Page 15 of Whatever It Takes

No, it didn’t. It also didn’t help that I found out she was marrying that shithead Grant that same weekend I came home to help pops. Talk about a serious kick to the balls.

I pulled on the back of my neck, feeling self-doubt creep into my head. “I hated living out in California,” I told her, leaving out the fact that I showed up at her wedding. “That lifestyle wasn’t for me. I was making good money, but I still felt broke as fuck living in Orange County.”

Traveling back and forth to spend time with my dad, while trying to build the business lost its appeal to me. With every passing day, I became more miserable.

When my brother sent me an email with an online application, I laughed at the irony and the timing. On a whim, I filled out the paperwork, and as they say, the rest is history.

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out. I know how bad you have always wanted to open up your own security business.”

“That’s okay. I still do part-time security work on the side. I plan to use my experience to open up my own business someday. All in all, I guess it worked out.”

Our eyes met for a brief moment, and I immediately regretted my words. Did it really work out? If I didn’t accept the job, I never would have moved out to California. I never would have pushed her into the arms of Grant. They never would have married, and her life wouldn’t be falling apart at the seams.

Her eyes locked knowingly on mine. A funny feeling rattled in my chest. How the hell did we get here? I saw the same question flicker across her face as we both pretended that we didn’t know the answer when the truth was, it was my decision to move to California that started the chain reaction.

Our server came over, interrupting the awkward moment, letting us know that our orders would be out shortly.

“So how is that plan coming along?” She sounded genuinely interested.

“I’ve been working my ass off at the department, picking up as much overtime as I can. I work small security jobs on the side that pop up.”

“Doesn’t sound like you have a lot of time for fun.”

I shrugged. “I manage.”

I waited on bated breath to see if she would ask me about my personal life. I was curious how she would react when I told her about Bree. Would she get jealous? God knew it drove me mad thinking about her and Grant. Still did to this very moment.

“How are your parents?”

I guess she wasn’t going there. I took a sip of my steaming cup of black coffee that was just dropped off by our server. “Good. Dad still refuses to retire, even though the cancer almost took his life. He tells us all that the only way he’s leaving the force is in a pinewood box.”

She snorted. It was very unladylike and totally her. “Sounds like him. And Brody?”

I rolled my eyes thinking about my older brother. “Still a jackass.”

We both shared a laugh and it felt fucking good. “It sounds like you two are as tight as ever.”

She was right about that. There weren’t many people in this world that I trusted. My brother was at the top of the list. My family was a close-knit bunch and living out in California made me homesick. Call me a pussy.

Our server came over and placed our meals down in front of us. I hadn’t eaten since noon and I was starving, so I started digging right in.

I watched as Charlotte twirled her spoon around in her soup. As much as I enjoyed her company, there was a long-overdue conversation waiting to be had.

We sat in silence as the bustle of the diner could be heard around us. There was something about being here with her that reminded me of simpler times. The years may have changed us both, but she was still my Charlotte. I could still feel her inside me, and when I looked at her, I still saw the young girl I fell in love with.

She snagged a fry off my plate and popped it into her mouth. “After eating all these carbs tonight, I may be asleep before we make it back out to the car.” She sighed, as I eyed the remaining quarter of the BLT that she insisted she was too stuffed to eat.

I slid her coffee cup across the table. “You better drink up then.”

Her full, pink lips pouted slightly. “I don’t want to be up all night either.”

For a split second I contemplated not bringing up the elephant in the room. I didn’t want to lose the vibe we had going, but subtlety wasn’t working. We weren’t going to be able to move forward until we laid all our issues on the table.

She looked at me over the rim of her coffee. I focused on her bare ring finger as she cradled the cup in her hands. Even though it brought me great relief to see that, it was a stark reminder that Grant Anderson was still standing between us and I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this conversation?” I asked, my voice low and cautious.

She leaned back and pushed her long hair over her shoulder. “I guess that’s why we’re here, right?” She laughed nervously.

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