Romance: The Second Chance - Contemporary Romance (Romance, Contemporary Romance, Suspense Romance Book 1) (15 page)

              “No,” he said. “Well, I mean yes, but—” He shook his head. “Abby, you are the most beautiful women in the world. And everything in me wants to be
with you.”

              “Then what's the problem?”

              “I just... I just believe in only giving myself fully to the one I love on the night of our wedding... it has nothing to do with you, or your scar. I
love
you. But I respect you, too—and I respect myself. So I can't in good conscious allow myself to—to—violate you like that before I pledged myself to you and no other.”

              She stared at him. This time she was the one with blank expression. He didn’t seem nervous at all. He didn’t tremble as he waited for her approval. His mind was already made up.

              Abby had never thought men could think like that. Could show enough respect and self-restraint to stay abstinent, even when given permission. That he loved her
enough, that he was willing to give her the respect and dignity that she
desired.... even if she wasn't willing to do the same for herself.

              “I love you,” she whispered.

              “I love you too Abby. So,
so
much.”

              She leaned into his arms once more, not pushing herself towards him, just embracing him, whole-hearted and warm.

             
A
bby opened her eyes, and for a brief moment she didn't know where she was. The walls, the ceiling, the bed; everything was foreign to her.

             
Oh, right.

             
It all rushed back. Last night, Eli, the confession, everything. Time had gotten away from them, and she’d ended up just staying the night. She’d had no problem with sleeping on the couch, but Eli insisted. She would sleep on the bed, and he would take the couch. She hadn't argued, no longer feeling the need to prove
herself to him.

              From the other side of the cracked door, she heard the distinct sound of claws scraping against the wood flooring.
Rudy.
The dog came through the door at a run and didn't slow down, jumping onto the bed to greet her. After he’d licked her face and she’d scratched his head, he burrowed down against her, and made himself comfortable on the bed at her side. She continued to scratch him as she looked around the room. She hadn’t really seen this place the night before, asleep before her head hit the pillow, so mentally exhausted from everything that had happened.

              There wasn't much on the walls, nothing more than in any of his other rooms, anyway. Then she turned to her left and saw his dresser. There was only one thing. A picture. A woman.

             
Hannah.

              Abby had never seen a picture of her before, and didn’t know much about her, either. Eli sometimes said things, but not much, and Abby was too nervous to pry deeper into his life. Digging up old wounds was the last thing she wanted to do. But maybe that was exactly what he needed. Maybe the reason she didn't want to talk about his past was just because she didn't want to talk about hers. She had let herself to believe she was thinking of him, but that wasn’t the case at all; she was only thinking of herself. Maybe he would enjoy talking about her with someone. Sharing her memory might help him heal. Ease the pain... maybe even feel good. A kind of catharsis.

              She wasn't convinced, but it would be foolish to not at least ask him about her, and give him the opportunity to decide for himself. It was the least she could after last night. And if he would feel anything like she did after opening up, then there was nothing he should be afraid of.

              She got up, and headed out towards the hallway. Already dressed, she didn't even take the time to remove any of her clothing before falling into a deep sleep. Rudy followed close behind.

             
She really was beautiful....

              As she moved further along, Abby could smell the sweet delicious scent of pancakes. She rounded the corner and saw Eli at the stove, hard at work preparing their breakfast. Rudy ran up to him, whining. Eli laughed. “You want some buddy? Here you go. Just a little piece though.” He tossed down a torn-off chunk of one of the many pancakes in the finished stack. Rudy swallowed it down immediately, and then started begging for more. Eli looked up, and their eyes met across the kitchen.

              “Didn't know you were up,” he said. “I was going to bring this to you in bed, but I guess now we can eat it together.”

              “It smells delicious,” she said, stomach grumbling at just the thought of eating such rich-tasting food.

              He grinned. “Thanks.”

              She helped him bring the food to the table. And it wasn’t just pancakes; there were eggs, too, and toast, and tea—everything she could have wanted. And it tasted even better than it smelled. Turned out Eli was a fantastic cook, with or without a deep fryer.

              They ate quickly, without saying much. The mood in the room was warm and fuzzy. They didn’t need to tell each other what they were feeling because it was obvious to anyone within the vicinity. Even Rudy was wagging his tail.

              Eli put the last of his scrambled eggs into his mouth, and finished off his tea. “So, what do you want to do today? I have to be at the restaurant by nine, which leaves us about an hour. I'd be more than happy to take you along with me, or drop you off wherever. Just say the word.”

              Though she really didn't want to leave him, and spending the day with him at Splash, in this beautiful weather no less, would certainly be glorious. But she needed to see Melody. And she had already planned to meet up with Molly at the hospital at noon.

              “Could you drop me off at the hospital?”

              “Sure thing.” He crunched into a new piece of toast. “Do you want to swing by Melody's first? Grab some new clothes and freshen up?”

              Abby widened her eyes at him. “Are you saying I don't look
amazing
right now?”

              He grinned. “Well, I really didn't want to be the one to say anything... but if we’re going to be seen together, you’ve really got to do a little better than that.” Her mouth dropped, feigning offense. “In fact, you should probably cover your face before we leave. I think I have a paper bag around here somewhere.” He shifted around as if genuinely looking for it.

              Abby laughed, and so did he. He then looked her straight in the eyes, melting her as always. “You are the most beautiful girl in the world,” he said, voice full of conviction. “If I had my pick of any woman in the world, all of them lined up in front of me, do you know who I'd choose?”

              She blushed, biting one fingernail.

              He leaned over the table towards her, taking her hand in his, and with the utmost certainty said, “I'd choose you.”

              Her heart sang.

~*~

             
As promised, they made a quick stop at Melody's so Abby could change and freshen up, then continued on to drop her off at the hospital. He kissed her just before she jumped out of the truck, filling her with warmth and happiness. She felt like she was fifteen again.

              When she arrived in Melody’s room—having practically danced her way there—she was elated to find her grandmother awake and looking stronger than ever. They talked for a few hours, and Abby filled her in on everything that had just happened with Eli. Melody was so happy for her, but after a while she grew tired and fell asleep. Abby watched her, then found some magazines to read until Molly showed up at noon, and they decided to out for a walk so Abby could fill her in on what happened without waking Melody.

              They walked out towards the shore, as the sun reached high in the sky and blessed the earth with it's brilliant light. Once she started telling Molly the story, she couldn't stop. Though it felt good to tell it too Melody, it was different with Molly. Someone who was
her
age, and in her same predicament. Someone who could relate and be affected emotionally in her own life.

              As she expected, Molly was over the moon. Barely able to contain her excitement.

              “What?! So you stayed the night?” She had said, then gave her a look. Hinting at what may have happened between them.

              “Nothing happened. Honestly. He didn't want to. He said he would rather wait. That it wouldn't be fair to him, or to me, to take so much from me before we were ready to fully commit.”

              “That's so romantic,” Molly gushed. Then muttered something about Eric under her breath.

              Abby smiled. “I thought so too.”

              “You two are so perfect for each other... makes me wanna puke.” Molly said rolling her eyes.

              Abby laughed. What was there to say to that?

              They walked for hours, just talking and enjoying each others company. For the first time in a long time, Abby felt completely free. Melody was going to be alright; she had gotten back together with Eli, and, most importantly, she’d finally shared her past with someone. Getting that off her chest was huge, allowing her to breath openly and freely for the first time in months.

              It was truly a gorgeous day, and Abby was intent on soaking it all in. The sun was full, leaves stirred in the gentle breeze, and beautiful birds chirped and sang along the shoreline. It was wonderful.

              Eventually they made their way back to the hospital. They spent an hour or so with Melody, but then decided to leave her for the night. Molly offered to give Abby a ride home, and she accepted.

              But when they pulled up to the house, Abby felt a shiver go down her spine. She couldn't explain it, but it made her suddenly nervous.

              “You okay?” Molly asked.

              Abby shook her head. “Yeah. Yeah, fine.”

              “Do you… want me to come in with you?”

              “Ah, no, that’s okay. Thanks though, Molls.”

              “Alright. Eric's going to take me out surfing again tomorrow. I
really
like him Abby.”

              “ I can see that Molls, I'm so happy for you.” She meant it.

              “Ya, well... maybe we can talk more about it later. I don't know... I mean... we've been talking about maybe taking the
next step.”

             
“Wait... you don't mean?”

              “Ya.” Molly said cutting her off. “Well... I don't want to bother you now, not with what just happened with Melody. But, it'd be nice to talk to someone. I've never had a girlfriend who I trusted as much as you. Would... would that be okay?”

              Abby smiled and put her hand on Molly's shoulder “that's be
more
than okay.”

              A tear dripped from Molly's eye, and the two embraced in a passionate hug.

              Abby knew know that she loved Molly. She'd become more than a friend to her. They were sisters, and she knew just how much Eric truly meant to her. Abby couldn't have been happier for them.

              They held for a few moments more before finally saying their last goodbyes. Abby watched as Molly pull out of the driveway, the headlights slowly receding down the long hill, becoming fainter and fainter until they vanished completely.

              Until Abby was completely alone.

              She turned from the road, and made her way toward the house. It felt strange to be there all alone, without Melody. But the excitement she shared for Molly overpowered the fear. She’d never had the house to herself before—never had
any
house to herself before. But she might as well make the most of it.

              She made her way upstairs and went to take a shower. She couldn't escape this nagging feeling that she wasn't alone. Like when you feel someone is watching you, only to turn around and find out that someone was. She hated the feeling, but knew there was no merit for it. She decided to try to ignore it and move on. Perhaps tomorrow she would ask Molly to stay with her, then maybe the two of them could that talk. Tonight, however, she was alone. So she might as well make the best of it.

~*~

              Blaring death metal music hushed as he shut off the old car. He’d kicked out the worst of the trash but the cab still smelled like leather, mold, and fermenting garbage. At least he hadn’t paid for the thing. And it still smelled better than prison.

              He ran his fingers through his dark, greasy hair, and tossed it out of his eyes. From the glove compartment he pulled a little dime bag of cocaine, and dipped his key in for another snort. Prison had been an agony of withdrawal until he’d found people who could get him coke—cut with baking powder and sawdust probably, but enough to get him high. And the guys had been planning something more than routine drug smuggling, too. They were planning a breakout, and they need someone who could pick locks.

              He’d picked up the skill when he was a kid, getting out of the closets his father locked him into when he left to go to bars or pick up women. He’d had to learn, so he had, and learned well. Fortunately for him, the guys planning the escape needed him, and had had no choice but to include him in the plan.

              He lifted the key, pressing his other nostril shut and snorted the coke, hard and deep. Bright tingling rush of energy. Glittering roar of purpose.