"I'm glad you stopped by."
"I was on my way to the grocery store and saw you through the window. Thought I would stop in real quick," he says walking toward the door. He waves as he exits. I'm dumbfounded. How typical of him to make an appearance, rattle me and leave. To say it was awkward talking to him after several years is putting it mildly. Maybe he hasn't changed much after all.
As soon as I walk in the house, I see Ruby lounging on the couch in her sweats with a bowl of pasta in hand. I fling my purse on the table by the door and sit on the end of the couch.
"Guess who decided to grace me with their presence today?"
With eyes as wide as saucers, she sits up. "Details, details."
I give her the extended rundown.
"And he just left, just like that?" She asks in disbelief.
"Yep. Story of my life."
"You know I always liked you and Pierson together. Frankly, I always thought you balanced each other out."
"We don't even know how long he is here for. Let's not jump the gun here," I point out to her.
"Well I do know you have dated guys here and there, but I think you always compared them to Pierson." It’s true, no use denying it. "He's probably only back to see you. I mean you two have or did have an intense connection. Even I know that," she says as a matter of fact.
I'm not so sure I believe that last comment she made.
"Want to go out tonight? Maybe going out will take your mind off a certain person. At least until tomorrow." She raises her eyebrows and her eyes sparkle.
"Sounds like a great idea. I can be ready in twenty minutes.”
I’m eager to hit the club and let the music carry my worries away. Dancing has always been therapeutic, even if it is just club dancing. It makes me feel free.
Chapter Four
It's Saturday night and Ruby and I are back at Club Aurora to dance my cares away. Clara and Lena meet us there. After kicking back a couple of shots we hit the dance floor. Ruby is dancing with a guy I think is the same a few nights ago. This is a good sign. His friend asks me to dance I can't help but notice Ruby's concerned look, but I go with the flow and start dancing with him anyway. Rihanna's, 'Please Don't Stop' radiates from the sound system and I eagerly lose myself in the rhythm. I don't want to think about anything right now. I want to forget that Pierson is back in town, and I want to forget about how he broke my heart into a million pieces.
The guy I'm dancing with shouts over Rihanna's voice and introduces himself as Mike.
"Nice to meet you Mike," I shout back. His reddish hair is spiked at the front, setting off his blue eyes. He’s not a bad looking guy.
After several fast songs, a slow song comes on and Mike and I start dancing. All of a sudden I feel a firm hand on my shoulder. "You should be dancing with me." Pierson says aggressively as he spins me around and presses his body against mine.
"Hey buddy, she was dancing with me," Mike says, shoving Pierson. Pierson retaliates by shoving back. "She's with me."
Afraid they are going to make a scene; I signal to Mike that it's fine. Pierson pulls me against him, forcing me into a slow dance. The heat emanating off of him sends me careening over the edge of sanity, and I curse my body for reacting to him in such a way. Electrical waves travel down my spine at the feel of his body against mine. I practically lose it when his hands reach around my waist to secure my body against his.
"You know you could have just asked nicely," I say. Looking closer at his face I notice a small scar on his left cheek that had not been there in high school.
"What fun would that be?" He says with a grin. "There is only so much a man can take. I couldn't stand seeing you close to someone else.”
I don't know if I should be pissed that he just said that or not. Who does he think he is? I am not his property.
“I saw you here the other night, and tonight was about all I could handle. I don’t want you dancing with anyone else,” he gives me a smile.
Anger takes over my body, induced by the alcohol I shove Pierson as hard as I can shove him but his body doesn’t budge. “You don’t get the privilege of telling me what to do! You left me remember!” I scream over the music. I shove him once more for good measure. The look on his face is pure shock, and I leave him on the dance floor looking dumbfounded. Outside of the club Ruby is on my heels.
“What the hell?” Ruby asks, as she follows me through the parking lot.
“I just want to go home,” I tell her.
Ruby rushes over to the driver seat of her SUV and I buckle myself in the passenger seat. Resting my head on the back of the seat, I close my eyes until we arrive home.
Lying in bed I begin mentally replaying what happened. He is a cocky son of a bitch, thinking he can tell me what to do. And he is still the most gorgeous man I have ever seen. Damn him. I’m screwed.
Sunday morning I wake with a jolt. I was dreaming about dancing with Pierson. Oh wait, that was real. I don't have time to dwell on it because I need to shower and get ready to head to the office. Pressed for time, I throw on a yellow short-sleeve tee, a pair of blue capris and blue flats.
Still fueled by Pierson possessiveness I head out the door, I see the Welcome Home Party is already in full swing. Entering the office I greet Sara and Sam as they are already there getting everything ready. We lug the chairs and equipment over to the lake by the gazebo. The weather is hot and I’m starting to sweat. While setting up for the party, a few of the town folk come over and ask how I'm doing since Pierson is back. I just smile and say that I'm fine. I mean why wouldn’t I be?
Once I’m done setting up, I go and sit on my front porch. I have a full view of the party. Everyone is mingling, food is being grilled, kids are feeding the ducks and chasing each other with water guns, and music is being played by the local DJ. I spot Pierson greeting and shaking hands with the townsfolk. He receives a few pats on the back.
"Hey," Ruby says, walking down the steps.
"Hey there yourself," I reply dryly.
"I'm going to go meet Trevor for coffee. I'll be right back. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." She winks as she walks away. Trevor is the guy she was dancing with at the club both nights this week.
I spot Pierson walking towards me. Damn is that man fine or what?
“Hey,” he says as he approaches me, walking up the driveway.
“Hey,” I reply.
“Well I wanted to come over and apologize for my behavior last night. It’s just…hard seeing you dance with another guy,” he says with his eyes focused on the ground.
“I’m sorry too. I had no right to shove you like that,” I tell him.
"What are you doing all the way over here? The party is over there," he asks sitting on the step next to me.
"Oh, you know I used to date this guy and all of sudden he is back in town. Those people keep asking me how I'm doing since he's back." My voice is loaded with sarcasm.
“How do you feel about me being back?" He asks. Using one hand, he shields his eyes from the sun as he waits for my answer.
"I'm happy you’re home safe," I say sincerely. "Are you back for good or what?"
"I'm back for good," he says.
"That's awesome. So you’re out of the military?"
"Yes and I'd rather not talk about it. I just wanted to come and make sure we are cool,” he says flashing me his cocky grin.
“We’re cool,” I say, returning the smile.
As he sits next to me I feel butterflies dancing in my stomach. I want to believe he is back for good. When he left for the military he vanished from Allenbury. No letters, no visits home, no nothing. I push the thoughts out of my head.
"I’m actively looking for work and have a few interviews set up already. I have two tomorrow," he says with excitement.
Glancing across the lake I notice we are getting stares from the townsfolk. I mean this is a small town, population three thousand. It appears Pierson notices as well.
"I better get back to the party. Wo
uld you want to go out to dinner sometime this week?" He asks as he stands in front of me.
I'm taken aback by the question. I wasn't expecting that at all.
"You expect me to just say yes after you've been gone all this time? No letters, no nothing. You think you can just swoop in and I'm going to fawn over you?" I ask with a serious tone.
The dumbfounded look on his face is priceless and I’m secretly glad that my comment struck a chord. I can’t help but feel pleased with myself.
He quickly recovers. "Why not? They are." He laughs as he points to the crowd at his welcome home party.
Is he fucking serious right now?
"Fine," I say rolling my eyes.
"I'll pick you up at seven on Wednesday?" It was more of a statement than a question.
“I will see you then.” I tell him. I. Am. Completely. Undone.
Did that just happen? I must be dreaming.
Chapter Five
The next couple of days pass in a flash and Wednesday is finally here. Ruby insisted that she help me get ready for my date. I still can't believe he asked me out. The giddy emotions of our high school years flood over me and I have to remind myself that this isn't high school. We're grown-ups now.
Ruby picked a flowing black skirt paired with a silk red short-sleeve top and red flats for me to wear and convinced me to allow her to do my makeup. She's as excited about my date as I am nervous. I try to calm my nerves by taking long slow deep breaths. Sucking a deep breath in, I close my eyes as I let it out. I’m not sure it is working.
Fifteen minutes later Pierson pulls up in his truck, an indication that we are going out of the area. Ruby answers the door when he knocks and greets him with a hug. She tells him to have a seat that lets him know that I will be out in a minute.
Ruby appears in my room to let me know he's waiting for me and offers up a suggestion.
"I think you should hang out in in your room for a bit and make him sweat a little."
I look at her like she's nuts. "I'm serious," She says "You don't want him to think you've been hanging around like a school girl waiting for her first date."
"You're ruthless," I tell her with a giggle.
After ten minutes I decide he's waited long enough and come out to greet him. I pretend to be unaffected by his presence, but he looks so damn hot in his black dress pants and gray button up shirt. My eyes are immediately drawn to his chest which peeks out from behind the unfastened buttons near his neck. My stomach does flip flops again.
"You ready?" He asks.
I nod yes. "You look nice," he beams appreciatively as he heads to his truck.
"Thanks, you do too." I hope my cheeks aren’t bright pink.
He opens the door for me and I gracefully slide inside. Ten minutes worth of small talk later, he pulls into the parking lot of an Italian restaurant. Upon entering, the waiter ushers us to a secluded private booth in the back. The romantic ambiance of the table setting doesn't go unnoticed as he pulls out my chair out for me. That's one thing about Pierson; he has always been a gentleman and sort of old school.
"Thanks for coming to dinner with me. I'm surprised you said yes after the way I acted at the club last weekend." He says after the waiter takes our order.
"Well I think we were both in the wrong. We both had our share of drinks, so it's forgotten." I say with a flirtatious smile. The way your arms felt around me isn't forgotten though.
"How have you been? Are you seeing anyone?" He asks.
"I've been good. As you saw the other day, I opened up my own catering business. It's doing well and no, I’m not seeing anyone. Are you?"
"Nope," he answers with a sparkle in his eye.
"You’re serious about making Allenbury Springs a permanent residence?"
"Yes. You seem surprised by that?"
"I don't know. I just wasn't expecting to see you again after you left," I tentatively admit. Pain shoots through my heart at the mention of that.
"Well, here I am in the flesh. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I regret leaving."
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"I regret not giving you the choice to try the long distance thing. I mean I didn't want you to lose out on the college experience and everything that comes with it, but I should have asked you about it instead of telling you it was over. I just thought it was best to end it before anyone got hurt. Leaving the way I did, it wasn’t cool.”
"I appreciate you saying that. It means a lot." I let a few seconds pass before admitting more. "I was hurt and it took me a long time to get over you, but that is in the past and all we can do now is move forward." He nods in agreement.
I can still feel a spark between us and it is clearly undeniable.
Our food arrives and we have a light conversation between bites. Afterward we are so stuffed we decide to forgo the dessert and head back to my place. Instead of going in, we decide to go for a walk around the lake. It just finished raining and we enjoy the cool night air. I’m happy and the butterflies have never left my stomach. I still can't believe I’m with Pierson. I find it difficult to focus on anything else and find myself slipping into the lake. I shouldn't have walked so close to the water's edge. Before I make a complete ass out of myself and drown, Pierson grabs hold of my shirt.
“That was a close call,” he says trying not to laugh. Adjusting our positions so that I'm standing on the outer edge, he playfully winks.
"It's not funny.” My clothes are soaked. I could just die right now of embarrassment and my face is probably beet red because of it. I wring the water out of my top, which I am pretty sure it is ruined right along with the makeup Ruby so skillfully applied to my face.
Being the gentleman that he is, he leads me to the Gazebo. Stepping inside I sit on the bench while he leans against the railing with his legs crossed, facing me.
"There is no need to be embarrassed. Luckily I was there to grab you.”
Leave it Pierson to save the day. I sit silently on the bench imagining that I look like a wet dog.
“I've missed this place," he whispers while looking around.
"This is where we had our first kiss," I remind him. Yep, that was my first thought.
"Yes I remember it well," he grins.
I think back to the time when we met at the dance and ended up at the gazebo afterwards, and shared our first kiss. I lose my train of thought as he moves toward me.
"Thanks for the lovely evening Pierson.”
"The pleasure was all mine." Facing me, he takes my hand into his and gazes deeply into my eyes. I could get lost in his pools of green, but I pull away. I don't want to let myself fall for him again. I’m not sure I could survive another Pierson coated heartbreak.
"I need to go. I have an early morning tomorrow," I say turning towards the house.
"It's late. I'll walk you home."
We arrive back at my place and he stops at his truck. "Would you want to go out again sometime?"
"I'll think about it." I force a smile and walk to the house, closing the door behind me. I'm thankful Ruby didn't wait up.
Being with Pierson tonight was great and it was wonderful catching up, but I’m leery about opening my heart to him again. Even though he claimed to be back here for good, I don't think my heart could take it if that changed. A second rejection from the man who claimed my heart so fully, would devastate me. Wouldn't it? Or should I risk it all in hopes that he does stay?
Discarding my wet clothes I head straight to the bathroom for a hot shower and rid my body of any remaining lake grime. If only I could wash thoughts of Pierson away as easily, I ponder before crawling into bed.
Chapter Six
The next morning, Ruby finds me sitting at the table enjoying a cup of coffee. "So how did it go last night?" She asks excitedly.
"It was great. We went to that new Italian restaurant that opened up recently and the food was fabulous. Pierson and I had a long conversation and enjoyed each other’s company. Then we came home, took a walk
around the lake, and I fell in. Pierson rescued me though. We ended up at the Gazebo and I could swear he was about to kiss me, but thwarted his efforts by claiming that I needed to get home.”
"That must have been super embarrassing but I'm more concerned about why you didn't let him kiss you? I'd loved to know what is going on in that head of yours. I mean that ass alone is enough to make a girl want to do bad things," she teases, putting her hand on her hip.
"Ruby you did not just say that! You know everyone has left me at some point. I don't think I could take one more heart break." Pierson's abandonment when he joined the Marine Corp along with my parents' deaths was enough to give me serious desertion issues.
"So what if he does leave again? What's the worst that will happen? You won't die from it." Ruby says.
"I know." But a part of me did die when he left me before.
"You have been so closed off for years Maura. Not from me, but from everyone else. You're afraid to let anyone in. I think you need to find some closure when it comes to your past with Pierson, and with your parents' death. You need to move forward with your life. You of all people deserve to be happy." Ruby says as she hugs me.
"You’re a great friend," I tell her, hugging her back.
"Your one and only, and I'm here if and when you need me, you know that. Just don't let the past determine your future," she says.
"How is Trevor?" I ask changing the subject.
"Trevor is amazing. He is a recent college grad and is currently working at his father's construction company. We are getting together this weekend," she beams.
"That's awesome. I'm happy for you."
"Do you have anything planned for today?" I ask.
"No. Why what's up?"
"I was wondering if you would help me clean out my parents’ old storage unit sometime after lunch. I think you're right, Ruby. It's time to start letting go."
"Sure, whatever you need."
I go to the office to take care of some paper work and check my planner. I only have one event today so I let Sam and Sara do it themselves. I tell them that once they are done that Sara can have the rest of the day off, and for Sam to man the phones. I inform him that I will be unavailable for the rest of the day but to call if any emergencies occur.
Coming Back to You Page 2
