Page 90 of One Sweet Day I Found You

Nick was speechless for a few seconds, his jaw dropping. Confusion crossed his face. “But—you just said—nothing happened?” He ran a hand back and forth across his mouth and chin, contemplating her words.

“It was only for a couple of seconds. I stopped as soon as I realized what was happening. I swear. I wanted it to be you, there with me.”

Nick looked stricken. He stood up and paced once in front of the bench. “But it wasn’t me.” He twisted up his face. “And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” He sounded angry.

Courtney swallowed. She felt sick to her stomach. This was not coming out right. “Nick,” she began again softly, “No. It meant nothing. I swear. It was only—”

“But—” he cut her off, louder. “How could you do that to me, after all you just told me? You just said you didn’t cheat on me.” He rubbed his forehead. “And how could you leave that part out until now? I mean, what the…?” He looked around, searching for words.

Another boom filled the night and the sky lit up with brilliant electricity. They heard the excited oohs and ahhs from the crowd around the corner at the party. Courtney rubbed her forehead. He didn’t get it. It was nothing.

“Nick, you don’t understand,” she begged. “It wasn’t like that. I pulled away from him—right after it started.” Her eyes welled up with tears. “I wanted to tell you before. This was really hard for me to say. I was so wrapped up in having you back. Please.” Her voice cracked. “Please, Nick,” she croaked. “I’m so sorry!”

Nick snorted in disbelief a few times. Courtney sat there, holding back a sob.

He stared at the ground. “Don’t worry—I understand,” he said dryly. “I understand perfectly. I never should’ve trusted you.”

He stared at Courtney for a long moment, his eyes filled with pain. She stared back at him, pleading.

“There’s something I should’ve told you, too, by the way,” he said. “I’m moving back to Chicago in the fall.” He tore his gaze from her, turned, and stumbled off into the darkness.

* * *

The pitter-patterof soft raindrops started on the roof of the Camry as Courtney drove down Victoria’s driveway to the guesthouse. She’d just picked up some groceries at the local market. Once again, not yet twenty-four hours since her latest disastrous conversation with Nick, she had little appetite. Still, even the last bit of cereal in her cabinet was no good without milk, and a bowl of cereal was one of the only things she’d been able to contemplate eating today, even if it would be for dinner.

She noticed a long stretch of dark clouds in the distance, looming above the lake, as she passed the big house and parked outside the cottage. She turned off the car and sighed. A quick check of the weather app on her phone revealed rain for the rest of the afternoon, plus three more days of it on the way.Great.

It was July fifth, and she’d woken up not only to an awful headache from too many pink margaritas, but also to a pair of swollen, bloodshot eyes, once again. Her talk with Nick had been painful enough, but his last-minute announcement had nearly knocked the wind out of her. She was going to be here through Christmas and New Year’s, if not longer, if Beecham asked her to stay. Nick was supposed to have been here indefinitely.

But now?

She thought they’d have more time. His decision probably had something to do with her behavior lately. He hadn’t mentioned any of this before. She fought back tears for the seventh or eighth time since she’d gotten out of bed.

Sniffling, she slid the phone inside her purse to protect it from the rain. With a heavy canvas grocery bag and purse over her shoulders, she climbed out of the car and hurried to the cottage. Inside, she placed the bag and the purse on the kitchen counter and went back out for the second bag.

A quiet cry sounded amidst the raindrops, and she stopped to listen. What was that?

It came again.Meow.

Ash.

She glanced around the yard, at the trees where she often saw him harassing the birds and squirrels, and peered down toward the marsh. Where was he? Surely, Victoria would want him inside if it was going to rain all evening?

Courtney peered across the driveway to the house. Ah. There he was, on the porch, scratching at the front door.

Courtney would just go drop the groceries on her counter, throw the milk in the fridge, then head over and ring the bell at the big house. Victoria must not be able to hear Ash crying. She often had the television on a little loud at this time of day. It would be a good chance for Courtney to check on her, anyway. She could ask her if she’d stayed up for the fireworks last night.

A few moments later, Courtney stepped up onto the long covered porch and inhaled the fresh scent erupting from Victoria’s pink hydrangeas across the humidity of the warm afternoon. She lowered her umbrella. “Well, hello there, Mr. Ash,” she said in her best baby talk, approaching the cat. “Are you locked out?”

His fur wasn’t too wet, but he stood on his hind legs, pawing at the door. “Oh, let’s not do that, Ash. Victoria doesn’t want her door all scratched up, now does she?” Courtney reached down and petted him across the back, and he dropped down onto all fours. She rang the doorbell.

Ash swatted his tail anxiously, but no answer came. Courtney could hear the television. It was turned up loud. She rang again. Nothing. She knocked. Still nothing.

Strange.

Courtney thought for a moment. Wednesday. This wasn’t typically one of the days that Josie Schlagel came to cook and clean for Victoria, so Victoria would be alone. Victoria still had a car, but she mentioned a while back that she never drove anymore. She also mentioned that Ash was often right by her side. It was unlike Victoria not to know his whereabouts, or not to let him in if the weather was bad.

She must be here. Courtney knocked harder. No reply. Maybe she was asleep?

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