A Timeless Romance Anthology: Spring Vacation Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology)

by Josi S. Kilpack

  She was afraid to check whether he was in the kitchen. No voices came from there. Maybe Liz was still asleep, or maybe she was cooking breakfast, and Drew was still asleep. Hoping that was the case, Gemma crept up the stairs. Drew’s room was across from hers, and the door stood open. From the top of the stairs, Gemma could see his bed already made. So Drew was the bacon cooker.

  Gemma went into the bathroom, and took a quick shower, then changed into fresh clothing. She headed downstairs to the kitchen, bracing herself. Would seeing Drew be awkward? Sweet? Gemma didn’t feel ready to face him, but putting it off would only make the knot in her stomach tighter.

  She entered the kitchen with a ready smile, only to see that it wasn’t Drew cooking the bacon. “Liz?”

  “Good morning. Thought this would wake you up.” Liz slid a couple of pancakes onto a plate. “The bacon’s almost done.”

  “Thanks,” Gemma said, the brightness of her voice sounded false. “So where’s Drew?”

  “He had to take off. Something about a photo shoot that went wrong with his competition, so when they called him, he couldn’t turn it down. Said he’d be back tonight, or maybe in tomorrow morning at the latest.” Liz poured orange juice into a glass. “I told him we needed girl time anyway.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Gemma said. Her stomach felt like a rock. He hadn’t even said good-bye. “What time did he leave?”

  “I don’t know, about an hour ago? Maybe 8:00?” Liz turned toward the fridge then whipped back around. “What happened between you two?”

  Gemma cursed the heat spreading to her neck. “Nothing. Why?”

  Liz narrowed her eyes. “Because he told me to make sure to tell you he was sorry. Which I didn’t think anything of, until now.” She folded her arms. “Out with it.”

  Gemma sat at the counter and dropped her head into her hands.

  “You... didn’t,” Liz said.

  Gemma lifted her head. “We didn’t, but we might have kissed a little. Or a lot.”

  Covering her mouth with her hand, Liz stared at Gemma. “Oh. My. Gosh.” She rushed around the counter and threw her arms around Gemma with a squeal.

  Gemma felt like she was being crushed. Why did she tell Liz? Now everyone in the Five would find out. Mortification pounded through her. It was all weird, and new, and maybe it wasn’t real. Maybe that’s why Drew left.

  When Liz relaxed her vice grip, she said, “Tell me all of it. Every minute.” Her eyebrows pulled together. “Was it after I went to bed?”

  Gemma nodded, then closed her eyes and blew out a breath. “Maybe it was just the moment. I was so tired and not in my right mind. One minute Randy breaks up with me, and twenty-four hours later...” She couldn’t finish. Letting out a moan she stood up. “I don’t know what to think.”

  “I’m so happy for you guys,” Liz gushed. “I always thought you’d be great together.” She sashayed around the corner and turned off the element beneath the frying pan. She used tongs to remove the bacon then set the pieces on a pile of paper towels.

  Gemma swallowed against her tight throat. She wasn’t hungry anymore. “How long have you thought that? Does everyone else think so too?”

  Liz shrugged. “Maybe we talked about it a time or two, but I guess we figured that if you guys were smart, you’d see the light.”

  Gemma ran her hand through her still-damp hair. “So everyone was in on this but me?”

  A grin spread on Liz’s face.

  Looking at her hands, Gemma thought about last night. Did Drew truly care for her that much? Had he been waiting for her to break up with Randy? Images of all of all the girlfriends she’d met flashed through her mind. Last night’s memories pushed them out of the way.

  “Look at you,” Liz said. “You’re blushing.”

  Gemma touched her warm cheeks. “I’m confused.”

  Liz put a couple of pieces of bacon on Gemma’s plate. “That will clear up. Maybe around the time Drew gets back.” She laughed. “Seriously, Gem, this is awesome.”

  Gemma’s phone rang, coming from the direction of the living room. She scrambled to find it, thinking it might be Drew. By the time she grabbed her phone, it was on its last ring.

  The caller ID told her it was Randy. Her stomach twisted. Why was he calling her?

  She sat on the couch, staring at the screen. The voicemail icon popped up. She didn’t want to listen , didn’t want to hear what kind of message he left, but she retrieved it anyway.

  “Gemma… we need to talk. I’m really sorry about the other night. Call me as soon as you get this... Love ya.”

  Love ya?

  Gemma’s pulse went into hyper-drive. This was unbelievable. A myriad of questions collided together. Why is he apologizing? Does he want to get back together? She leaned over and, with a groan, put her head on her knees.

  If she’d thought she was confused before, it was now worse. She’d completely written Randy off, but now what was she supposed to think...

  “So, you up for the spa?” Liz’s voice came from behind her.

  Gemma looked up. Liz had walked into the living room. She tilted her head. “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah,” Gemma said, standing and slipping her phone in her pocket. She didn’t want to say anything about Randy’s call. What if Liz told Drew? Gemma didn’t know what she wanted Drew to know...

  * * *

  Gemma and Liz spent the morning at Tranquility Spa, getting facials and pedicures. Gemma tried to relax, but she was constantly thinking about either Randy or Drew, and not exactly in the same way. The more she thought of Drew, the less she wanted to reconcile with Randy. Once she returned to the dressing room, she checked her phone. Nothing from Drew. But a text message from Randy: Call me, babe.

  Babe? The word rocked through Gemma. She knew without a doubt that Randy wanted to get back together. Her thumbs hovered over her phone as she wondered if she should reply.

  No, don’t reply. He broke up with you. He said he wanted to be available to get to know other women.

  Why hadn’t Drew texted her? Even if he was working, was he at least thinking about her? Or was he happy to be gone? When he woke up this morning, did he regret what happened last night?

  Did I imagine everything with Drew? How it felt to be in his arms?

  Maybe I was just a night of fun for him.

  Another woman to add to his trophy case.

  Gemma put away her phone then dressed. A few minutes later she met Liz in the lobby.

  “Let’s eat,” Liz said, her face pinked from the facial.

  Gemma let Liz drag her shopping after lunch. Gemma tried to immerse herself in trinkets and clothing and home décor, but her mind was always someplace else. Still no contact with Drew, and nothing else came in from Randy.

  It was nearly dark when they walked back to the beach house, hands full of shopping bags. Gemma wasn’t even sure what she’d bought, but she did know she’d spent way too much. She hoped the floral shop had a great prom season.

  Gemma munched on chips and salsa while Liz heated water for the pasta she’d brought. “At least let me make the salad,” Gemma said. “You don’t have to cook for everyone all the time.”

  “It’s nice to fix food that will actually be eaten.” Liz flashed a dimpled smile. “My daughter is so picky.”

  Gemma reached for the cutting board and started chopping carrots, then moved on to slicing tomatoes. A knock sounded at the door, sending Gemma’s heart racing.

  “Did Drew forget his key?” Liz asked.

  Gemma shrugged, although inside, she was a knot of nerves.

  Liz passed her, and Gemma listened for a greeting at the door. The voice that spoke to Liz was definitely a man. Drew? Then why wasn’t he coming into the kitchen? Finally Gemma turned around. Liz came into view. Behind her, was Randy.

  Gemma thought her heart might stop.

  Randy grinned, holding a huge bouquet of flowers. He walked right up to her and bent to kiss her cheek. “Hi, babe. Sorry for barging in on
your weekend, but I couldn’t wait to see you.” He looked around the kitchen. “Where’s all your friends?”

  Gemma stood frozen in place.

  Liz filled him in on everyone’s whereabouts, but Randy didn’t seem to be paying much attention. He took a seat next to Gemma as if he were the honored guest, and there was nothing weird about him showing up and giving her roses after breaking up with her so cruelly.

  Gemma’s hand went to her cheek where he’d kissed her. What had just happened?

  “Mmm. Pasta for dinner?” Randy said.

  “Yep. You’re... uh, welcome to stay,” Liz said, her voice sounding a bit hesitant. Both Randy and Liz looked at Gemma. She blinked, the lights in the kitchen suddenly too hot and the room too warm.

  “What are you doing here, Randy?” Gemma asked.

  An uncomfortable smile crossed his face. “Sorry, babe, I know it was kind of out of the blue.” His eyes flicked to Liz, who turned down the element then made herself scarce.

  Don’t leave me with him, Gemma wanted to say. But she knew she had to face this—as unwelcome as it was.

  Randy reached for her hand. Gemma started to pull away, but he wrapped her hand in his. “Did you get my message?”

  Gemma nodded. Her pulse was pounding like crazy. Not because he was trying to get her back, but because he thought he could get her back with some sweet words and flowers. Anger shot through her. “What do you want?” she asked, keeping her voice even. It had only been two days since their breakup, but sitting next to him now made her realize that she didn’t want him back.

  His fingers caressed hers. “I just want to talk. I don’t like how things ended the other night.”

  She swallowed back the revulsion that his touch gave her. “You don’t like how you broke up with me?”

  He leaned toward her, his expression contrite. “I was an idiot.” He lifted his hand and touched her cheek. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. Maybe it took having that fight to realize how much I care about you.”

  It wasn’t a fight, Gemma wanted to yell. You told me you didn’t want to be trapped. And even now, when you want to get back together, you say care, not love.

  She closed her eyes and blew out a breath. She had no choice but to tell him she didn’t want to get back together, ever. But before she could open her eyes and speak, she felt his lips on hers. Gemma pulled away with a gasp.

  “Oh,” Liz said, entering the kitchen.

  Drew was right behind her.

  Gemma wanted to die, but she didn’t know how much until Drew turned and left. Not a word to her, not a word to Randy. No explanation to Liz either. Drew didn’t give her a chance to explain that what he saw was far from what had really happened. The sound of a door shutting was almost as awful as hearing his car peel out onto the street.

  “Wow, what’s up with him?” Randy said in the dead silence.

  Gemma felt like she was in a horrible dream, or more accurately, a nightmare. She’d give anything to wake up someplace with all of this as some hazy memory. She stood and hurried out of the kitchen. She took the stairs two at a time to her bedroom, then shut the door and locked it. With trembling hands, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and called Drew’s number.

  Tears burned her eyes. If Drew answered, she’d sound like a crying mess. But she didn’t care. She had to talk to him—had to explain. Later, she’d also have to apologize for leaving Liz alone with Randy—what would she tell him?

  Four rings, and the call went into Drew’s voicemail. Her heart ached as she listened to his voice. She hung up before it clicked over and dialed again. Two rings, and then it stopped. He’d cancelled the call.

  Gemma sank onto her bed, her arms wrapped around her torso. She felt sick, but it still couldn’t be as bad as Drew must feel. Just seeing the pained look on his face before he stormed out told her more than anything Drew had said last night, and more than the way he’d kissed and held her.

  Last night was real for Drew, Gemma realized. I wasn’t a one-time distraction.

  She sent him a text, hoping he hadn’t blocked her number. Please call me. I didn’t know Randy was coming over or that he wanted to get back together. He kissed me by surprise.

  She waited a few minutes. No reply. Gemma fell onto her bed, tears soaking her face. She heard the downstairs door shut, and then a few moments later, Liz speaking on the other side of her door.

  “You okay, Gem?” She knocked softly. “Randy left.”

  Randy is gone, Gemma texted. Please come back.

  “Gemma?” Liz said.

  “I’ll be out in a minute.” Gemma’s voice felt scratchy and shaky. She took a deep breath and texted Drew again.

  When I woke up and you were gone, I didn’t know what you thought about last night. Maybe I was insecure, so I didn’t text or call you all day, wondering if you regretted it.

  Minutes passed with no answer.

  I’m so sorry. Please know that Randy showing up was as horrible for me as it was for you.

  No reply. Gemma pulled a pillow over her head and screamed into it.

  Drew, you’re way more important to me than Randy is—than Randy ever was.

  There, she’d made her feelings clear. Drew could either reply or not. Gemma couldn’t do anything more if he refused to talk to her. Now she had lost both Drew and Randy. She curled up on her bed, clutching the pillow to her chest, praying that the phone would ring or a text message would come in. But everything remained silent.

  Liz came back. “I brought you some tea,” she said through the door.

  Gemma got up, her head feeling like it might split in half. She opened the door and let Liz in. She had her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail and had washed her makeup off. They sat together on the floor, leaning against the bed.

  “If you didn’t look so miserable, this would be really funny,” Liz said.

  “I don’t think it will ever be funny.” The tea scalded Gemma’s throat as she took a sip, but she didn’t care.

  After a few moments of sitting in silence, Liz said, “So it looks like Randy wanted to get back together.”

  “Apparently... and in front of everyone too,” Gemma mumbled.

  Liz patted Gemma’s leg. “A man who likes to stake his claim.”

  Gemma shook her head. “Talk about the worst timing ever. I could kill Randy.”

  “So you don’t want to get back together with him?”

  “No,” Gemma retorted. “How can you ask that?”

  Liz pursed her lips. “Just wanted to be sure. I think that will make Drew very happy.”

  “Ha,” Gemma said. “He won’t even answer my calls or texts.”

  “You called him?”

  “Twice,” Gemma whispered. She slumped against the bed; she was exhausted. From everything and everyone. And none of it was her fault. Randy had broken up with her, Randy had showed up with flowers, and Drew happened to walk in at the worst possible moment. He wouldn’t even let her explain before he took off. If anything, the men were to blame for this mess.

  “Randy wasn’t too happy when you ran upstairs,” Liz said. “But I think he got the hint. He shoved the roses in the kitchen garbage.”

  “Really?” Gemma asked, her voice gaining strength. It sounded like she wouldn’t have to have another breakup conversation with him.

  Liz put her arm around Gemma and squeezed. “Drew will be back.”

  But Gemma wasn’t so sure. “Something always seems to come between us.”

  “Yeah, you,” Liz said.

  Gemma looked at Liz. “What are you talking about?”

  “What if... what if you went to find him?” Liz raised a brow. “Tell him how you feel.”

  How I feel? “I don’t even know where he lives—he moved over the summer.”

  “Hmm. I didn’t know that,” Liz said. “Maybe he’ll answer if I text him.”

  “No, don’t,” Gemma said, grabbing Liz’s arm. “You’re right. I have to do something. I’ll figure it out.”
<
br />   Chapter Seven

  Morning took forever to arrive, but even when it did, Gemma still didn’t know how to repair things with Drew. Maybe she couldn’t, but her heart’s rapid beating told her that she needed to at least try.

  She started by getting on the computer in the beach house office. Thankfully the internet service was active. She searched for Drew’s photography website, but that didn’t give her any leads. Was he still working on that last-minute assignment? Or maybe he’d finished it, and he was home or somewhere else.

  Gemma checked her phone again, even though it was fully charged and the volume was all the way up. Still no reply from Drew. Randy had been silent too, which was a good thing.

  She rubbed her forehead and exhaled. About the only thing left to do was to try tracking him down through his sister or his parents. She felt like an idiot contacting them like this, but if Gemma didn’t act now, it might be too late to talk to Drew.

  When she found his parents’ number online, she recognized it right away. It was the same number he’d had in high school. She checked the time and hoped that 9:00 on a Sunday morning wasn’t too early.

  A woman’s voice answered—Drew’s mom. “Mrs. Chandler? This is Gemma Staheli...” The next few moments were spent with pleasantries. Then Gemma asked Drew’s mom if she knew where he might be working today, or if he was at his new place. Gemma claimed to have lost his number.

  “I thought he was with all you high-school friends this weekend,” Mrs. Chandler said. “He’s not at his new place—there was a pipe break last week, so he’s been staying here. But I haven’t seen him since he left for the reunion.”

  Where did he stay last night? “He was called on a last-minute job and had to leave suddenly.” Sort of true. “We wanted to swing by and say good-bye, and, of course, get his number again.” None of that was true.

  “I’m not exactly sure where he’d be, dear, especially if it was last minute.”

  Gemma tried not to sigh aloud.

  “But you know those photographers—they have their favorite haunts. You might try the Dana Point Marine Cove or Ruby Park in Laguna Beach—he made us do our family photos there last year. Other than that, he could be anywhere. Drew doesn’t always have a say with magazines, you know.”