Page 2 of Last Second Chance

“Don’t forget, I’ll be on the island all week,” I said as we walked through the jetway together, emerging in the airport terminal. We exchanged phone numbers after landing. “So, feel free to text me if you want to get together while we’re here.”

“I will,” she said, smiling.

It was comforting to know that I could meet up with someone else if I needed to avoid Scott this week. I was sure that he’d be present at every event and staying on the same floor of the hotel with the rest of the wedding party.

I parted ways with Stacey at the luggage claim area. I grabbed my pink suitcase on wheels and rolled it over toward the exit. But I couldn’t leave yet. I had to get a car first.

The car rental area was packed full of people, and I joined one of the four long lines. While waiting, I texted Ben, who was just about to board his own flight. I let him know that I arrived on the island safely like he asked me to before tucking the phone back into my pocket.

The line in front of me moved a little and as I looked up, I had a clear view ahead. My eyes scanned the line next to mine, just to see if anyone else that I knew connected to the wedding was here. I sucked in a breath as I spotted someone, barely able to believe who I was looking at.

I knew that Scott would be on the island, I had accepted that, but I had no idea that I would run into him this soon. I had the whole thing planned out. There was a party at the hotel tonight, welcoming all of us to the island, and I was going to show up in a “knock-him-dead” dress that would make him regret ever even looking at another woman. I was going to be cool and calm, a femme fatale.

I wasnotcounting on running into him when I was such a mess from my hours of travelling. There was nothing impressive about me right now.

Despite that realization, I couldn’t seem to resist staring at him, taking advantage of the fact that he hadn’t spotted me yet. He was facing away from me, but the angle of his body allowed me to see one side of his face. I hated that I noticed how good he still looked.

Of course, it had only been a year, so I didn’t exactly expect any big changes in his appearance, but it would have been nice if he’d grown a big, hairy mole or something equally hideous.

Because I didn’t want to find him attractive anymore, damn it.

His sharp jaw was clean-shaven, and he still kept his dark hair short. The thin white T-shirt he was wearing showed me that his toned body was still just as impressive as ever.

There was a woman standing next to him, a brunette with long legs and a slender build. Were they together? Oh God, did he bring adate?

I wasn’t sure why it didn’t occur to me before now that he might do that, but the idea of it made me want to spend the week drunk just to cope. Or even overdraw my bank account buying a one-way ticket back home. I just couldn’t imagine watching him flaunt another woman in front of me. It would hurt too much.

I shouldn’t have come alone, but I hadn’t dated anyone since my relationship with Scott ended. I just couldn’t imagine trusting anyone again after his betrayal.

As if he could feel my eyes on him, Scott turned his head in my direction, and I panicked. Without thinking, I moved to the left, trying to duck behind the large man in front me to avoid being seen.

But I had a legendary lack of grace, and my foot caught on the corner of my suitcase, sending me sprawling onto the floor with no grace whatsoever. I cringed as I landed, catching myself with my hands so that the only thing injured was my pride.

My head was ducked, avoiding the eyes of everyone around me. They were all staring, not that I could blame them. I certainly knew how to make a scene. Just the sound of my palms slapping against the tiled floor was loud enough to draw attention.

In my embarrassment, I forgot about Scott for a few precious seconds. Then, a shadow fell over me. I slowly looked up, not at all surprised to meet Scott’s hazel eyes. There was an amused smirk on his face as he looked down at me, and I groaned, wishing a hole would open up beneath me so that the Earth could just swallow me whole.

It was going to be a long week.

CHAPTER2

Scott

My heart raced as I stared down at her.Poppy Snyder.

The only woman I had ever loved.

I knew she’d be here this week. Ben had arranged it, insisting that this was my last chance to set things straight with her since we’d finally be in close proximity. He was certain that forcing us together would provide me an opportunity to win her back.

I wished I felt that confident. I knew Poppy pretty damn well myself, and she was stubborn as a mule.

“Are you okay?” I asked, holding out my hand to help her up.

She didn’t take it, getting to her feet on her own.

“Yes,” she said.

Her voice was cold as ice, which was so unlike her. Once she was standing, she straightened her shirt and refused to meet my eyes.

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