Little Bit Yours 💜

One

A/N: This is an edit and repost - New chapters coming soon. ❤️

***

Audrey sat in the waiting room of a new firm after moving back from the other side of the country, unsure really of what she was doing in Boston again. It had been more than four years since Audrey had been in Boston. In that time, she was able to finish her last semester of law school and got a junior position in an office in Washington. It soon became obvious to her though that she wouldn't get far, or really be respected in her position. So, she applied to many new firms on the east coast because she missed it. When her mother called to tell her that her father was sick, her decision was made for her; she would move back to Boston and help her mother to take care of him. So here she is, sitting in the reception area of a new office in a town that should feel like home, but it didn't. Especially here. She knew she would have to face him soon, and she was not ready for that.

"Ms. Parker?"

Audrey stands up to shake the hand of the older man that would be her new boss. "Mr. Randall. It's nice to see you."

"Please, call me David. Follow me and I'll introduce you to the rest of the staff." He smiles and quickly turns on his heels to walk away as she scrambles to catch up to him. He was easily in his 50s, but still attractive with amber eyes and soft brown hair that was graying on the sides. She swallows hard as he opens the door to the conference room, and she takes a deep breath before entering in front of him. She takes a quick glance around the room as he takes the time to introduce her to everyone as they smile and shake her hand. She relaxes, moving to take a seat before the door opens behind her and he walks in. She sucks in a breath to hold as she turns to come face to face with him. He stops immediately, staring at her with a pained expression, his brows drawn down over his soft blue eyes. She lets out the breath she was holding, annoyed that he had the audacity to look hurt. David breaks the silence, motioning to her. "Andy Barber, this is our new attorney, Audrey Parker."

Andy nods but doesn't say anything, his heart beating rapidly in his chest, as he shakes her hand before moving to sit at the table opposite her. She glances at him as David starts the meeting and she notices he isn't wearing a wedding ring. She had heard that he got divorced from Laurie not 6 months after she moved away. She looks up to lock eyes with him as he looks away to stare down at the table. It had been more than four years since he saw her, and here she was sitting right in front of him, like a dream.

She practically bolts from the room after the meeting ends. It is Friday and she doesn't officially start until Monday. As she exits, she hears one of the other associates ask Andy about whether he was still planning on proposing to his girlfriend. Her heart sinks to her stomach as she turns back to find him watching her before he nods.

"Yes," he says softly, looking down at the ground, away from her.

She doesn't say anything and tries to keep her face neutral as she leaves the room and office. She makes it all the way downstairs to the main lobby before his words finally catch up to her. He was getting married again? Married to someone that wasn't her...

"Audrey, wait." Andy sees her rushing away from him and the office as he calls out to her.

She groans, hanging her head down but keep walking, leaving the building. She hears him rushing to catch up to her, gripping her arm to make her turn to face him. "Mr. Barber, this isn't appropriate." She pulls her arm out of his grip as he scoffs.

"Mr. Barber? Is that how this is going to be?!"

She crosses her arms over her chest, nodding as she glares up at him. "I don't know what you mean. From what I understand, you're getting married again. Congratulations." She tries to turn and walk away from him, but he grabs her once more.

"I have to get to court, but we need to talk. What are you doing here? Where the fuck have you been? I tried to contact you, but you complete blocked and ghosted me!" Andy becomes angrier with every question as he rests his hands on his hips.

She scoffs, pushing him hard in the chest. "Of course I did! You were married and said you had no intention of getting a divorce. Yet here you are, divorced and getting married to someone else. I guess she was worth it when I wasn't!"

"No!" He groans, his heart clenching at the sullen look on her face. "That's not it at all. Please, let me explain." He reaches for her but she pulls away before he can touch her.

"No, Mr. Barber. We are not doing this. I am not doing this with you. Not again. We work together and that is it." She walks away with tears streaming her face before he can say anything else. One wrong look and he had the power to turn her into putty and he knew it. She knew that she couldn't let him get too close to her, not again.

Andy groans as he watches her walk away from him, again. Having her here just threw his heart in upheaval, let alone his entire life.

***
4 and a half years ago

"What do you mean you can't get divorce, Andy? We've been together for months! You said you didn't love Laurie anymore!" She feels the threat of a lump in her throat, tears stinging her eyes as he groans.

"I don't!" He grabs her, pulling her hard against his chest as she feels her heart drop to her stomach. "It's just not that easy. We have a son. I can't just up and leave my family. I'm sorry, Audrey. Please, I don't want to lose you."

"You don't want to lose me?!" She scoffs as she pulls away from him. "Why did you sleep with me? Why did you continue the affair with me if you never had any intention of leaving your wife?" She can't control the tears anymore as they streak her cheeks, chin quivering as he hangs his head down to avoid her gaze.

"I'm sorry, baby. I love you and I didn't want to lose you. I still don't."

He glances up at her, his own eyes wet with tears as she shakes her head adamantly. "No! You can't love me. You only used me. You just want you cake and eat it too! But I won't be the other woman any longer! I hate you, Andy!" She leaves him standing on her porch in the pouring rain as she slams the door in his face. He calls her name on the other side of the door as she leans back against it, sliding down to the floor. Her heart is broken and swears in that moment that she'll never give it to anyone else every again.

Andy leans his head against the door, knowing that he just lost his best chance at real love in this life.