Page 6 of Broken Promises

I appreciated my mom’s effort, but I had to fight the surge of panic that spread through me.

“I thought we could have a little welcome home party with some of the town,” my mom explained, pushing me inside. As I did, I noticed more balloons and a massive cake—as if I was celebrating a birthday rather than returning home.

For the next hour, I made small talk and explained to everyone why I was back home. This wasn’t what I expected, so I quickly came up with the first lie that came to my mind. Instead of telling everyone I had been cheated on, I explained I was here for my summer break because I wanted a short break from Seattle. Everyone seemed to buy the lie.

So far, so good, I thought to myself, until my eyes set on the bluest eyes I have ever seen.

It was him. Luke.

luke

. . .

When my momtold me that Lucy’s mom announced that Lucy was coming back, I couldn’t believe it. At first, I thought I had misheard her—there was no way Luce would have returned to Port-Cartier willingly. Not after our breakup ten years ago.

I didn’t want to break her heart, but I knew that was for the best. Iknewher. I knew she would’ve gladly sacrificed her dream by following me to college. I had been selfish many times in the past, but it was one time I couldn’t allow myself to do it. I loved her too much.

So, we went our separate ways.

I went to college a few states away and returned home to take over my dad’s ship-building business, and she vanished into thin air—until now.

“And guess what,” my mother beamed. “Eve invited us to the welcome home party, too.” I was sure Lucy had no idea about any of it for two reasons—first, she wasn’t big on surprises, and secondly, I was the last person she would have invited to come.

I was running twenty minutes late—mainly because I questioned whether it was a good idea to go to the party in thefirst place. At last, my decision was made, and I found myself knocking on the navy-blue door with a bouquet in my hand.

Was it too much? Maybe. But after being gone for ten years, I felt like I couldn’t come to see her with empty hands.

I held my breath as I waited for the door to open, expecting to see the only girl I had ever loved…until Eve popped up at the door with her trademark, dashing smile.

“Luke! How good to see you. Come on in,” she prompted me, practically dragging me inside. I stumbled inside, looking around nervously. Only then did it hit me that she wasinhere somewhere. “Luce’s in the back. I’ll go get her.”

“That’s all right, Ms. Milburne. I’ll find her myself.”

Finally remembering to move my feet again, I made my way through the crowd, searching for her. She was in the kitchen, surrounded by some childhood friends who seemed eager to hear about her life in the big city.

I exhaled softly. She was just as beautiful as I remembered. Her dark locks cascaded down her shoulders effortlessly, framing her oval face. Her smile on her face was enough to light up a room, but it didn’t reach her green eyes. I was right—she didn’t want this party.

And more importantly, she made me feel exactly how I did all those years. My stomach twisted with regret. I shouldn’t have let her go all those years ago. I should have found a way to make it all work. I was now sure that a man only got to meet that kind of a woman once in his lifetime. Sure, I dated here and there, but none of my relationships were serious. Now I fully understood why—because none of them compared toher.

We were young when we dated—so young that many would tell us we didn’t even know what true love was, but I knew that wasn’t the case, because the impact she left on me shaped me for life.

I didn’t even realize we were staring at each other from across the room until she moved first, heading upstairs. I clutched the flowers in my hand, giving her a few moments of a head start before I followed her to the bathroom.

I wasn’t sure whether she was avoiding me or if it was just a coincidence, but I knew we had to talk, especially if she would stay in town. I didn’t want us to find ourselves in awkward situations in public.

I shifted from foot to foot as I waited for her in front of the bathroom. Each second dragged out to an eternity—until she finally opened the door, nearly bumping into me.

“God!” she exclaimed, stumbling backwards as she brought her hand to her chest. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“I’m sorry,” I quickly apologized. That was the last thing I wanted. I stalled, unsure whether I should go in for a hug.

It’s probably too soon,I told myself, extending my hand that still held the flowers toward her.

She arched her brow but took the flowers, nonetheless. It was a beautiful bouquet with her favorites—peonies and baby breath. “Flowers from my mom’s flower shop, Luke?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Well…it’s not my fault she has the best flowers in town,” I admitted. And there was no way I was getting her anything less than perfection. When she didn’t respond, I quickly continued, “It’s good to see you, Luce. To be honest with you, I still can’t fully believe you’re back.”

“I can’t either, but here I am,” she muttered. I didn’t miss the stiffness in her body as she talked to me. It broke my heart, but it was understandable. We hadn’t spoken since the night I broke up with her. “Thank you for the flowers…” she murmured before taking a step to walk away.

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