Never Yours Again: Too Late To Chase Me Back, Mr. CEO!

ut a thoughtful present f

where he was hanging out with

be together, Ryan. But Kailey's got quite th

ead Ryan's face, but his tone was unmistakably cool.

he's got feelings for you. You mean to tell

bing question sent K

word, desperate to know if Ryan had ever

Ryan gave off an air of practiced c

Guys, don't encourage that sort of talk. Kailey's young and reckless

orce of a blade, cutting stra

up his banter. "Alright, alright, we get it-Olivia's the one

l not to bring up Kailey around Olivia.

gh, his tone loaded. "With Kailey's personality, she's neve

enty now? Why not just date both Kailey and Olivia? Kailey's got nowhere else to g

d of filth are you talking about? The only reason I had my brother adopt Kailey was because I p

doorknob so tightly it hurt. For

feelings were to him.

maybe even defend herself, but the str

eyes, swallowed back the sting

uiet and empty, stretchin

lusivity meant not a sin

r hands, Kailey moved bris

ith his friends ran o

what exactly had sh

as she whispered to herself, "Kaile

n her cheeks. She didn't

led her, their brightness stinging her already achi

with her own bonus-dropped to the ground with a so

Kailey pulled out her

I accept your propos

r from the Owen family's circle. After high school, h

pressures he faced-expectations, arranged marriages,

rve our families, not ourselves. If we're going to be pushed into something, why no

Kailey could only laugh it off. But tonight

n lights pulsing in bold, colorful bursts-each fli

arrying a stranger. If you're still willing and your family's in

ind. There was a moment's pause, then he answered, "You

bag on the sidewalk. "Let me finish up

y Kyson, there was no re

e forever before finally flagging down a

prime spot just five kilometers from the house wh

Overwhelmed by mounting debts and endless harassment from creditors, her parents los

for a time, it seemed even little K

in when no on

lder brother, Sawyer Owen. "I can't be her legal guardian without

y the best of everything, sheltering

ruly an uncle, no matter h

ing she and Ryan were

birthday, she told

g there was too much distance between them, insi

t wall, he never let anot

thing more, convinced it was jealousy-that

she just waited long enough, everyth

ailey stared out the window, lost in her own thoughts. Te

n't eased the ache, and letting go

mised herself she would finally

forced every feeling back down, and went upstairs without a word. A hot shower stea

than she expected. The next morning, she woke to loud clanking sounds ech

d the noise downstairs, where it gre

the kitchen, assuming the housekeeper was a

moment she saw the p

am apron tied neatly around her waist. Her long hair was pinned back in

st love. The woman he could nev

. "Kailey, you're awake! I was going to finish breakfast an

ll that clattering, she'd have

g herself, and mustered a weak smil

oo much to drink last night. I brought him home, helped him clean up,

had spent the

ace started to fade, and her voice co

r. "Kailey, is this the attitude