Storm (Ashes & Embers 1)

“Evie, I’m not going to change my mind or get bored. I want us to date like normal people and get to know each other. I need you to believe that. I know shit sucks right now with you being with him and me being away and all the other crap we’ve been through, but I just wanna put it behind us when I get back home.”

“I do believe you... I just keep thinking what you told me in the truck, about how you don’t do relationships.”

“I didn’t. Not for a long time. Being stuck with you, talking to you, seeing your eyes light up, sleeping with you in my arms, fuckin’ arguing with you, turning you on... it all made me want this. Did I expect it? Hell no. But now that I feel it, I want it.”

I close my eyes and lean the phone against my face, absorbing his words, letting them seep into the deepest parts of me that are scared.

“Storm, the guys are waiting for you.” I hear a female voice in the background. The hairs on my arm rise up. I know it’s her.

“I’ll be there in a few,” he yells back.

“You’re holding everyone up,” she says.

Go away, ho.

“Are you deaf? I said I’ll be there in a fucking minute.” His voice is nasty, rude even, in a way I’ve never heard before. I would never want that directed at me.

“Is that her?” I ask, hating the jealousy in my voice.

“Yes.”

“Great.”

“I swear on Niko nothing is going on or has gone on. I’ve been in my room alone every night, talking to you, texting you, or thinking about you. I’m not a liar, Evelyn. You may not always like my truth, but you will always get it.”

I let out the breath I’ve been holding. “I believe you, Storm.” And I do. He’s not perfect. He comes with sharp edges. But one thing I’ve come to realize is that he’s real, raw, and honest. I know when he says something he means it. Period.

“I better go or Vandal will be throwing a fit. He’s been in a shit mood all day saying we’re all off. He and Ash have been at each other’s throats, and I’m sick of playing referee.”

“Oh... I hope things get better.”

“He’ll calm down, eventually. I probably won’t get to talk to you tonight. By the time the show ends and I get back to the hotel, it’ll be after midnight. I don’t like keeping you up every night.”

“Storm, I don’t mind. I love hearing your voice before I go to sleep.”

“Me, too. I’ll see how late it is. Just don’t worry if you don’t hear from me, okay?”

“I promise I won’t freak out.”

“Good. And Evie? I’m really happy about your apartment. I can’t wait to be there with you.”

He hangs up and I hold on to the phone for a few seconds. Every time we part, whether it is in person or on the phone, I feel like a piece of me is pulled away. Like a puzzle missing one piece.

I pull my journal out of my bag and jot a few quick notes in my list.

Pack.

Talk to Michael.

Send Jane a thank you card.

Change my address.

I feel good about my list. I can do these things.

Before pulling away from the curb, I take one more look at the place that will soon be my new home, and I feel at peace.

I’m barely home for five minutes and my cell phone starts ringing with an unknown ringtone and number. I frown at the screen and answer it.

“Hello.”

“Evelyn, it’s Aria Valentine. Have I reached you at a convenient time?”

Aria! Storm’s mother. Eeek!

“Yes... Of course. How are you?”

My mind scrambles. Why is she calling me? Did something happen to Storm? I just spoke to him not thirty minutes ago. Maybe she dug up some dirt on me? But I don’t have any dirt. She hates me. She doesn’t want her favorite son dating a chick who’s already living with someone—

“I’m great, a little crazy busy right now, which is why I’m calling you. I hope you don’t mind that I asked Storm for your number.”

I sit on the loveseat and kick my heels off. “No, of course, that’s fine... anytime. Can I help you with anything?”

“Actually, I think you can, if you’re interested, of course.”

I have no idea where this is going. What could I possibly help Aria Valentine with?

She continues to talk. Her voice is so elegant it just drips class. I love her confidence and self-assuredness.

“I had to fire my personal assistant this morning. I found out she was leaking pieces of my unreleased manuscripts without my knowledge. I’m absolutely devastated, she’s worked for me for five years, and I never thought she would do such a thing. I trusted her with everything. Of course, the poor girl apologized until she was hoarse, but I simply can’t have an assistant who I can’t trust one hundred percent.”

“Oh, Aria, that’s awful. I’m so sorry to hear this. I can understand how disappointed you must be.”

Geez, a person just can’t trust anyone these days.

“Disappointed is an understatement. The reason I’m calling is that I’d like to offer you the job. I know you have a background in marketing and project management. I would need help with organizing my calendar for events, updating my social media and website, making appointments, sending out autographed books and promotional materials, monitoring my email and replying to those I don’t need to personally review, hawking the reviews online and letting me know of anything terribly critical. Doing some research, and I’d ask you to beta read my new manuscripts, make sure everything is running on time, and I don’t miss deadlines... There’s a lot, but it’s nothing you can’t handle, I’m sure. It’s really just about keeping me on track and helping me do the things I can’t get to. Storm said you would be perfect, and I totally trust his judgment. He says your boss is an ass.”

I’m floored. Aria Valentine is asking me to be her personal assistant. Is she crazy? I don’t know anything about assisting a bestselling author.

I try to compose myself. “Aria, I’m flattered... but I really don’t know if I’m the best person for this... I have no experience in this field at all. I would feel absolutely horrible if I let you down.”

“Evelyn, I’m sure you can do this. I can teach you anything you need to know. All of it is mostly just common sense and organization, to be honest. Things I’m just too lazy or busy to do myself. I may be busy, but I’m very easy to work for.”

“Honestly, it sounds amazing, but I just today put a deposit on an apartment. It’s way too far away from where you live. I could never make the drive every morning.”

“Oh, that doesn’t matter. This is mostly a virtual position—you can do this all from home. That’s how my last girl did it. We met up maybe once a month in person. Everything else we did over the phone, or email, text message and videoconference. I can send you a bunch of materials to keep at your house.”

Wow. A work at home position? I could sit in my new cute little apartment and work for a famous author. I could wear yoga pants all day! I wouldn’t have to deal with office politics and Jack’s condescending remarks.

“Before you say anything else, the salary is sixty-five thousand and I will pay for private health insurance for you. I also reimburse you for any mileage, phone bills, and any home office equipment you may need.”

Holy moly. That’s more money than I’m making right now. I could actually pay off some of my debts and start to save some money. This would totally change my life.

“And one last thing,” she adds. “This has nothing to do with your relationship with my son. Your job will not hinge on anything to do with him, I promise. I will even put that in an employment contract if it will make you feel better.”

“Aria, that’s not necessary, I trust you. I think I’m in shock right now. This is an incredible offer for me, like a dream come true.” I take a deep breath. So many things are happening at once, I feel a bit overwhelmed. This opportunity sounds way too good for me to pass up.

“Sweetheart, why don’t

you think it over and give me a call tomorrow evening? I know I just threw a lot at you and it’s a lot to process. I don’t expect you to make a decision right now. Please think it over. I would love for you to work for me. I think you would really enjoy it. If you decide it isn’t for you, that’s also fine. I will understand completely.”