Page 23 of A Second Chance At Forever

“What are you doing here?” I asked, at a loss for words.

“I wanted to see you, but if you’re busy.” She shrugged and started to turn around.

No, don’t leave.

“I can take a break.” I watched as she stopped and turned back around to face me.

I climbed down the ladder and reached out my hand to help her onto the boat. My hand tingled and felt like it had been set on fire the moment she touched it.

I couldn’t believe she was standing right in front of me after five years. Her long dark hair flowed down her back in loose curls like it always had. Her emerald green eyes were hidden beneath a pair of dark sunglasses and it was a good thing, too. I knew if I saw those eyes, I would’ve gotten lost in them.

“Thank you,” she pulled her hand away from mine. “So, how have you been?” she asked, leaning in for a hug.

She pressed her warm body against mine and my mind instantly went blank. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close. I breathed in her lavender shampoo that was mixed with her own delicious scent and was instantly flooded with memories of her being in my arms, when she was mine. But she wasn’t mine, anymore. She belonged to someone else and I had someone else. I had to keep that in mind.

“I’m good. How about you?” I asked when she pulled away and my thoughts returned.

“I’m okay.” She gave me a smile before sitting down.

I sat down across from her, resting my elbows on my knees. “My brother told me you were in town. Are you just visiting your dad or are you here to stay?”

“I’m not sure. I just needed a break. I haven’t made up my mind on the next step, yet. I went by your house yesterday,” she added, changing the subject.

“Nicole told me,” I answered, not sure what to say.

“She seems nice. I’m glad you’re happy.” She nodded her head slowly and gave me that forced smile.

I was happy with Nicole, at least I thought I was, until Lennox came blowing into town, shattering my world once again.

I looked up to her and a wave of tingles washed over me. “What about you? Are you happy? I saw the big engagement announcement.”

She twisted the ends on her frayed shorts. “About that,” she let out a long breath. “I called it off, between you and me.”

“Why?” I tried to keep my voice controlled and even, but mentally I did a fist pump, thinking she could be mine again.

“I just couldn’t do it.” She shook her head with sadness laced in her voice.

She called off the engagement? This shouldn’t make me happy, but it does.

“Oh, I’m sorry for prying.” I shook my head but kept my eyes locked on her. I hadn’t seen her in years, I didn’t want to take my eyes off her for a second.

“I should probably get going, but I would really like to hang out with everyone again. Do you think we could all meet up at the bar later?”

“I will ask Trent and see if he and Sarah have plans.” I stood beside her.

“Are they still together?”

“Yeah, they got married two years ago and just had a little baby girl a few months back.”

“I can’t even picture Trent as a dad. I can’t believe so much has changed.” She shook her head as she made her way to the edge.

“Not everything has changed.” I offered her a grin, hoping she caught what that meant.

She looked at me, or through me, and offered a hint of a smile. “I guess I will see you later?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there after work.”

“Bye, Mason.” She turned and walked down the dock.

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