Chapter 4 - Meeting With Ex

• It’d been years since he broke her heart. Seeing him seemingly happy and successful in life had put Charleigh at ease.
• It was not that she didn’t cry for countless days, but because of the fact that he betrayed her, she hadn’t found an answer as to why he did not tell her that he was seeing someone else. There was no closure between them.
• Charleigh was not interested in finding that answer anymore, though, not right now. She moved on and was happy being single.
• The moment she walked inside the conference room, she smiled confidently. When her gaze landed on Dax, she didn’t feel the sparks between them anymore. There was no racing of heart just like how she felt toward Bryce.
• Why was she comparing?
• She couldn’t get him out of her head even before she went to bed. She could still taste the beer on her tongue, feel the scorching touch of his callus hands on her skin, and the ache between her thighs as his massive erection pressed against her core. She was even tempted to say hi to her finger, but she knew it would never fill the ache and emptiness she felt inside her.
• They were on the same page, and that, she was certain.
• “Congratulations!” Dax was not the Dax she was expecting. The dark hair she used to love was cut short. His dark eyes seemed too focused, and his smile was calculated and practiced. “And good to see you again, Charleigh.” He extended his hand for a congratulatory handshake.
• Charleigh deserved it. It took four weeks for her to finish the design and another week to be in this position and be praised.
• Her design was a bold modernistic three-story commercial building with sleek lines, futuristic inspired, yet the contemporary vibe was still present.
• She shook it. It didn’t feel the same as how they used to date. “Thank you, Mayor Easton.” It was odd how she addressed him, but clearly, Dax was respected in his town.
• “Just Dax, Charleigh.” His lips spread into a crooked smile. “I like your plan. I’m glad you pursue what you love.”
• She wanted to chuckle because when they broke up, or rather when he broke her heart, he knew she was taking architecture.
• “Why did you choose Braxton & Wrylee, Dax?” This had been brewing in her mind since the project landed on her and after finding out he was the client. Of all the architectural firms, why did he choose the firm when Dax knew Tripp didn’t like the idea of them dating?
• “Despite what happened between us, I trust your firm.” That was the safest answer she got, but deep inside, Charleigh knew there was more to that.
• They moved to the small buffet area prepared by his office. She met unfamiliar faces and anticipated someone to show up, but couldn’t find him anywhere.
• She grabbed a flute of Champagne. “How about your engineer?”
• “A local one. I hired a local construction company.” Dax took a glass for him.
• Charleigh met the engineer earlier but she didn’t exactly pay attention to the introduction. He wasn’t friendly, but she didn’t come here to mingle with him. Once her job was done, she’d be gone in a heartbeat. That thought had her stomach twisted painfully.
• She ignored that feeling, instead, she sipped her Champagne. She took all her strength not to ask about Dax’s personal life when she hadn’t spotted a wedding band on his finger.
• He wasn’t important in her life anymore. Her quest for the truth had to end. Otherwise, she might not like the fact behind their breakup.
• After a few hi and hellos to the locals, Charleigh excused herself, and Dax raised his flute and smiled at her.
• For the first time since she walked in earlier, she finally saw the sparkles in his eyes. Dax seemed happy.
• She smiled back and walked out of the hall. She took a deep breath as she could already glimpse her success and promotion.
• “Charleigh?”
• Her heart instantly thundered to the voice just beside her. Her brain rewound the past event not less than twelve hours ago. She almost bit her lip as it reminded her of how good it felt being pressed against his truck. Her skin turned hot, and her pulse hammered at the anticipation of a possible catching up of what they left off last night.
• Bryce was wearing a light blue shirt, sleeves pushed up his elbows, showing off his strong arms with strained bulging veins that she thought were sexy for a man who worked hard. She always loved a workaholic man.
• His red lips spread into a smile.
• Charleigh was already smiling back before she even realized it. “Bryce, don’t tell me you’re now stalking me.”
• He chuckled. “I wish I did, but I have a meeting with the mayor.”
• “Oh, Dax.”
• “Yeah?” His eyes quickly darkened as he intensely stared at her. She wished it was jealousy she saw in his eyes, but it wasn’t.
• “Yeah, Major Easton? Of course. There’s only one mayor in this town.” Charleigh laughed at her stupidity. She just couldn’t contain her excitement upon seeing Bryce again.
• “How do you know him?”
• “Architect Wrylee.” If Charleigh was right, it was Dax’s secretary who was calling her.
• “Architect Wrylee?” Bryce’s brows squished together, jaw clenching. “You’re the architect who worked on the project with Dax? Unbelievable.” He chuckled bitterly, almost mocking Charleigh. “How did I not put two and two together?” Bryce threw her a disgusted look, then slowly shook his head.
• “Yeah—” Before she could ask him, someone tapped her shoulder, diverting her attention from Bryce.
• “Mayor Dax wants to talk to you,” said the mid-thirties woman with glossy red lipstick.
• “I’ll be there,” she replied in a whisper, feeling a dread of hopelessness.
• When she turned back, Bryce was not in front of her anymore—he was gone. She scanned the entire room, and he was nowhere to be found.
• She felt her heart shrinking before she turned around to meet the Mayor.
• When she got inside the sophisticated office, Dax was staring outside the floor-to-ceiling glass window. The room was too fancy for the town, but she’d known Dax, his family came from old money. What she couldn’t grasp was for him to choose politics over his love of architecture.
• “I’d like you to join me over a dinner meeting with my investor.” Dax slipped his hands into his pockets. His suit and his position as a mayor screamed wealth and power, but Charleigh couldn’t see more than that, and she wasn’t attracted to him anymore.
• “I actually have a conference meeting with my brother and Kayden tonight,” she lied.
• “How do you know Chase?”