Page 29 of Love is a Roller Coaster

He takes my lack of response in a different direction, though. “We had fun five years ago. No,morethan fun. We fell inlovefive years ago. But that wasn’t enough to make you stay. So how can I know you won’t just leave again?”

“Because I know what I want now. And back then, it was just about making everyone else happy. But that’s not the life I want.”

He shakes his head. “I wish I could believe that.” He steps toward me again, slipping one hand around my waist. “I wish I could believe that you’d want to stay long enough for this to be real.”

“Itisreal,” I whisper.

He searches my eyes, then leans down and presses a feather-light kiss on my lips. My nerves tingle, and for a moment I allow myself to hope that I’ve gotten through to him.

But before I can deepen the kiss, he pulls away. “Let me know if you need anything during the rest of your stay.” He steps around me, opens the door, and walks out of his office without another look behind.

I want to cry. I want to fall to pieces on the floor and lament my broken heart.

But I won’t do that, and for two reasons:

1. I am Brooke Westfield, and I will not give up.

2. I need to find a way to prove to Tyler that I’m staying with him for the long haul.

chapter fourteen

TYLER

“Where are the new key cards?”Brittany’s voice sounds somewhere in my subconscious.

“Hmm?” I ask.

“The new key cards. Didn’t they get delivered yesterday?”

I pinch my eyes shut, trying to remember.

Brittany snorts a laugh. “You are SO out of it.” She leans in conspiratorially. “Could it be that a certain solo honeymooner is checking out today?”

I sigh. She’s not wrong. I haven’t been able to concentrate since I told Brooke that I couldn’t be sure she would stick around. And now, three days later, she’s checking out. I haven’t seen her around since then, and I know she canceled the massage she was supposed to have yesterday.

I should feel relieved. She didn’t bother trying to convince me I was wrong. If she felt anything close to how I felt about her, she would have pled her case. But it’s been radio silence. And now she’s going to check out. Leaving me alone in Canyon Cove for the second time.

I wish I could say it’ll be easier once she’s gone, but I remember how it was five years ago. Those first few weeks aftershe left were miserable. And I’m setting myself up for the same thing all over again.

Why did I let myself get so close to her again? I should have known better. But the pull to Brooke is more than I can control.

Brittany pats me on the back. “I’m sorry, boss. Don’t worry, I can handle her checkout, so you don’t have to see her again.”

“Thanks. That’ll probably be for the best.” I glance around the lobby, grateful for this job and the life I now have. If only it weren’t so lonely. “I’ll go check for the key cards in my office.”

Brittany waves me off and continues organizing the paperwork at the front desk. I step into my office and shut the door, leaning my forehead against the wood and trying to not remember the last time I was in here with Brooke.

My hand on her waist…

Her lips brushed against mine…

“Gah!” I pound a fist on the wall, shaking myself from the memory. The vibration sends a few things flying off the shelf—including the package of key cards, which bursts open and sends the cards all over my office.

Groaning out loud, I bend down and start gathering the cards from all over the floor. At least we know where they are now. Once I have them all safely back in the package, I exit my office to bring them to Brittany. I can hear raised voices at the front desk, so I pick up my speed. Brittany can usually handle irate guests, but I want to provide moral support.

But when I see the front desk, I stop dead in my tracks.

Because standing there is Brooke with her suitcases.

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