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“Two years!” Her screech rang in his head. “Let me get this straight. The guy who saves the day in every circumstance secretly dated the same girl who ruined my senior year.”
Dean winced with every accusation. “It was a long time ago, and it wasn’t a secret. If you were here, you would’ve known.” She flinched but didn’t say anything. “I admit my judgement was skewed, but I was lonely. Ava was there.”
She screeched again then stood up and paced the room once more. The red in her cheeks deepened while she went in and out of his sight. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He stood and moved in front of her to prevent her from pacing. He tried to take her hands, but she snatched them away. “I should’ve from the beginning. But when you said you were moving back, I didn’t want to start things off on the wrong foot. I was worried I’d lose you before we started.”
He needed to give her some space to think, but he desperately wanted them to kiss and make up. Especially the kissing part. He debated for a few seconds. “I think it’s best if I go home.” Dean took a few steps back and grabbed for his suitcase by the wall. “I could make things worse by staying, and you should be here for Ava.”
Emilie lifted an eyebrow and snatched his hand away from the suitcase. Then she promptly dropped it. “Oh no! You’re not leaving me alone after all that. Imagine what everyone will think. We’re going to carry on as if nothing happened.”
Hope bubbled in his chest when he met her eyes. “I promise—”
She cut him off with a wave of her hand. “Don’t go overboard. I’m not forgiving you. Yet, or maybe ever. I need time to think, and while I do, you’re going to stay by my side.”
He sighed as she stormed to the other side of the room. He leaned against the door and gripped the wall. Dang it! Everything with Emilie backfired. Why couldn’t she see he’d never intentionally hurt her? That was why he didn’t tell her about Ava. Besides, it didn’t matter. The past was in the past. Why was she holding it against him?
The back-and-forth from her and her topsy-turvy actions and reactions over the last couple of weeks emotionally and mentally drained him. Hadn’t he proved himself time and time again? For heaven’s sake, he was on her side. Everything he did was for Emilie. But he deserved some happiness, too. With her. So why was she so hot one moment and cold the next? He wasn’t perfect. Far from it. But he was a good guy, and he loved her.
His own thought struck him like a bolt of lightning.
He loved her!
But was it enough?
At that moment, exhaustion clawed at him and he was ready to give in.
25
Emilie
Emilie stormed off to her side of the room. After throwing open the closet door, she pulled out what she planned to wear on the boat that evening. It was one of her favorite evening dresses, saved for fundraiser galas her dance company would throw. It was midnight blue, made her legs seem extra long, and tied in the back with a ribbon, showing off her slender back. She put her hair in an elegant twist and touched up her makeup.
It was good to be doing something, and she tried to ignore the subtle movements on the other side of the wall while Dean prepared for the night. There was no way she could’ve seen it coming. How could he have dated Ava and not told her? She preferred Finn’s ignorance to Dean’s stupidity.
She poked herself in the eye with the mascara wand and had to redo the whole eye. After fixing her mistake, she made her eyes bold, threatening even. She wanted to send the message that no one could walk all over her again.
She grabbed her purse, stuffing in what she’d need for the night, and walked to the door, not even seeing if Dean followed. Of course he did, but he was smart enough not to say anything. She peeked over at him, dressed in formal attire. He’d rented a suit for the occasion, and it fit him perfectly.
When he met her gaze, she pushed open the door and left. Even if he looked amazing, she’d never say it aloud.
They walked to the resort docks where a large yacht waited for them. A line formed, but she was in no hurry to board. If only she could talk to Gail…
She looked back at Dean, who gave her a hesitant smile. She didn’t return the gesture. “I’ll be right back. I need to call someone.”
He raised an eyebrow. “But we’ll be boarding soon.”
“This needs to happen first. Go ahead and board. In fact, let them leave without me.” She hurried away from the crowd, not looking back once. She found a secluded area not too far away. Right then, she needed advice. Her relationship was ripping at the seams, and before the material was unusable, she needed to do something about it.
Gail picked up after the second ring. “I told Dean I wasn’t coming. Stop bugging me.” Her voice was good-natured but annoyed.
Emilie laughed, releasing the tension in her shoulders. “That’s not why I called. I just talked to Dean.” Her voice broke on the last few words.
“Uh oh, what happened?” Gail clucked her tongue. “He told you, didn’t he?”
Frustration and anger danced in Emilie’s chest. “All of this time you didn’t tell me?”
Gail sighed. “It’s in the past, honey. It doesn’t affect today.”
