The Exception(39)

“Wait. Let me take in a deep breath first. Okay. Go.”

“He’s my landlord. I’m his tenant. Go ahead, freak the f*ck out now.”

“I’m sorry, what?” she asked in confusion.

“The apartment that I’m renting is his old apartment. I’m renting it from HIM.”

Kristen sat there, staring at me, without even blinking.

“Just hours after you left your fiancé at the altar, you met a man on a plane to Hawaii. You ended up at the same hotel, hung out with him and his girlfriend. He breaks up with his girlfriend, you spend the day together, have sex and then say goodbye. You move to New York, unknowingly rent an apartment that belongs to that man you met on a plane to Hawaii and run into each other on the street, which neither one of you had knowledge that the other one was here. Correct?”

“Yes. Sounds about right.”

“He’s your soul mate, Jill. All the f*cking signs are there.”

“Shut up. I don’t believe in soul mates.”

“You don’t have to believe, baby sister. The universe led you to him. You were meant to leave Grant on that very day, or else you would have left his dumb ass way before that. But no. It was that day. The day you and Drew were on the same flight to Hawaii.”

“You’re crazy.” I smiled. “It’s all a coincidence. Plus, he wasn’t even supposed to be on my flight. The earlier flight he was on got cancelled due to mechanical problems, so the airlines put him on my plane.”

“Ah ha!” she yelled as she pointed her finger at me. “And his seat just so happened to be next to yours. Wake up, Jill.” She grabbed hold of my shoulders and lightly shook me. “Drew is the man you’re supposed to be with.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not supposed to be with anyone. I’m on a journey to find myself; to know who I am.”

“Duh, and your journey led you to him.”

“But I really hadn’t even started my journey yet when I met him,” I spoke.

“Then he is your journey. Maybe you’re supposed to go on a journey with him.”

“No. That’s ridiculous. I need to journey alone.”

“Ugh. I give up.” She threw her hands up in the air.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Enough about me. Let’s talk wedding!”





Chapter Twenty-Four


Drew



Before leaving the office for the night, I pulled out my phone and called Jillian.

“Hello,” she answered.

A wide smile crossed my face when I heard her sweet voice.

“Hi.”

“Hi.”

“I was calling to see if you had any plans for tonight.”

“I don’t. What did you have in mind?” she asked.

“Jane is cooking a fabulous meal and I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner at my place.”

“I would love to have dinner at your house.”

“I can pick you up.”

“I have a couple of things to do first after I leave Kristen’s. Give me your address and tell me a time.”

“Well, it’s five o’clock now. Is seven good for you?”

“Seven is good.”

“Great. The address is 132 East 71st Street. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

“See you then. Bye, Drew.”

“Bye, Jillian.”

YES! I silently shouted to myself and walked out of my office.

“I’m going home for the night, Lia. I suggest you do the same.” I smiled.

“I have to finish these contracts first and then I’ll leave.”

“No need. You can finish them in the morning. Go enjoy your evening.”

Her eye narrowed at me and a small smile crossed her lips.

“You’re in an exceptional mood.”

“I am. Aren’t I?” I smirked. “Remember that woman I met in Hawaii? The one I had you check on?”

“Yes. I remember. Jillian, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. She’s here in New York. We ran into each other yesterday and spent some time together. Now she’s having dinner with me tonight at my house.”

“Aw, Drew, I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks, Lia. Have a good night.” I strolled down the hallway and out of the building.

****

Walking into my townhouse, I set my briefcase down in the foyer and followed the aroma of Jane’s cooking to the kitchen.

“Welcome home, Drew.” She smiled.

“Thanks, Jane. How’s the food coming?”

“Good. But I’m confused as to why you’re having me make these thick greasy burgers. You don’t normally eat stuff like this. Are you having a guy’s night in with Liam or Lance?”

“No. Actually, I’m having dinner with a very special girl and her name is Jillian.”

She stopped cutting up the onions and looked at me.

“You never use the words ‘very special’ in front of a woman’s name. What’s up?”

“I met her in Hawaii and we ran into each other on the street yesterday.”

“Ah. So I’m going to assume the dishes question was for her?”