Waterfront Weddings (13 page)

She peeked through the blinds and saw an unfamiliar pickup truck in her driveway. For the hundredth time, she wished she had a dog. It might give her a little security when there was a stranger at the door. Although she’d probably end up with a dog like Milo, who was more likely to lick someone than bark at them.

She pushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and gingerly opened the door.

Justin stood on the porch, holding a bag in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other.

You have got to be kidding me
. “Justin.” She forced a smile. “What brings you here?”

A sheepish expression washed over his boyish face. “I came to apologize.”

She shook her head. “That isn’t necessary. I appreciate you coming all the way out here though.” Her North Charleston home was convenient to lots of shopping and dining, but getting here from downtown meant fighting traffic.

He hung his head. “I knew you’d probably say that, but I also knew that I’d always kick myself if I at least didn’t try to explain my behavior.”

She regarded him silently for a moment. “Go on,” she said finally.

He gestured toward the old pickup. “That’s my truck. It’s my only vehicle. I’ve had it since I was in college. My daddy and I built it with parts we got from a scrap yard, but it runs just fine.” He gave her a feeble grin. “It’s not fancy, but I love it.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off. “And what I have on right now is the kind of thing I wear pretty much every day.” He glanced down at his faded Gamecocks T-shirt and khaki shorts. “Unless I’m meeting a client, and even then I don’t dress up much. I can’t remember the last time I wore a tie, and I hated that suit I wore the other night.” He met her gaze. “It was my brother’s.”

She smiled at his obvious sincerity. “Then what was that all about? The car, the suit. . .the attitude?”

He handed her the bouquet of flowers. “Can I come in and explain?” He held up a white bag. “I brought something to eat. Burgers from my favorite place.”

She waved him inside. Even if she didn’t plan to give him another chance, she could still hear him out. Besides, those burgers smelled yummy.

“This is a nice place. I didn’t tell you that when I came to pick you up, but I thought it.” He followed her into the kitchen and watched as she pulled two plates down from the cabinet.

“Thank you. It took a lot of years, but I was finally able to buy my own place.” She’d been proud of the purchase. Living on a single income wasn’t always easy. But she’d scrimped and saved after the divorce and finally had enough for a down payment. It might not be South of Broad like Summer and Luke’s home, but it was perfect as far as she was concerned. Three bedrooms, two baths, and enough space in the backyard for a flower garden.

“I’m not quite there yet,” he said. “I live in an apartment near downtown. It works for now, but I’m kind of at the point where I’m ready to have more room.”

She held up bottled water and a soft drink from the fridge and looked at him with raised eyebrows.

“Water, please.”

Ashley handed him a bottle and motioned for him to follow her back into the living room. “We can eat in there if that’s okay.” She paused. “If you’re sure you don’t mind something casual.”

He chuckled. “That’s more than okay with me. I’m just thankful you’re giving me the chance to explain.”

They settled on the couch, and he pulled out a burger from the bag and handed it to her. “I wasn’t sure what you’d want—or even if you’d let me past the door—so both of them are the same. Mayo, lettuce, and tomato.” He unwrapped his burger. “That’s how I always get them.”

“Sounds delicious.” That was exactly how she liked her burgers, too, but she didn’t see any reason to share that information.

Justin handed her a basket of fries. “Hope you like fries.”

Ashley smiled broadly. “I’m a huge fan.”

He cleared his throat. “Mind if I say a blessing before we eat?”

Wonders never cease. “Please.”

He thanked God for their many blessings and asked Him to watch over them.

Ashley met Justin’s gaze after he said Amen. “Thanks for praying.”

“I know I probably gave you the wrong impression the other night.” He shook his head. “None of the stuff that came out of my mouth was stuff I’d ever say or think.” He gave her a sideways grin. “Except the part where I said you looked nice.”

“Well played.” She returned his smile.

He chuckled. “I’m not playing. This isn’t a game, I promise. I’m honestly sorry. It’s just. . .” He trailed off and put his head in his hands.

Ashley might not have always been the best judge of character, but she knew in her gut that Justin was remorseful for the way he’d acted. “It’s okay.” She sighed. “But how about you tell me why you did it?” Nothing about his actions the other night added up.

He raised his head and met her gaze. “I’m the perpetual friend. The nice guy.” He shrugged. “Since I was in high school, I’ve been the one women call when they need help or want a shoulder to cry on.”

“That all sounds nice to me.”

“Well, it’s been a world of hurt for me. Because inevitably I’ll get close to the girl, and then once her heart is all healed from whatever wound she carries, she moves on to another jerk.”

Ashley gave him a tiny smile. “I’ve seen that kind of thing happen before. I’ve even been one of those girls actually.”

“Yeah?”

She nodded. “And you know what? Those are always the guys I look back on and wish I’d have given a real shot.” She’d learned a long time ago that playing “what if” only led to trouble. But there had certainly been some nice guys she’d let slip away, and sometimes she couldn’t help but wonder how her life might be different if she’d made better choices.

“I guess I was tired of being that guy. My brother advised me to be someone else this time. So I did.” He shook his head. “I could see the repulsion on your face at the restaurant when I was giving that poor girl a hard time. I almost came clean then but wasn’t sure how you’d react.”

“I admit, I was shocked. And Summer was so surprised when I told her what had happened. She’d told me that you were this wonderful, sweet, respectful guy.”

“And then I acted the exact opposite.”

She dipped a fry into ketchup. “Pretty much.”

“I apologize. And I’d like it if you’d consider giving me another chance.”

Ashley sat back on the couch and regarded him for a long moment. She felt certain he was telling the truth. But still, doubt lingered. “I appreciate you coming to explain things to me. Your little act the other night didn’t do a lot to restore my faith in men.” She met his curious gaze. “Because you’re not the only one who has been hurt in the past.”

Justin hadn’t been sure dropping in unannounced was a good idea, but he felt certain it had been the only way to explain himself. And now, sitting on Ashley’s couch, he knew he’d made the right choice. “I think a certain amount of past hurt is to be expected. Otherwise, you haven’t really lived.” He glanced over at her. “Right?”

She nibbled on her burger, lost in thought. “I guess.” She gave him a slow smile.

“So what’s your story then? What happened to diminish your faith in men?”

Ashley cocked her head and gave him a sideways look.

He had the feeling she was still sizing him up, still deciding if he could be trusted. That was fine. He’d be happy to prove that he was one of the good guys, no matter how he’d acted on their date.

“I’m divorced. It’s been a little over three years since it was final.” She sighed. “No kids. Sometimes I see that as a blessing, because I know how difficult it is to watch your parents get divorced. And sometimes I see it as a curse, because I’m afraid that was my chance at being a mom and I didn’t take it.”

Justin couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was right now. He was pretty sure this was more real than any date they could have gone on. There was something intimate about a conversation over burgers in her living room that was better than any loud, fancy restaurant could ever be. “I can’t imagine dealing with a failed marriage. That must’ve been tough.”

She nodded. “And my family sided with my ex, at least for the most part. That’s what brought me here. I needed to start over and reinvent myself.”

Her family sided with her ex? Justin hoped he hid his shock at that statement and resisted the desire to ask why they would do such a thing. Might be best to leave the topic for another time. “Well, Charleston is a great place to live, so you made a good choice. I grew up here and don’t plan on ever leaving.”

“Yeah. I’ve been happy here. I love what I do.” She gestured around. “I found a home that suits me.” She shrugged. “That’s my story. Now how about you?”

Justin shook his head. “I told you most of it already. I guess I have this habit of choosing women who have problems.” He grinned. “Luke gives me a hard time about it.” He glanced at her. “That’s one of the things I liked about you. You seem to have it all together. Even Luke says what a help you are to Summer’s business. That’s not exactly what I’m used to.” Even his own mama got on his case about the women he chose to date. Samantha had been the one who’d caused his family the most grief though. They’d been friends in college, even though they didn’t have much in common. She’d always been fun to hang out with. And when they’d reconnected a couple of years ago, she’d been pregnant with Colton. She said she didn’t know who the father was, and Justin could tell she was terrified at the thought of raising a child alone. She’d considered putting the baby up for adoption but had changed her mind at the last minute.

Justin would readily admit that the two of them were more friends than sweethearts, but he’d chosen to stick beside her as she adjusted to motherhood. She’d been totally overwhelmed. Then he’d fallen in love with the baby and had stayed a part of Samantha’s life so he could have a relationship with Colton. These days Samantha had moved on, even had another child, but Justin had remained her friend.

He wondered how Ashley would react to his relationship with Colton. The guys gave him a hard time about being a pseudo daddy to the child. But he figured he was still on shaky ground with Ashley, so this was no time to bring it up.

“I haven’t always had it together. But over the past couple of years, I’ve worked hard to simplify my life. I enjoy work, have a few close friends, and am involved with my church.” She grinned. “I think I’ve finally found that ever-elusive balance.”

Justin appreciated her outlook. “That’s great. I think so many people search for that their whole lives. They put work in front of their family and in front of their spiritual life. And really, without those things, how do they enjoy their success?”

Ashley looked at him with surprise. “Exactly.”

“So. . .” He trailed off with a grin. “Any chance you’d be able to put the other night behind us and consider going with me to a movie or something this weekend?”

“I’d love to. As long as you leave your race car driving skills at home.”

“It’s a deal.”

L
uke sat on the boat and stared out at the water. He’d been expecting his phone to ring and to hear Summer’s voice on the other end, asking him to come home.

But his phone had been silent all night. Not even a text.

He knew he’d done a lot of things wrong in his life. And the past year had been one of the toughest he’d ever endured. It ranked right up there with the year he was ten and his mama died.

Grief did funny things to a person. Luke learned that lesson more than twenty years ago. After Mama died, his dad had turned to the bottle, and it had almost been as if he’d died, too. Rose had started staying at their aunt’s house most of the time, and Luke and Bobby had been left to fend for themselves.
“I’ve always got your back, little brother.”
How many times had he said that to Bobby? He’d covered for his brother through the years, taking the blame for everything from breaking a lamp to forgetting to mow the yard. He’d protected Bobby from as much pain as he could.

But he hadn’t been able to protect him from the semi whose driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and drifted into the wrong lane.

People kept saying the pain would go away in time.

Luke felt certain those people had never experienced sudden loss, never received that phone call that blares out in the middle of the night, and before you even answer it, you know bad news is on the line.

Mama’s death had been expected. Still hard. Still life-changing. But expected. She’d fought her cancer like a warrior, but in the end she’d been too tired to fight anymore. Knowing she was finally at peace gave him some comfort, though he was only a child.

But Bobby’s accident had blindsided him like a bullet from a sniper’s gun. There’d been no preparation. No last good-byes or final words. His brother was there one day and gone the next. Luke had called Bobby’s phone out of habit many times over the past few months. As soon as it would ring, he’d remember. Bobby would never answer his calls again.

Luke had been tough his whole life. But putting his brother in the ground had been the hardest thing he’d ever done.