Page 33 of A Second Chance Christmas Kiss

“I do.” I wasn’t sure if he wanted to tell me, but it seemed like he did. “How did you and Sheila meet?”

“Sheila and I met in San Diego, California. I was visiting one of my Navy SEAL buddies. We were going to a party with other SEALs. She was one of the girls at the party. Later, my buddies confirmed that she was the type of girl that went to those things to meet Navy SEALs. When she found out about me and the money, I guess she turned it up. I didn’t find all of this out until we were divorced, and they all told me. Which really ticked me off. That would’ve been nice to know.” He sighed. “I was a complete idiot.”

I squeezed his hand. “It could happen to anyone. We are all just trying to find connection and love.”

He put his other hand over mine. “Thanks. I’m fine now. That’s what we must do, right? Adapt, adjust, move on.”

“At least, that’s what people say. I’m only a couple months out of this divorce thing, and it doesn’t feel easy right now. I guess I didn’t learn to adapt and adjust like a Navy SEAL would.”

Compassion shone in his eyes. “Divorce is hard. It gets easier.”

Suddenly, I didn’t want to talk about this anymore. I took another sip of water and stared out at the ocean. “Remember that summer you came to town, and I was fifteen? Your grandfather took us to this restaurant.”

He smiled. “I do. In fact, that’s what I’ve been thinking about since we said we’d go to dinner. I thought about the first formal dinner we went together on. I mean, outside of eating dinner at each other’s houses.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I remember your grandparents laughing and joking with the staff. Your grandfather told me to order anything I wanted, and I was stunned. I’d never been told that before.”

“I remember. Because I think you ordered, like, three things, and my grandparents told people that story later so they would know how sweet you were.”

Embarrassment washed over me. “I didn’t know I was only supposed to order one. I didn’t know what they were talking about.”

He gently brushed his hand over mine. “I know.”

I stared at our hands and then met his eyes. That old chemistry between us was still there, still burning strong. I pulled my hand away.

“Hey, it was sweet. My grandparents always told that story because they thought you were so wonderful, and that was just a fun night.”

After all the years of being apart, I guessed I could be honest. “It was a good night. We had a lot of good summer memories and Christmas memories. Well, until …”

He cleared his throat. “I’m guessing you don’t want to tell me what happened that Christmas that you got so mad at me for.”

Anger surged inside me, but just like in the movies, the food appeared and saved me from having to answer. “I guess we’ll talk after we eat.”

Chapter Fourteen

Charles

The lobster was amazing, and I was happy to see that Melody seemed to think so as well. I was really enjoying this meal, more than I’d enjoyed anything in the last few years. Even though there was so much still lurking beneath the surface between us, that was okay. All I had was time.

Melody let out a light laugh and gestured to me with her fork. “You always were messy with lobster.”

I looked down and realized I had lobster meat all over the front of my shirt. “I guess I’m enjoying it,” I said with a self-conscious laugh, grabbing my napkin to clean myself off.

Her eyes glistened, and it made my heart melt. She took her own napkin, dabbed it in her water, and wiped at the stains too.

“It’s fine,” I said, putting my hand on hers to stop her.

“No, we need to get this shirt soaking in some good laundry pre-clean.”

I couldn’t help but wonder how different things would have been with her. I’d wanted a dozen kids, and she probably would have too. For a second, my mind blitzed through the life we could have had. What would Christmas be like if we had kids?

“Charles, what’s wrong?”

I blinked and tried to erase whatever look was on my face. “Nothing.”

“No, it was something.”

I shrugged and forced a smile. “I’m good. It’s nice to have you try to clean my shirt, but you should give up.”

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