An emotion he couldn’t label flickered in her eyes and then disappeared. “Then I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Plan on it.”
Lauren’s lips started to form a word, but then she stopped herself.
“Didn’t you want to check on your sister?” Kevin asked.
She nodded and looked over at her date. “I do,” she said before her eyes met his again. “She wasn’t feeling well earlier. It was nice seeing you tonight, Nate. I’m glad you came.”
How could he argue with that? He’d seen Kelly earlier, and she looked as if she could have her baby any day now. “Tell her I said hello. And I’ll see you soon.”
Lauren graced him with a tentative smile. “I will.” With her date’s arm still around her, she walked away.
Another jolt of jealousy shot through Nate as she crossed the dance floor. Logically he realized he should’ve expected her to be involved with someone. Not once during their time apart had he contacted her or given her any indication he wanted a relationship with her. Still, he hadn’t been prepared to see her with another man. Instead, he’d hoped that by some miracle she was waiting for him. The presence of a man in her life tonight changed nothing. While it might complicate his current mission, it didn’t change it. Even with a guy in her life, he intended to fight for her.
***
He’d noticed the change in Lauren the moment Nate stopped them. Her back went rigid and she’d all but entirely clammed up. Even now, more than two hours since their run in, she remained unusually quiet. In the time he’d known her, she’d always kept up a steady conversation when they got together.
Readjusting his legs under the table in an attempt to get comfortable, Kevin shot a quick glance around the banquet room and shook his head. The party didn’t look to be winding down anytime soon. Any other time he wouldn’t have minded that, but he had work to finish tonight so he’d be prepared for his first meeting in Atlanta tomorrow. He’d worked on it already that afternoon before the party, but still had a fair amount to do. He couldn’t tell Lauren that, though. He’d already messed up tonight by showing up late and didn’t want any more strikes against him. They were still early on in their relationship, and if he hoped to keep things progressing toward an engagement, he needed to show her he was invested in them as a couple.
Kevin lifted his glass, prepared to finish off his drink, when his eyes locked on the guy from the dance floor Not that the guest Lauren introduced as Nathaniel Callahan noticed. Judging by the way the guy stared at Lauren now and the way she had reacted to him, they’d been more than just neighbors growing up. Putting his drink down, Kevin leaned in toward her and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Ready for another dance?” he whispered in her ear.
When Lauren jumped slightly, he clenched his teeth together as a light blush crept up her cheeks. Obviously, she’d been thinking about something other than him. Definitely not something that normally happened with women he dated.
“Um . . . sure. I’d like that.”
Standing, Kevin pulled back Lauren’s chair and took her hand. As she came to her feet, he shot another look in Nate’s direction and nodded. In response, the guy’s eyes narrowed and he scowled but then looked away.
Kevin led Lauren onto the dance floor as another slow ballad started. Pulling her close, he wrapped his arms around her, but his mind stayed focused on the guy across the room. Or rather how he was going to make sure he stayed away from Lauren. He hadn’t spent the past few months developing this relationship with her just so someone from her past could come along and lure her away.
***
“Don’t forget what I said. You can stay as long as you want. There’s no need for you to rush out and find a place.” Janet Callahan handed her son the keys to the apartment over the garage.
He’d only arrived back in town fifteen minutes before the start of the retirement party. Just enough time for him to run into his parents’ house and toss on a suit. Now back at his parents’ house, he was ready to collapse on the closest bed.
Yeah, there is. Nate kept the thought to himself as he accepted the keys. He’d come back to Massachusetts to start on the next phase of his life. He couldn’t do that living over his parents’ garage. Yet the apartment would provide him the perfect home base while he hunted for a new place. “I know, Mom.” Nate started toward the door but stopped when he felt his mom’s hand on his arm.
“I’m just so glad you’re home for good this time.” She wiped away the tears sliding down her cheek. “When you were over there . . . I was so scared.”
Stepping back, Nate gathered his mother in his arms for a hug. He hated how much worry and fear his time in the Marines had caused his parents, especially his mother. Yet even knowing how much it had affected them, he didn’t regret his years of service, right from the beginning at the Naval Academy. “It’ll be different now that I’m in the reserves, Mom. I promise”
With a sniffle, Janet pulled away. “Make sure you come over for breakfast. I still make pancakes for your father on Sunday mornings.”
“Sounds good.” He pushed the door open.
“And Nate, thank you for coming to the party tonight. I know it meant a lot to Virginia that you were there.”
He’d known Virginia McDonald all his life. Up until a few years ago, she and her husband had lived next door to his parents. “Wouldn’t have missed it,” he answered. And he meant it. In many ways, he viewed Virginia as a second mom.
“I saw you talking to Lauren. How did that go?” Her voice was gentle and understanding.
“We only spoke for a few minutes.”
“I still believe you two belong together. I never understood what happened with you guys. But maybe you can finally work things out.”
He’d never shared his reason for ending their relationship with anyone, and he didn’t plan to start with his mother. “We’ll see what happens.” For now, that was all he intended to say. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
He let the door bang shut behind him and went straight to his Mustang for his bags before heading up the stairs to the apartment over the garage. Originally built for his grandparents when Nate’s oldest brother was born, his parents now rented it out. And as luck would have it, right now the apartment was empty. The couple who had lived in it for the past three years had finally purchased a home of their own.
Unlocking the door, he turned the knob and walked inside. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d stepped foot in the apartment, yet as he crossed the threshold, memories flooded back. Every day after school he’d come here and stay with his grandparents while his parents worked. His grandmother had taught him how to play the piano while his grandfather had taught him poker and chess. His grandparents moved out when he entered high school. Before his parents started renting the place out, he and his buddies from school would sneak in at night and have card games or sometimes drink beer.
Nate crossed the small kitchen and entered the furnished living room. Flipping on the light, another memory hit him as he stared at the open bedroom door. This time, though, it didn’t involve his grandparents or his old high school buddies. This one involved him and Lauren. She’d not only been the girl next door but his girlfriend all through high school and up until he’d left for the Naval Academy after graduation.
They’d started out as childhood friends at the same preschool and had done lots of activities together. In elementary school, their interests led them into different activities. He’d been big into sports, while Lauren had spent hours dancing and taking voice lessons. Despite their different paths, they’d stayed close.
Then their last year of middle school things changed. No longer had he seen her as a pal. Instead, every time he looked at her his teenage body had gone into overdrive. Starting that summer until he left for the Academy they’d been an item. Together they’d experienced all the teenage firsts: first kiss, first time skipping school, first time having a drink—and first time having sex.
Staring at t
he bedroom door, it was that first his mind fixated on. It had been near the end of their sophomore year in high school. He’d picked her up at the private high school she attended, and they’d sneaked up to the empty apartment over the garage. Although they’d fooled around in the past, that particular hot May afternoon things went further than ever before. Soon they’d found themselves under the covers of the queen-sized bed.
In all honesty, it had been a less-than-epic occasion for both of them. He’d been all thumbs trying to get the condom on, and neither had really known what they were doing. Afterward, he’d been embarrassed by his performance or lack thereof, but she had not complained. Instead, she curled up next to him for the rest of the afternoon.
From that point on they talked about their future together as if it were a sure thing. But after his acceptance into the Naval Academy, he started to have doubts. Military families made unimaginable sacrifices every day, and deep down he’d known he couldn’t ask her to do that. At the same time though, he’d known he had to go. The academy and the Marines would give him a chance to accomplish something significant, to make a difference. So, right before he left for Annapolis he’d ended things with her. From that day forward, the image of her face remained etched in his mind, despite all the time that had passed and all he’d seen as a Marine.
Nate rubbed a hand across his face in the attempt to dislodge the image of Lauren that summer day. Crossing to the bedroom, he dropped his bag on the bed and turned on his heel. Remembering the past accomplished nothing. All he could do was focus on the future, and thanks to Mrs. McDonald’s retirement party earlier, he had begun working toward his goal and number one reason for requesting the Boston field office: winning Lauren back. A task perhaps more complicated than he expected.
He’d watched her and Kevin for the remainder of the evening. Yet he saw no conclusive evidence that her date was a significant part of her life. While Kevin kissed her once, he only did so when he caught Nate watching Lauren, almost as a way of marking his territory. And she never displayed any affection toward him. Whatever hope that gave Nate, though, got canceled by the fact she hadn’t asked to see him again either. All she’d given him was a, “Maybe I’ll see you around again.” He wanted more than that from her. Then again, would she have said more with her date standing next to him?
Nate’s reasoning squashed down the fear that he’d come back too late and reestablished his resolve. He’d been an idiot once and let Lauren go. Since that day, he’d never stopped regretting it. Now, with the change in his military status, he planned to do everything in his power to rectify that mistake.
Chapter 2
“I almost died when I saw Nate walk in the other night,” Kelly said.
Join the club. Lauren reached out and accepted the curtain rod her sister held. “At first I thought I was seeing things.”
“Well, if you have to see things, he wouldn’t be a bad vision to have.”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “And what are you doing noticing that, Kel?”
“I’m married, Lauren, not dead. Besides, it’d be hard not to notice him. Still, he had some nerve showing up.”
She agreed with Kelly one hundred percent on that one. “It would’ve been nice to know he was coming. Mom should have told me she invited him.” Lauren stepped off the stool and moved it over to the other bedroom window.
“Maybe she wanted to surprise you.”
“Mission accomplished if she did.” She’d nearly had a heart attack when she saw Nate walk in.
“So, what did he say to you? I saw him talking to you and Kevin.”
Lauren remembered every single word from their brief conversation, but rather than rehash it all she said, “Just hi and that maybe he’d see me around.”
“That’s it? I don’t believe you.”
Lauren’s shoulders slumped. Her sister knew her too well. Most of the time that was a good thing, but every once in a while it really sucked.
“Every time I saw him his eyes were locked on you. I think there’s something you’re not telling me, Lauren.”
Lauren sighed. “You’re right.” An image of Nate that night formed in her mind. “When I said maybe I’d see him around, he told me to plan on it.” A shiver went through her body, although whether from anticipation or unease she wasn’t sure.
Kelly’s hand stilled, only half of the pastel yellow curtain on the rod. “Interesting.”
It took some self-control, but Lauren held back a groan. She recognized her sister’s tone. Kelly was formulating some crazy plan or idea.
“He might be back for you, although I hope not. He’s the last person you need back in your life.”
“Please. I haven’t heard from Nate in fifteen years. If he’s moved back to Massachusetts it’s not because of me, Kelly. “ Lauren climbed up on the stool and waited.
“But what if it is?” Kelly handed her the curtain rod. “It’s possible. I saw an article on the Internet about a couple who reconnected after thirty years apart.”
Lauren hung the curtain in silence. Whatever plans Nate had, they didn’t involve her. And she was okay with that. She had her own life and didn’t need or want him back in it.
“Those are great stories, but they’re rare. And I’m sure Nate’s not looking to get back together. He’s had plenty of time to do that. He came to the party because of Mom, and he’s back here because his family is here.” At one time she’d dreamed of nothing else. For more than a year after their breakup, she’d hoped that he’d come to his senses and reach out to her. Hundreds of times she’d envisioned him showing up at her door, once again telling her he loved her and wanted to be with her. Such a visit never happened. Eventually the dream faded and reality set in. She got on with her life, just as he had done with his.
“But what if he is back because of you?” Kelly lowered herself into the padded rocking chair near the crib. “If he showed up at your house tonight and told you he wants another chance, what would you do?”
Lauren tried to block the vision from forming by thinking of Kevin instead. Despite her best effort, Kevin’s image disappeared and Nate’s took his place. “I’d tell him it’s nice to see him, but I’m with someone. Why would I want to risk what I have with Kevin for someone I haven’t seen or heard from since high school?” Grabbing the waterproof mattress cover and sheet off the changing table, Lauren crossed to the crib. When she’d agreed to help with the final preparations in the nursery, she hadn’t expected an interrogation as well. In retrospect, she should have expected it.
“Good. Nate doesn’t deserve you,” Kelly said curtly before switching gears. “I’m glad we got to meet Kevin. I liked him.”
“Mom and Dad liked him, too.” Lauren covered the mattress with the waterproof pad. “Do you think Mom had fun?”
Apparently not ready to talk about something else, Kelly ignored her sister’s question. “How are things with Kevin? Do you love him?”
She held back a groan. It was always about love with Kelly. “No, not yet. We’ve only been dating a few months, Kel.”
“And what about Neal, did you love him?” Kelly asked, referring to the pharmacist Lauren had dated the previous summer. “Or Marcus?”
Lauren tugged to get the sheet around the corner of the crib mattress. Maybe if she ignored her sister, Kelly would get the hint.
“What about Roger? Did you love him?” Kelly said, naming the last of the three men Lauren had dated in the last five years.
Annoyance and anger bubbled up inside Lauren. Dropping the mattress back into the crib, she spun on her heel. “I liked them all, you know that, but no, I didn’t love them. If I had, I’d still be with one of them. So what’s your point?”
Kelly rose from her chair, effort showing in her clumsy movement, and walked over to her. “Other than Nate, you’ve had one relationship that lasted more than nine months. And I think that’s because you don’t give any of them a chance. I think a part of you still loves Nate.”
“Or maybe I jus
t haven’t met the right guy,” Lauren shot back, reaching for the sheet again. “Who knows? Kevin might be the one.”
With a sarcastic laugh, Kelly leaned her arm on the side of the crib.
“What’s that cackle supposed to mean?”
“I don’t think you’ll give him a chance, either.” Kelly shrugged. “He nice and I hope it works out, but . . .” Kelly’s voice trailed off.
“But what?” Prior to this conversation, they’d talked very little about Kevin, or her love life for that matter.
“I think you will find something you don’t like about him and end things.”
“You’re wrong.”
Kelly placed a hand on her arm. “No, I’m not, Lauren, and I get it. I know how you felt about Nate. A person cannot simply get rid of feelings like that.” Kelly’s voice changed from her big sister know-it-all tone to her soothing therapist tone. “I think your love for him has kept you from falling in love with anyone else. But it’s time to move past him. Really get on with your life.”
Another denial sat on the tip of her tongue, but what was the point? Kelly was right, but only in part. Her inability to find love had nothing to do with Nate. She refused to believe that. No, she simply had not met the right man. Maybe this time with Kevin it would happen.
“Not that he plans on it, but even if Nate Callahan showed up tonight and asked me out, I’d say no.” A tiny pain shot through Lauren’s chest. Ignoring it, she continued. “And you’re wrong. I am giving Kevin a chance.”
“For your sake, I hope so. I think he could be the one.”
Biting her lip, Lauren counted to five before speaking. She didn’t want to argue with Kelly. “How about on this one we agree to disagree, okay? Arguing won’t change whatever happens between Kevin and me.”
With a loud sigh, Kelly nodded. “Fair enough, I guess. At least for now.” She wrapped an arm around Lauren’s shoulders. “How about we take a break in here? I picked up double chocolate chip brownies from Rosie’s yesterday.”
The Billionaire's Best Friend (The Sherbrookes of Newport) Page 3
