Beyond A Substitute

is voice distant and soft, as if he was speaking m

shop just off campus. She was sitting by the window, sipping on an iced cara

used, s

This pure, crystal aqua blue-like the ocean right before sunset. It stopp

ghtly, trying to hide her react

understand. Those eyes-they pulled me in. And when she smiled? God. Her entire face would light up. She had this

I didn't even know her name yet. But I knew I w

gh. "It sounds crazy. I get t

t before Katherine finally asked,

er right away. His sho

first time... your eyes. They were exactly the same. The same shade, the same softness, the same inten

d her eyes, hurt

first, I told myself it didn't mean anything. That I was just drawn to you, not because of her, but because of you. But as time went on... I kep

into a

udy autumn afternoon

Aldridge University. The air carried the scent of damp pine and freshly ground espresso from the cafés scattered around campus.

s he sat alone near the back patio of the student center, his black coffee untouched, his phone vib

he sa

in the corner of his eye. Then a laugh-light

while the other tugged playfully at her friend's scarf. But it was her eyes that stopped him. Aqua bl

ldn't lo

ment something sh

Name W

guls in the country. Her family was the kind of powerful that didn't just donate to the university-they had buildings named aft

roduced himself. He just knew he had to. Something

of campus. She was standing near a balcony, clearly bored, sipping on cranberry juice. He walked up beside

ement. "Wow. That's probably the most hon

off to a g

e la

t. That was

y Fel

sn't just beautiful-though she was stunning. She was brilliant, witty, and effortlessly kind. She loved old movies, hated olives, and sn

about their futures. They'd fall asleep on each other's shoulders in the library, leave

wasn't ju

was

brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as they sat on a bench ove

glistening. "I think you

e Pr

eamed of (small, beachside, just close friends and family). They joked about kids, argued playfully about ho

arents' approval. Not the ridiculous expe

t of graduation,

e Pr

ftop, filled it with soft lights, music, and candles that danced i

lked in a

w to her mouth

ervous and sur

nt," he said, reaching into his p

t down on

ould buy half of Los Angeles. But I love you. I see you. And I want to

before she could ans

ped in each other's arms, and made pr

Isn't Alw

o fall apart j

e had gone into that conversation with hope i

moved by poetry or blue eyes. H

file across his desk. "He's the future of Whitmore En

shook. "I'm not

er and I didn't build this empire so you could thr

itmore wealthy. Not elite enough to protect

sage That

ye, no explanation. Just a short me

lease don't con

called. Emailed. Showed u

ried herself to sleep the night she sent that message. That she'd worn

left h

ause she stop