Second Look (A New Beginning Book 3)

by Connie Stephany

“So, do you want to come in for a beer? Or coffee?”

  Sam surprised her by turning off his car. “Sure.”

  “Okay.”

  As they walked up her driveway, she silently thanked the heavens she cleaned the night before. The house wasn’t a complete disaster. She led him through the garage, and grabbed two beers out of the fridge.

  “Hmm. A woman after my own heart.”

  “What, the beer fridge? It’s a must. I keep food in the fridge in the kitchen.”

  He chuckled. “Makes perfect sense.”

  They went into the living room and she took off her high-heeled sandals. Her feet were throbbing.

  She plopped down on the couch, a little less gracefully than she’d have liked and he sat next to her. Sam took one long drink of his beer and then set his bottle down on the table. He took her beer out of her hand even before she had a sip and set it on the table next to his.

  He stared at her for a couple of seconds before he said, “About that request I won…”

  She held her hand up in question and she asked, “Yes?”

  He looked at her mouth and then back up to her eyes, raising his eyebrow to ask permission.

  He wants a kiss?

  She could feel her face get really hot and her heart felt as if it would beat out of her chest. She gave him a small nod and he wasted no time.

  He gently cupped her face in his hands, bringing his lips to hers gently. It wasn’t a long kiss, but she felt it from her head to her toes.

  Damn, he was good.

  She finally caught her breath and asked, “That was your request?”

  He nodded. “What’s yours?”

  Jennifer tilted her head and looked into his eyes while she contemplated his question. Was she really prepared to take what she wanted? She decided to put the ball back in his court.

  “I’m new at this. What would you suggest?”

  Sam’s eyes sparkled. He gently grabbed the back of her neck, pulled her in closely and whispered his suggestion in her ear. What he said sent shivers down her spine and made her entire body sing.

  Oh, wow.

  She looked him in the eye and then kissed him to show her agreement before standing up and leading him to her bedroom.

  No sooner had they gotten into her room before there was a flurry of clothing. His hands were everywhere, making her body come alive.

  She hoped she wouldn’t regret it in the morning.

  *****

  After giving Sam her resignation, the week flew by for Jennifer, especially since news traveled. The anticipation of their date had her nervous, but also really excited. She was sorely tempted to go another round with him, although she doubted that was in the cards.

  What she wouldn’t give for another request.

  Before she was mentally prepared, Sam was knocking at her front door.

  Amber was already at the neighbor’s house, excited to spend the night with her friend Carmen. Amber was sad lately, knowing she wouldn’t get to see her after they moved so Jennifer welcomed their neighbor’s invitation for Amber to spend the night.

  Jennifer opened the front door, and Sam’s look of appreciation confirmed the effort she put in getting ready was definitely worth it. That was the most interest he showed since the night at the bar, except occasional glances at work when he thought she wasn’t looking.

  She had borrowed Tera’s little black dress and sky-high sandals and her toes looked cute painted bright pink. Her long, brown hair was curled and it cascaded down her back in waves. Her makeup was flawless and her eyelashes were super thick and long. She had to admit she looked pretty good and it gave her a boost of self-confidence.

  His smile dropped and she could see his eyes scan her body very slowly. Holy crap, his blue eyes darkened and he looked like he wanted to eat her alive. Yes, her effort was totally worth it.

  “Good evening, Jennifer. You look stunning.”

  “Thank you, Sam.” She smiled. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes, we have a reservation at 8:00. Have you been to Las Sendas?”

  Jennifer’s eyes widened at hearing the name of the restaurant and she shook her head to answer his question.

  “Good. You’ll love it.”

  She’d never been there but heard the view was absolutely beautiful. It was definitely a romantic place to take her, so it was a little confusing.

  “Am I dressed okay? I’ve never been there.”

  “You’re perfect.”

  Oh damn. Is it an option to just skip dinner?

  She blushed, as if he could read her thoughts.

  He grabbed her hand and walked her towards his Lexus. He opened her door and after she was seated in the buttery, tan leather seats, he gently closed her door.

  As she watched him walk around to the other side of the car, she fanned herself. There would be absolutely no way to turn him down if he wanted to come inside after dinner.

  *****

  “Dinner was amazing.”

  Sam grinned. “If you think that was good, just wait until you get your dessert.”

  “I don’t think I can eat another bite!”

  “Too bad because I already ordered it.”

  What? When? I never left the table.

  “Their specialty is the most amazing bread pudding you’ll have ever tried in your life with coconut gelato.”

  Sam’s smile made the corners of his eyes crinkle.

  “Oh, well I guess could have one bite.”

  She was full but if the dessert was as good as he said, who was she to refuse? Ordering without asking her was sort of sexy and for some reason made her feel thinner, as if he was giving permission to indulge.

  “It’s nice to go out with a woman who actually eats more than a few pieces of lettuce and a carrot.”

  She could feel the heat rise to her cheeks. Did she eat too much? She couldn’t help but pretty much clear her plate because it was that good.

  “Well, that’s something I do, Sam. I eat when I’m hungry. Real food, not just lettuce.”

  Sam’s eyes grew and he grabbed her hand. “That was a compliment, Jennifer. I’m glad you liked the food.”

  “I loved my food. No lie there. Can’t wait to try dessert, too.”

  “The dessert is the best part. I’m glad you’re willing to try.”

  She laughed. “You aren’t giving me much choice, are you?”

  Sam chuckled and shook his head. “You have to try it, even just once in your life.”

  The waiter came back and Jennifer’s eyes bulged as she watched him set down the giant bowl filled with bread pudding covered in something brown and gooey. It was topped with coconut gelato and the bowl contained two spoons.

  Sam picked up a spoon, took a giant spoonful. Before she could even think, he brought it to Jennifer’s lips and she was forced to take a bite.

  It was the most amazing piece of heaven she ever tried in her entire life. She closed her eyes and moaned.

  Oh. My. God. Was that out loud?

  When she opened her eyes, she saw that Sam’s eyelids were half closed and he was staring at her mouth.

  Yup, her moan of pleasure was most definitely out loud.

  He finally looked into her eyes. “See? I told you it was amazing.”

  All she could do was shrug and open her mouth for the next bite. Then he took a mouthful with the same spoon.

  It was a turn-on just sharing the decadent dessert with this incredibly hot man.

  It wasn’t until the drive home when he finally brought up the topic of her leaving. Sam glanced over at her quickly, and then towards the road.

  “Jennifer, I know you already warned me, but I need to try one last time. What can I do to make you stay?”

  She hesitated, not wanting to ruin the mood. But, she needed to be honest.

  “Sorry, Sam. It’s just…time to move back home.”

  His hopeful look vanished and was replaced by a sad smile.

  “For whatever it’s worth, I’m sorry
for ignoring what happened between us. I certainly didn’t intend to make you want to leave.”

  “Thanks, Sam. I appreciate that.”

  They drove the rest of the way in silence, which allowed Jennifer’s mind to run wild.

  Would it be awkward saying goodnight? She was tempted to ask him inside, but didn’t want to suffer the embarrassment of him saying no. She could just picture it.

  No thanks, you just didn’t do it for me. She shuddered at the thought.

  Sam pulled up into her driveway, shut the car off and turned towards her. He stared right into her eyes while she wanted for him to say something.

  Why is he staring like that? Is he trying to figure out what to say?

  She waited for him to say something for several more awkward seconds.

  Oh, God! Is he waiting for me to leave?

  Jennifer felt her cheeks burn as she grabbed the door handle. “Thanks for a lovely evening, Sam. I’ll walk myself…”

  “Wait.”

  He grabbed her arm and she raised her head to meet his.

  “Okay, here goes. I don’t want things to get awkward again for your last few days at work, especially with how I handled it last time.” He paused and then his voice got even lower and sexier and he looked at her mouth. “But I really want to kiss you right now.”

  “You do?”

  “Hell, yes, I do.” He looked up into her eyes and looked startled. “Why do you look confused?”

  “Well, you left without saying goodbye that night and completely ignored what happened. You went out of your way to avoid me. I figured you either completely regretted it or I was bad in bed. Either way, I didn’t expect you to want to kiss me tonight.”

  Sam groaned and looked up to look at the top of the car.

  “I assure you, Jennifer, bad is the complete opposite of how I would describe what happened between us.”

  “Well, it had been a long time for me, so...” Jennifer gave a short, relieved laugh. “So then why did you ignore it when we got back to work?”

  Sam looked thoughtful before he finally shrugged and answered.

  “You’re way too young for me and I shouldn’t even put you in this situation. But you’re amazing and I can’t help myself.” He chuckled and continued. “I’m 46 years old. I have kids in college, for Christ sake. I lost my wife a couple years ago and I have no interest in getting married again. You’re too young to be stuck with someone like me. But it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t jump at the chance to be with you again.”

  Her heart was pounding and try as she might she couldn’t get her tongue to come away from the roof of her mouth.

  What the hell am I supposed to say to that?

  She couldn’t think of a single thing so instead she softly kissed him.

  He moaned and gently grabbed the back of her neck with his hand to deepen the kiss.

  When he broke away, she wasted no time. “Do you want to come in?”

  The look he gave her sent more shivers down her spine and his voice was deep and sexy. “Yeah.”

  He took her hand and led her up to her front door.

  Jennifer knew she wouldn’t see him after she moved back to Minnesota. But she didn’t care. She needed to feel wanted again, even if for one more night.

  Chapter Three

  Adam

  Time to face the past

  When Adam heard his dad was dying, it was like something in his brain switched. He couldn’t really explain it, but he knew he had to do something. Life was too damn short to have so many regrets and do nothing about it.

  It was time for him to grow up.

  He didn’t have much of a plan, but in order to move forward, he needed to let go of the past. What did girls call it? Oh yeah. Closure.

  The first person he needed to see was Abby Simon. No, he had to keep reminding himself she was now Abby James. She was the woman he left at the altar four years ago.

  What happened the day of his wedding was something he didn’t even have a desire to relive, but it was as if he couldn’t help it…his mind automatically went to when Jennifer showed up at his door and threw him a giant curve ball.

  Four years ago…

  “Adam, uh, the door is for you.”

  His dad’s look of concern should’ve been a warning, but it didn’t get through the natural high he was on.

  “Who is it?”

  “Just go, son.”

  Adam ignored the sinking feeling and he walked down the hall to the front door where a woman was standing. She was facing the driveway so all he could see was her dark hair and tanned legs. She was holding a kid on her left hip and she was bouncing her up and down. It almost reminded him of…no, that was crazy.

  He stared at the woman for a couple seconds and then finally found his voice. “Can I help you?”

  She turned around and he backed up a step. Jennifer?

  He stared at her for a few seconds and then looked down at the little girl she was bouncing on her hip.

  “Hi, Adam,” she said softly.

  “Jenn. What…are you doing here?”

  Adam looked back and forth between Jennifer and the kid. Who is she?

  “Um, well, I,” she paused, took a deep breath and started over. “I heard you were getting married, Adam.”

  “Well, yes.” He glanced at his watch. “In a few hours, as a matter of fact.”

  Adam watched her eyes go round and her mouth dropped open slightly.

  “T…t…today?”

  Adam nodded.

  “I didn’t know it was today, I swear.”

  He saw tears well up in her eyes, which wasn’t like her.

  “Well, that’s no big deal, Jenn.”

  He wanted to be able to reassure her but he didn’t know why she was even there. His heart pounded and his chest hurt.

  “I need to tell you something, Adam. Something I should have told you a long time ago. But I didn’t know your wedding was today. I never would have come.” He saw Jennifer lean down and kiss the little girl in her arms.

  “Uh, okay?” Adam said, getting a little nervous. “What…who…,” he said and then paused. “What did you need to tell me?”

  She remained silent, making him even more nervous.

  He looked at Jennifer and then to the little girl and back again and his stomach flipped. He motioned to the little girl with his thumb. “Who…?”

  “This is Amber.” Jennifer paused for a second. “Your daughter.”

  He stared at her for several seconds, trying to process what he just heard. She must be mistaken. He looked into the little girl’s face.

  “What are you talking about? That’s not possible.”

  “Amber is 18 months old, Adam.”

  Jennifer’s voice was quiet and his heart was beating so fast he could barely hear her over the roaring in his ears. He was stunned into silence but his brain was asking all of the questions his voice was refusing to form.

  As if reading his mind, she said, “Winter break. The bar.”

  In the back of his mind, he thought about their night together. That was a little over two years ago. But there was no way….was there? He tried to do the math in his head.

  If the little girl was 18 months old and they’d been together a little over two years ago…Oh.

  Oh shit.

  He looked at the little girl. Amber. She didn’t have much hair, just a little blonde on the top, and she had familiar brown eyes that stared right back at him.

  He reached out to Amber before he realized what he was doing and then pulled his hand back.

  But if this was his daughter, why was he just finding out about her? Shock turned to anger. How could she have kept this from him?

  What. The. Fuck.

  He looked back up at Jennifer, fire in his eyes. “You’re just now coming to me?”

  Jennifer shrugged her shoulders and looked down and her feet for a few seconds before looking back up.

  “You left, Adam. It was a mistake to you, remember? I di
dn’t think you’d want to be a part of our life.”

  “Well you certainly didn’t give me a chance, did you?”

  Adam lowered his head and ran his hands through his hair while he waited for her to respond.

  “No, I didn’t,” she admitted.

  “That’s a common theme with you, isn’t it? Not giving people a chance?”

  He couldn’t help but bring up when she dumped him originally. He begged her not to break up with him. She broke his fucking heart. Now this.

  “So you didn’t think I deserved to know. What’s changed? You’re coming to me now because…?” He couldn’t stop the frustration from being clear in his voice.

  Worst. Possible. Day.

  “When I heard you were getting married, I realized it was wrong to keep this from you. I was scared to tell you and I didn’t want to be your burden, someone you would be obligated to be with. I’m sorry, I never should have kept her from you.” Jennifer paused and said, “and I really had no idea it was your wedding day, Adam.”

  Adam’s head jerked back up. Shit! Abby!

  “What the hell am I supposed to do now?”

  He looked at Jennifer, and then Amber and then back at her. He didn’t have the slightest damn idea.

  *****

  Adam’s shoulders slumped thinking about that day. After Jennifer showed up and told him Amber was his daughter, he panicked and went straight to Abby’s. He told her he couldn’t marry her that day and gave no explanation.

  It was definitely not one of his finer moments and Abby deserved so much better. They all deserved better, including him. He was just so confused at the time and didn’t know what the hell to do.

  How he handled everything the day of what should have been their wedding and then after that day was something he was deeply ashamed of, and he never really truly gave Abby the apology she deserved.

  He decided to stop in at her bakery, Dessert First, where they first met. Seemed like a fitting way to get the closure he seemed to need.

  When he walked in the front door, Abby was standing behind the counter helping a customer. He took the opportunity to stare at the woman he was supposed to marry.

  Abby was classically beautiful. She had long, wavy blonde hair, a cute round face and the bluest eyes he’d ever seen. She was genuinely one of the kindest people he had ever known and deserved way better than what he gave her.