by Nina Singh
“So, truce then?” She reached a hand toward him.
He took it but not to shake. Instead he gently pulled her close to give her a brief kiss on the lips. He tasted of slow-cooked beef, exotic spices and cold beer. As far as peace offerings went, Tori figured she could have done worse.
* * *
“How about we toast this new truce of ours with a glass of champagne and some chocolate?” Clay asked as he helped her out of her chair once the speeches had concluded.
“Best offer I’ve had all day.”
Clay went to procure their flutes of bubbly while Tori prepared a tray of assorted fruit dipped in chocolate. Everything from luscious strawberries to thick bananas to plump cherries. She added some biscuits to round out the flavors.
They eschewed the crowds by the dessert table and took their bounty to an open cabana by the water. He pulled her down to lie beside him in the cushioned lounge chair.
A girl could get used to this.
She had no idea she was about to doze off until the flute fell from her hand to land with a thud on the sand under their lounger.
“Here, I’ll get it.” He reached over to grab it and his shirt rode up, revealing his lower back.
There was no mistaking the angry-looking scar above his left hipbone. Tori couldn’t hide her gasp of horror.
He knew immediately that she’d seen it. He straightened and pulled her closer. “It’s no big deal. Happened a long time ago.”
“How did I not notice it when we... Can I ask how you got it?” She didn’t want a repeat of earlier when she’d overstepped, but her heart was breaking for him. She desperately wanted to learn that maybe her horrible suspicions about how he’d gotten such a nasty wound were wrong.
He shrugged. “Courtesy of my bas—” He bit off the curse.
Tori’s eyes burned with the hot sting of tears. She remained completely still in his arms, completely silent, giving him the choice as to how much he wanted to divulge. Rage and sorrow launched a war in her chest when he finally began to speak.
“I was about fourteen. He didn’t like the way Adria baited a fishing line, started to get very angry. I went over and made sure to mess it up even worse. Somehow the pole found my skin.” He scoffed. “None of us even wanted to go fishing. My mother made us, to try to get us to somehow bond with him. As if it was even possible.”
“Oh, Clay.” From everything he had shared so far, she’d known that it was bad. But what she was hearing now was the stuff of nightmares. “I’m so very sorry. What you must have endured.”
“Like I said, it’s all in the past. What matters is that it’s over. He’s long gone. And that I ensured he never, ever, laid a hand on either Gemma or Adria.”
“Would he really have tried anything with either of them?” When she thought about the utter horror of what she was actually asking, she shuddered.
“Wasn’t gonna take the risk.”
So he’d done what he’d had to do.
“I didn’t sleep well at night for many years. Always had one eye open and my ears alert,” he continued.
“Were there no adults around who could help?”
“Not when she was always sticking up for him. Everyone just took their word for it whenever something went down.”
His resistance to Adria’s idea about reuniting with their mother made all the sense in the world now. He’d spent the better part of his childhood shielding his younger sisters from a monster and bearing the brunt of the abuse solely on his own.
All to protect them.
In many ways, he must have taken Adria’s sudden interest in her mother to be nothing less than a betrayal. It didn’t help that he had no clue that her newfound desire stemmed from the impending arrival of a new baby.
Her heart ached for both of them. And for Gemma, too.
* * *
The conversation had gotten too heavy and taken a turn he hadn’t intended. He was usually more evasive whenever someone asked him about that scar. He usually did a better job at keeping it hidden. As well as any of the others.
Normally, he was better at finding ways to answer without really answering.
But he found he didn’t want to lie to Tori. So he’d told her the whole ugly truth.
She was trying hard to hide it, but there was no doubt she was crying. He hated that she was hurting on his behalf. But confiding in her had felt surprisingly cathartic. He’d never told a soul about the fishing pole incident. And he and his sisters didn’t talk about their shared past. All three considered the latter part of their childhood to be better off forgotten, each building their own sturdy walls to block out the most painful memories.
But Tori had somehow broken through his walls when he hadn’t expected it. Gathering her closer in his embrace, he simply held her while they watched the sun set on the horizon over the crystal-blue water.
Now that he’d made his decision about the job offer, he felt a sense of peace and purpose. He’d make it public in due time. But for now, he just wanted to enjoy one more night in Tori’s company, simply talking to her and just being with her. Probably for one final time.
The night grew darker and colder, the champagne and treats long consumed.
Finally, he gently lifted her and half carried her to his room, where they fell asleep in each other’s arms. It was perhaps the most restful night he’d spent in as long as he could remember.
Too bad it would never happen again.
* * *
All eyes were on the gorgeous bride as she approached her eagerly awaiting groom. Except for Tori’s. Tori’s gaze was solely focused on the man walking the bride down the aisle.
Clay was dressed in casual khaki pants and a Hawaiian shirt as per the tropical theme of the ceremony. He looked so rakishly handsome that Tori felt her breath catch. She hadn’t seen him since this morning, when she’d woken in his arms after falling asleep on his bed the night before.
Then she’d been a flurry of activity all day, making sure the cake was still holding and refrigerated correctly. Afterward, she’d had to get dressed. Now that she was seeing him again, it occurred to her how empty the day had seemed without him. Not that a minute had gone by when she hadn’t thought of him or wondered what he was up to.
Gemma was beaming as she approached her intended. Tom clutched his chest as she neared the pulpit on her brother’s arm, his expression full of love and affection. The scene brought forth memories of her own sister’s wedding where she’d been a bridesmaid. Josh and Eloise had looked equally as enamored with each other.
A pang of longing shot through her chest. Josh had surprised Eloise with a romantic proposal after sweeping her off her feet. Gemma and Tom had fallen in love after traveling through Italy together. Would she ever have that? Would a man ever commit himself to her that way? Her eyes automatically found him and she had to tear her gaze away before they filled with tears.
Clay gave his sister an affectionate pat on the arm as they stopped beside Tom. Then he stepped to the side, his hands clasped in front of him while the officiant began the process of transforming Gemma and Tom into husband and wife.
Though she felt ridiculous, Tori couldn’t help the emotional tears that started rolling down her cheeks; she just couldn’t hold them at bay any longer. Clay and his sisters had been through so much yet all three of them had become successful, loving, compassionate people. People she’d grown to care so much for in such a short period of time.
Somehow she was supposed to turn around and shut off all those feelings like some kind of light switch now that the week was coming to an end. Even the tender, amorous feelings she had developed for Clay.
There was no way she would be able to do that. Particularly not when it came to Clay. She’d fallen so hard in love with him that a piece of her heart would always belong to Clayton Ramos for as long as she lived.
“Ge
mma, you may now kiss your husband. And Tom, you may kiss your wife.”
An uproarious cheer erupted from the wedding party and the steel drum band waiting in the wings began to play. Dancing commenced right away. As she hoped he would, Tori found Clay heading in her direction.
“You look beautiful,” he told her when he reached her side.
She gave a playful bow. “I’m just glad this isn’t a formal attire wedding. I didn’t pack anything that would have suited.”
His gaze assessed her from head to toe and she felt heat rush to her cheeks then travel down her entire body. “I’d say that dress suits you just fine.”
Would he be taking it off her later? Something told her that was not meant to be, and a wave of sadness washed over her before she shook it off. “Thanks, you’re looking pretty dapper yourself.”
“The cake looks amazing. You did a fantastic job.”
“This will be a first for me. I’ve actually never seen one of my cakes get smashed in anyone’s face before.”
He chuckled softly but it sounded forced. Alarm bells began ringing in her head. Something was off. Clay was back to the aloof, distant version of himself. She wasn’t sure what to make of it.
He extended his hand to her. “Walk with me.”
They strolled further along the beach, the music and chatter of the party growing softer and lower behind them with each step.
“Something going on?” she asked when she couldn’t stand it any longer.
“I’m not sure how long the party will go—I’m guessing till the early morning hours—but I’m going to make it an early night and head to my room right after the cake is cut.”
And he wasn’t telling her that because he wanted to invite her to go up with him. She would be naïve to think that. Everything from Clay’s body stance to the tone of his voice told her so.
“I see.”
“I’ll be flying back to Logan first thing after breakfast tomorrow.”
Tori’s breath hitched in her throat. This was really happening. He really was saying goodbye. Tori wanted the sea behind her to rise and carry her away so she didn’t have to listen to any more of this. She bit down on her lip to keep if from trembling.
“I haven’t even told my sisters yet. I’ll let them know as soon as they stop dancing long enough.”
“Why the sudden rush?”
“There’s a matter I have to tend to in Boston.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She knew she was making a mistake, but the next words she uttered seemed to spill out of her mouth before she could stop them. “Maybe once I get back to Boston I’ll get in touch...”
The grimace on his face told her more than any words could. She felt a shattering sensation in the vicinity of her heart.
“I won’t be there for long, Tori.”
She swallowed. “Why’s that?”
“I’ve accepted an assignment in Amsterdam. I’ll be there for the next year or so.”
For a split second, Tori wondered if she’d heard him correctly.
“You what?”
“I’ve accepted a job overseas.”
Where was this coming from? He’d completely blindsided her. “You didn’t say anything.” She was surprised her mouth worked and that she could even get the words out.
“It came about rather suddenly.”
“So suddenly you didn’t even think to mention it before this?”
He merely nodded. She knew then that there was nothing more to say. How naïve she’d been, how utterly clueless. That he could so easily turn away from her with such finality. As far as Clay was concerned, she’d served her purpose and he was ready to leave behind everything they’d shared together.
She’d move on from this. She’d somehow find a way to get past it. It would take time and it would hurt. But she’d dusted herself off before and built a life for herself that she could be proud of. That’s what she had to focus on now. She couldn’t let old doubts and insecurities come crashing back in just because she’d misread Clay so thoroughly.
She would find a way to heal.
It took everything she had to continue standing upright, to keep her knees from giving out underneath her. His rejection was complete. When she could finally get her legs to move, she turned and walked away.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE CAKE WAS a big hit. As dawn approached and the last tiki torch extinguished, and the handful of revelers finally drunkenly stumbled away, the cake had proven to be one of the evening’s highlights. Tori had done an outstanding job. He’d never doubted it, of course.
She’d also done an amazing job of avoiding him all night. Not that he could really blame her. He’d been pretty straightforward. But what point would there have been in delaying the inevitable?
By the time he’d walked to his room, they hadn’t shared so much as a wave goodbye.
Clay snapped his travel case closed and ran through a mental checklist to ensure he had everything. He felt disoriented and out of sorts. Insomnia had plagued him when he’d tried to catch at least a couple hours of sleep. The bed felt empty. His soul felt cold. But he’d done what needed to be done.
Better for Tori to go live the rest of her life believing that he was an uncaring bastard. And the next time he needed to hire a talented baker...well, he would have to cross that proverbial bridge when it appeared.
A knock on the door snapped him alert. The car service was early.
But it wasn’t a driver standing across the threshold when he opened the door.
His sisters stood there, glaring at him. Adria wore a rigid frown. Gemma, disheveled and drowsy, looked like she was ready to feed him to the wolves.
They walked past him into the room. “Come in,” he said sarcastically with a flourish of his hand. Whatever was going on with them, he really didn’t have time for it.
“Have a seat, big brother.” Gemma pulled him over to the sofa and physically pushed him down by his shoulders. For someone with such a slight build, she was surprisingly strong.
“Can I help you two? What are you doing here?” He pointed at Gemma. “You just got married a few hours ago.”
“I know. But we need to chat,” Gemma began. “And considering last night was my wedding night, I have to warn you, I’m not big on patience right now.”
So they weren’t taking the news very well, then.
“That was quite a bombshell you dropped on us last night,” Gemma charged while Adria nodded her agreement. “Didn’t see that coming at all.”
If they only knew.
“I apologize for that,” he said, meaning it wholeheartedly. He really was sorry about the way it had all come about. But now that his decision had been made, he didn’t want to dally. There was no point delaying the inevitable.
“You’re just going to move across the globe?” Gemma blustered.
“For the better part of the year?” Adria added.
“I’ll visit often,” he reassured them. “And you can all come visit me. Lilly will get a kick out of the canals and we can take her to a tulip field.”
“Somehow I think she’d prefer to have her uncle in town for her next birthday.”
Clay sighed, striving for patience. “It’s done, ladies. And the sooner I get back to Boston, the sooner I can wrap things up and prep for this new role.” It made no sense to stick around some island in the Bahamas when he was about to start a whole new chapter of his life.
“Is that why you’re leaving? So you can wrap up and prep?”
That sounded like a trick question. What choice did he have but to walk into the trap? “Why else?”
“Because it looks an awful lot like you’re just simply running away.”
He scoffed. “What would I be running from?”
Adria stepped around the couch, her hands on her hips. “The question i
s more like who you’re running away from, I’d say.”
“That’s ridiculous. I’m making a career decision that feels right for this point in my life. That’s all there is to it.” The words sounded hollow even to his own ears. He certainly didn’t seem to be convincing either one of his perturbed siblings. He felt compelled to explain further given their disbelieving expressions. “You two are both hitched now. You have your own lives. It’s about time I started living mine.”
“Kind of sudden, don’t you think?”
“I can be impulsive like everyone else.”
Adria actually laughed out loud at that. “You’ve never been impulsive a day in your life.”
“I’m turning over a new leaf.” That was a rather lame statement and the expression on both their faces told him they thought so, too.
“You’re just turning over,” Gemma said. “And giving up before you have a chance to fail.”
He had no response. On some level, he knew her point was valid, knew that’s what he’d been doing. But the underlying issues remained unchanged. “I’m no good for her. I can’t be what she needs.”
He couldn’t even tell which one of them sucked in a breath first. “You don’t mean that,” Gemma told him. “You’ve just spent so much of your life looking over your shoulder that now you’re afraid to look forward.”
Adria nodded. “Take the chance, Clay. She’s worth it. You know she is.”
Gemma walked over and took both his hands in her small ones. “That man took away a lot of your childhood. He took away our mother. Don’t let him take away your shot at happiness.”
He absorbed Gemma’s words as they permeated his soul. They were both right. He’d been such a fool. But what was done was done.
“Look, there’s only so much I can do now. The wheels have been set in motion. I’ve accepted the offer and booked a flight.”
“Huh. I always thought my big brother could do anything.” Adria’s voice dripped with mock surprise.
