The lobby of the "McKenzie Corporation " was nothing short of architectural elegance , all steel, glass, and smooth marble that gleamed like liquid ivory beneath the noonday sun.
Tall indoor palms towered toward the vaulted ceiling, and the scent of jasmine from the nearby floral arrangements clung faintly to the air.
Gabrielle Maddison stood by the elevator doors, her high heels clicking softly against the stone floor.
Her sleek black suit which was one of her own new design hugged her frame with polished precision, the silk blouse beneath it adding a splash of femininity to her otherwise professional look.
Her sandy blonde hair was swept into a low, graceful ponytail with tiny strands escaping to soften her sharp cheekbones. A subtle plum tint lingered on her lips, intentional yet effortless.
She had just sealed a major licensing deal, something she'd been working toward for months and now all she wanted now was to get out of the building without running into him.
Jeremy McKenzie.
The thought of his name alone made her stomach knot.
He was her childhood friend.
Her twin sister's fiancé.
And the one person she had spent the last few months avoiding like a plague wrapped in a perfect tuxedo.
But the gods of fate do have a twisted sense of humor.
For , as she reached into her bag to retrieve her phone and book a ride, she heard the voice of the person she was avoiding, smooth, amused and unmistakable.
"Gabby?".
She froze mid-step. Her shoulders tensing before she turned to face him , forcing a small smile.
And there he was.
Standing a few feet away, was Jeremy , framed perfectly by the afternoon light slanting through the glass doors. He was decked in an ash-gray suit that looked custom-tailored to sculpt itself to his tall, lean frame.
His dark hair, tousled with effortless charm, caught the sunlight like ink dipped in honey. And those eyes , those hazel flecked with gold eyes still held that maddening sparkle of boyish mischief that always turned heads.
He smiled broadly as he gently approached her. "You really came all the way here without saying as much as a hi?"
Before she could even think of the perfect answer, he had already crossed the space between them, arms outstretched and pulling her into a warm and casual hug like they hadn't lost months of distance between them.
She stiffened slightly, willing her heart not to leap from her chest.
"You haven't changed a bit,". He said, releasing her with an amused grin. "Still trying to escape before anyone notices."
"I had a meeting". Gabriella replied, covering her flushed ears and smoothing the fabric of her blazer and trying to sound nonchalant as though his casual actions didn't stir something in her. "Just business."
Jeremy arched a brow. "You mean with our fashion licensing board? I think saw the email this morning. Congratulations girl ."
She blinked. "You saw it?"
"I may not run the fashion branch, but I do keep an eye on the interesting deals. And yours was at the top." He winked. "And between us, it should've closed months ago."
She gave a light, polite laugh. "Corporate delay. You know how it is."
Jeremy chuckled. "You've gotten so good at this. All polished and careful now. I remember when you used to spill juice on your sketches and cry for three hours."
Gabrielle shook her head and rolled her eyes. "That was once and mind you, I was nine."
"And it was orange juice. Which makes it more unforgivable."
The duo chuckled in unison, the earlier tension and awkwardness now nowhere to be found as they chatted.
As they walked out together toward the garage, she couldn't help stealing glances sideways, trying to read his expression.
Jeremy always had this ease about him , a confidence that didn't ask for permission but wasn't arrogant either. And it was infuriating how easily he could make her laugh, even when her insides were twisting.
At the garage, she reached for her phone again to book a ride home when he asked.
"Where are you headed?".
"Back to the studio. Maybe a late lunch. Nothing fancy."
"Let me give you a ride." He offered.
Gabrielle paused and refused. All she wanted now was to go straight back to work. "No, it's fine. I already—"
"Gabby". His voice lowered, gentler now. "Did I somehow offend you cause you seem to have been avoiding me lately ?".
"Of course not". She replied almost immediately. "I wasn't avoiding you at all , I've just been busy with work lately".
"Then let me have the honor ". He said. "I haven't seen you much in the past few months. Let me catch up properly with my best friend . Just lunch. I won't take much of your time. Promise."
She hesitated for a while before giving in. Even when every part of her told her to say no. To run.
But another part of her, a quieter, traitorous one wanted just a little more time in his company.
"Fine". She shrugged exhaling. "But just lunch."
Jeremy's smile widened, like he knew he'd already won.
The sleek black Rolls-Royce, purred softly as the chauffeur pulled out into traffic. Gabrielle sat stiffly, legs crossed, fingers pressed together in her lap as she stared out the tinted window taking in the sight of the streets and pretending as if the guy next to her didn't exist at all.
"Still allergic to rich guys and luxury rides?" Jeremy teased.
She turned to him. "No. Just allergic to complications."
"Ouch."
"I didn't mean it that way."
Jeremy looked at her, amused. "You kinda did." He said and the duo burst into a bout of laughter before she averted her gaze back to the window.
Jeremy was her childhood friend, they been friends as long as she could remember, much like family and friends. Even his younger sister Jocelyn was her best friend even until now , they all grew up together and as she remembered those days when she and her identical twin sister Abigail couldn't wait for summer so they could all visit the beach house together, she couldn't help but smile. It was their favourite place.