Ready to Love Again (Sweet Romance #2) (13 page)

Chapter Seventeen

After a day of leisure—I hadn’t done more than read and catch-up on some programmes I had missed—I was settling in for the night with a DVD and a small bottle of wine, there was a knock on the front door.

I was too comfy to move but I paused my film, grumpily huffed out of the blanket, and trudged to the front door.

Upon opening the front door, I received a shock.

“Justine!” I squealed as she launched herself at me and wrapped me in a bear hug.

“Oh my god! It is so good to see you, girl!” she replied as I wrapped my arms firmly around her.

“Same! Let’s get in out of the cold, shall we?”

I moved aside for her to roll in the suitcase she had behind her. I couldn’t believe she was here. When she had texted me back, she made no mention of coming to see me. And she must have already been on her way, considering how long a journey it was from Portsmouth to Brockwood.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” I asked as I went to retrieve another wine glass.

“I wanted it to be a surprise. I have let you have time to settle in and get adjusted, but I couldn’t wait any longer!”

I poured her a glass of wine and handed it to her as she sat on the small couch.

“I’m so happy to see you. How long are you intending to stay? Where are you staying? Where are Gage and the kids?”

“Woah! One question at a time, girl! Firstly, I don’t know how long I’m staying, I haven’t got a specific time frame. Secondly, I had hoped I could stay with you—but then I thought you might be living somewhere bigger. And as for Gage and the kids, well, they’re at home.”

She sipped her wine and looked around the pokey little room I was living in. “Nice place,” she snorted.

“Yeah, it was all I could afford at the time, but the money from the sale of the house has come through and I can finally house-hunt now,” I replied, taking a seat next to her.

“Well, you know what I have to say about that.”

“No, I don’t. Feel free to fill me in.”

This was going to be a long night.

“You should never have moved. That house you sold was where you and Ethan had the best times. Your memories were all tied up there. You should be back home close to your family and friends. We miss you.”

“That is exactly why I moved. The memories were too much. Sure, we had some great times in that house, but those memories are in my head and that’s where they’ll stay. The fact is, I just couldn’t be somewhere that reminded me of what I had lost. Every building knew his name, every photograph was a painful stab in my heart. You don’t know what it’s liked to be widowed, it’s utterly devastating.”

“Which is why you need your family and friends!” she said helping herself to another glass of wine.

“I stayed for two years after he died, Phylis.” I hoped using my nickname for her would put a smile on her face.

“And?” she crossed her arms and gave me a rather condescending look.

“And I had enough. I failed. I couldn’t cope. I fell apart over and over again. My life was wonderful when Ethan was alive. He made every day a good one. He turned every frown upside-down. But when I lost him, I felt like a piece of me died with him. I tried sticking around, I tried really hard to pick up the pieces and carry on, but it was impossible. Everywhere I turned, every thought in my head, were all consumed by Ethan. By death.”

The tears began to fall from my eyes and the look on my best friend’s face softened.

“I know how hard it was, Lys, he was my brother and I know how hard it hit me. But regardless of that, you know we were all there for you, you could have come to any one of us at any time.”

“I know but I didn’t want to only get on with my life because I had people around me. I had to get on with life for myself.”

“Lys…” she trailed off.

“Phylis, we will have to just agree to disagree on this point. You have your views and I have mine. I know you mean well, and I love you dearly, but I am not moving back home if that’s what you’ve come to ask me.”

“No, I haven’t come to try and pressure you to come home. I have come so I can understand why you did what you did and to see how you are getting on with your new life.”

“Okay, well, you’ll see that I’m happy here. I have friends, a good job…I just need to move out of here and I’ll be set.”

“How’s house-hunting going?”

Thank goodness she was changing the subject. I didn’t want to fight with my best friend on her first night here.

“There are a couple of nice places I’ve found and am going to view. You are more than welcome to tag along.”

“Great. So, friends…Who? How do you know them? And when can I meet them?”

“Well, there’s Clark, he works at the local hardware store. I met him when I went to get some camping supplies for this place. When I moved in, there was furniture but I didn’t want to sleep in the bed, so I bought a sleeping bag for the top. There’s Emily, who runs The Mermaid Inn just down the road. I guess there’s also Lexi, who works at Emerging Butterfly with me—though she seems a bit of a daddy’s little princess.”

I didn’t mention Chase. I wasn’t sure how she’d take it. I knew she’d probe and I’d end up confessing that we’d slept together. Sitting here not telling her the whole truth felt like I was betraying her, but I just couldn’t get into it right now.

“I’m so glad you’ve made some friends here and that you’re settling in. I won’t lie, I wish you were back home, but that’s not going to happen and I accept your choice.”

I breathed a small sigh of relief.

“Thank you.”

“Is there any more wine?” she asked, gesturing to the now empty bottle.

“Nope. I’m a single woman having a night in with a film and a bottle of wine. I’m not a wino. I don’t have a cupboard full of the stuff.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the pout on her face.

“We could go out and get more…” she suggested.

“Yes, but I have an early start tomorrow.”

“Party pooper!” She elbowed me and I laughed.

“Sorry, but you’re welcome to the coffee in the kitchen, and you can make me one while you’re at it.”

“Oh my goodness, I’ve been here for five seconds and you want me to be your skivvy already?” she exclaimed in mock indignation.

The rest of the night was quiet and uneventful. We watched the DVD I had already started, drank coffee, and talked about my work, friends, and how much we had missed each other. She told me that Gage had offered to look after the children at home so that she could come on her own instead of them all turning up at my front door. She realised now what a good choice that had been, considering how small this place is.

I told her how close Clark and I had become and when she asked if there was anything in it, I was thankful I could say that I had set him up with Jenny. I still didn’t mention Chase. I didn’t see the point. I’d tell her about him soon, but not just yet.

***

I woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee. Justine had made breakfast, or what could pass as breakfast with what was in my cupboard. I sat up in bed and smiled at her as she brought me a steaming mug of caffeine. Just what I needed.

“So, what time do you have to be at work?” she asked as I inhaled the aromas coming from my mug.

“Nine o’clock,” I replied as I took a big gulp of coffee and got out of bed.

“Is there anything around here to keep me occupied?”

“Well, there’s the shopping centre. But other than that, not really.”

I hadn’t thought about her free time while I was at work. There wasn’t really much she could do. But thanks to Clark, there was a catalogue of DVDs to watch.

“Okay, well, I’ll just stay here and try to find something to keep me busy,” she replied as she gestured for me to sit at the small dining room table and eat my breakfast.

“Thanks for this.”

“It’s nothing. You put me up for the night so it’s the least I can do.”

I ate my scrambled egg on toast and drank another mug of coffee before getting dressed for work. I heard Justine singing along to Maroon 5, her favourite band, as she washed up the plates.

“You really don’t have to do that,” I said as I opened the door into the tiny kitchen.

“Well I’ve done it now so tough.” She bobbed her tongue out at me as she put the last fork on the draining board.

“Thank you.” I pulled her into a one armed hug so I didn’t get my work clothes wet.

“You look nice,” she said, looking me over.

“Thanks.”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were dressing to impress.” She chuckled as she dried her hands and walked with me into the lounge.

I looked at my dress and smoothed non-existent wrinkles. I guess Little Miss Intuitive was on the ball this morning. Since the night I had spent with Chase, I had taken a little extra care getting ready in the morning and made sure to look as good as possible. Maybe I shouldn’t, after all I didn’t want to encourage him further, but it felt good to be looked at the way he looked at me. I could see his beautiful green eyes twinkling at me, flashing the small flecks of gold.

“Well, I’m glad you know better.” I laughed as I retrieved my bag and slipped my kitten heels on.

“Have a good day.”

“I’ll try. Oh and while I remember, here…” I handed her a spare key in case she decided to go out and investigate.

“Great, thanks. I’ll probably get cabin fever and at least want to go for a walk.”

“I’ll be home around five thirty. See you then.”

I placed a kiss on her cheek and slipped out of the front door.

Getting into my car, I smiled to myself. It felt so good to have my best friend here. We’d known each other since high school and had never spent as long apart as we had since I moved. It was good seeing her again.

I pulled up at work a few minutes later and lo and behold, who should be the first person I see? Mr Green Eyes.

“Good morning.” He smiled, flashing that adorable dimple.

“Good morning,” I said as I locked the car and headed for the door.

There was that anticipation and nervousness that left me with butterflies in my tummy. Feeling like a silly teenager with a secret, I walked into the building and headed for the elevator. Chase followed closely behind and I could smell the slight hint of cologne on him as he drew nearer. We walked into the elevator and no sooner had the door closed than Chase’s lips crashed over mine. Warm and tender, his full lips made my insides quiver and knees weak. His tongue sought entry into my mouth as I brought my hand up to the back of his neck and drew him closer. His one hand gripped my hair as he wrapped his other arm around me.

We shouldn’t be doing this. Not at work. Not at all. But it felt too good to put a stop to.

The elevator door opened, bringing our kiss to an abrupt end. I straightened my dress and ran my fingers through my hair. I watched as Chase smiled at me, casually running his hand through his own hair like nothing had happened. Oh he was good at playing it cool, you could just tell he had that way about him.

“Have a good day.” He winked and I saw a flash of that dimple before he walked down the corridor to his office.

I got to my office and heard a voice call my name as I opened the door. I turned and looked at Lexi. I hadn’t seen her since the other night when I had looked after her and put her to bed.

“I just wanted to say thank you.” She smiled shyly at me.

“For what?” I asked, letting her into my office.

“For taking such good care of me the other night. I know I was pretty drunk, but I remember that it was you who was there to hold my hair back while I was sick and you got me changed into my nightwear, tucked me into bed. You were very compassionate and I am extremely grateful.”

“Think nothing of it!”

I logged onto my computer and put my bag down.

“Seriously, Alyssa, I made a total ass of myself and I am so sorry.”

“No, you didn’t, don’t worry about it.”

I looked over at her and saw a look flit across her face. She was ashamed.

“Let’s get a coffee,” I suggested.

“That would be good,” she replied as we walked down to the little kitchenette to make ourselves a drink.

“You know, I’ve been blind drunk and not known how I’ve got home. We all do in our youth. We don’t really know what our boundaries are, how much alcohol we can handle, until we go beyond that point.”

“I used to do it all the time when I was younger, but I’m twenty-five years old now and I know better.”

“Life would be dull if we were all goody-two-shoes. What good is it if we can’t have a little fun occasionally?” I asked as I made us both a coffee.

“Well, you and Chase were good to me, getting me home and making sure I was safe. Thank you. I won’t do that again, don’t worry.”