Puzzle Pieces (Second Chance Romance)

by Rachael Bloome

  “You’re a doctor?” Elle asked.

  “An ER surgeon, actually. I happened to be working the night this guy came in with a detached toe.”

  Elle gasped. “What happened?”

  “A mishap on the construction site. One of my guys didn’t properly secure a support beam,” Dean said with a dismissive shrug.

  “Anyway,” Jess continued. “Even with his big toe hanging off, he managed to flirt with me. I thought for sure he was going to ask me out.”

  “He didn’t?” Elle asked.

  “Nope! He almost hobbled out of my life forever. Until I gave him my number and told him he owed me dinner for saving his hallux.” Jess flashed Dean an adoring smile.

  He wrapped an arm around his soon-to-be bride and kissed her cheek. “Best day of my life. Notwithstanding the detached toe.”

  “Wow, you’ve changed a lot since high school,” Elle told him. “Back then, you had no problem asking girls out.”

  Long after high school, too, Graham wanted to add. He’d watched his brother score a girl’s number from a moving vehicle. So, why he’d choked when it came to Jess, Graham could never figure out.

  Dean’s gaze briefly flickered to Elle before he tightened his arm around Jess. “I never did have much luck with brainy girls.”

  “Until now.” Jess snuggled in closer, only pulling away when the waiter approached to take their order.

  Graham eyed his brother over the top of the menu. So was that what it was all about? Was Dean insecure when it came to smart women? Seemed hard to believe, but Graham supposed it was possible. In high school, Dean was the quintessential football star, complete with a floundering 2.0 GPA.

  After ordering, they caught up on life since high school. Dean shared more about his San Francisco-based construction company, and Jess regaled them with shocking—and unappetizing—tales from the ER. Elle also learned they were getting married at the Dalton family vineyard in Sonoma. A place Elle had happily frequented most days after school.

  “I’ve wanted to get married on Valentine’s Day for as long as I can remember,” Jess told her. “But my brother is coming all the way from Japan, and he couldn’t arrive until the following weekend.” She gave a helpless shrug, and Dean pulled her into a consolatory side hug.

  “Speaking of loved ones living far away.” Jess perked up, smiling at Elle. “You must be over the moon that Graham is moving back to the Bay Area.”

  Uncomfortably warm, Graham tugged at his collar. He could sense Elle’s gaze on him, but he couldn’t bring himself to look at her.

  “You’re moving back?” she asked softly.

  Graham winced at the wounded edge to her voice. “Yes. But I haven’t bought a place or anything yet,” he said, hoping to smooth things over. “I’m sorting out a few details.”

  “You didn’t tell her?” Dean’s shocked tone didn’t help matters.

  Elle averted her eyes from Graham’s face and stared down at her plate.

  Graham recognized that expression all too well. She’d worn the same look when she’d been the only girl in their third-grade class not invited to Sally Mayfield’s birthday party. He’d wanted to march right up to Sally’s smug little face and demand Elle’s invitation.

  But what could he do now? He couldn’t explain everything in front of Dean and Jess. The truth was, he ached to tell her he’d finally found a location for a second store and would be moving to SF to run it. But the timing needed to be perfect.

  Because expanding the business wasn’t his only reason for moving back.

  It wasn’t even his first one.

  Chapter Seven

  Elle groaned and yanked the covers over her head as her alarm wailed, announcing her typical 6:00 a.m. wake-up. She pulled her knees into her stomach, cradling them as she debated remaining in the fetal position for the rest of the day.

  Her life was a mess, to say the least. Although the app had skyrocketed back up the charts, simply thinking about all of Jason’s implementations made her sick. They weren’t helping people. They were profiting off of people’s insecurities. And Elle couldn’t take it anymore. Even if it meant losing her business altogether.

  And Lacey.

  Although Elle would do everything in her power to help Lacey’s parents, she had a feeling her friend wouldn’t handle the decision well.

  The knot in her stomach expanded until it put pressure on her heart. She was well beyond probiotics now. Elle needed a full-on body transplant. Stomach, heart—heck! She wouldn’t mind being a completely different person. On the verge of losing her business and her best friend, all she could think about was losing Graham.

  Scratch that.

  She’d already lost Graham.

  No, wait. Scratch that again.

  She’d never had Graham in the first place.

  Elle scrunched her eyes shut, thinking back over the last few days. Things had been going well. Or so she thought. Until the evening in the museum when he’d refused to kiss her.

  She also couldn’t ignore the little matter of him not telling her he planned to move back to the Bay Area. Talk about a gut punch! Did he think if he told her his plans, she’d rope him into being her pretend boyfriend forever? Her cheeks colored in humiliation.

  In the light of this new rejection, the memories from that fateful Valentine’s Day their senior year of high school came rushing back.

  She’d been a nervous wreck, standing on the doorstep of Dalton Estates, waiting for Graham to answer the door. Ever since they’d met in third grade, they’d spent Valentine’s Day together. Usually, it played out like every other day. They met in their favorite spot—a small clearing in the vineyard with a perfect view of the Milky Way—and scarfed down Nerds and Laffy Taffy, while they listened to their favorite bands on Graham’s boom box.

  But on that day—a few months before her eighteenth birthday—everything would change.

  Elle would ask Graham to be her valentine.

  After what felt like hours of agonizing suspense, Dean opened the door.

  But much to her disappointment, Graham wasn’t home.

  Afraid she’d never regain her courage if she didn’t seize the moment, Elle poured her heart out to Dean. He’d listened patiently, and when she finally reached the end of her earnest confession, imploring him to let her feelings be known to Graham, he’d hesitated.

  Seconds turned into minutes.

  His expression had been unreadable, and for a moment, Elle thought he might refuse. When he finally agreed, relief flooded her, nearly bringing her to tears. But before she could thank him, he said something she’d never forget.

  “I’ll tell him, Elle. If you want. But I already know what he’ll say. He doesn’t think of you in that way. He never has. I know, because he told me. To Graham, you’re just a friend. Nothing more.”

  Nothing more.

  Though only two small words, they’d crushed her more than any other words in her life.

  Until she’d received the news of her parents’ car accident.

  Mortified, she’d made Dean promise not to tell Graham. And although he’d given her his word, after that day, things between her and Graham were never the same.

  When her parents died, friends and family members had tried to comfort her. But Elle only wanted Graham. He understood her, and always seemed to know what she needed. His mere presence, or the sound of his voice, would have done wonders for her afflicted heart.

  But he never came.

  Or called.

  But throughout the experience, Elle realized her boyfriend Mark wasn’t the one for her, so she called off their three-year relationship. When her heart longed to be comforted by another man, she knew she couldn’t stay with him. It wasn’t fair.

  Elle’s throat tightened, and her eyes grew hot.

  I will not cry.

  Throwing back the covers, she sat up in bed and reached for her phone. A notification blinked across her screen.

  1 New Message.

  Elle took
a deep breath, slowly exhaled, then opened the message.

  “It is not what we think or feel that makes us who we are. It is what we do. Or fail to do.”

  This time, Elle didn’t Google the quote. Instead, she reread it twice, letting the words sink in.

  She still had no idea who sent it—or why. Maybe it didn’t matter. For the first time since receiving the quotes, she didn’t feel frustrated or perturbed. In fact, the words struck a chord deep in her heart—one she couldn’t ignore.

  * * *

  “Thanks for meeting me so early.” Elle glanced from Lacey to Jason, surprised at how calm she sounded.

  “What’s up?” Lacey took a sip of her coffee, both elbows propped up on the conference table.

  “I have something difficult to tell you both.”

  Jason sat up a little straighter.

  “You didn’t call things off with Graham, did you?” Lacey asked. “Pretend or not, you guys are perfect for each other.”

  Elle’s stomach twisted painfully, but she did her best to ignore it. “No, it’s not about Graham. It’s…” Just say it. She took a deep breath before continuing. “It’s about your marketing strategy, Jason.”

  “What about it?” Jason snapped. He softened his tone before adding, “Is there a problem?”

  “No,” Lacey answered for her. “We’re the number one dating app again. There definitely isn’t a problem. Right, Elle?”

  Elle briefly closed her eyes and drew in a breath, repeating the quote over in her mind. When she opened her eyes, both Lacey and Jason were staring at her with obvious concern.

  “We have to cancel all the changes you made. Obviously, we will pay out your contract, but I don’t think we should work together anymore.”

  “What?!” Lacey slammed her coffee mug onto the table, showering hot liquid all over the previously immaculate surface.

  A tiny muscle in Jason’s jaw twitched, but he didn’t stir. “And why is that?”

  “I appreciate everything you’ve done for us, but it’s not who we are. I agree, some changes need to be made, but not like this.” Elle realized her hands were shaking and she pressed her fingers together to stop the trembling.

  Lacey frantically searched Elle’s face. “You can’t be serious. Please, tell me you’re joking.”

  “I’m not joking, Lace. And I’m sorry to ambush you, but I couldn’t risk you trying to change my mind. I needed to end things with both of you together.”

  Lacey’s eyes narrowed and sparked with anger. “This is because of those bizarre messages you’ve been receiving on Puzzle, isn’t it?”

  “Partly,” Elle admitted. “But it’s more than that.”

  “What messages?” Jason asked.

  Rolling her eyes, Lacey gave a derisive snort. “She’s been getting these weird, cryptic messages from some anonymous sender all week.” She turned to Elle. “You have no idea what those messages mean. You’re really going to ruin everything because of them?” Growing earnest, Lacey leaned across the table. “We’ve worked so hard—dedicated years to this app. Are you willing to lose everything we’ve worked for, all because you let this stranger get inside your head?”

  Elle hesitated, her resolve slipping away. “It’s not—I’m not—” she stammered, feeling her cheeks grow hot.

  Jason swooped in. “Your anniversary party is this Saturday. Why don’t we take a break and think things through before making a rash decision.” He rose from the table. “Take a day or two. You don’t want to do something you’ll regret. I’ll be in touch.”

  Suddenly, Elle found herself alone with Lacey.

  And, from the look on her friend’s alarmingly red face, the only thing Elle regretted was not being closer to the exit.

  * * *

  “How long do you think she’ll stay mad at you?” Graham rubbed his hands together, wishing he’d worn gloves.

  While San Francisco could hardly be considered warm in mid-February, it was downright freezing at the top of Telegraph Hill. Although, he had to admit, the view was worth losing a few fingers to frostbite. The entire city twinkled like stars below them, as though the sky had been flipped upside down.

  “I don’t know.” Elle sighed, and her breath escaped in a white cloud. “But she’s really upset this time. And I can’t say I entirely blame her.”

  “For what it’s worth, I think you made the right decision. And I’m proud of you.” Graham wanted to ask if the messages he’d sent her through the Puzzle app had helped her decide. More than anything, he’d hoped to encourage her. Deep down, she knew what she needed to do. But knowing Elle, he figured she’d need a push to finally speak up. He nearly chuckled out loud, finding humor in the fact that he’d used the much-loathed Sense and Sensibility. How she had hated that book in high school!

  “What?” Elle asked, tearing her gaze from the spellbinding skyline to study him.

  “What?” Graham echoed, fearing he’d given something away.

  “That look on your face. What aren’t you telling me?”

  He blew into his hands, warming them. “Nothing. As I said, I’m really proud of you. And I’m sure things are scary right now, but you’ll figure out a way to save your company without Jason.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so.”

  “Thanks, Graham Cracker.” She smiled at him, then involuntarily shivered.

  “Here.” Graham held open his long wool coat, and Elle stepped inside, snuggling close as he wrapped the coat around them both.

  She laid her head against his chest, and he breathed in, savoring the sweet, floral scent of her shampoo. When they were kids, sprawled out on a blanket staring up at the stars, they would sometimes lie so close, their bare arms would brush against each other. He would forget all about finding Orion’s Belt and focus solely on the sound of their breathing and the feel of her soft skin against his.

  “This means you’re off the hook now,” she said in a voice so soft he barely heard her.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You don’t have to pretend to be my boyfriend anymore.”

  Her words hung in the air between them, and, for a moment, Graham thought his heart had stopped beating. “I guess you’re right.”

  “Not that you haven’t done a lovely job as my fake boyfriend.” Elle giggled, but it sounded hollow to Graham’s ears.

  Say it. Tell her you love her. “Elle…” Keeping her wrapped in his coat, and consequently, his arms, he turned her to face him. “I need to tell you something.”

  She looked up at him, her dark, captivating eyes impossible to read. “What?”

  “I—“

  Flash!

  A bright, blinding light erupted the darkness.

  Blinking in confusion, they both lifted their hands to shield their faces as the onslaught of camera flashes continued.

  “Elle! How long have you two been in love?”

  “When’s the wedding?”

  “Will Lacey Clark be your maid of honor?”

  “Do you want kids?”

  The reporters lobbed questions at them, one after another.

  Graham fought the urge to tear their cameras from their hands and toss them over the edge of the vista point. Fed-up with being followed didn’t begin to describe his feelings toward the relentless paparazzi.

  Elle stepped back and out of Graham’s embrace. Turning to the reporters, she said, “Please, this has to stop.”

  “Give us a statement!” one of the reporters fired back.

  Elle sighed. “Fine. You want a statement? Graham and I are not in love. And we’re not dating. We’re old friends from high school. Nothing more.”

  Nothing more.

  Forget the cameras. Graham wanted to throw himself over the edge.

  How could he have been so stupid? To actually think that after all of this time Elle would change her mind. That maybe she’d want more. Over the last several days, he’d seen a glimpse of what their life together could be like. And a small part of
him—okay, a huge part of him—had thought it might be real.

  Now Dean would get his moment to say “I told you so.”

  Chapter Eight

  Tap. Tap. Tap.

  Drops of rain drummed against Elle’s bedroom window, stirring her from a fitful sleep.

  Of course, it was raining.

  Grumbling under her breath, she drew the covers up to her chin, resolving never to leave her bed again. What would be the point? Her relationship with Graham was over. If it had ever begun at all. Her company would soon be nothing more than a joke. And Lacey refused to speak to her. What did she have left?

  Elle reached for her phone, wondering if UberEats would deliver a veggie omelet directly to her bedside.

  As she scrolled through the apps on her phone, she stumbled across the Overdrive app, which she occasionally used to download ebooks from the library to her Kindle. Impulsively, she opened it, noticing the latest James Patterson thriller she had placed on hold had been automatically downloaded.

  She glanced out the bay window. Torrents of rain poured from an irate sky. A perfect day to stay inside and read.

  Returning to bed with a mug of piping hot coffee and avocado toast, she snuggled beneath her thick duvet, Kindle in hand. Prepared to dive into a world of crime and mystery, she hesitated unexpectedly.

  Uh-uh. No way. She shook off the ridiculous idea and took a stabilizing sip of caffeine.

  Yet, a few minutes later, Elle found herself in Norland Park, with Elinor and Marianne Dashwood of Sense and Sensibility.

  “Thirty-five!” she cried out, indignant on behalf of the character Colonel Brandon. How could thirty-five be considered old and infirm? Heck, her thirtieth birthday was only a few months away! She might as well reserve her spot in the rest home now, according to Jane Austen. Appalled, she set her Kindle down, only to pick it back up a second later.

  Although a willing reader this time around, Elle wasn’t convinced she could write a report on the book that would warrant a passing grade. However, a few of the passages did stand out and actually made sense. A few others continued to mystify her.