MY STORY

LOVE’S SECOND CHANCE

The skyline outside of Justin’s office window was dazzling. Summer sunlight sparkled off the water and brightly painted coastal houses. He sighed with contentment, it was good to be home again. For the last ten years he traveled all around the country as his company's troubleshooter. When he heard that the branch in Portland was floundering, he jumped at the chance to relocate and assess the problem. His company owned a string of high end cosmetic stores. If they didn't produce or operate on a profit Justin was sent in to decide if they could be saved or cut loose. 

Right now, he was waiting to meet with a representative from the biggest advertising agency in town. They would go over promotional ideas and an advertising blitz. His secretary poked her head in, “Miss Winston is here.” He sat up straighter in his chair “send her in.”

Ashley was standing in the outer office looking at promotional pictures hanging on the walls. She was all geared up and confident about this meeting. If she could bring in this account it would be a feather in her cap and maybe a chance for a promotion. When the secretary opened the door and beckoned her in she was ready. 

She breezed in smiling brightly. He looked up expectantly. Justin? Ashley? Twin cannon balls hit them both in their solar plexus simultaneously. Her knees gave way and she dropped into the chair next to her. His heart lurched and he just stared. 

Justin and Ashley, their story went way back. They started dating the summer after high school graduation. During high school they hung out together with a group of friends. They were attracted to each other but it wasn't until after graduation that they became serious. During that summer they fell in love with all the inescapable feelings that went with it. They were inseparable, madly passionate and deeply in love. They attended the same nearby college together and everything was golden until Glory entered the picture. Glory was a transfer student, sexually attractive and wild. She went after everything she wanted with unrelenting fervor. From the moment she set eyes on Justin she wanted him. She knew that he and Ashley were a couple but that didn't deter her in the least. 

Justin wasn't interested and even though Ashley was irritated she didn't worry about him straying. Glory found every chance she could get to have physical contact with Justin. One day she cornered Ashley and told her that she would eventually take him away from her because he was becoming more agreeable to her advances. 

Ashley started to watch Justin and Glory when they were together. She was becoming anxious and suspicious. She knew that she should trust Justin but she couldn't control her feelings. 

It was a weekend party at Justin's fraternity house. Glory sidled up to Ashley, half drunk she boasted that after tonight Justin would be hers. Ashley turned her back to her but tears started to form in her eyes. She was tired of this harassment and what if Glory really did take him away? How could she live without him? 

Glory stuck to Justin like glue, tonight he would be hers, she was determined. She was not above slipping a little pill into his drink when he wasn't looking. It wasn't long before she was able to coax him upstairs to one of the bedrooms. Ashley was looking around for Justin when she saw him climbing the stairs with his arm around Glory. She could hardly believe her eyes, her heart squeezed with a sharp pain. So, it had finally happened. Glory was getting what she wanted. She was outside running down the drive when she stopped. Turning around and glaring at the dimly lit bedroom on the second floor she changed her mind. Justin may be cheating on her right now but it wasn't over yet. 

Glory and Justin fell onto the empty bed. Glory was busy trying to get his clothes off, she had already shrugged off half of hers when the door slammed open. Ashley looked at the scene in front of her, half naked they were sprawled on the bed. Her eyes saw red flames and she lost control. Storming over she grabbed two handfuls of Glory’s hair and pulled her off of Justin onto the floor. Justin looked up with a dazed expression. Ashley crawled onto the bed and slapped him with all her might. “You stupid drunken jerk” she grabbed his hair and shook him “You idiot!” Then she jumped off of the bed and ran out of the room. Justin just stared after her with bewildered eyes. 

That was the end. Justin didn't even try to find her. She left school and returned home. He knew better than to go after her. He would give her time to cool off and then try to explain. By the time he went to find her she had transferred to a new school and her parents wouldn't tell him the name. That was by her instructions.

It was really over. It took him a long time to recover from his grief and although he did she remained in a small corner of his heart. 

Ashley buried all of her feelings somewhere deep inside. She made herself invisible and spent all of her time at her books. She graduated with honors.

So, here they were now, 10 years later, staring into each other's eyes without a coherent thought in either head. 

They sat like that for a while trying to regain their senses. Deep feelings were swirling around in the air around them. Feelings of young love, deep passion, betrayal and longing. Justin cleared his throat, “I can't believe that I'm sitting here across from you.” Her voice was shaky “I know, it's like a dream.” He smiled “I hope not a bad one.” That cleared the air. They both laughed softly. “Under the circumstances business discussions aren't going to happen” she smiled “I agree.” They sat looking at each other silently. He took over. “Can we meet somewhere else later and talk about this?” She nodded. “That would work, eventually we have to get down to business.” They decided on a time and place and she left.

He sat at his desk with his heart racing. He still loved her, one look was all it took. It took all of her control to leave his office and return to her car. She sat there breathless. She still loved him, she wanted to throw herself into his arms and never let go. What was going to happen now? She didn't even look to see if he was wearing a wedding ring. Tonight, tonight they would see each other again and sort it all out. She hugged herself she still loved him, it would all be ok. It had to be.

They met at the restaurant in his hotel. They were still a little uneasy with each other. Finally Justin reached across and took both of her hands in his. Squeezing them gently he sighed. “Shall we rehash all the ugly happenings from the past or can you just forget and forgive and start fresh?” He raised his eyebrow in question. She hesitated then her eyes cleared “Maybe another time, for now let's just start from here.” “Good thinking.” He raised her hands and brushed a kiss on each one. “You are still as beautiful as I remember, did you ever marry?” “No, just one broken engagement.” His eyes smiled at her, he was happy. “Did you?” “No, I never got over you.” She sighed. Everything was alright, just as she hoped it would be. 

They were lost in each other's eyes, gentle waves of love washing over them. 

They had dinner and talked about their lives and jobs. He asked about her family and told her about his. After they caught up there was a lull. The unspoken question was hanging out there. Glory, whatever happened to her? Ashley was able to talk about her since time had dulled the pain. “She's still around, divorced and trolling for husband number two.” Justin shook his head and then looked up sharply. “Speak of the devil.” She was making a beeline towards them with a big smile on her face.

“Justin! It's really you, I can't believe it.” She ignored Ashley completely. Planting a big kiss on his cheek she sat down on the chair next to his. He put some distance between them and looked at her indifferently. “Where have you been? You're still as gorgeous as ever.” Nodding towards Ashley he replied “You do remember Ashley don't you?” She gave Ashley a passing glance and turned back to Justin. “Now that you're back we have to get together, are you staying at this hotel?” He didn't reply, turning back to his dinner he ignored her. She took the hint and got up. Patting his arm she turned to leave. “I'll be in touch.” Ashley watched her walk away, she couldn't believe her nerve. Justin saw the look on her face and squeezed her hand again. “Forget her, don't give her another thought.” 

After dinner Justin walked her to her car. They made plans to meet again the next day to get their business settled so that they could have time for themselves. Justin gave her a loving hug and headed back inside. 

She looked for her purse to get her car keys then realized that she had left it on the seat next to her in the restaurant. Returning to the table where they had dinner she retrieved it and started back through the lobby. She spotted Glory standing at the desk talking to the girl behind it. She eased closer to hear what she was saying. Ashley wasn't a naive girl anymore and she didn't trust Glory as far as she could throw her. Sure enough she was trying to find out Justin's room number. She was having difficulty but Ashley knew she would eventually get it. Hurrying towards the elevators she dialed Justin's cell phone. When he answered she was breathless. “Justin, what's your room number?” He was surprised but gave it to her. “Open your door I'll be right there.” He looked at his phone, she had hung up. He didn't know what was going on but he unlocked his door and watched for her. 

She was running when he spotted her. She came through the door and slammed it shut. He had removed his jacket and loosened his tie. She pulled his tie off and started unbuttoning his shirt. “Hey, what's going on?” He pulled her hand away from the buttons and looked at her like she was insane “Never mind, just get this shirt off right now.” She managed to pull the shirt off and threw on the chair next to the bed. She looked him over and said “Get rid of the shoes and socks.” He sat on the bed and started removing them without question. She looked him over again “Unbutton your pants” he stood up and was going to question this but stopped. If she said unbutton his pants then it had to be something good. As his hands went to his belt buckle she disappeared into the bathroom. She stripped as fast as she could. Grabbing the hotel robe hanging on the door she slipped it on and belted it. As she came out he did a double take. There was obviously nothing underneath. He couldn't even begin to think of what was going on. There was a knock on the door. He looked at it and moved to answer it. She got in front of him and pushed him down across the bed. By now he didn't question anything he just went with the flow. 

Ashley straightened her shoulders and opened the door wide enough so that the whole room was in view. “Glory, what on earth are you doing here? Oh wait, are you looking for Justin? Well you're too late. As you can see we were just in the middle of something so if you'll excuse me.” She slammed the door shut, turned around and did a little dance. Justin sat on the bed looking at her in amazement. Then he threw his head back and started laughing. “Ashley you are crazy.” Sitting on the bed next to him she hung her head. “I'm sorry Justin, I just couldn't let her take you away again.” Still laughing he hugged her. “Did you seriously think that I would have let her in here? Besides there is no again, she never had me in the first place. Nothing ever happened between us.” Her eyes were large and blue as she stared at him “Promise.” “Yes I promise.” Tears started to overflow from her eyes. He wiped them away with his thumbs. Easing her down ,  onto the pillows he whispered in her ear “Now, where were we?”