The Only One for Her (8 page)

Chapter 16: Lindy

It had been so long, I could hardly remember what it was like being excited about a date. I was nervous last night because I had no idea if Trace and I would have anything to talk about. But our evening had turned out to be pretty special. I couldn’t believe that no one had taken him off the market yet. He was kind, compassionate, smart, sexy, and an incredible kisser. I could only imagine what else he was good at. I blushed at my own thoughts.

Sighing loudly, I considered his ability to read me last night when I’d asked him to come in. He was a good guy for not taking advantage when he could have. He had integrity. A rare quality to find in a person nowadays. Something I could admire.

After finishing up the last touches on my makeup, I put my shorts and shirt over
my swimsuit. I had to admit even though I was fit, I was a little apprehensive about him seeing me in a bathing suit. He was in incredible shape, every muscle defined, probably only five percent body fat. It was a little intimidating. I was in shape, but I didn’t exactly look like a fitness model like he did. I had curves.

Trace was waiting for me when I entered the lobby. “Ready?” he asked.

“Yes. It looks like you are, too. How did you manage to get us a picnic basket?”

“The concierge here is very helpful. All I had to do was tell them what I wanted and it was here waiting for me.”

“Nice. And so fast. I’m impressed.”

“Well, I aim to please,” he said, flashing a sexy grin. The flurry of a thousand butterflies took flight in my stomach. Trace had a way about him that made me melt on the inside. He was kind, and also so easy on the eyes.

Walking out to the car, he held my hand. Such a simple thing, but it made me feel special. Like last night. I wasn’t sure what to expect from today, but I was open to getting to know him better. Excitement coursed through me like when I was seven and couldn’t wait for it to be my birthday.

I had no idea exactly where we were headed, but Trace seemed to have it all mapped out. He took charge and I happily let him. I didn’t want to think about a thing. I just wanted to be in the present for a change. It seemed like most of my life I had been wandering in the past or attempting to figure out the future.

We parked near a trail and he came around to open my door. He was such a gentleman, unlike many of the truckers I encountered on a daily basis.

“It’s a short hike, just up that path,” he said pointing.

“Great, let’s go. I can’t wait to see the waterfall.” The trail was encased with lush greenery. Plants I’d never seen before. Breathtaking was an understatement.

“The concierge told me it only takes about ten minutes to reach the waterfall.”

“Well, I’m so glad you thought of this. I’m really looking forward to our picnic.” I hoped that didn’t sound too eager. I was nervous. Nervous to be alone with him on another date.

The waterfall was stunning and I could see us swimming in the pool of water it flowed into. I was glad I had my bathing suit on.

Trace spread out the beach towels and began setting up the picnic. No one else was around but us. It was secluded and romantic.

“I have to say again how impressed I am that you could make this happen on such short notice. And all the gourmet food looks delicious.”

“Oh, well, the hotel has all kinds of packages for their guests. I just put in a request online and it was ready this morning.”

We both sat on the beach towels and Trace began feeding me red grapes.

“Mm. These are delicious.”

“Would you like some sparkling cider or water?”

“Water would be great. So, tell me, how did you end up owning such an amazing company? I’m fascinated by the technology to build human organs.”

“It’s kind of a long story.”

“Well, good thing for you I happen to love long stories.”

Trace stared into my eyes for a moment, then slightly nodded. “It started from a promise I made to make a difference in people’s lives. When I was nineteen,
my
best friend Jake was killed in a car accident.”

Trace stopped talking for a second to collect his thoughts. His downcast eyes expressed how much he missed his friend. “Oh, I’m so sorry. It’s so tragic when such a young person dies.” My words sounded hollow to me, even though I had been through such a loss.

Trace continued his story. “I was supposed to be with him, his girlfriend and another friend that night, but my girlfriend at the time wanted to go to the movies instead of bowling with them. They had been drinking and were in a car accident. No one survived.”

I put my hand on Trace’s. “I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for you to lose your best friend at such a young age.”

“It was. I found out about the accident the next day. Three of my friends were dead and it was all so…senseless. Part of me couldn’t help but blame myself for his death. If only I had been there, maybe I could have saved them. It still haunts me. We had been inseparable our whole lives. My mom jokingly called us Pete and repeat. I seriously don’t have a single childhood memory without him. So, I made a promise to Jake at his funeral that I would do something important with my life in honor of him. When I found out that because of his injuries he needed a new liver, but there were no matches in the database, I knew it had to be something medical related. He died because there wasn’t an organ available for him when he needed it.”

I shook my head. “It’s so hard to make sense of things like this. But you know it’s not your fault, right?”

Trace reluctantly nodded. I gently lifted his chin so his eyes met mine. “Life is fragile and we control so little of it. It’s devastating when people die before they’ve had a chance to live. But recently at church my pastor said that it’s important to ask God what He is trying to teach us…what we’re supposed to learn from difficult times. For whatever reason, you weren't supposed to be there with him.”

“Yeah. I guess you’re right. I just can’t help but think maybe I could have done something. Changed things somehow.”

“Oh, Trace. I can understand that. We all have things we wish we could change but it’s out of our control. I know your friends wouldn’t want you to carry this around with you. And because of them, you are doing something really important with your life. Creating something to save lives.”

Trace’s eyes were locked onto mine. “It derailed me for a while. I became so depressed, I couldn’t leave my house. I dropped out of school, quit my job, became reclusive. My mom and sisters were my saving grace. Eventually, I was diagnosed with PTSD. It took over a year before I began to feel like myself again. My friend Derrick got me back into the gym and that helped to get me out of my depression.”

“Sounds like a good friend.”

Trace exhaled loudly and his eyes were downcast. Maybe they weren’t such good friends after all.

“I don’t know why I told you all of that. I usually don’t share my feelings like this.”

“I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to tell me about something so painful.”

Trace stroked my face with his hand. “You’re easy to talk to, Lindy. I feel like I can tell you anything.”

“You can,” I said as he began leaning his face toward mine. Before I knew it, his lips were caressing mine, taking over, consuming me. Trace moved closer and my body slowly reclined. His kisses broke down my defenses, my hand gliding up his triceps, clasping onto his shoulder. His chest was pressed tightly against me. My breathing ragged, shallow while his tongue stroked mine. My heart was pounding. Time stood still as Trace Michaels ignited a blazing inferno inside me.

Slowing his kisses he asked, “Would you like to go for a swim?”

“Mm. That sounds nice.” I needed something to cool me down and this was the closest thing I could get to a cold shower right now.

Slipping out of my shorts and tank top, my nerves made my insides shake. Why was I so…scared? Probably because I was taking my clothes off in front of a Greek god. Trace was already wearing his swim trunks, but when he removed his shirt, I was rendered speechless. Every muscle was defined. I had only seen abs like that on underwear models in magazines, not up close and personal. His arms, chest, and back were incredible, too. Then my gaze landed on his sexy, perfect V cut. A surge went through me as my mind wondered…

“Ready to go in?” he asked, reaching for my hand.

I answered yes, but all I could think about was if my butt looked cute in my bikini bottoms. Ro had insisted I get a new bikini for this trip. Strangely, she’d had a feeling I might meet someone. But she was always optimistic. I had waved her off at the time, but it looked like she was right. I was never going to hear the end of this. Inwardly I smiled, thinking about my best friend and how much she had been there for me over the years.

Thinking the water would be cold, I dipped my foot in. “I was expecting it to be freezing.”

“We’re closer to the equator, so the water is warm,” Trace said as he walked us deeper into the pool of water.

So much for cooling down. “I guess I forgot about that from my first visit.” My thoughts immediately turned to Dane. I had taken a sabbatical from thinking about my husband. Was I disrespecting him by getting to know Trace? After all, my reason for being here was to lay Dane to rest. I had done that, but shouldn’t I be sad, wallowing in my grief? That’s probably what a good wife would be doing. I chided myself. Happiness hadn’t come easily for me. Every time I reached for it, I couldn’t quite catch it.

“Lindy, you seem like a million miles away. You okay?”

Very perceptive. “I’m not sure. Everything that’s happening is so unexpected. I assumed today I would be sitting on the beach, pondering my life, not here at a beautiful waterfall…with you. I don’t know why or how this is happening.” I expected my heart to feel broken, but being with Trace somehow made it feel whole again. It sure was beating fast.

Trace put his hand around the nape of my neck and pulled my body close to his. Only thin cloth separated us as he hugged me. “You’re supposed to be here with me, Lindy. Believe it. Just trust that we were supposed to meet.”

Trace’s words made my spine tingle, drawing me even closer to him. Little by little, the chards of brokenness that was my heart were being put back together. I was letting him in. I was moving forward. And it felt good. Right.

Chapter 17: Trace

Nothing felt better to me than having Lindy in my arms. She let me hold her for a long time, resting her head on my chest, as we stood in the gently moving water. Not being able to imagine what it was like for her to spread her husband’s ashes, all I could do was hold her, make her feel safe. My feelings for her grew each second. I didn’t want to let her go. She’d already become important to me in less than a twenty-four-hour time span. I wanted to share my life with her and know about every nuance of hers.

It made me realize the affection between Angelina and I had changed in the last few months. She had still appeared warm and caring, but she hadn’t come across like she loved and adored me. Not how I had seen my mom love my dad. I couldn’t pinpoint when things had changed. Were there signs I hadn’t seen?

We swam in the pool and drifted under the waterfall. It was amazing to experience this with her. She fit so nicely in my arms and I kept her body close to mine the entire time. Early afternoon was changing to late afternoon and our time was growing short.

“Lindy, do you have any plans for tonight?” I asked, hoping her answer would be no.

“Not really.”

“I thought we could go into Lahaina and have dinner, watch the sunset. I’ve heard The Lahaina Fish Company is really good.”

“That sounds great,” she said, looking up through her lashes. She had a demure way about her that I was very drawn to.

We packed up our picnic and began making our way back to the hotel. Maui was so relaxing that time had just slipped away without either of us really noticing. Lindy and I each went to our perspective rooms. Deciding to meet at six, it gave me time to reflect on our day together. Lindy was the most compassionate person I’d ever met. My connection to her was intense considering the short span of time we’d known each other. Somehow, it felt like nothing existed in my life without her.

I needed to take a shower and get a grip. My mind was running wild with all things Lindy. My gut told me she was someone special to hold onto, but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. The last thing I wanted to do was scare her off. But, she’d stayed in my arms for most of the afternoon, so I had a strong indication she was having feelings for me too.

The shower was a good stabilizer, clearing my head. Staying focused on Lindy was my priority now. I had no room in me to ponder anything that had happened with Angelina, which was weird. I should be obsessing over the woman who’d cheated on me, but I wasn’t. I should be feeling so…broken. But, instead I feel…free? Had things not been as good as I had thought? Just like that, I was over her. I had only given her two years of my life, and thinking back, had I really felt as close and connected to Angelina as I’d thought? Could I really switch off that all-consuming love so easily? I wouldn’t have thought it possible. But, it was true. I didn’t feel like I was grieving and I could only attribute that to Lindy. She was…
light
. I wasn’t ready to wish Derrick and Angelina love and happiness. What they did was fucked. I didn’t hope they’d end up happily ever after. They deliberately lied to me and deceived me. With no remorse. Meeting Lindy reminded me life was short. I lost Jake too soon. I didn’t want to waste any more time on anger…

Lindy was only here for two more days and then she would be going back to Louisiana. I had already decided I didn’t want that to happen. Apart from her two close friends, she didn’t really have any other ties to Lafayette. Would she move? Watching her fly away from me was something I couldn’t fathom. I’d only known her for a short time, but it seemed like years. We fit together like an old married couple who finished each other’s sentences.
I had it bad
. Lindy was under my skin and there was nothing I could do about it. Nor did I want to.

After showering, I made reservations for dinner. It would be a night watching the sunset, the radiance from the sun glowing on Lindy’s stunning face.