When You Least Expect

Chapter 1

All of your life, you have thought nothing about finding that special someone, yet over the years, you’ve now hit 30 and realized that those fairy tales you read when you were little are just rubbish. No one is those princesses in the books, especially not you.

Your best friend Julie is throwing you a birthday party for your 30th birthday. She’s pulled out all the stops, including the event hall and everything that goes with it. You believe she went out too much but claim it’s because she loves you.

“Julie, you have outdone yourself with this party. I could have been fine going to a bar and having a few drinks.”

“Paige, we have been best friends since elementary school. We’ve been through each other’s ups and downs. This is going to be your cup. Who knows, with all the people we invited, maybe you’ll find your Prince charming tonight.” You scoff.

“Julie, I quit believing in that Prince charming thing years ago. I’m just destined to live alone. Maybe I’ll get a bunch of cats.” Julie pushes you.

“You even get one cat, and I’m going to beat you senseless.” You both laugh. “Now go get ready. I set out a couple of dresses in your room for you to choose from. I’ll see you back here in 30. No later, the host can’t be late to her party.” You roll your eyes and go to your hotel room upstairs.

You reach your room and see two stunning dresses displayed on the bed.

“Wow, Julie went way too out of her way for this party. These dresses cost more than I make in a month.”

Even though Julie has been your best friend forever, she came from a prominent family. It bothers me that you didn’t care about her money, which is why you guys have stayed friends for so long. You’ve seen her go through so many friends and men because they only wanted her money. You couldn’t ever imagine doing that to anyone. Your family worked so hard, especially after your father died suddenly on the job when you were young. Your mother had to work two jobs just to be able to care for you and your little sister.

As you pick your favorite dress, your phone is pinging from Julie, telling you to get your ass back downstairs now. You shake your head as you grab your purse and put your phone in it. You enter the ballroom, and people have already started to show up. You know, you are nervous even though you know most of the people you and Julie invited. You see Julie and go up to her.

“DAMN GIRL! You look like you’ll be the show’s star tonight in that dress!” She twirls you around.

“Well, I guess it is my party, right? Shouldn’t I be the one knocking people’s socks off?” You both laugh. At the bar with Julie, you both order drinks as you start to mingle.

There are friends from school, college, and co-workers. Julie invited her family and those few friends she’s been able to keep over the years other than you. Suddenly, a handsome man walks into the room. All the women are whispering and start to fawn over him. As the women approach him, you can’t see who it truly is. You find Julie again to see if she knows who he is.

“Julie, who was that that just walked in? Women are fawning, swooning, and whispering about him, but I can’t see his face.” Julie strains to see if she can tell. Suddenly, she gasps.

“Paige, you are never going to believe who that is....” Her eyes are wide.

“Julie, earth, Julie.” You nudge her, and she comes out of her trance.

“Paige...That’s Gregory Marshall.” Your jaw drops to the floor.

“Wait, THE Gregory Marshall? The geek from high school that everyone used to make fun of?”

“That’s the one! He’s some tech genius now. He owns Marshall Technologies. He’s the biggest bachelor in the city, let alone the country.” You still try to pick up your jaw when he appears right before you.

“Happy Birthday, Ms. Edwards. Thanks for inviting me.” You’re standing in awe when Julie practically knocks you over when she nudges you back into reality.

“OH! Thanks, Gregory, but there is no need to be so formal. You can call me Paige. I didn’t think you would come since you seem busy running your business.”

“I would never miss a chance to see you again. It’s been so long. May I get you a drink?” Gregory looks over at the bar.

“Sure, why not? It’s my party, after all, right?” Julie winks at you as you head off to the bar with Gregory.

“What’s your poison?” He ushers the bartender over to take your orders.

“Martini, dry extra olives.”

“I’ll have a beer.” The bartender makes your drink and comes back with that and a beer. “Cheers to the birthday girl, or should I say woman?” You clink your glass to his beer bottle.

“Cheers.” You take a sip of your drink and start talking to Greg. “So, you’ve come up from the last time I saw you in high school,” Greg chuckles.

“Well, I guess you can say that. I lost my nerdy glasses, started going to the gym regularly, and developed a multi-billion-dollar company from the ground up. If you think that’s a change, I would say yes, I have changed.” He takes a swing of his beer and looks back at you. “So, how about you? You’ve gotten more beautiful since high school.” You blush.

“Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Marshall.” You giggle. “Well, I got my bachelor’s in fine art and now own my gallery in town where I sell local artists’ artwork.”

“Wow, it seems you went for your passion after all.” You look at him in shock. He remembered how much passion you had for your art back in school. Just as you go to say something else, Greg’s phone rings. He pulls it out of his pocket and sighs. “Sorry, I have to take this.” You wave him off as Julie runs over to you.

“So, how’s the hottie?”

“Julie? We didn’t talk much; he had to take a phone call. But I’m trying to figure out how he got an invite. Did you invite him?”

“No! I mean, if I knew he was that hot now, I would have in a heartbeat. Maybe he just learned from someone else and wished you a happy birthday. But what did you guys talk about??”

“We just talked about what we’ve been doing since we last saw each other.” Greg shows back up and scares you and Julie.

“Paige, I’m sorry I must go, but here’s my business card. Reach out to me. I’d love to continue our conversation.” He kisses your cheek and walks away.

“Holy shit Paige! He just kissed you on the cheek. Are you going to call or text him??” Your face starts turning red.

“Come on, Julie. Just because he’s now changed, doesn’t mean anything. He fawned over me so much in high school, and I ignored him. Who says he doesn’t remember that and wants to get back at me?” Julie shakes her head.

“He wouldn’t have taken time out of his billionaire work schedule to attend a birthday party. He must still have the hots for you. And hell, every woman here, including me, is hot for him.” You both laugh.

“I don’t know Julie.” You look at the floor.

“Bitch, if you don’t end up talking to him, I’m going to take that card and contact him myself! How could you not want to continue talking to him? Talking can lead to friendship. Maybe he will even buy some of the art in your gallery for his building.”

“The buying would be great; his building would be a great place to showcase all the local artists and get their names out there.”

“See, there’s a plus in this. Just think about it.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll think about it, but I can’t guarantee anything.” Julie smiles.

“I know deep down you’ll end up doing something. I’ve known you too long for you not to reach out at least and have dinner.”

As the party ends, go to your hotel room and lie in bed. The thoughts Julie said still run through your head about Greg.

“Why do all the nerds become the hot guys and have huge companies after high school? And for it to be Greg of all people. The one who fawned over you throughout high school that you ignored. He now comes back into the picture, looking all hot and stuff. Should I get a hold of him? Maybe he’s trying to prove to me what I missed out on. God, I don’t know what to do.”

You fall into a restless sleep, still thinking about Greg. The following day, you wake up to hear Julie calling.

“Have you texted him yet?”

“God, Julie, I just woke up. I still don’t know what I’m going to do. But when I do, you’ll be the first to know so I can get you off my back.” Julie laughs.

“Okay, fine. But don’t let this hottie get away!! He may be the person you least expect to be your forever.” You shake your head through the phone as you hang up. You take a shower and head back to your apartment. Once there, you flop down on your couch and start staring at Greg’s business card, which he gave you. You finally give in. You text him.

“Hey.” You are now second-guessing the text. It sounds so stupid.

“Hey there! I’m surprised that you texted me. I should have gotten your number.”

“How do you know who this is? I didn’t even mention my name.”

“I just figured it would be you, Paige. Or at least I was hoping and wishing I was texting Paige.” Your face blushes.

“Well, you are correct. It’s Paige. Can you grab a cup of coffee?”

“That would be great. Meet me at the cafe across the street from my office Monday at ten. Does that work for you?” You are now totally flushed.

“Sounds great. See you then.” You now text Julie to give her an update. If not, you know she will hound you profusely.

“Julie, I broke down and texted Greg. We are going to grab coffee on Monday.”

“OMG, I knew you would do it. You’ll have to give me all the juicy details after.”

“Good Lord Julie. It’s just coffee. It’s not like we are going to have sex or anything.”

“LOL, it’s going to lead to it. I can feel it.” You shake your head and put your phone down, ignoring what Julie says.