything to achieve her goals. I admired her for that, and I’d loved her focus.

  Loved.

  “You have an impressive resume.”

  “Thank you. I’ve been looking forward to getting a job in the city that’s more in my wheel house,” she pointed out.

  I couldn’t help asking, “Why haven’t you been working as a paralegal? You should be.”

  She shrugged, her mouth twisting. “After College I moved home to look after Mom when she got sick, then Nathan got hurt and... well, I’ve been working anywhere I could get a job really. But I want to get back into the field that I studied for.”

  I tapped my fingers on the table in front of me, studying her intently for a moment. “You would be an incredible asset to this company, and to me.”

  She stared at me quietly and pursed her lips. “Why do I get the feeling you’re about to tell me that I am not getting this job?”

  I shifted back on the couch. “I can’t give you this job. Not because you don’t deserve it, but because you’re better than this.”