A large golden banner, dancing around with the light breeze, welcomed the returning class.
Nico changed his mind last minute and turned to leave, but a voice unexpectedly called out his name.
"Oh my gosh! Nicholas, is that really you?." Cassandra Hayes rushed down to him clutching a mini purse that looked expensive. "It is you! I never imagined I'd meet you here."
Her tight red dress revealed a figure she did not have in high school. She was considered a round freak then because she was so fat, you couldn't even see her neck. But now, damn! She definitely had a glow-up.
Not that it's ever mattered to him how she looks anyway. They'd been best friends in high school, and although Cassie tried to get him to fuck her for "the fun and the experience", he never gave in.
Nico didn't realise how much he'd missed her till he saw her again, pulling her into him for a hug; he said, "I never imagined I'd be here either, but somehow I let my mother get to convince me, so here I am."
Cassie giggled and petted his arm lightly after pulling away. "It sounds like your mom is still good at getting you to do things she wants."
He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, my mom is still good at emotionally blackmailing me to do what she wants. But maybe it's a good thing I'm here." He felt that way because he might get to see him again.
"Nico and his mommy issues," she laughed. "Are you back only for the reunion though? You left almost immediately after we graduated from high school. I understand why but I didn't think you'd ever come back. I'm glad you did by the way."
"Promise me you won't get upset if I tell you this…"
"If you tell me what?" She shrugged.
"Well…I've actually been back since two months ago. My mom said she was dying because her son was working so far away and she disturbed me so much I had to finally ask my boss for a transfer here. The good thing is, not only was my transfer request granted, I got promoted and I'm paid more."
"How could you come back and not reach out to me, Nicolas?" She hit his arm playfully, and they laughed. "A promotion, huh? You must be very lucky. I guess it's safe to assume you're loaded now."
He scoffed. "I wouldn't say I'm loaded but I most definitely am rich." They laughed again, holding each other for support. "Enough about me Cassie, what's up with you? What have you been up to?"
"I'm a journalist now, so I'm pretty much always on the move. The work is really challenging and risky most times but it's worth it because of the money I get paid and the people I get to meet."
"Wow", He smiled. "I can't believe you actually became a journalist, I thought you were just thinking about the possibility of being one then. Weren't you more interested in sciences?"
"Yes, but…things happened, and I ended up doing that instead."She smiled back.
Cassie held Nico's hand and pulled him towards the event. "I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they see you here again. It's going to be so priceless."
He sighed. "You're acting like my mom. For goodness sake, Cassie. I'm not here to show off or something."
She grinned. "But I am. So I'll show you off since you won't do it yourself."
Nico looked at her for a second then he laughed. "Okay, okay. I had almost forgotten how pushy you can get so we'll just do things your way. I'm just glad you're here."
"Same." She smiled as she opened the door and led Nico inside with her.
The second Nico walked through the door, the beat of the music hit him in the chest. Along with the scent of too many perfumes mixed with cheap champagne.
Cassie let out a mock gasp. "They actually got a decent playlist."
Nico grinned and shut the door behind him gently.
The gym looked like someone tried to dress up a bad memory. Blue-and-gold streamers hung from the basketball hoops. A pair of long tables sagged under the weight of finger foods and half-hearted decorations. At the far end, a portable bar did better business than the buffet which was unsurprising.
Nico scanned the room. Damn.
He hadn't expected such a turnout. If there were a hundred students in their class, at least seventy had shown up, maybe along with their spouses and partners. He doubted anyone would bring their kids.
"You want a drink?" Nico shouted over the music, taking over and guiding Cassie through the swaying crowd.
"God, yes. Something lethal."
They weaved between dancers and clumps of classmates mid reunion gossip. Snippets of conversation drifted through...some names, scandals and laughter. Nico swore he heard his name more than once, but no one made eye contact.
At the bar, he started to flag down the bartender, then stopped.
A man leaned against the counter, broad shoulders encased in a white shirt. His denim jeans hugged his waist and hips in a perfect way.
Nico's groin stirred with interest. Fuck.
He knew that back. He remembered that sexy body.
The man turned and he was right.
It was the one and only Alex Reed.
Even more infuriatingly attractive than memory had painted him. That same sandy blond hair, only slightly messier. A face that hadn't aged, just sharpened, like someone had gone in with a fine blade and sculpted away any softness.
Nico's throat went dry then his cock had the audacity to twitch.
He dragged his gaze away, flustered, and slapped a few bills on the counter. "Tequila," he called. "Cassie?"
"Surprise me. Just make it strong."
She reached into her purse, but he batted her hand away. "Please. I'm rich now. Let me flex."
Cassie smirked. "As long as you know I'll be demanding champagne service later."
He handed her a glass just as Alex turned and looked right at him.
Blue eyes locked on his, and the noise of the room faded like nothing else was going on.
"I remember you," Alex said, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Nicolas, right?"
Nico forced a smile. "Right. Wow. I didn't think you would remember me." Or even look or talk to me, he thought.
Alex extended a hand. His grip was warm and a bit too firm.
"I never forget a face and name," he said. "It's kind of a job requirement now."
"Oh?"
"I'm a lawyer. Run a firm here in town."
Nico blinked. Just like that, his fantasy of a sweaty hotel-room hookup with the hottest guy from high school went up in smoke. Lawyer screamed control, discretion, and heterosexual respectability.
Still… something in Alex's gaze made his stomach do a slow roll.
"Impressive," Nico said, sipping his tequila. "I'm just doing some stuff. Pays well. Boring as hell."
"Left town after graduation, right?"
"Yeah. Came back two months ago. My mom needed…help, and I was also transferred for work."
"That's cool. How's she doing?"
"She's okay. What about your parents?"
"They're good. Same house. Same everything."
Another pause. It was getting too awkward.
Alex studied him with the kind of interest that felt both innocent and not. But then, Cassie returned, interrupting the risky question Nico was about to ask.
"Well, look who it is," she said sarcastically. "Alex freaking Reed. I'm shocked. You're talking to us mere mortals now?"
Nico nearly choked on his drink. Oh god.
Cassie's sharp tongue was a legend. And she'd always had a special love for tormenting the high school elite, especially golden boy Reed.
Alex chuckled, but it sounded tight. "Nice to see you too, Cassandra."
Nico grabbed her elbow. "Uh, let's go over there and get something to eat before they finish it all."
He dragged her away, tossing a quick, "Catch you later," over his shoulder.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Cassie muttered, "Buzzkill."
"You don't say," Nico replied. "You would've created an unnecessary problem for us, if you had fought with Alex in public. No one's going to back us up even now."
Cassie made a face. "I know…it's just… I don't know why I'm still bitter. It's been, like, forever."
Nico glanced back. Alex was watching them, expression unreadable.
"Well, apparently your trauma has excellent taste," he said.
Cassie stopped and pointed at him dramatically. "You are so into him."
"Was into him," Nico corrected.
She arched her brow.
"…Fine. Am into him. But he's a straight, successful lawyer with a beer and a mortgage. I'm just here for the free booze and petty closure."
Cassie grinned and yanked him onto the dance floor. "Then let's get both, babe."