Full Circle

by Jennifer Simpkins

  “I hadn’t heard,” he said, and pretended disinterest. But he was very curious about something else, now he was home again. There was never any breath of scandal, no whispers about the loss of a baby or an abortion, and he wondered how it had been hushed up. Renee was dead on when she talked about small towns and everybody knowing everything. Mia had never mentioned anything and he hadn’t dared to ask, afraid to open that Pandora’s Box. Katriana hadn’t made contact either after dropping the bombshell, probably because she’d moved away, and, smart girl, never returned. If he wasn’t in Seaside now, against his better judgment, he wouldn’t be having these unpleasant memories.

  “She’s doing the flowers for the wedding. She’s amazingly talented, and we’re lucky to have her. The whole area is lucky. Ellie’s become a respected business woman here and we are very proud of her. I don’t know where Mia would be without her.”

  Heath made some noncommittal sound and held out his glass for a refill.

  “She sounds like a paragon.” Melissa didn’t sound sincere, but then even a woman who was a stranger to her would be a threat if others saw her as more special.

  “I imagine she’s changed,” he said, artlessly, or so he hoped. “It’s been years.”

  His father shook his head. “I think she’s just matured. Still the same nice girl and it’s crazy she’s still single.”

  Heath reflected that he could make a remark about his father cornering the market on serial weddings, but decided to be charitable. Maybe let bygones be bygones, not that he would ever let his antipathy for Ellie go. He supposed he could have told Mia why he and Ellie had parted ways, and maybe he should have, considering the woman couldn’t be a positive influence, but his sister had taken Ellie’s side in the awkwardness. She wouldn’t have listened to him, and if he was completely honest, Mia needed a good friend. Ellie had never tried to take advantage of Mia, unlike Katriana who thrived on conflict and adversity. He’d never forget the gleeful anticipation on her face when she showed him the doctor’s report she’d stolen from Ellie’s room. He barely managed to control a wince now at the thought and concentrated on making more small talk, aware of Melissa’s continuing speculation.

  The conversation petered out and they turned to deciding where to go for dinner. His father called Mia at work and asked her to join them, and then orchestrated the timing. It was to be one of those family dinners his little sister touted, and Heath wondered how he’d get through it, while contrarily wishing Melissa wasn’t being included. She went off to change, and Heath wandered over to the big windows, looking out toward the ocean. If he was going to be here for any length of time he’d consider renting a sailboat, the lure of the water suddenly prevalent.

  The scent of heavy perfume and a possessive hand on his back pulled him from his reverie. How long had he stood there watching the water and thinking about— He turned to Melissa, locking down his prior thoughts. Dressed to the nines, she fluttered her lashes at him, the heavy coats of mascara likely a burden in themselves, and he stepped back.

  “I think your father and his fiancée are wonderful,” she said, those pale blue eyes as cold as ever despite her impassioned words. “And I can’t wait to meet your sister.”

  Dropping his gaze over her thin, toned body snugly encased in shimmering, blue fabric, Heath gave into the urge to tamper with her perfect appearance. He wrapped an arm around Melissa’s waist and dragged her up against him, shoving his semi tumescent cock against her mound. She gasped and opened her mouth—likely to protest—before he crashed his lips on hers, working his free hand through her immaculate hairstyle. The crisp stricture of the product holding her hair in place crinkled against his fingers, and Heath closed his senses to anything but getting his cock fully hard. Melissa wasn’t submissive, but she was compliant for the most part to his desires, although he knew she’d be furious he was taking liberties with her appearance.

  She belatedly kissed him back and moved her body against him. Heath continued to work hard at building his arousal, only to have a picture of a seventeen year old Ellie, disheveled and wanting in his arms flash across his retinas, summoned from the depths of memory, triggered by his return to this goddamn place. He was instantly erect, and just as quickly full of distaste for the woman trembling in his arms. He relinquished his hold on her and set her away from him, awkwardly patting at her hair and smoothing his hand over her hip.

  Melissa stared up at him, confusion written across her features and blinked. “What’s wrong?”

  “My father and Renee will be here shortly.”

  “You should have thought of that before you…you jumped me.” She looked as surprised as he felt at her crass terminology, and he fought the urge to laugh.

  With a huff, Melissa strode to the mantel and used the mirror above it to attempt to fix her hair. Catching his eyes in the reflection, she quirked a brow. “Hopefully our rooms aren’t too far apart. Tonight.”

  He had no interest in doing Melissa again, and it would be kinder to tell her so now, maybe make arrangements for her to head back home. But Heath wasn’t feeling kind, and Melissa had her place in his life at the moment. He also didn’t think he was a coward, but any smart man knew to use whatever weapons he had at his disposal. Mia would see his involvement with Melissa and so would everyone else in Seaside, compliments of the gossip mill. There would be no arch questions or comments about his bachelor status, but rather a clear message conveyed to anyone who might care that he was unavailable and hardly interested in picking up the threads of a relationship he might have had when he left Seaside.

  Chapter Three

  “I don’t know about this. Are you sure it’s is a good idea?” Ellie fiddled with her paper napkin, unsure of her decision. “I mean we’re going to have to see each other again sometime in the near future, but I wasn’t planning on tonight. I just found out he was coming back home less than twenty-four hours ago. That wouldn’t be considered enough time for anyone to mentally prepare for something of this magnitude. What do you think?”

  A young girl, stylish with her blonde pixie cut and black framed glasses stared down at her, probably thinking it was about to time to call the psych ward. She’d been reduced to talking to strangers now. “Ma’am, I don’t know. I was just asking if you wanted something to drink while you wait on the rest of your party.”

  Ma’am! Really? She knew it was a sign of respect, but at the moment it made her feel old. And worse, she felt she looked old.

  “Please don’t call me that tonight. You’re a nice girl with obviously good parents who are trying to raise you to be a respectful human being.” And God, now she was just rambling on like a mad woman. “But I just can’t handle it. Not tonight.”

  The waitress gestured in the direction of a pudgy, middle-aged man. His hair was prematurely leaving him, and he was trying to hide his baldness with the last few remaining strands on the top of his head. “My boss won’t be happy. He thinks the more polite we are the more money customers will spend.”

  Ellie laughed, ridding herself of the nerves she’d had since Mia’s invitation to dinner with the Grangers. “That so?”

  “Yes, ma— Uh, sorry, Miss,” the teenager said, still looking unsure about what she was exactly supposed to say.

  Ellie smiled. “We’ll work on that.” She held her hand out. “I’m Ellie, and I have a tough night ahead of me.”

  The waitress accepted with a friendly smile of her own. “Abby.”

  “Nice to meet you, Abby. You’ll call me Ellie. Just plain Ellie.” She wanted to add that Abby could refer to the brown-eyed, dark-haired, most likely still sexy as hell man who was set to arrive any second, as Mr. Jackass, but refrained from making her any more uncomfortable than she already was. And possibly getting her fired. “If your boss has anything to say about it you send him to me.”

  “Oh, God, I’m so sorry I’m late.” Mia rushed to her side, with her polka dot hobo bag bouncing on her shoulder. “Things ran late at work. Why would any sane pare
nts make an appointment to have their family portraits taken during their six-month-old’s bedtime? I assume dad and the rest haven’t arrived yet. I didn’t see their car in the parking lot.”

  “No, just me. Abby here has been keeping me company.” Ellie shrugged. “Well, more like listening to me ramble, to be honest.”

  “Can I get y’all something to drink while you wait on the rest of your party?” Abby asked, pen and notebook in hand. Ellie noticed Abby didn’t call Mia ma’am.

  “A couple of waters will do for now.” Mia answered for the both of them.

  “But please bring your wine list,” Ellie added.

  “Got it.” Exchanging a knowing look and playful grin, Abby asked, “Your long night?”

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  “Your long night? What was that about?” Mia slipped her purse over the back of her chair. She smoothed down her windblown hair, which never looked out of place to Ellie.

  “I kinda let my nerves get the best of me with that teenage waitress. She’s actually a really good listener.”

  Mia placed a warm hand over top of Ellie’s. “It’s going to be fine. Trust me. At least by having dinner with the family you can avoid the awkwardness if you just happen to meet on the street. You have control of the situation this way.”

  Abby dropped off their waters and winked at Ellie as she laid the wine list on the corner of the table.

  Ellie decided she liked the young girl a lot, and felt a little sorry for her at the same time, because being sixteen only meant love would be a painful experience and break her heart. It was inevitable.

  “How’s that?” She was curious as to how she had the upper hand in the situation, because she wasn’t seeing it.

  “Because Heath doesn’t know you’re here. He won’t be prepared.”

  “Are you serious, Mia? Why do you keep doing this to me?” Great. She’d spent all day trying to get Heath and his surprise return to Seaside out of her head. But to her dismay, nothing had worked. When Mia called a few hours earlier, begging her to come to dinner, Ellie agreed. Her hope was that if she finally saw him again and got it out of the way, she would be able to move on and occupy the same town with him without any awkwardness. She was now regretting that decision.

  “What? Don’t worry.”

  Ellie buried her head in her hands and silently screamed, frustrated by the situation Mia had put her in. When she looked back up she saw him. His dark hair was a tad too long for convention, but it suited him. For half a second she let herself imagine what it would feel like to run her fingers through the thick mane. The simple touch used to bring her so much pleasure, but then that thought forced her to remember their last time together and that was enough to bring her back to present time. She couldn’t ignore his same strong, handsome features. Heath gave off an air of command even at this distance, and he wasn’t soft at all from his desk job. So probably not staid either. Of course, he looked more mature, but still like Heath.

  He stopped to say something to the hostess. She motioned in Ellie’s direction, but he’d yet to notice her. A white buttoned up shirt tucked into a pair of dark slacks was anchored with a thin belt. The first two buttons on his shirt were left unattended to, giving him a more casual, cool look. His slick, black dress shoes were the only part of his attire that stood out to her though. The old Heath only wore something so fancy to a funeral or wedding—even then it was iffy.

  And if Heath being beyond sexy wasn’t enough to knock her off balance, him not being alone was. As she had somehow already suspected, a blonde bombshell in a sleek, blue dress hung on Heath’s side, as if claiming him and warding off all other women. High heels showcased her long, tan legs. Ellie became insecure in her simple, flowered sundress paired with white sandals. If this was what he was into… No, Ellie, don’t you dare do that to yourself.

  “Here goes nothing,” she heard herself say, about the same time Heath and Blondie reached the table. Mr. Roy and Renee were not too far behind them. And God, Heath was indeed sexy with a little hint of danger surrounding him.

  Mia saw them about the same time. Leaping to her feet, she about tumbled over her chair, trying to reach Heath. In that moment, seeing how happy her friend was, Ellie figured all the discomfort that was bound to happen tonight would be worth it.

  Mia pulled her brother into a tight hug. “Heath, you’re here!”

  A smile spread across his perfectly shaped lips as he took his sister into his arms. He looked genuinely happy. “It’s good to see you, little sis.”

  Ellie watched the interaction between Mia and Heath, pleased for the both of them. It was apparent they’d missed each other. But all she wished to do was get the dinner over with so she could go home and possibly never leave her house for the foreseeable future—at least not until Heath ran off again.

  Mr. Roy beamed. “It’s wonderful seeing my kids together again. I’ve missed this.”

  Renee acknowledged Ellie first. “I didn’t know you would be here.”

  “Yeah, Mia’s full of surprises. It seems she didn’t tell anyone I was coming tonight,” she said, looking in Heath’s general direction.

  If Renee noticed her glance, she didn’t give any indication. “Well, we’re glad you’re here. You know we think of you as family.”

  Mr. Roy left his children’s side, and Ellie stood, accepting his bear hug. “It’s good to see you, Ellie.”

  “You too, Mr. Roy.”

  The only other person left to greet—well, two people—was Heath and his date.

  And then she was face to face with him. She felt all eyes were on them, but Mia was holding a conversation with Blondie, and Mr. Roy and Renee were taking their seats.

  Heath was first to break the awkward silence. Extending a hand, he leaned into her. At that very moment she made the mistake of inhaling, taking in his fresh smelling cologne. “Ellie.” His voice came out low. And that did funny things to her stomach. The flip flops only got worse as he swept his eyes down her body, from her face to her painted toes and back up to her flaming red cheeks. Damn him.

  “Hi” she said, clearing her throat, clearly not as unfazed by their meeting as he appeared.

  His stare set her body on fire. He made no attempt to move and she became aware she’d failed to shake his hand. She’d taken it into hers, and lord help her. His hand was rough and strong, making her want to shiver. She also couldn’t ignore his eyes as they bore into her, dangerously dark, sending a jolt of excitement to her core. This couldn’t be happening. After all these years, he still had the same effect on her. And then it seemed the connection broke his calm and collected exterior because he didn’t let go immediately. Instead, he raised one beautifully arched eyebrow at her.

  His touch, his smell sent her back to a time when things were just as complicated. Except then she welcomed the complication he brought into her life. His lips, warm and moving over hers. His tongue swirling with hers, sending little jolts of electricity to her sex. His body rubbing against her. The feel of his—

  “Heath, darling, who is this?” Blondie was now back on his side, running her manicured fingers up and down his forearm.

  A cold dose of reality put out the fire that had sparked between her thighs. It was going to be a really long night.

  Heath cleared his throat and collected himself. She wondered if he’d allowed himself to go back to that place too. “This is Mia’s best friend, Ellie Scott. Ellie, this is Melissa Adams.”

  Voice just above a whisper—audible to only Heath and Ellie—Melissa said, “I’m Heath’s lover.”

  Ellie stared back in horror. Was she supposed to have a response to that? No wonder they’d never worked out, if this was the type of woman he’d been waiting for.

  Heath scowled. “Melissa, what are you doing?”

  Ellie suddenly knew exactly what the other woman was up to. She was jealous. Of her! That excited Ellie in some weird way.

  “What?” Melissa feigned an innocent smile for Heath. “I’m only
making conversation with your sister’s” —Melissa cast a disgusted look in Ellie’s direction— “best friend.”

  After the introductions, everyone took their places around the two put-together tables. Mia and Ellie sat on one side, Heath and Melissa on the other, and Mr. Roy and Renee sat on the two opposite ends. Because Ellie hadn’t known Heath would be bringing a date, they had to ask Abby to bring out another chair. Melissa hinted that Ellie was the one who was the surprise guest. Being the bigger person, Ellie bit her tongue. Tonight was about Mia and Mr. Roy coming together with Heath again. She could tolerate Heath and his lover for an hour. She couldn’t guarantee a second longer though.

  After a few moments of them getting settled, Abby stopped by and took their drink orders. As if the server remembered their conversation from earlier, it only took a few minutes for their wine to be poured. Ellie wanted to throw her hands up to the ceiling and thank God for the server’s thoughtfulness, but instead kept herself in check. She nodded to Abby, showing her gratitude.

  Conversation flowed with Mia doing most of the talking. She filled Heath in on her job as a photographer for a local studio and her plans of taking her own senior pictures for the high school toward the end of summer.

  “What does your employer think? Aren’t you taking away their business?” Heath had asked.

  “Well…” Mia grinned from ear to ear at her brother’s sudden interest. “Moments in Time specializes in family portraits, and is way too busy during the summer months with all the weddings going on around here to have time for them.”

  “Your sister is very talented, Heath. Remind me sometime to show you the photos she took for my study,” Mr. Roy bragged, reaching over to pat Mia’s hand.