WHEN YOU LOVE

ISLE OF DOUBT

The man redirected his thoughts on the current situation. A music major was interested in Rekus. Even if they already had an exciting deal, it did no harm to listen to what this label had to offer. Thus, Lee sat and waited to see the type of shark the industry would send. Reekus trusted Lee for the negotiations, and the man got ready to play hardball.

"Leeㅡ."

Lee and Rekus looked up to see who had joined them.

"Makena," Lee got up, and the woman approached to hug him.

Just holding the woman in his arms brought back memories.

Some Astro compatibilities are to be avoided. Makena Harris' and Lee Cook's story was the type of tale that set the proverb. Leo x Leo, their relationship blazed like a Harley Davidson on the road to hell. Their flame burned passionately and dangerously. Makena was the girl no one believed would live beyond thirty. A true raver, the woman partied night and day. If at first Makena fascinated Lee, movies like Trainspotting and a few overdoses among their friend circle pushed the man to revise his lifestyle.

Lee chose to pass his degrees and met Camille with her; he found stability. The man didn't regret his choice until the moment his twin flame hugged him, and he got pinched by nostalgia. If there was a woman who showed she loved and desired him, it was her. Makena accepted the good and the bad, and when Lee unleashed his anger, Makena stood to roar beside him.

"Wow, let me take a look at you," Makena said, leaning back to look at Lee. "I always knew you'd be a fucking sexy old geezer," the woman said and winked.

"You're not bad yourself, if I may," Lee said before being interrupted by Rekus, who cleared his throat by coughing. "Eh, Makena, this isㅡ."

"Lewis McCullen, aka Rekus. Nice to meet you," the woman said and stretched her hand out to the artist.

They took seats. Lee couldn't take his eyes off the music label's emissary. It was as though time stood still. Milky white glazed skin, crow black hair, and mesmerizing green eyes, Makena remained lethally attractive. Only her hands betrayed her age as her body kept its catwalk model frame.

Lee shook his head to chase away the memories of brazing arguments and the torrid makeup sex that followed. Lust, lust, and a little more lust. Lee had to analyze his obsession to conclude that none of the reasons why he adored the woman were exemplary.

"I'll go straight to the point. We want you," Makena said, slapping Lee out of his daze. "By you, we mean, Rekus, the artist. I'm well aware of who you've seen before and what they offered, so no bargaining. We're in a yes or no situation where the train has stopped at your station. You can either take it or miss it, but," Makena stopped to look at her watch before saying, "I don't know when that train will come again."

She had the predator's glint that Lee knew too well. The woman had no intention of leaving without obtaining an agreement.

"Excuse me, but I work with Leeㅡ," Lewis replied.

Makena lifted her hand and snapped her fingers to hail a server. A young man hurried to the table to take the woman's order, "I don't know about these fellas, but I'll have a Stella." The waiter turned to Lee and Lewis, who were still stunned by Makena's drink choice. It was barely five in the afternoon. The woman probably had other people to see. Also, who drank while at work?"

"I'll have an expresso," Lee turned to Rekus, who hurried to say, "sparkling water, please."

Men, we're all the same. They always became awkward when in front of a woman who didn't play shy and vulnerable. Makena displayed a lopsided smile to mock the men who played it safe. She waited for the waiter to leave to pursue, "by you, we mean you, Lewis Mcculllen."