Intertwined Hearts Series (4 book collection): (Intertwined Hearts, An Exceptional Twist, Tangled Paths & Grafted Vines)

by Kimi Flores

  “Good memories I hope?”

  “Yeah, this place is very special to me.” I still didn’t understand how my father could just up and leave, though I couldn’t help but hold that trip near to my heart.

  After claiming a parking space, we got out of the car, and I took a deep breath.

  Clean, crisp late fall air hit my lungs as I looked out at the horizon. “I forgot how beautiful it is up here.”

  “Look over there.” Caleb pointed toward the hills in the background. “You can see the Hollywood sign.”

  “I don’t remember that the last time I was here.”

  “There are hiking trails that take you fairly close. Maybe we can do that next time.”

  Next time?

  I gulped, butterflies flapping around in my belly. “I’d love that. I’m not prepared for a hike today, though.” I pointed to my strappy sandals.

  “Come on, let’s walk over.” He grabbed my hand and strolled toward the building.

  I wondered what we looked like to other people passing by. Did they wonder if we were a couple? How long we’d been together? Why he was with me?

  Okay stop. No negative thoughts.

  I inhaled and exhaled, then blinked slowly, intent on enjoying every moment of this day.

  “Everything good?” Caleb asked, curious.

  “Yes. Just taking it all in,” I fibbed. The last thing I needed to do was share my insecurities. I’d heard guys say that was a total turn-off.

  We passed by the famous concrete monument with figures of the six greatest astronomers: Hipparchus, Nicholas Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, Sir Isaac Newton, and William Herschel.

  A couple having pictures taken were just beside the monument, sitting on a blanket with a picnic basket and a bunch of balloons. The woman was holding one side of a small framed chalkboard that read: ‘Save the Date’, and the man held the other side as they kissed while the photographer took the shots.

  I shyly glanced at Caleb, who also noticed the photoshoot. He tugged on my hand, until we got to the entrance. Holding the door open, he led me in. “What would you like to see first?”

  “I have no idea. That pendulum is the same, but I’m not sure how much has changed.”

  “How about,” he moved his index finger from side to side, “that way.” He pointed left with a boyish grin, grabbed my hand again and pulled me excitedly in that direction.

  ⁂

  After browsing through all the indoor and outdoor exhibits, we decided to head to the bottom side of the building. I sipped my favorite soda as we walked down the curved pathway.

  As we settled on a small wall, Caleb started to speak. “Abby, I wanted to talk to you about something, but I don’t want to come off too strong.”

  I looked at him, my heart speeding up.

  His eyes were tender on mine. “I really like you. Well, more than that. I’m falling pretty hard for you, but I can’t afford to play any games. I have Madison to consider. It’s difficult for me to be so vulnerable with you because I haven’t opened myself to anyone, or even dated once, since Rene died.” He swallowed hard, and I could see how tough this was for him. It made me want to reach out and comfort him.

  “I need you to understand that I’m not looking for someone just to have fun with. Of course, I want to enjoy our time together, but you have to know that I’ll only take this chance for the promise of a serious relationship, that would hopefully lead to marriage someday.”

  He paused, and I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to say something yet until he spoke again. “If you’re only interested in being friends, I’ll respect that, but I wanted you to know that, ultimately, I would love to be more than friends.” He must’ve wanted to make sure I got his point because he added, “If we were to get involved, I’d be looking toward the future. I want a life partner, not just someone to date.”

  I stared at him, completely stunned by his honesty. I’d also started falling for him, but I still didn’t know where to go with those feelings. I hadn’t opened up to anyone since Peter.

  There were dates here and there, but never more than once with the same guy. My heart had been too damaged. Now could I open up entirely to this man? He seemed too good to be true. Was he really saying that, not only did he have strong feelings for me, but he was also looking for a wife?

  “Wow,” I said finally. It was all I could muster.

  Caleb let out a nervous laugh. “I know it’s a lot, but like I said, I just can’t play games. So—please take some time before letting me know what your thoughts are.” He held my hand, rubbing his thumb on the top.

  He looked so vulnerable and I felt like I had to explain my reaction. “I’m sorry, Caleb,” I managed to say with a shy smile, “but you just caught me off guard. I’ve also fallen for you. I love the thought of being more than friends. I wouldn’t want to do casual either, but I don’t know if I can give you what you’re looking for. There’s so much hurt in my past I wouldn’t want you to have to deal with, and I honestly don’t know that I’m good enough for you.” I looked down at our connected hands. So much for not showing my insecurities.

  “Are you kidding me?” He moved a leg over the wall, now straddling it, and scooted closer so he could reach my other hand. “Why, Abby? Why would you think you aren’t good enough? You’re amazing, and I am in awe every time I’m around you. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I practically trip on my words whenever you’re around. It’s like I’m in high school again, and I’m the nervous nerd trying to talk to the head cheerleader.”

  I shook my head, unable to help my blush. “Now who is kidding who? You’re very smooth, Mr. Hunter.”

  This made him smile and snicker. “Thank you for the compliment, but I’d still like to know why you think you aren’t good enough.” He pulled my wrist to his lips and kissed the delicate skin there.

  How was I expected to concentrate on an answer when he did that?

  “I have some serious yuck in my past, and I’m afraid if I share it, you’ll never look at me the same again. Which means I won’t see Madison anymore either, and that would destroy me.” I added without thinking, “I’ve fallen in love with her, too.”

  “Too?” he asked, sitting up straighter.

  I cringed. No, tell me I did not just say that.

  Caleb let it go and gently pressed me about my past instead, “Try me. Start at the beginning.” Now he pulled his legs up until they crossed a bit on top of the wall. He was getting comfortable for my story.

  I swallowed, not sure if I could do it. Break open all that pain? Could I do it without crying?

  Sighing, I decided I’d have to tell him eventually, if we were going to make a real go of a relationship. I started quietly, “Peter and I dated for two years in high school, before we finally buckled to peer pressure and had sex. It only took a few times when I found out I was pregnant.”

  I kept my head down as I spoke, taking only quick peeks at Caleb. I didn’t see judgment so far. He was listening. So I took a deep breath and continued. “I’ll never forget the day I found out. It was a Friday after school. Homecoming was that night and we were supposed to go, but instead, I was in my mom’s garage, telling my seventeen-year-old boyfriend we were going to be parents.”

  I let out a painful snicker, tears glossing over my eyes as I remembered. “And Peter—he—wasn’t happy, but I could tell he was scared. He told me we’d figure something out together.”

  I paused for a moment, wiping a tear away. Caleb squeezed my hand, encouraging me to continue.

  I shook my head sadly. “When he left that night, I thought I had the best boyfriend in the world. But then—I tried calling him all weekend, and he wouldn’t pick up his phone. Tiffany kept answering, and she said he didn’t have time for me or my childish games. I had no idea what she was talking about, but she’d always been rude and mean to me, so I tried not to read into it.”

  This was so hard. I felt like I was reliving the nightmare all over again. Taki
ng a calming breath, I continued. “When I showed up for school on Monday, I looked everywhere for Peter and found him in front of my locker with the one girl he knew I was jealous of. The only girl we ever fought about, and they were full-on making out. I couldn’t believe it, and I knew at that moment I was alone.

  “That day after school, I was walking to my car when Peter ran up behind me. He told me that we needed to be clear. He knew the baby wasn’t his, and he’d heard I’d been screwing around on him. I swore I would never do that, but he insisted a reliable source told him I’d been caught having sex with someone else.”

  I was trying to catch my breath in between my hysterics. “He poked my stomach, and said he didn’t know who the father of my bastard child was, but he knew it wasn’t him. Then he turned and walked away. Just like that.” I’d become so distraught that I hadn’t realized Caleb was rubbing soothing circles over my hands.

  “I was so ashamed. I couldn’t tell my mom. I was her only child, and she was so proud of me. So, as much as it pained me, I couldn’t see another way out. I made an appointment to get an abortion.” I was blubbering, but still had to explain the most painful part. “The night before my appointment, I threatened God and told Him that if He didn’t take the baby, I was going to send it back.”

  I looked down again at our now intertwined fingers, unable to make eye contact while I shared my shameful story. “I had a miscarriage in the middle of the night. My mom had to rush me to the emergency room, and that’s how she found out I was pregnant.”

  I pulled my hands away from him, covering my face as I sobbed. I hoped I wasn’t calling attention to myself. But when I felt Caleb’s loving arms wrap around me, I no longer cared that we were in public. I put my face onto his chest and shook with such strong emotion as my tears flowed. I hadn’t cried like this since it all happened. The wound was still open and had festered for so long, I’d been sure it was beyond healing.

  After a few minutes of drenching his shirt with tears, mascara, and God only knew what else, I looked up at him again. “I’m so sorry. I’m a mess, Caleb. I couldn’t be any good for you, or Madison.”

  He cradled my face and looked straight into my distraught eyes as he replied, “But that’s not what I see. When I look at you, Abby, I see someone strong, a fighter. You’ve lived with this pain for too long, and I’m not going to tell you to let it go.” He raised an eyebrow. “I would be the last one to judge that, but—” He swiped my hair away from my face. “—You’re beautiful, you know that? And I would be honored to call you mine.”

  I shuffled out of his hold. “Did you hear what I just told you? I threatened God, and He took my baby before I could abort it.” Did he miss that part?

  “Have you asked for forgiveness?”

  Was he serious? “What do you mean? From who?”

  “Well, from God,” he said like it was obvious. “You’re still carrying that guilt like a physical weight on your shoulders. That’s not healthy. Have you asked Him to forgive you?”

  “No.” What is he talking about?

  He swiped his thumb across my cheek, holding my gaze to show me how serious he was. “You can’t have hope in the future if there’s no peace in your past.”

  He’s serious. I gulped. “I can’t. It’s too awful.”

  He shook his head, chuckling without humor. “I haven’t told you my story yet, Abby.” He looked down at his folded hands. “It’s not pretty, but I’ve learned how to let go, ask for forgiveness when it’s necessary and move forward. As much as I’d like to, I can’t change my past.”

  He sighed and started in on his own story. “I was a huge prick growing up. I was spoiled, entitled, and my cousins, Stefen, Bri, and I were inseparable. Other than financially, we didn’t have the support of our families. We grew up with nannies and got away with everything. Stefen is only a year younger than me, and Bri is three years younger. As I said before, we were all being groomed to work at my dad and uncle’s law firm, and we attended the best law school, which happened to be our parents’ alma mater.”

  He stopped for a moment, glancing blankly at the building across from us. “Stefen and I were not only cousins and best friends, but frat brothers as well. Our fathers ensured we were part of their fraternity, without even having to pledge, because of their legacy. And my dear cousin and I had a pact.” He blew out another puff of air. “Sleep with as many girls as possible while we were in college. We loved to one up each other, get girls we didn’t think we had a chance with, and after a while, we’d built quite a reputation within the fraternity. I’d just come from another girl’s room when Stefen pointed Rene out. He told me there was no way I could get her. I know it sounds so appalling, it’s just a guy thing, a stupid, immature guy thing.” He shook his head, seeming to have his own private, embarrassing moment, then he went on.

  “Anyway, he was right. I couldn’t win with her, at least not what I wanted. She had heard about the bet, because it went around campus that there was a girl I couldn’t ‘seal the deal’ with. Instead of pushing me away, though, she made it her goal to change me. It worked.” He smiled then. “There was something about her that I couldn’t resist. I didn’t understand how or why she was so different, but she made me wait until I married her.”

  I waited a moment to answer. “I would’ve never guessed, Caleb. You’re nothing like that.”

  “I know.” He chuckled. “She changed me.”

  I frowned thoughtfully. “What about Stefen and Bri?”

  “Well, Stefen is a whole other story.” He sighed. “I have hope for him, but he’s still a mess. He’s the only one who ended up working for our fathers’ firm. Bri just kind of travels around like a lost soul. I’m not sure what’s going on with her. She comes in and out of our lives now, can’t maintain a relationship for anything. I worry about them a lot.”

  “So, neither has found their Rene yet?” I asked softly.

  “No. Stefen believed he had, but I think he just got caught up in Rene’s and my happy bubble.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  “So, my point to this is,” he captured my gaze, a serious look on his face, “I am no saint. I’ve learned and grown, and I’m better for it now, but please don’t ever say you’re not good enough. I see differently. And—” He fidgeted with his hands in his lap. “—This is so awkward talking about Rene as I’m trying to convince you to give me a chance, but she’s why I am who I am.” His eyes were begging me to understand.

  I took his hand back and squeezed lightly. “Please don’t ever feel uncomfortable talking about her. I don’t. I feel horrible that you’ve suffered, but now I’m not only thankful to her for bringing Madison into the world, but I’m also thankful for her impact on your life.”

  He asked hopefully, “So, what do you say? Do you want to try this? I’ll be honest, though. I don’t know what I’m doing here. I can’t remember having a legitimate girlfriend before Rene.”

  My smile matched his. “Well, we’re both in the same boat then, because the only dates I’ve been on since Peter were disasters.”

  “Okay, good.” He nodded once. “It’ll be new for us both. We can figure it out as we go.”

  “I have a request, if you don’t mind. I hope it doesn’t sound rude.”

  “What is it?”

  I grimaced a little, hating to ask, but had to. “Can we keep it quiet, at least until we figure out what we’re doing? I know you’re talking all or nothing, but I really need to take baby steps here. As much as I care about you, this is scary, and I’d hate for everyone to know our business if things didn’t work out.”

  “No problem. I was going to suggest we don’t tell Madison yet. She adores you, and I don’t want her to get her hopes up any more than she already has.”

  “Agreed.” I smiled and held my hand out for him to shake.

  He scooted closer and placed both his palms on the sides of my face. “You’re so beautiful, Abby. I’ve dreamed of kissing you so many times.”

&nbs
p; He moved in closer as my eyes closed, and our lips met for our fourth kiss. Yes, I was counting every time his mouth touched mine. This kiss confirmed what I already knew to be true. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this man. I started to get carried away, making sounds that encouraged him to keep going, until I heard a clicking noise.

  I pulled away from him to find the photographer from earlier standing a few feet away.

  “I’m so sorry.” But the woman didn’t look sheepish or apologetic for capturing our very personal moment. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. That kiss was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, and I couldn’t resist. I’ll be happy to either delete the photos or give you copies, whatever you like. I’m legitimate, I promise.” She handed Caleb her business card.

  I blinked, still feeling a little strange, but now I was curious. I wanted to see the pictures. I glanced at Caleb as he asked me, “What do you think?”

  “I’d like to see.” I would love to have proof of him kissing me.

  “Here.” The photographer handed her very expensive camera to us. She must’ve been legitimate to hand such an expensive camera over to strangers. There were at least fifteen photos less than a second apart, and they were intimate and beautiful.

  “I definitely want copies of these. Here.” Caleb handed his business card over to the photographer we now knew as Dawn.

  Dawn grinned. “I’ll get them over to you within a week. Can I take a few more of you just holding each other?”

  I frowned suddenly. “What does my face look like?” I asked Caleb.

  He swept some of my hair behind my shoulder, his gaze tender. “Beautiful.”

  I melted a little. “I mean, do I have mascara all over or anything?”

  “No, you look great.”

  Dawn shrugged. “I can fix anything like that when I edit anyway, so don’t worry. Okay, get closer. Put your arm around her. Perfect.” She took several pictures of us with Downtown Los Angeles as our backdrop before shaking our hands and leaving us alone once again.

  “That was unexpected.” Caleb raised his eyebrows.