Second Chances

by T. M. Franklin

  “Guy? What guy? What are you talking about?” Carter planted his feet on the plush carpet. “What’s going on?”

  “He’s gay, Carter.”

  “Gay? Who? Henry?” Carter’s head was spinning.

  “No, not Henry.” She laughed. “Martin.”

  Carter rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the headache he could feel coming on. “Who the hell’s Martin?”

  Tess waved her hands in exasperation. “The guy you saw with Kenzie last night. Aren’t you listening?”

  “I’m listening. It’s just a little hard to keep up.”

  “Yeah. I get that a lot,” she said with a slight frown. “Anyway, I got to meet her last night. She really is amazing, and so nice! She told me to call her Kenzie, isn’t that sweet? She autographed my book—well, your book.” Tess pulled the novel out of her shoulder bag and handed it to Carter. He reached out slowly to take it. “I told her all about you.”

  “You did what?”

  “She was really interested, Carter,” Tess continued in a rather enticing voice. “She kept asking questions about you.”

  “Okay, enough,” Carter said gruffly. “Tell me what this is all about. Now,” he ordered. At Tess’s wide-eyed look, he sighed. “Please.”

  Tess huffed slightly. “It’s simple, Carter. Kenzie is not involved with that guy Martin. He’s just a friend she takes to events so she doesn’t have to be alone. She’s lonely, Carter. She misses you.”

  “She said that?”

  “Oh for heaven’s sake. Men are such idiots!” Tess exclaimed, slugging him in the shoulder lightly. “Of course she didn’t say it, but it was very obvious. I could see it on her face whenever I said your name.”

  Carter collapsed onto the sofa, reaching up to clutch at his hair. “What do I do?” he asked finally, his head still spinning.

  She’d met Henry, which meant he was real.

  Which meant his other life was real. Didn’t it?

  Or maybe . . . maybe it was a lesson . . . a warning.

  “She’s staying at the Four Seasons, but she told me she’s catching a flight later this morning,” Tess told him. “She’s heading home to visit her family for Christmas. Now’s your chance to catch her before she leaves.”

  Kenzie was here . . . in the here and now.

  Maybe it wasn’t too late.

  At Carter’s dazed look, Tess narrowed her eyes. “It’s been ten years. Have you learned nothing, Carter?” she asked quietly.

  Carter stiffened at that. All was not lost. In this life, there was still a chance . . . but he had to take it. He couldn’t let it slip away.

  “There’s not much time,” she added. “What’s it gonna be, Carter?”

  I’m not running away this time.

  Carter shot to his feet. “Do I have time for a shower?”

  Tess smiled brightly. “Yes, but make it fast. No time to shave. The scruffy look’s kind of sexy anyway.” She shoved him into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. “And do that tousled thing you do with your hair,” she called through the door. “Women love that.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he called back as he stepped under the spray.

  Carter thought he might have heard her mutter something derogatory about men on the other side of the door, but he couldn’t be sure. He showered quickly, scrubbing his hair with a towel after wiping the steam from the mirror. He frowned at the damp mop, running his hand through it quickly.

  Tousled? He twisted a few sandy strands, but they bounced back to their customary position—wild and uncontrollable.

  “Carter, hurry up!” Tess yelled impatiently. Carter shrugged at his reflection and walked into the bedroom, a towel draped around his hips.

  Tess had apparently gone through his luggage while he was in the shower. A set of clothes lay on the bed—underwear, socks, jeans, and a white cotton shirt.

  “Making yourself at home, I see,” he shouted into the other room as he pulled on the shirt.

  “Just get dressed, Carter. We don’t have time for this,” she hollered back.

  Carter threw on his clothes, slid his feet into his favorite pair of worn boots, and grabbed a wool coat from the closet.

  “You’re much pushier than I remember from last night,” he said as he shrugged into the coat and picked up his old leather satchel, tucking Kenzie’s book inside.

  Tess shrugged. “Just part of my charm. Now come on, let’s go already,” she ordered.

  They hurried to the elevator and Tess pressed the button for the underground garage. “I brought my car,” she explained. “Didn’t want to have to wait for a cab.” She checked her watch. “We should make it just in time.”

  When the elevator doors opened, they ran through the parking garage, Carter trailing after Tess as she dodged between the parked cars. He stifled a laugh when she came to a stop next to a huge purple Lincoln.

  “Hey,” she said defensively, “don’t mock the Lincoln. It’s a classic.”

  “I didn’t say a word,” Carter replied, holding his hands up in front of him. “Can you even drive this thing in New York?”

  Tess patted the roof affectionately as she unlocked the door.

  “When people see this baby coming, they get out of the way,” she said.

  “I’ll bet.”

  Tess handled the monstrous car with ease, pulling effortlessly out of the garage and into traffic. Carter was surprised to see that she was right. People did get out of the way.

  “Why are you doing this?” he asked quietly as she sped past a cab, pulling in front of it quickly and ignoring the horn blaring behind her.

  “He was going too slow,” she replied absently.

  “No,” Carter clarified with a laugh. “I mean, why are you helping me? We hardly know each other.”

  “Oh, that.” Tess smiled widely. “Guess I’m just a sucker for love.”

  She skidded around a corner and screeched to a stop in front of the Four Seasons.

  “Okay, you’re up,” she said brightly as Carter’s stomach turned somersaults. “Go get your girl, Carter.”

  He reached for the door handle and stepped out onto the sidewalk, ducking his head back inside before closing it.

  “No matter what happens, thank you, Tess,” he said.

  She waved a hand. “Just don’t let her get away again, okay?”

  Carter nodded and shut the door, turning to jog toward the hotel’s entrance. He heard Tess gun the Lincoln’s engine, and then she was gone.

  He was on his own. Where should he start? His mind raced as he wove through a crowd of people walking out the entry doors. Would the desk clerk even tell him which room Kenzie was in? Carter would have to be persistent. Hell, he’d wait in the lobby until she showed up if he had to.

  He’d find a way.

  Squaring his shoulders, Carter pulled open the glass door, holding it for a group of people coming out, politeness winning out over impatience.

  Then he saw her.

  She passed within inches of him, pulling a rolling suitcase, her attention on a telephone call.

  “No, I’m leaving the hotel now,” she said as the scent of her perfume wafted toward his nose. It was different than he remembered, but somehow uniquely Kenzie.

  Had it only been a few hours since they lay in bed together, whispering in the darkness? Fewer still since he held her hand and told her he loved her?

  Carter could barely take a breath. His heart clenched in his chest, as though unwilling to pump blood through his body. He could hardly believe she was there in front of him—alive and well—almost close enough to touch if he reached out.

  “Yes, I’ll have to deal with it when I get to Woodlawn,” she said as she approached a black town car waiting at the curb, unaware of Carter trailing behind her. “Yes . . . yes, I’ll call you when I land . . . okay . . . okay! Sheesh, cut me a break, Maddie, it’s Christmas!” Kenzie handed her suitcase to the driver and turned back toward the hotel.

 
“Yes, yes, I promise I’ll—” Her words cut off abruptly, her eyes widening as she finally noticed Carter standing just a few feet away.

  He took a step toward her. “Kenzie.”

  Her mouth opened and closed a few times, no sound coming forth. Finally, she blinked, shaking her head slightly. Carter could hear whoever was on the other end of the phone talking rapidly.

  “Mad, I’ll have to call you back,” Kenzie said quietly, hanging up without waiting for an answer.

  They stood for a moment, staring at each other. Kenzie finally cleared her throat. “Carter. It’s . . . it’s been a long time.”

  Carter licked his lips, taking another step toward her. “Too long.”

  “How have you been?” she asked, feigning nonchalance, but Carter recognized the telltale flush on her cheeks, the bite of her lip that proved her nervousness.

  “Honestly? Not good, Kenzie. Not good for a very long time,” he admitted.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, her voice cracking slightly. She cleared her throat and looked away for a moment. “Carter, what are you doing here?”

  “I came to find you.”

  “Me? Why?” Her chin lifted slightly, and Carter recognized the flash of anger in her eyes. “It’s been ten years, Carter. Why come find me now?”

  Carter took a deep breath.

  All in.

  Now or never.

  “I miss you,” he told her, taking another step closer. “I love you.”

  She stared at him in shock, and he took advantage of her speechlessness. “I know it took me a while to figure it out,” he continued quickly, now close enough to touch her. He didn’t, though. He didn’t want to scare her off. Instead, his eyes raked over her face, taking in the familiar curve of her cheek . . . the stain of pink on her chilled skin . . . the flutter of her hair in the icy breeze.

  “I’m sorry it took so long,” he continued, “but if you’ll give me a chance, I swear I’ll make it up to you, Kenzie.”

  She looked away, the wind blowing her hair back from her face. Carter stared at her, unable to take his eyes off her. He half feared that if he did, she would disappear.

  “What makes you think I feel the same?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “It’s been a long time. Things are different now.”

  “I know,” he said. “I know I have no right to ask you for anything. But I am. I’m asking.”

  She blinked at him, her eyes soft, scared. “You really hurt me,” she said.

  “I know,” he replied softly. “I know I did, and I’m so sorry. It’s the biggest regret of my life. But someone told me recently that second chances aren’t about fixing mistakes as much as learning from them.

  “I’ve learned, Kenzie. I’ve learned what it means to really love someone.” She turned back to him and he prayed he was getting through. “I’ve learned that it’s not all about romantic gestures and fancy words,” he said fervently. “It’s about doing the laundry and paying the bills. It’s about raising a family and being there to tuck your kids into bed at night. It’s about day in and day out living life together . . . through the good times and the bad.

  “For a long time I regretted what happened between us. But I was so paralyzed by what happened then that I couldn’t see the possibilities of now. I was so wrapped up in thinking about what might have been that I couldn’t see what could be.”

  “Carter, it’s been ten years,” Kenzie said again, crossing her arms over her chest. “Sure, I was hurt at the time . . . for a long time, actually, but I got over it. I’ve moved on.”

  “Have you?” he asked, leaning toward her, his eyes searching hers for the truth. “Because if you really have, I’ll go. If you can tell me that it’s really over—that you don’t have any feelings left for me—that there’s no chance for us anymore, I’ll go, Kenzie, and I won’t bother you again.

  “But if there is a chance,” he said softly. “If there’s a possibility that we could build something together here . . . now . . . please don’t turn away from it. I’ll fight for us, Kenzie. I’ll do whatever it takes if you’ll give me a chance—give us a chance.

  “We could have an amazing life, Kenzie. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen what we can be together when we really try to make it work, and it’s amazing. You wouldn’t believe it . . . how amazing it is.” He reached out, taking her chilled hand in both of his. “Just a beginning. That’s all I’m asking for. We could go have breakfast—or a cup of coffee—whatever you want.”

  Kenzie opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by her driver who was standing on the other side of the Town Car. “Excuse me, Miss Monroe,” he said quietly, earning a glare from Carter, which he ignored. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we need to leave now if we’re going to get to the airport on time.”

  Kenzie nodded, turning back to Carter. “I’m sorry, I have to go,” she said quietly. “I’m going home for Christmas.”

  Carter held her hand a little tighter. “Okay . . . yes, I understand,” he said, adding hopefully, “When will you be back? Can I see you then?”

  “No.” She shook her head and Carter’s heart fell. “No, I mean, I won’t be back in New York . . . not anytime soon,” she clarified. “I’ll be in Woodlawn until New Year’s, then I start a book tour.”

  “Oh.” Carter couldn’t hide his disappointment.

  “Unless,” she began hesitantly. “I mean . . . I suppose, if you wanted to . . . you could . . . come?”

  A new hope bloomed in Carter’s chest. “To Woodlawn?”

  “Yeah.” Kenzie shrugged. “I know you’re probably too busy—”

  “No . . . no, I’m not too busy,” Carter said quickly. “I don’t go back to work until the New Year.”

  “But you don’t have any luggage. I suppose you could take a later flight,” she suggested.

  “No,” Carter said firmly. At her surprised look, he smiled softly. “Now that I’ve found you, I’m not letting you out of my sight. I can get clothes in Woodlawn. I know they have great flannel there.”

  Kenzie laughed. “Flannel? Doesn’t really sound like your style.”

  “You’d be surprised,” he said with a grin.

  Kenzie looked up at him as the driver opened the car door. “What’s happened to you, Carter?”

  “It’s a long story,” he told her with a deep breath.

  “Sir?” The driver held his hand out to Carter. “I think you dropped this.”

  Carter extended his palm and the man dropped a little metal ball into it. Carter stared at it for a moment in shock.

  A silver bell.

  “Where did you get this?” he asked.

  The driver shrugged. “It fell out of your pocket.”

  Carter took the bell between his fingers, shaking it gently. It tinkled lightly and Carter held his breath, his eyes scanning the area.

  Nothing.

  “Carter? Are you coming?” Kenzie asked from inside the car. Carter looked down at her, a smile growing as he realized the gift he’d been given. A do over. A new beginning. He tucked the bell into his jeans pocket and slid into the seat next to her.

  As they pulled away from the curb, Kenzie turned toward him. “So, this long story . . .” she prodded.

  Carter grinned. “Oh, it’s pretty unbelievable,” he said. “It’s got angels and miracles. As a matter of fact,” he said speculatively, “it could make a good book.”

  Kenzie settled into the seat. “Well, that sounds like a story I’d like to hear.”

  So he told her.

  As they drove to the airport and waited in the VIP lounge, Kenzie listened raptly as Carter told the story . . . stopping only when they had to check her bag or show their tickets or when it was time to board. Carter managed to switch seats with an older man so he could sit next to Kenzie and once the plane took off, she asked him impatiently, “And then what happened?”

  He told his story without holding back any of the crazy-sounding details. Kenzie interrupted occasionally only
to ask questions.

  “How old was Peyton?”

  “Lydia and Noah were married?”

  “Really? Violet and Macon Bridges?”

  Carter answered her questions patiently, and somewhere over the Midwest, he finished his rather remarkable tale, taking Kenzie up to the moment that he woke up in his hotel room.

  “You’re right,” she said with a sigh, sitting back in her seat. “That is quite a story.” She looked at him thoughtfully. “So, it was all a dream then?”

  Carter shook his head slowly. “No. No, I don’t think so. I don’t know how, but it was real. At least to me.”

  “So . . . what happened to all of them?” she asked. “Are they still out there somewhere?”

  Carter shrugged. “I don’t know for sure,” he replied. “I think maybe they were all part of . . . a possibility. What would have been—could have been—if things had gone differently between us back then.”

  “That’s kind of sad,” she mused. “It’s like they had to be sacrificed for us to have this chance.”

  “Isn’t every choice like that?” Carter asked.

  “I suppose.”

  “You seem to be taking this awfully well,” he said wryly. “Don’t you think I’m crazy?”

  Kenzie laughed. “Crazy? Definitely.”

  Carter smirked. “Well, you’re the one that invited the crazy person home,” he pointed out.

  “True,” she admitted, “but in my defense, that was before you told me what happened.”

  Carter sobered. “So what do you think . . . really?”

  Kenzie smiled at him softly. “I think something definitely happened to you last night,” she said. “Whether it was a dream or a magical trip to an alternate reality . . . who can know for sure? There are more things in Heaven and Earth . . .”

  “ . . . than are dreamt of in your Philosophy,” Carter concluded the quote from Hamlet.

  “Yeah.” Kenzie grinned. “There are so many mysteries out there, Carter. It’s part of what makes life exciting, isn’t it?”

  Carter smiled, taking her hand and lifting it to his lips. “Thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “For not calling me crazy.”

  “I’m just glad you’re here,” Kenzie said softly.

  “Me, too.”