It was just a coincidence that I saw him today. And it was another cruel coincidence that we were hosting a small party at our house the same night. What wasn't a coincidence were the choices I had to take throughout the whole night.

It was only appropriate that Stella Caloi was the one in charge of the party. After all, she had a good taste in decorations and her birthday was just around the corner, so tonight we were kind of killing two birds with one stone. As the months in our internship went by, work was getting more hectic, so organizing something like that in the near future would be almost impossible.

After hurricane Stella took over decorating the apartment, I could not recognize what she did with the place. The living room was transformed into a dance floor and the balloons, lighting and all the inflatable flamingos, donuts and pineapples gave it a more 'Mediterranean-pool-party' kind of look; that was her choice of theme. Light blue colored cups, palm tree biscuits and ocean cupcakes as well as summer drinks like margaritas, piña coladas and tequila shots. It was the middle of summer in Chicago, so it was appropriate to dress our apartment in summer island vibes.

Even though I was dreading the aftermath and clean up that was sure to follow, I loved what we did to our apartment and was actually looking forward to tonight's party. Maybe that was all I needed, especially after meeting with Brandon King today. I tried to help my brother and best friend, but my mind was really all over the place; I couldn't concentrate on the simple task of inflating balloons to save my life. Markus began to notice and snapped. I didn't care, really, but Stella wasn't in the mood for his shit tonight.

"Pequeña pedazode mierda. Tienes suerte te amo, o te lo juro por dios. (Small piece of shit. You're lucky I love you, or I swear to God.)" She barked at him, making my eyes widen because, in all the years I've known her, she rarely snapped; especially not in Spanish.

My brother, on the other hand, had a look on his face that didn't resemble surprise, but mischief as he stared her down with a dark look in his eyes. "You know, I love it when you talk dirty, kitten." Stella didn't have time to respond as she was scooped in his arms, her pleading eyes meeting my amused ones before Markus shut the door of his bedroom.

I didn't have much time to ponder on their situation; the banging on the door was enough reminder that guests would be arriving soon. I gulped, trying to fan my blushing face, as I opened the door to none other than Jaxon Inkes. He had a grin on his face as he probably heard my best friend's squeals from outside our apartment. Good thing he was busy admiring the decorations and I continued icing the cupcakes on the kitchen counter before he joined me to assist on tonight's task before the rest of our friends arrived.

Our light conversation included work, my sibling, his requited interest in my best friend and again work. It was mostly like this between the two of us and slowly I grew more comfortable with the stoic man beside me.

"Hey, I've been meaning to ask." I bit my lower lip, because I knew I was prying. "What's your relationship to Dr. Marshall?"

"Where did that come from, all of a sudden?"

"I's nothing, I was just wondering. Since you joined the program later than the rest of us and all–"

"He didn't do me any favors, if that's what you're saying. I went through the same process as the rest of you; exams, interviews and what not. I was on the waiting list for a month before someone else gave up their position and I got in without a second's delay."

"I didn't mean to–"

"His relationship was with my father, but I have nothing to do with my old man. So, I am sorry to disappoint, but no, I wasn't done any favors. I wouldn't accept favors, from him, either way."

"You mean from your father or–?"

My breath hitched in my throat as I turned to look at his eyes, the steely blue making me shiver like once before. Jaxon was a smart man, I could see that he would one day become a brilliant doctor, but in moments like these, the sight of his eyes scared me. He could be unpredictable, making me fear him even more, as he grabbed my wrist to turn me towards him.

"That man... I don't want to talk about him. Not with you, or anyone for that matter. Just know this, my family is dangerous and to you, off limits. You should make good to remember that and stay away from anything or anyone that has to do with them."

His words were a warning, not a threat, and the more I thought about it, the more I pieced this indecipherable puzzle together. Especially after the meeting I had with Brandon today. An unexpected meeting not just me, Stella and Markus, but a meeting Jaxon was present too. Somehow, these two knew each other and somehow their feelings were mutual; their eyes screamed to fight each other and I wasn't sure I wanted to get caught in another staring contest between the two ever again.

As his hand freed my wrist, I massaged the numb skin caught in his death hold for a few moments. Silence followed my steps towards the fridge, and I returned next to him with two cold beer bottles. Words didn't need to be exchanged between us. It was obvious that I was overstepping my boundaries and he... Well, he must have had a rough past with his family. A family he doesn't feel comfortable talking about.

"I'm sorry." The words were uttered simultaneously by the both of us and soon after chuckles could be heard, a smile on both our faces. We somehow came to an understanding and that was enough for now.

Soon after, Stella and Markus joined us in the kitchen, just on time for our guests to arrive. Until midnight the room was filled with familiar faces; faces that were by now dancing in the living room, drunk, let loose. Some were even playing games that included alcohol, which I gladly joined. At some point in the night, I even lost some of my clothes, leaving me in jeans, an old Disneyworld spaghetti-top and one fluffy pink sock; the other one lost along with my shoes and hoodie somewhere during a game.

I knew I should have warned people that Stella's piña coladas were really strong, but no one warned me, so that was karma on the rest of our guests. It wasn't my intention, but my now tipsy-self was feeling even more frustrated than before – thanks Stellz – and I had an even more tipsy-Jax on my tail.

I wasn't sure when, but after a couple of shots I called him Jax instead of Jaxon, and when the mostly stoic Jaxon grinned with happiness at the nickname, I decided to stick with it. Granted it was the alcohol affecting my feelings, but I felt more comfortable with the man than I did all week and I was glad he was having fun as well. Sadly, after a few more drinks on his end, I felt overwhelmed at his attempt at flirting. I liked him, I did, but to me he was an ally, maybe even a friend. This was not Jax. And Jax was not Brandon.

"Jax, I said no. I'm not in the mood to dance right now. Besides, you can barely stand up without knocking on the people around you." I giggled at the blushing mess that was Jax Inkles in that moment.

"Oh, come on, Erika... You've been in this corner the whole night. Just dance with me." He tried to push some more. But I was a stubborn girl and I wasn't planning on stepping away from the wall that was holding my body upright anytime soon.

"Inkles! Read my lips. No means no!"

"Don't tempt me, Erika. I would love to do something else to your lips and that entails not reading them." Even though he had a dark aura around him, I couldn't help but snort out a very unladylike laugh, followed by a deep crimson blush on his sculpted cheeks.

His smile was shy, and it made me wonder. All of my interactions with him were pieces to the puzzle that construct Jaxon Inkles. From the Jaxon I saw on a daily basis, who was reserved and a loner, a stoic man that never revealed emotion, to the shy and maybe even flirty Jax after his consumption of alcohol. Tonight, he showed some more of his colors. He revealed his anger towards his family and then his carefree self when he grew comfortable with the people around him. There was also a nerdy side to him, along with a darker, more mysterious aura which I would find attractive, if only my feelings weren't already established. But they were, and there was no trace of a romantic feeling towards the man in front of me.

Lost in thought, I didn't realize when his face grew closer, but I swiftly pushed him away before his lips touched mine. I couldn't do this to either of us. Not when my mind was constantly on someone else, despite my feelings remaining unrequited.

"Jax... Don't." I shook my head, biting my bottom lip to gather my nerves. "I'm sorry, but I– I have feelings for someone else. You understand that, right?" I sighed, a faint smile on my lips as I looked at him. His head hang low and he breathed long breaths of air, before staring back at me with those blue eyes, nodding with a faint smile.

Moments later, I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket and picked it up, pushing away from Jax. We both needed some air and, with a smile towards him, I moved closer to the door, slipping my feet in Stella's slippers. I didn't recognize the number, but I answered anyway.

"Hello?" I said but heard nothing in response.

I walked outside our apartment, the cold summer night hitting me unexpectedly, before I spoke through the phone again.

"Hello?"

"Angel?"

I felt my mouth open and close, but no words came out.

"Angel... Please talk to me." His husky voice came through the phone, exciting me, forming goosebumps on my exposed skin.

"Is it really you?" Even if I wanted to, I couldn't control the huge grin that formed on my face.

"It is, baby." He said, and I felt funny at the nickname.

"Is it, though? Because that's not how you call me!" My tipsy brain decided to tease.

His chuckle echoed through the phone and it was the second sexiest thing in the world. It wasn't conclusive which part of him was the sexiest, so second place would do for now.

"Angel it is, then."

"I didn't say I hated it... It's just... Angel is special. It's you!" I was uncontrolled. My brain was mush, but at this point I didn't care. All I did 'til now was push him away...Was it selfish to want him to come for me one last time?

"Is that how you feel, Dr. Ricci?" I bit my lip at his words. The same tingles settled in my lower abdomen and I almost couldn't breathe.

"How did you get my number, anyway?" I was feeling cornered by all these emotions brewing inside me and I needed something to distract me from the fact that he called and he was saying words that affected me in all kinds of ways. Ways I needed to feel and experience more of.

"I have my ways... Trust me."

"Is that so, Mr. King? Should I be worried that you'll track my house down as well?"

He chuckled yet again. "You'll be surprised."

What was that supposed to mean? I couldn't see from where I was standing, so I moved closer to the window of the staircase, facing the front of the apartment complex. My eyes tried to get used to the darkness of the road, only to find nothing. No familiar faces, just a couple of cars down the dark road.

"Stop talking nonsense, Mr. King. How was your recovery, anyway? Are you feeling well? I could check up on you..."

"Are you offering private house visits?" I could hear the mischief in his voice, making me blush at the things he could mean.

"I guess my brother could help with the check up as well." I said, deciding to tease him a little.

"You're killing me, Angel."

"Softly, I hope!" I scolded myself, regretting my words after they kept escaping my mouth.

"Always so soft... and only for me, I hope." He chuckled, but I knew he meant that.

"Oh, no, I am a soft person in general. It's what people love about me." I teased some more.

"You don't want to do this right now, Angel." He said, his voice huskier; almost as if he was trying to control himself as well.

"Whatever you may mean?"

"Ugh..." He sighed. "Hold on. I'll be there in ten!" He said and disconnected the call.

I didn't know what there meant. There was no way Brandon King knew where I lived. I didn't remember sharing that information; I couldn't remember sharing any type of personal information about me with him, for that matter. I knew it was illegal to get information through the hospital, so how? Did he mean he would call again, or... Was he really coming here?

After taking a quick look at my attire, I was disappointed for the way I was dressed. I was biting my nails, glancing at my phone every few seconds, before running inside. The pairs of shoes near the front door didn't belong to me, and so Stella's slippers remained on my feet. I grabbed, however, Markus' jacket that was hanging along with other coats and jackets by the door, before leaving the apartment, running down the stairs to stand on the threshold of the entry way.

A few minutes later a black SUV parked in front of our home. I hid in the shadows, feeling a bit uneasy, as I wasn't sure if it was really him. As soon as he stepped out of his car, though, my breath hitched. He was really there, stepping up the few steps on the front of my complex, opening the gate to come and find me. He was here for me.

I could no longer hold back and run towards him. My chest collided with his and I hugged him like I've never done before. I stood there, clutching onto his white shirt, pulling him closer. Somehow, I was losing myself into that familiar scent of coffee and cigarettes and mint; it was intimate, warm. The smell of coffee and cigarettes were the strongest, making me curious... and the more I remembered Brandon was a stress-smoker, the more I wondered; what thoughts preoccupied his mind all this time.

The sound of his soft chuckle grounded me back to the present. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me even closer, while he rested his head on top of mine. Realizing how I threw myself onto him – another action performed by my mushed-brain – I tried to move away, to push him off me, but he held me tighter.

Shivers run down my spine, goosebumps grew on my skin, when his husky voice breathed out near my ear.

"You don't get to leave this time, Angel."

___

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