Beyond Chance

by Karice Bolton

  “I don’t care about what people say, only you.” He set the box on a worktable and walked over to me. “How’s the trial going?”

  I shrugged as he slid his hands onto my hips. “I’m afraid to say one way or another. My mom went on the stand yesterday. She didn’t tell me. I looked it up. The defense attorney was a complete ass, but that’s what he’s paid to be. Anyway, I came out here to share some pretty exciting news.”

  Aaron took a step back just as thunder clapped in the distance.

  “Well, that’s quite the Lily dramatics.”

  Aaron furrowed his brow in confusion.

  “Sorry. That just seems exactly how Lily would want me to tell you the news if she were here… thunder clapping in the distance.”

  “Tell me what?” Aaron questioned.

  “Ayden just emailed telling me he plans on asking Lily to marry him while they’re here in Paris.”

  Aaron’s mouth dropped open, and he slid his fingers through his hair. “You don’t say.”

  “Oh, it’s happening. He’s already bought the ring.”

  Aaron smiled and brought me into him. “Well, that’s a perfect way to end our time here in Paris. Wouldn’t you say?”

  “Totally. I wonder what my parents think.”

  “My guess is that they’re thrilled.”

  I nodded and rested my head against Aaron’s chest, taking a deep breath in. “I bet they are.”

  Closing my eyes, I celebrated silently for Lily and hoped one day it would be me.

  Chills ran through me as I stared at the 11th century Gothic cathedral directly in front of us. The grandeur of the building was breathtaking. the scale was unbelievable, and to say the steeples reached the heavens would be an understatement. The stained glass windows sparkled even in the cloudy weather. The ornate façade with flying buttresses sweeping around the building and pinnacles projecting into the air were unlike anything I’d ever seen before. The tapered rooflines and jagged towers created an intriguing spookiness. The structure eerily oozed resilience that had somehow withstood centuries of war, peace, love and hate.

  Chartres was right out of a picture book with medieval architecture dotting the streets and gothic buildings pushing toward the sky throughout the town. Brightly colored shutters bejeweled the ancient buildings of Chartres and created a charming feel throughout city, but the cathedral was the crown jewel.

  “I don’t even think a photograph will do it justice,” I said, glancing at Aaron.

  He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him as he placed a quick kiss on my forehead.

  “I’m glad we got to see it in person…together,” he murmured.

  We walked up the steps and went inside the cathedral, which was even more jaw dropping than the exterior. The cathedral was lit by flickering candles and what few rays of light shone through the stained glass from the otherwise dreary day created a sense of tranquility. The bowed buttress supports and spired interior created a haunting space cloaked in mystery and history. I couldn’t stop shivering with each step deeper into the cathedral with its endless pointed archways and irregular vaulted ceilings.

  I glanced at Aaron who seemed to be in as much awe as I was as we walked throughout the cathedral. The glow of the candles welcomed us further as the warmth of the wooden pews and the harshness of the stone walls provided an evocative contrast.

  Stepping into the cathedral’s open space, Aaron looked down as he held my hand. We both saw the elaborate labyrinth at our feet with flickering candles outlining the beautiful maze of spirit and soul as we followed the pattern and found ourselves in the center. Aaron held me close as we continued to take in the brilliance of the church setting. We walked slowly out of the labyrinth and meandered through the cathedral. Before leaving the church, I said a silent prayer that everything back home would work as it was meant to and followed Aaron outside into the chilly evening air.

  The experience left me oddly numb but somehow full of hope and determination. I couldn’t imagine my trip to France without seeing this cathedral, and I’d never even known about it until today.

  “Thank you,” I whispered.

  “Thank you,” he replied smiling, as he took my hand, and we walked toward a restaurant that had caught our attention earlier. The storm from the day before still lingered in the air so we sat inside, and each of us ordered a glass of wine.

  “We’re so lucky,” I sighed, feeling a dopey grin on my face, but there was nothing I could do about it. I felt completely relaxed and optimistic.

  “We are.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  He nodded and grinned. “The answer to that will always be yes. I learned my lesson the hard way in the middle of Paris.”

  “With all your life experience and everything you’ve been through and seen in the world, why would you want to be with someone like me? I don’t mean that in a self-deprecating way, but I’ve got so much catching up to do. I mean my idea of a good time is to unroll some party streamers and put a keg in the backyard. Your life is begging to be more glamorous and—”

  “Brandy, don’t even go there,” he interrupted, smiling.

  “Oh, I went there,” I teased.

  “Don’t you understand how much I love spending time with you? Getting to experience these things with you brings me more joy than I ever thought possible. There was a time when all I could see for myself was working and working some more. I never imagined finding someone that could make going to a church fun or riding a Jet Ski exhilarating and oh…so much more.” He had a devilish look in his eyes and grinned. “And there’s nothing better than ice-cold beer and BBQ. Your brothers can attest to that.”

  “Don’t forget the party streamers.” I smiled and took a sip of wine that the server had brought over while I was intently listening to Aaron.

  “Definitely need the streamers for all occasions.”

  “With all the excitement about the impending engagement with Lily and my brother, I forgot to mention I saw the text from Elizabeth come over,” I said.

  Aaron’s gaze hardened and he looked away. “Yeah.”

  “So I take it you haven’t reached out.”

  He took a large swallow of wine and shook his head. “Haven’t really cared to do so.”

  While being partially relieved, I also felt the best thing to do was to have a talk with Elizabeth. While I wasn’t a fan of her friend, Cruella De Vil, I understood Tracy’s loyalty. As long as I didn’t allow the untidy condition of my mind to go into overdrive, things should be okay moving forward no matter the outcome of Elizabeth and Aaron’s friendship. Of course, that was contingent on our meeting going well, and I didn’t want to believe it would go any other way than smooth without any melodramatics.

  “I kind of think it might be the best thing to do. You’ve had a habit of fleeing and as much as I like the idea of you never talking to them again, I know it’s not realistic, and it’s better to end things on your terms, not theirs.”

  “I see where you’re coming from,” he admitted.

  The server took our order and Aaron took out his phone and stared at it for a few seconds. “And you’ll come with me when I meet with her?” he asked.

  I laughed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  He couldn’t help but crack a smile as he slid the phone on. He quickly typed a text and sent it. He turned off the phone and slid it back into his pocket, and it felt like a weight had been lifted. I never liked being mean to people and even in my own ended relationships wanted everyone to feel at ease.

  “Now it’s my turn to ask you something,” he said.

  “Let me have it.” I took a sip of wine and waited.

  “How often are you having nightmares?”

  I almost spit out my wine. I hadn’t expected him to go there. I thought we were keeping things a little more light.

  “More than I expected. They’ve increased since the trial started,” I admitted.

  He nodded. “Those c
an take a bit of time to get over.”

  I stiffened slightly. “Do you get nightmares?”

  His eyes connected with mine and a charge ran through me. “I did up until I met you. I think you saved me from my own mind.”

  “Really?” I croaked. I couldn’t ever imagine Aaron suffering from nightmares.

  He nodded. “Almost nightly. Some people have a bad day and look forward to sleeping so their mind can reset…”

  I nodded.

  “That wasn’t how my nights worked. I tried everything and nothing worked. Until I met you.”

  My cheeks warmed with his admission.

  “Like you said, I’ve seen a lot. I’ve done a lot. Not all of those things were pleasant, Brandy. It took having someone as amazing as you to set me right again. You reset me.”

  “It couldn’t be me,” I whispered.

  His eyes stayed locked on mine, and it felt like we were the only two in the restaurant.

  “It was most definitely you, Brandy. You’re like my medicine. The day you left me when you found out I was going to China, the nightmares came back that very night. They stayed with me until I came home to you. I’ll never make that mistake again. I only wish I could do the same for you. I wish I could destroy the monster who did this to you.” His jaw tensed, and I reached out across the table for his hand.

  “I had no idea,” I said, his hand squeezing mine. “You never mentioned…”

  “Yeah. There were a lot of things I’d failed to mention. They were all connected.”

  I nodded. “I see that now.”

  The server delivered our dishes and asked if anything else was needed. We ordered another glass of wine.

  “You’ve helped more than you can imagine, Aaron. I don’t know where I’d be without you. You helped in ways my family and I will never be able to repay.”

  He shook his head. “I did it because I love you. Your family would’ve done it too.”

  “They would’ve gone into so much debt that—”

  “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Brandy. I knew it then. I knew it before the accident.” His eyes steadied on mine, and my heart fluttered. “I’d been daydreaming about asking you to marry me before we even took that ride that day. I hadn’t bought the ring yet because I wanted to ask your father first, but I was on the verge. It kills me that you thought you were a pity case and then to have Tracy try to throw that in your face… I could never apologize enough. I never should have talked with Elizabeth about such personal things.”

  “It hurt to hear it again, but I knew it wasn’t true. I’m too much work to be one of those pity cases,” I chuckled.

  “That is a valid point.” His gaze fell along my body and he grinned.

  “Hey now.” I tossed my napkin at him, and he snatched it out of the air and gave it back to me.

  “See what I mean?” he chided.

  My heart raced as his gaze steadied on mine, and I wondered how close we were to that next step. With me going back to school and Aaron heading back to the corporate world would priorities change and expectations shift? After this trip, it felt like things could change on a dime.

  “So what do you think about visiting the catacombs when we get back?” Aaron asked, his eyes wide.

  “I think that sounds beyond awesome.”

  “It’s a date. That first day we get back.” His phone buzzed, and he took it out of his pocket as I had my first bite of filet mignon. It literally melted in my mouth and all my worries drifted away.

  “Did you just have an out-of-body experience?” Aaron laughed.

  “Possibly.”

  “It’s Elizabeth. She’d be more than happy to meet with us both.”

  “How about the day we get back? Then we can go to the catacombs after.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Totally. I might not feel like the living after coffee with her.”

  He flashed a wry smile and sent a text back to Elizabeth as I took another bite. This trip to France had been far more than I bargained for, but I’d grown as a person and our relationship had elevated to another level, and I’m not sure any of that would’ve happened if it hadn’t been for the chance encounter with Elizabeth.

  In all relationships, I’ve always had the upper hand. That all changed once I met Aaron. He turned my world upside by challenging beliefs I had and opening my eyes to a new way of looking at life. I was no longer skeptical of reaching for the stars or trying new things. In fact, I seemed to thrive in both circumstances, and I had Aaron to thank for that.

  “Well, I don’t know about you, but at least I found what I was looking for in life.”

  “And what was that?” I asked.

  “You.”

  I did my little happy dance inside and pushed aside the fear that things were getting too good.

  It was our first morning back in Paris, and it felt like a new city. None of the negativity that had infiltrated the first time hovered around us this time.

  That was until I opened the email and saw a new Google alert about myself with a picture of Aaron. I read the article and groaned as the one thing Aaron tried to leave behind was trumpeted on the front page of the Times, all because of the trial. One of the journalists dug up the information about Aaron and his time serving overseas as well as the shooting and ran with it. The story explained how a national hero was by my side helping me through the devastation and healing of the accident. I winced at the thought of how Aaron would react as I read the last statement about Aaron’s story that was now forever mingled with mine.

  I let out a deep sigh and turned over in bed. Facing Aaron, I slowly handed him my phone.

  “Oh, no. What happened? Your face looks like you saw a ghost.” His brows shot up as he read my phone and then anger began tingeing his expression.

  “Did you say something in one of your interviews?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “Absolutely not.”

  “You’re sure?” His gaze darkened.

  “A hundred and thirty percent,” I countered, angered he’d even question my loyalties.

  “Someone had to have tipped them off,” he said.

  I sat up in bed and grabbed my phone back. “Well, you better get your facts straight because it sure as hell wasn’t me, mister.”

  Aaron reached for his cell and turned it on. His phone was blanketed in messages and texts. If I hadn’t known about his past life, other coworkers and friends certainly hadn’t either, but now they did.

  I watched as he shook his head slowly, scanning message after message asking him if it were true. I walked around to his side of the bed and rested my hand on his leg.

  “I’m sorry for saying any of that. I know it’s not you. I just—”

  “I know. I can’t believe it either,” I interrupted.

  “You don’t think it was my sister, do you?”

  I shook my head. “No way. That’s not Gabby’s style. She’s as protective as you are when it comes to privacy, especially with Katie. Besides, can you imagine that going over with Jason in the house?”

  “Good point. I don’t even know what to say. This shit’s messing with my mind.” He tossed his phone onto the comforter and let out a sigh.

  “It’s going to be okay. We’ll get through it.”

  “I don’t know who would’ve done this,” he muttered, and it hit us both at the same time, except he muttered Elizabeth and I muttered Tracy.

  “Why would they do this?” I asked, bewildered.

  “I can’t even imagine.”

  “Unless it’s only to hurt you…”

  Aaron nodded. “Could be as simple as that. Well, we’ll certainly get to the bottom of it soon.”

  I glanced at the time on my phone. “We’ve got thirty minutes to get to the café. Think we’ll make it?”

  “Without a doubt.” He shoved off the covers and stretched. “I can’t wait for coffee though. Not with this news. I’ll go make some while you’re in the shower.”

&nbs
p; I nodded and gave him a kiss before turning to grab some clothes.

  My anger at those two went through the roof, but for some odd reason it helped me calm down because either today or tomorrow a verdict was expected in the trial. At least, I could focus on those two instead of my problems.

  I turned on the shower and waited for the steam to roll out before I stepped in and took a quick shower. I heard Aaron whistling as he walked down the hall, and I shifted my attention to what was important; attempting to look drop dead gorgeous for my coffee date with the naturally beautiful Elizabeth. Sorry! I knew it was petty, but I at least had to try to put her to shame.

  Aaron pulled on the door to the café and we walked in, hand in hand. We both spotted Elizabeth tucked in the corner of the dining area, reading a book. There was something that was so difficult about being mad for long at this woman. Aaron squeezed my hand and pulled me along through the café. He was clearly still angry and judging by Elizabeth’s expression, she saw it in his eyes immediately.

  Elizabeth closed her book and stood up quickly. She reached her hand out to shake mine and Aaron shook his head. “Let’s cut the crap.”

  I was shocked to see this side of Aaron. I knew it existed. I’d heard about it when he was working for his father’s company, but I didn’t expect to be around when it appeared.

  “Aaron, I had nothing to do with it,” she said, taking her seat and stuffing her book in her bag.

  Awkward.

  I glanced at the counter and wondered if I could escape and go place our orders. No. That was wrong of me. I needed to stay by his side, but the cappuccinos and croissants were calling. I could literally hear them singing…

  “Do you really expect me to believe that?” he asked, his voice so quiet, it was barely audible.

  “I would hope you would,” she said, glancing at me.

  Aaron took a seat across from Elizabeth and leaned over the table. “Why? Between the threats and doubts that Tracy so keenly placed in Brandy…”

  I was still standing, unsure of whether I should sit, stand, order or what when Aaron went right for the throat, which was exactly what he said he wasn’t going to do.