Page 86 of Visions of You

Heedless of the rain, I exited my car and trudged toward the bluff behind the cottages. I stuck my hands in my pockets, letting the rain sheet over me. I turned to the right and slowly walked down the hill, staying well away from the edge.

In the distance, the lights of the Barn beckoned through the downpour.

Chapter Thirty-One

April

The rain drummed steadilyon the roof, but the storm wasn’t accompanied by wind, which made it more relaxing than worrisome. Too bad I couldn’t relax. An occasional bolt of lightning lit up the night, but I hadn’t heard any thunder. I sat on my living room couch with my legs tucked next to me. Next month’s book club selection lay open on my lap, but I hadn’t been able to concentrate on reading.

It was after 8:00 p.m., and I’d had exactly zero word from Gabe. I sure as hell wasn’t going to call or text him after that terse, two-sentence reply he’d sent earlier. He could have come home hours ago or be in Miami for another week. I had no idea.

Because I wasn’t important enough to talk to. To inform.

I shut the book and rose to my feet with a groan. “I’ve lost my mind. Isn’t that the definition? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?”

Hemingway lifted his head from the armchair he was curled up in and meowed, but it didn’t clarify the situation with Gabe much.

I ran my hand over his soft gray-and-white fur, and he purred under my touch. “What am I going to do? He was crystal clear about what he wanted. I can’t take another relationship with a guy who doesn’t feel the same way!” The cat butted my hand, which I took as a sign of sympathy. “I’m not going to be Gabe’s doormat, to wipe his shoes on. I don’t want to leave, either. But what if I have no choice?”

I moaned loudly.

“Maybe a cup of tea will help me settle down.” Padding to the kitchen, I grabbed the kettle from the stovetop. I stared out the window behind the sink as it filled.

Lightning flashed and I gasped, my heart nearly stopping. A dark-haired man stood on the bluff, facing away. He wore a suit, of all things, and was completely soaked.

I didn’t know whether to be concerned for him or call the resort front desk to send someone to chase him away. Calypso Key didn’t have a regular security detail, having never needed one. But a stranger standing in the pouring rain was rather alarming, and several burly staff members could be counted on to take care of the guy.

My decision was made in the next burst of lightning. The man had turned his head, and his profile was illuminated in the flash. My mouth dropped open, a gasp escaping.

It was Gabe.

Why on earth is he standing outside in the rain?

I hardly noticed when I shut off the faucet. Before I knew what was happening, I had opened the back door and trotted across my patio. Wearing only a T-shirt and pajama bottoms, I ran into the nighttime rain barefoot. The wetness was cool and pelted my face, drenching my hair as I crossed the short grass to where he stood, still facing away.

I slowed when I was a few feet behind him, my pulse racing. “Gabe?”

I hadn’t spoken loudly, but with no wind, the word carried easily to him. He didn’t startle. Instead, his shoulders tightened. He slowly turned around. The color of his drenched suit was hard to judge withthe lack of moonlight, but it was dark, and he wore a red tie. His hair was plastered to his head, and rain beaded down his face and over his scruff, all illuminated from the lights inside my apartment.

He didn’t reply, just stared at me.

The look in his eyes was something I’d never seen before.

Hesitation and… fear.

My heart rate, which had already been elevated, ratcheted up even further, and my stomach clenched. I hardly knew what to make of the apparition standing before me. “Gabe, are you all right? What are you doing out here in the rain?”

A ghost of a smile flitted across his face. “Trying to work up the courage to talk to you.”

I had taken a step toward him, but his answer stopped me cold.

Oh, God. He’s breaking up with me.

“Why do you need courage to speak to me?” I hated the fear coming through in my voice, but I couldn’t help it.

Gabe briefly squeezed his eyes shut, then swiped his hand over them, washing away the rain. Not that it mattered. More just replaced it, dripping down his face. I was as soaked as he was, but I hardly felt it.

“I’m sorry I just took off without saying anything. I hardly had time to make arrangements for Hailey, then I couldn’t figure out how to answer your texts. Dad made a disastrous financial move, and to keep the resort, I had to go to Miami. I cashed out my half of the business. That’s what I’ve been doing the last couple days.”

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