Page 2 of July
2
Garrett
Idon’t know how it’s possible, but the girl of my dreams has turned into an even more lovely woman. Fear seizes my throat when I realize she’s leaving. It’s even worse to know she’s bailing because she saw me. I couldn’t have screwed things up worse with her if I had tried.
Losing her is the last thing I ever wanted. It absolutely crushed me. It’s still crushing me.
I have to stop her from leaving this bar. I won’t lose her again, but at the same time, I’m terrified of getting another chance with her. It’s sure to be my last.
As Charity heads toward the exit, I hurry after her––not caring one bit that I’m likely disappointing the other ladies at the table. If they came here in hopes of getting a date with me, they are in for a huge letdown anyway. There’s only one woman I have any interest in, and she’s hightailing it out of here after catching her first glimpse of me.
It isn’t hard to catch her, but I hesitate about reaching out to grab her, especially after the way she reacted to my hands on her shoulders. I gave up the right to touch her long ago, but I’ve wanted it back ever since.
When I call out her name, it comes out in more of a desperate tone than I prefer, but there’s no room for pride where Charity is concerned. I won’t lose this sliver of an opportunity with her that has fallen into my lap. I can’t let her slip away again.
She whirls around to face me. Her face is twisted into a tortured, angry expression when she snaps, “What? What do you want from me––to break my heartagain? Is two times not enough for you, so you want to go for three? Third time’s the charm, right?”
I take an involuntary step backward, stunned by her accusations. Sure, I made mistakes where she was concerned––severe ones. But she’s the one who broke my heart both times we were a couple.
She has always held my desperately-in-love heart within her delicate, but surprisingly strong grip. Even though she’s crushed it twice, I can’t resist another try with her. I know it’s a big risk, but she’s worth putting my heart on the line. That’s how insanely in love with her I am.
“I never meant to hurt you.” The words come out quietly, but I can tell by the softening of her lovely features that she heard me.
Obviously unwilling to forgive and forget, she scoffs, “Well, you could have fooled me because you sure did a stellar job of it.”
“Hurting you is as far as could be from my intentions. All I ever wanted to do was love you.” I hope she can hear the sincerity in my tone.
Proving she’s still angry, she asks, “Is that why you married someone else?”
“Charity, please, stay here and let me explain.” I look deeply into the bright green eyes that loved me once, silently praying that she’ll find room in her heart for me once more.
Her voice is barely above a whisper when she admits, “I don’t want to sit here and watch you be matched with someone else.”
Shaking my head at her, I ask, “How could I possibly be matched with anyone else? This app has a fantastic track record. If it works at all, you’re going to be my match.”
She glances at the door, then back at me. I can see that she’s beginning to waver, so I hold my hand out to her.
She stares at it for so long, I begin to wonder if she is going to completely ignore my invitation. Eventually, she reaches out to place her tiny hand within mine.
The familiar jolt of electricity from her touch races up my arm. It’s been so long since I’ve felt it––too long.
Grinning down at her, I turn to lead her back toward the table of women and say, “Feel that? We still have that amazing, sizzling electrical connection with each other.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she says primly, but I can tell by the knowing half-smile she graces me with that she feels it, too.
