The Forgotten Bride

by Marquita Valentine

  Luke came to his feet. “Brought you lunch.”

  “Thank you.” She motioned for him to follow her. “Can you eat with me, or do you have to rush back?”

  “I got caught up on patient cases over the last couple of days so I could spend time with you today.”

  That made her stop. She turned, her brown eyes wide. “You did?”

  “I’ve learned how to prioritize. Plus, the practice is small. We see mostly farm workers and their families from surrounding counties.” Because he and his partner spoke Spanish, they were able to treat everything from hematomas to more serious problems that sometimes needed a referral to a specialist. “Anyone can make an appointment to see us, of course, but we moved our practice to a central location out in the county for a reason.”

  “That can’t pay much,” she said.

  He flushed. “I don’t need the money anymore.”

  “Because of Dr. LA in Miami?”

  “Yeah.” That fucking reality television show that had followed his journey from med student to full-fledged doctor. Or so they had liked to say. In reality, they had paid him to look really good and do fancy stitching while paying for medical school and giving him a fat salary. The advertisers had caught on to him quickly. They liked the look of him, the fact that he was a Hispanic man pursuing a medical degree, and that he was a natural in front of the camera. When his twin had first seen him on screen, Logan had laughed until he cried.

  Nothing like brotherly support to bring him down to earth.

  “It paid for a lot of things—good things and selfish things—that I wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to do.”

  Her chin tipped up. “Sounds like it was worth it.”

  Losing her wasn’t worth it, but to say that again—she wouldn’t believe him. Not really. “My television days are over.”

  She started moving again, and he followed her to a large office in the back with hardwood flooring and several windows. There were posters of the Broadways plays she’d performed in framed on the walls, along with class pictures from the dancers she taught here. There were also pictures of Lily with famous actors who divided their time between Broadway and Hollywood. Some he knew wouldn’t have been interested in her while others…jealousy raked at his insides.

  Get over it, he told himself. This was her life without you.

  Plus, he hadn’t exactly been a monk himself, but he hadn’t been a player either. Something in between he guessed, but he hadn’t been with anyone in a long time—nearly a year.

  For a brief moment, he allowed himself to wonder if Lily could say the same, but then he shook his head.

  “I asked the cashier what you liked, so if it’s not right…” He grinned. “Still my fault for not asking you first.”

  She laughed. “Who are you?”

  “I’m me,” he said. “A better me. The real me. Older and wiser—hopefully—me.”

  Unpacking the large bag, he set out the containers with their food in it on the conference table, then pulled out a chair for her. She sat down gracefully, and he moved around the table to sit across from her.

  “I watched your show once,” she said.

  He almost choked on the she-crab soup. “You did?”

  “Okay, so maybe more than once. You were good. The camera loved you and so did your patients.” She gave him a wry smile. “Especially the female ones.”

  He blushed; he couldn’t help it. “I didn’t cheat on you. I didn’t sleep with another woman for a long time.”

  “Six days is a long time,” she said, her voice a little sharp.

  “Try six months after our divorce was final.”

  She blinked, her mouth forming a perfect O. “You were celibate for almost two years?”

  He shrugged. “I was holding out for you to change your mind.”

  “But you didn’t say a word. You didn’t even contest the divorce,” she practically sputtered.

  “Pride.”

  “Damn our pride,” she said softly.

  “Then I guess I should confess that I went to every production you were in.”

  Her eyes rounded. “You did?”

  He nodded. “As mad as I was, deep down, I was proud of you, too.”

  “Very deep down,” she said with a shake of her head. “I can’t believe you came and didn’t say anything.”

  “It wouldn’t have been pretty. I would have probably showed my ass,” he admitted.

  “I probably would have shown mine as well,” she said with a sigh.

  “Look at us,” he said. “Talking about the past like adults. We should get an award or something.”

  “Or something,” she agreed.

  “Are we still on for tomorrow night?” he asked. They hadn’t talked until now, and he wasn’t sure if the time away from him would make her change her mind.

  “Yes.”

  “But…” he prompted.

  Her eyes narrowed. “I said yes.”

  “For some reason, I pictured this going a lot easier.”

  “I never pictured this at all,” she said.

  That stunned him into silence.

  “But I’m willing to consider the possibility.”

  Air filled his lungs once more. “Then I won’t ask you again. I’ll be at your place tomorrow night at 6:30.”

  *

  She should have said no.

  “What are you thinking?” she asked her reflection as she put on a pair of large hoop earrings.

  She didn’t have to answer. She knew exactly what she was thinking—he was hard to resist. Harder than she thought possible. His honesty was sexy and appealing in ways she couldn’t define. The old Luke would have never been so patient.

  Well, maybe if she had given him the chance, he would have, but the old her and the old Luke didn’t always do what was best for their relationship. They had always done what was best for themselves.

  But over the past week, Luke—while making no bones about what he wanted—

  She sighed.

  The doorbell rang.

  Giving herself one last look in the mirror, she quickly walked to the foyer and opened the door.

  Luke stood there, a bottle of wine in his hand. “This isn’t for tonight, but I know you’re not a fan of flowers. Or you weren’t. Unless that’s changed. If it has, then I’ll be happy to run to the closest florist shop and buy whatever you want.”

  Her body hummed in happiness at his thoughtfulness, his eagerness to please. Had he ever been so concerned? It wasn’t fair, she supposed, to compare knowledge to ignorance.

  “Still not a fan. I prefer the wine.” She smiled encouragingly at him.

  He handed the bottle over. “I can wait here while you put it away.”

  She set the wine on the table near the door. “I prefer to drink it at room temperature.” Grabbing her purse and house key, she shut the door. “I’m ready.”

  Luke held the car door open for her. “I thought we could do dinner and a movie tonight. Or maybe just the movie so I won’t screw up by talking.”

  She paused. “You don’t screw up by talking. I… I had a moment, and it was so unexpected that I didn’t know how to react. I thought I was over the past, but it appears I’m not.”

  His face turned serious. “I don’t want to push you into something you’re not ready for, but on the other hand, I want a second chance with you.”

  That was what she was afraid he’d say. Yet, her heart thudded so loudly in her chest that he had to hear it. “I haven’t dated in a long time, and not because you ruined men for me.”

  “I’m not sure how I should respond to that.”

  “Well, that makes two of us because I don’t know how to respond to you.”

  “I haven’t dated in a while either—at least not seriously. Somehow, I escaped my mother’s matchmaking ways.”

  She could only imagine what Leah Ambrose could cook up. The woman’s scheming was legendary. “Maybe you get a free pass because you used to be married.”r />
  “Probably.” He became quiet, as if their turn in conversation had made him regret saying anything at all. It was possible. It was just as possible he expected her to run away from him again.

  She glanced around, trying to figure out the best way to repair the situation. Her townhouse was near the center of town. Maybe they should take another walk, like they had done last night. But this time, she would know what to expect and be adult enough to listen and be open.

  For all Luke’s faults, he’d never abused her physically or verbally and never cheated on her, not even when Hollywood had come calling and thrust him into the spotlight.

  “The town is hosting an After Hours expo this evening. Why don’t we go?” she suggested. “We can talk more that way.”

  He nodded slowly. “The food truck rodeo is something I’ve wanted to see.”

  “Let your stomach be our guide,” she said with a laugh.

  He closed the door, hit the lock button on his key fob, and tucked it into his pocket. They began to walk down Oak Laurel, toward the section of the downtown area where the expo was being held.

  Luke gently grabbed her arm. “Let’s make a deal, okay? Let’s just have a good time and the only thing we can’t talk about is our marriage. Everything else is fair game.”

  It was as if a huge, invisible bolder had been lifted off her chest. She could breathe again. A genuine smile curved the corners of her mouth.

  “Deal.”

  *

  The music was loud, festive, and perfect for the party-like atmosphere. Twinkling lights had been strung across the portion of the street that had been blocked off. Vendors selling everything imaginable lined up next to one another along the edge of the street.

  The police and fire department had cars and engines on display for the kids to explore while local politicians passed out leaflets. The air was filled with the delicious scent food.

  “Fish tacos are my absolute favorite,” she said right before finishing off one filled with Mahi-mahi, slaw, and guacamole. “So good.”

  “My kabob is way better.” He held out a lamb skewer. “Try it.”

  She took a tiny bite. “It’s good, but I can’t eat lamb. They’re too cute.”

  “You still base food choices on how cute the animal is?” he asked with a laugh.

  “I’m shallow like that.” She waved a hand around. “So what do you think?”

  “Reminds me of a circus,” Luke said as a colorfully dressed woman juggling bowling pins leapt past them. A small dog wearing a tuxedo followed her, jumping on its hind legs.

  “Tamar teaches juggling and dog obedience classes,” she said.

  Luke laughed. “Seems about right for a small town.”

  “You don’t like being back?” she asked.

  “I love being back home, but there are times when I miss the hustle and bustle… the convenience and the opportunities.”

  “Like reality television shows?”

  He gave her a look. “I thought you agreed to not talk about our marriage.”

  She had. “I’m not. I’m curious about you, what you accomplished by choosing to do that.” Instead of staying with me. Instead of starting a family. Instead of keeping your promise.

  “Fame. A broken marriage. A wife who hated me.”

  “I didn’t hate you.”

  “In the end, I think you did.”

  “I was disillusioned. Love made me think…” She shook her head. “I believed that love could conquer anything, but what’s love if it’s only one-sided? It’s like going into battle in full gear but without any weapons.”

  Luke ran a hand through his hair. “That’s the root of the problem for us.”

  She gave him a blank look.

  “We thought love was a war with a loser and winner.”

  “It’s not?” she asked lightly, though her heart slammed in her chest and her throat felt thick.

  “We should have been on the same side. My goal shouldn’t have been to be right. My goal should have been to find a solution to what was hurting you. My number-one responsibility as your husband was to love you more than myself.”

  Taken aback, she stopped in the middle of the street and turned to him. He was serious—utterly serious—and she didn’t know how to respond at first. One part of her wanted to run away, just like he claimed to have done for years, while the other… the other was tempted to find out if he truly meant what he said.

  Honestly, she didn’t know what to do, and as confused as she was, it was translating into hot and cold from her. She didn’t know how he was managing because she was barely holding on by a thread.

  She needed time, more time than she had originally thought, and though it hurt to say it, she had to let him know. “I’m—I’d like to go home now.”

  His mouth thinned a little, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he placed a proprietary hand on her back and led her away from the crowd, the noise growing dimmer with each step. Soon, she couldn’t hear anything but the birds singing their evening songs.

  He gently took her hand in his and laced their fingers together.

  She shivered.

  “Are you cold?” he asked, automatically taking off his jacket and wrapping it around her shoulders.

  Her sweater was wool as were her silk-lined pants. She was perfectly toasty. Could she admit to him it was his touch that sent tremors throughout her body?

  “Not now.” She smiled up at him. Apparently, she couldn’t admit anything.

  “Good. We’re almost home,” he said.

  She didn’t bother to correct him. They hadn’t lived together in years. Most likely, it was habit. Something he’d say to anyone.

  When they arrived, he patiently waited for her to unlock the door and took a step back, shifting his weight from side to side.

  The realization he was waiting on her made her drop her keys. She stooped to pick them up at the same time as he did.

  Their fingers brushed.

  Their gazes collided.

  Time slowed, then rewound.

  “How do you like your new home, Mrs. Ambrose?” he asked as he carried her over the doorway of their very humble apartment.

  She kissed him in answer. “Shut the door.”

  “Don’t you want to see?” he asked between kisses.

  Glancing around, she took inventory. “Nice television.”

  “There’s other furniture.”

  “Like a bed?” she asked, maneuvering in his arms until he was holding her by her thighs and she had her arms wrapped around his shoulders.

  “A very big bed. But you know that.”

  She leaned back, her eyes dancing, but underneath the mirth…pure lust glowed. “Before, it wasn’t our bed. Take me to our bed.” She wrapped herself around him again, nibbling on his ear as she said, “Make love to me in our bed.”

  Luke cleared his throat. She blinked, and then stood. He did the same. “What?”

  “Nothing.” He stepped back again. “Thanks for tonight.” Turning, he started for his car, a slick-looking Mercedes in midnight blue.

  Panic hit her hard, and it was the only reason she could think of for saying what she did. “Stay.”

  He froze, then slowly looked over his shoulder at her.

  “Stay,” she repeated. “I have an entire bottle of wine that will go to waste if you don’t.”

  “Are you—? Yeah, I’ll stay.” Pivoting, he headed straight to her.

  For one wild moment, she thought he would sweep her off her feet and take her inside, all the way inside to her bedroom and—She gave herself a mental shake.

  “So much has changed over the years,” she said, trying to make conversation, as they walked inside her house and into the living room. Belatedly remembering she still wore his coat, she took it off and laid it over the back of the club chair that sat near the fireplace. “Holland Springs. The people. Everything. Don’t you think so?”

  “You haven’t. Actually, I take that back. You’re even more beautiful,” he
said.

  “Flattery will get you halfway there.”

  He leaned in, his mouth close to her ear. “Tell me what to say so I can get all the way there.”

  A hot flush climbed up her chest. He probably didn’t mean for it to sound so erotic. Or maybe she could only take it that way because it was what she wanted.

  “Why did you really stay this time, Luke?” she asked. Over the past four years, he had come and gone three times. Somehow, their paths had never crossed, or he had made sure to stay out of her way.

  “I’m done with running away. I’m done with being a coward when it comes to you,” he said.

  Her eyes widened. “A coward? Why on earth would you be afraid of me?”

  “I’m not afraid of you, Lily. I’m afraid of losing you again.” Then his head dipped low and he caught her mouth with his.

  Chapter Four

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  She tasted like mint, spices…everything Luke had been missing. He backed her up against the wall, his hand coming up to cradle the back of her head. Slanting his mouth over hers, he kissed her more deeply, had to explore every inch of her lush mouth.

  Desire rushed through him, and he began to kiss her with an urgency that defied logic. She pressed against him, her body moving in ways that made him groan her name. His body hardened, tension building up as their kiss went on and on.

  He couldn’t get enough of her, his tongue delving deeply, and she met him with her own, rubbing and stroking, curling her tongue around his. Her hands sunk into his hair, gripping him to her.

  Sweeping his free hand down the side of her body, he palmed her ass and fit her tightly against him.

  “Stop,” she said, tearing her mouth away before staring up at him. “We can’t.”

  He gazed into her eyes. “Why not?”

  She licked her lips. “If this is our second chance, I don’t want to ruin it. Before, we were impetuous. We got caught up in love and sex and…” She smiled at him, caressing his cheek. He leaned into her touch. “Let’s take it slow.”

  “How slow?”

  She nipped at his bottom lip. “Just a little slower.”

  He slid his hands between them, then glided them under the hem of her sweater. Her skin was incredibly warm, soft, and supple.