His fist hit the steering wheel, hard. Why had he gotten himself into this mess?
Because I’ve been an immature idiot.
Again thoughts of Tess’s quiet probing questions returned. She always managed to talk about him, learn about him, whether it was on a walk under the stars or over dinner at their favorite Italian restaurant. Why hadn’t he asked the same questions in return? He couldn’t say. Maybe he’d been so flattered, so thrilled to be in her spotlight, that reciprocating hadn’t mattered.
It matters now.
The seatbelt dug into his shoulder, and the seat felt hard beneath him. James shifted his position, uncomfortable for more reasons than that. He was suddenly grateful he’d changed clothes. He looked a sight—jeans and a t-shirt with sneakers, a far cry from the top-of-the-line suit he’d worn a few hours earlier. He glanced in the rear-view mirror and grunted at the sight of his hair standing every which way. His usual attention to grooming now seemed about as important as the internship, meaning not at all. Tess loved him no matter what he looked like; he was sure of that. She’d love him in old sweats with the two-day scruff he grew on weekends.
That’s just the way she was.
He passed a sign announcing an upcoming exit for Buckeye. Hope had told him to be sure to fill his car there, as there weren’t too many gas stations beyond that for miles. Good thing—he wouldn’t have thought to stop if she hadn’t told him to. Truth be told, he didn’t want to exit now, either—any delay would mean increasing the distance between him and Tess. But running out of gas meant not finding her at all.
His Mercedes rolled to a stop at the only gas station he found still open after midnight. After filling up, he went inside to use the restroom—a precaution against needing to make a second stop—and bought a few snacks and drinks to keep his energy up for the drive.
The cashier rang up James’s items and made small talk. “Don’t see too many people in these parts at this hour.”
“No, I suppose you wouldn’t,” James said, getting his debit card out. As he slipped the card from his wallet, his head came up. If Hope recommended that he stop here because she and Tess often did... “This may sound crazy,” he began. “But by any chance, did a young woman come through here earlier tonight?” He held his hand shoulder high. “About this tall, light brown hair.”
“Pretty as a peach?” the man said. “I seen a gal about like that not two hours ago. But then, that description could be a lot of women.”
The cashier was right. James nodded, now searching the pictures on his phone until he found a good one of Tess, one taken at another friend’s wedding. A new thought intruded on his mind: How many weddings had they attended together, and how many had been daggers to Tess’s heart? Shaking off the thought, he showed the picture to the man.
“Yep. She’s the one. Came through an hour and a half, two hours ago. Got some gas and food, just like you.”
Tess was two hours ahead of him? James’s stomach twisted a bit; what were the chances of him making up that kind of time? Assuming it was really Tess that the man had seen.
“Pretty Mustang she got,” the man continued. “Powerful engine. But good luck catching up to her.” The man chuckled, making his middle jiggle.
So it was Tess then. “Thanks,” James said as he tucked his phone back into his pocket. He swiped his card, gathered his purchases, and pushed the convenience store door open, heading for his car with a determined stride.
Two hours ago, Tess had been here. Or less time than that, maybe.
I’ll catch up to her yet.
Chapter Six
Tess pulled into her mother’s driveway on Irvine Avenue as the velvety dark of night gave way to purple gray. The black sky was gradually surrendering to morning, but the sun had yet to make its appearance. Tess glanced at the car’s clock, surprised she’d made the drive in just over five hours.
No way can I wake up Mom yet. Tess could only imagine the heart attack she’d give her mother if she tried ringing the doorbell at this hour; she’d answer the door in a frenzy, panicked that cops would be on the stoop, waiting to give her horrible news. Ever since Tess’s father died, her mother had been on the overly protective side.
Tess had a key, but she didn’t dare use that, either—her mother might think she was an intruder and come into the kitchen with the pepper spray from her purse. That would be quite the welcome. No, waiting for an hour—or two—would probably be wise. Tess put her car into reverse and back out of the driveway then headed for the nearby peninsula and the piers along it. This early, the businesses near the beach wouldn’t be open. She’d be able to meander along the boardwalk and think. Ponder what came next in her life.
The drive took her only a few minutes, and she found a parking spot easily; the beach was deserted except for a middle-aged woman walking a dog. Tess snagged her old college sweatshirt from the back seat, locked the car, and headed for Newport Pier. As she crossed the sand, she suddenly hated how little she moved forward with each step—the sand seemed to suck up her energy and drag her back. The adrenaline that had carried her all night was gone, leaving exhaustion in its place. She’d never noticed or cared about that part of walking in sand before, but after last night, even the beach had become a hideous metaphor for her relationship with James: movement without progress.
She finally reached the pier, where she closed her eyes, hugging herself, as she breathed in the salty air. A new day, a new life, she told herself as she stepped onto the boardwalk. Soon she’d watch the sun come up behind her, making the sea sparkle like diamonds.
She made her way halfway down the boardwalk, about a hundred feet, then leaned against the rail and gazed out over the ocean as the light turned more gray than purple at morning’s promised arrival. Usually the pier calmed her, focused her thoughts. It was her personal yoga whenever she visited her mother. Not today. Not when thoughts of James plagued her. She tried to get rid of them by closing her eyes and breathing deeply, but his face, his smile, his touch, were there.
Tess sighed, turned to rest her back against the railing, and pulled out her phone, something that was almost a reflex. She almost didn’t turn it on. She’d kept it on Do Not Disturb mode—after removing James from her Favorites list—so only important calls would sound. But she’d see any missed calls and texts now. Her finger hovered over the button as she tried to get the courage to check. Had James called? Texted? And if not, should she care?
“Enough!” she said, chastising herself. No more of letting James’s behavior—or lack thereof—influence her actions. She clicked the button, and the screen lit up. She swiped her finger and entered her passcode. With a gulp, she looked down. Ten missed calls. Two voice messages. Seven texts.
Her thumb hovered over the text message icon for just a second before tapping it—just to see if they were all from James. They were. She checked the phone log too. All the missed calls and both messages were from James’s number. Good. Let him suffer.
Why am I still caring about what he does? Stop it! She clicked her phone off and tucked it into her back jeans pocket, gritting her teeth. Again she leaned against the rail, staring over the water, willing the sun to come up and start her new life. She’d freelance from Newport, living in her mother’s guest room until she was on her feet and could afford her own place—one that, granted, wouldn’t be in such an expensive neighborhood. But it would be away from James in Tempe.
Except that he’d be in New York.
Fine. Away from memories of James in Tempe.
In spite of herself, tears welled in her eyes and ran down her cheeks. At the sound of footsteps on the wooden boardwalk, Tess swiped her face dry with both hands, not wanting some stranger to see her crying. It was probably someone who worked at the restaurant at the end of the pier, heading over to get the place ready to open for the day.
“Tess?”
James? James!
Her heart beat furiously, and she whipped around in shock. With the first rays of dawn slipping
over the horizon behind him, Tess couldn’t make out his face at first. But when he saw her turn around, he began running toward her. Adrenaline shot through her. Did she want to see him? Should she send him away? Was her heart hammering with anger or hope?
An image of the party last night flashed into her mind again. That decided it. She folded her arms and glared at him. He was wearing the t-shirt that showed off his defined chest, the one she’d nearly drooled over the first time he’d worn it. Glaring at him suddenly became a challenge. Focus, Tess! She hardened her face.
James must have seen her face, because he slowed then stopped several feet from her. Her heart ached—for only a moment—that he hadn’t scooped her into his arms and kissed her. That she hadn’t been able to feel his chest beneath her hands, thread her fingers through his hair as she kissed him back...
Focus! she ordered herself. First things first. “Why are you... I mean, you’re here. How did you find me?”
James took a step forward, but at her raised eyebrow, he halted and put up both hands as if to show he meant no harm. “I had to find you. When you weren’t home—”
“You went to my apartment?” Why that surprised her, she didn’t know.
“What else was I supposed to do when you wouldn’t answer your phone or reply to my texts?”
Maybe he did care. The safe shell she’d constructed around her heart softened a tad. But only a tad. She wouldn’t be sucked into his world of girlfriend limbo again.
“I was so worried that something had happened to you, that maybe you’d been in an accident or something.”
“Wait. You came looking for me to be sure I was safe? Because if I wasn’t, oh, dead, of course I’d answer your every beck and call?” The shell hardened. “What about—about—” She couldn’t get the words out. What about humiliating me? What about leading me on? What about discarding me after I gave you my heart?
“Hope told me you’d gone to visit your mother.”
Tess’s arms were still folded, but as much to hold herself together as to pretend she was strong. Because she wasn’t strong, not even almost. James could crook his finger, and it would be all she could do not to melt into his arms. But she couldn’t do that. Wouldn’t.
He’d known she was safe—on her way to California. So why follow?
“How did you find me? I never gave you my mother’s address.” She sighed. “Hope, right?”
He nodded. “I sort of managed to get her to tell me.”
“I can’t believe her.”
James continued, speaking over Tess. “And when your car wasn’t at your mom’s, I called Hope to ask where else to look. She told me to drive down here, and I found your car. Wasn’t hard to recognize.”
Emotions clashed inside Tess. Her thoughts were little more than a tangled jumble. She clung to one clear thought. “Hope helped you—twice? She swore she wouldn’t say a word to you, because—because—”
He raised his gaze to hers again. “Because I’m a fence-sitting jerk.” He said it so matter-of-factly that it sent a stab into Tess’s heart.
“Yeah.” The single word came out in a whisper of surprise. Her brow furrowed. Needle pricks at the corners of her eyes threatened more tears. None of this made sense. Why was James here? What was last night about? What should she do? “I-I don’t understand.”
“But I finally do.” This time when he stepped closer, she didn’t protest. He hesitantly reached for her left hand, and then her right. Tess let him hold the fingers of both hands—just her fingers. Her eyes were locked on their hands—they fit together like puzzle pieces.
She shook her head and swallowed, but as she opened her mouth to protest, James spoke first. “You were right to leave. I have been a total jerk. I’ve taken you for granted. I made promises I didn’t keep. I haven’t respected you for the smart, funny, hard-working... hot woman you are.”
Tess couldn’t help but smile a bit at that.
He squeezed her fingers. “And then, when you left last night, my world fell apart. I finally realized that if you aren’t in my life, nothing else matters.”
The shell around her heart was cracking, and a glimmer of light peeked through. She studied his eyes. He seemed to be studying hers. His were bloodshot, and—was she imagining those tears at the corners?
“I’d give up everything for you,” he said. “My parents can go hang if they don’t approve. I want to be with you, always.” He closed the distance and pulled her close. “Oh, Tess. I wish I could show you how much I love you.” He rested his head against hers.
She nestled into his embrace, inhaling his musky cologne, but she didn’t quite dare to relax. Instead, she pressed her hands against his chest—oh, that chest—braced to push him away. For good, if she needed to.
“What’s the point? You’re going to New York, and you’ll be too busy for me... again.” She gazed at the faded maroon markings on his shirt, waiting for his answer.
James reached down and lifted her chin so their gazes met. At the expression in his eyes, goose bumps shot down her arms, and her middle erupted as if a cluster of butterflies were trying to escape. “I gave up the internship.”
“But that was your dream...” How could he turn it down, especially after he’d told his family and friends all about it? Unless...
“I don’t care about some snooty internship,” James said with a shake of his head. “Not if it means losing you. I’ll sell used cars if I have to. But I won’t be apart from you for another day, not if I can help it.” He stared at her for a long moment then slowly lowered to one knee. “Marry me, Tess,” he whispered.
She couldn’t answer for several seconds; her mind spun with everything he’d said—it was like everything had rewound. This was the moment she’d imagined for so long, but it was nothing like she’d pictured it.
When she didn’t speak, color drained from James’s face. He stood again, holding her hand to his chest, pain in his eyes. Tess could feel his heart speeding up.
“Please,” he whispered. “Tell me I’m not too late.”
Emotions coursed through Tess, making her tears finally fall. “No,” she finally said.
His voice hitched as he said. “No? I—Tess, please.”
Tess laughed, sending happy tears down her cheeks as her exhaustion and emotions got the better of her. “I meant no, you’re not too late.”
James’s entire body shuddered with a sigh of relief. He pulled her close and held her as if he’d never let her go. When he finally pulled back, he leaned in and kissed her long and hard. She’d missed his kiss all night, but this was no ordinary kiss. It was enough to make her toes curl in her shoes. She came away lightheaded.
“So what time do you think we can find a jeweler open?” James asked, stroking the bare finger her left hand. “We need to put ring on that today.”
“After we tell my mom, and she feeds us breakfast,” Tess said, slipping her arm around his waist as he rested his arm on her shoulders. They walked back toward the beach together, Tess resting her head on his shoulder.
“I don’t suppose that when we tell your mom, we could leave out the part about me driving after you all night because I was a total idiot?”
“I think we could manage that,” Tess said. She stopped at the edge of the boardwalk, and James took her cue and paused in his step too.
“Something wrong?” he asked hesitantly.
“No,” Tess said. She nodded forward, where dawn was breaking. “It’s a new day.” She went on tiptoe and kissed his cheek—deliciously rough with a hint of stubble. “A new day for us.”
About Annette Lyon
Annette Lyon is a Whitney Award winner, the recipient of Utah’s Best in State medal for fiction, and the author of ten novels, a cookbook, and a grammar guide as well as over a hundred articles. She’s a senior editor at Precision Editing Group and a cum laude graduate from BYU with a degree in English. When she’s not writing, editing, knitting, or eating chocolate, she can be found mothering and avoiding sp
ots on the kitchen floor.
Find her online at http://blog.annettelyon.com and on Twitter: @AnnetteLyon
Other Works by Annette Lyon
Lost Without You
http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Without-You-ebook/dp/B003VIX1IG/
At the Water’s Edge
http://www.amazon.com/At-the-Waters-Edge-ebook/dp/B004NIFOEC/
Band of Sisters
http://www.amazon.com/Band-of-Sisters-ebook/dp/B005LKE8MA/
Band of Sisters: Coming Home
http://www.amazon.com/Band-Sisters-Coming-Home-ebook/dp/B00AYNQCWS/
The Newport Ladies Book Club: Paige
http://www.amazon.com/Paige-ebook/dp/B008SFPMSY/
House on the Hill
http://www.amazon.com/House-on-the-Hill-ebook/dp/B005LJYZNI/
At the Journey’s End
http://www.amazon.com/At-The-Journeys-End-ebook/dp/B005LJYZRO/
Spires of Stone
http://www.amazon.com/Spires-of-Stone-ebook/dp/B005LKE870/
Tower of Strength
http://www.amazon.com/Tower-of-Strength-ebook/dp/B005LKE8IO/
Chocolate Never Faileth
http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Never-Faileth-Annette-Lyon/dp/1608610470/
There, Their, They’re: A No-Tears Guide to Grammar from the Word Nerd
http://www.amazon.com/There-Their-Theyre-No-Tears-ebook/dp/B004HO5G86/
The Golden Cup of Kardak
http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Cup-Kardak-ebook/dp/B005FH2JJI/
Visit Annette Lyon’s Amazon Author Page
http://www.amazon.com/Annette-Lyon/e/B001K8ET9O/
Dancing at the Flea Market
by Heather Justesen
A Timeless Romance Anthology: Spring Vacation Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology) Page 9
