Page 34 of You Met Me There

In the past few days I’ve realized I missed PA more than I thought I did—this town, the mountains, the scents and sounds of nature in a forest. It’s so vastly different from what I’ve gotten used to at the beach. I never expected to come back to Maple Lake, but I always hoped to one day see my family again.

“Are you okay?” Luke’s voice is husky as he slides his hands over my shoulders, pulling me back against his chest. In the bedroom mirror, I watch as his light eyes turn dark in the glow of the lamp.

“Yeah. I’m okay. I’m just tired, and there’s been a lot going on these past few days.”

He nods and his hands still their motion. “Is it okay that I’m here?”

“In Maple Lake, or in my bedroom?” I meet his eyes in the mirror’s reflection.

His nose brushes my hair. “Anywhere. Both.”

I close my eyes and tip my head back toward his warm breath. “I don’t know. I want to say yes, but I don’t even know what I want anymore. Coming back here was maybe a bad idea.”

He turns me around until I’m facing him, and he holds me gently at my elbows. “Was it, though? Your family looked excited to have you back.”

I let out a deep sigh. “I know. And I’m happy to see them. I mean, I’m happy to be here.” I push a hand through my hair, pulling at it in frustration. “This place just has a lot of memories.”

“Bad memories?” He squints.

I shake my head. “No, not bad memories. Good ones.”

He takes my hands and lifts them so my wrists rest on his shoulders. His fingers slide down to my waist. “You grew up here. You have good memories here. So what’s the problem?”

My teeth find my lower lip, and I give myself a headache with how tightly my brows pinch together. “It’s hard to explain. I don’t really understand it. But it’s like I’m two people trying to fit into one body. Seeing my family again and being here. My brain is just all mixed up between who I was and who I am.”

“I don’t see two people. I see one strong, impressive woman. The one I fell in love with in this town nearly ten years ago.” He smiles. “It’s almost like fate’s brought us back here to work everything out.”

He walks backward, tugging me along with him until his legs hit the bed and he sits on the edge. I want to fall into him, but we haven’t made it back to that point yet. Luke notices my reluctance as my body stiffens, and he loosens his grip on my waist. I stand between his knees, my hands resting lightly on his forearms.

“Natalie, I love you. And from what I saw tonight, everyone here loves you too. No one wants you to be two people. We just want you to be you, whatever that looks like. I just think—” His words cut off as he takes my hands, sliding his thumbs over my fingers. He frowns, raises my left hand, and stares at my finger. “You’re not wearing your wedding ring.” His piercing eyes stare into mine as I pull my hand back. His jaw settles.

In a rush, I turn to the bathroom, where I left my wedding band. “I didn’t want my family asking questions about you or why you weren’t here,” I shout from the bathroom. “I just wanted to deal with one thing at a time.”

Digging through my makeup bag, I find both my engagement ring and wedding band sitting at the bottom. The diamonds catch the light as I hold them up as proof that I took care of them—that they were safe.

“See?” I shove them on my finger and come back to him, holding my hand out so he’ll see the rings. “I just didn’t want to start more drama. I didn’t want them asking why I left you.” Tears prick my eyes and heat fills my cheeks, rushing up my neck. “I’m sorry, Luke,” I say, choking on my cry. “I’m so sorry I left. I didn’t want to. I got upset and didn’t see how I could stay. But I don’t want to lose you. Don’t let me go.”

Luke stands from the bed. His tall frame envelops me, and I sag against him, letting him hold me. Once again, I’m the one who dealt out hurt on the person I love, yet Luke is the one who’s comforting me. For the moment I can’t bring myself to care that I’m a terrible person. I just want to be held together. A little tape here, a hug there.

Even villains want to be cared for, right?

He tugs me onto the bed, and I let him pull me down and tuck my back against his chest. We fall asleep together in our clothes, not bothering to change. Luke holds me as I cry, and I apologize a million times for leaving. He soothes me with his voice and tells me he loves me. He kisses my neck, my cheek, and wraps his arms around me from behind.

We don’t talk about kids. We don’t talk about my family or Maple Lake or what life will look like after tonight. There’s just this moment, and I fall asleep feeling truly safe for the first time all week. And of course, with Luke’s arms protecting me, I don’t have a single nightmare.

Chapter 19

Natalie

When I wake, I slip out of bed quietly so Luke can sleep a little longer. I shower, then check my phone to see a text from Jules.

Jules: Feel free to come over for breakfast this morning. We’re all eating at nine. And, of course, bring your husband.

I read the frustration in Juliet’s words as clearly as if they were boulders between granules of sand; she’s upset I didn’t tell her about my marriage. It’s another layer added to the heavy, ever-growing shell of guilt encapsulating my petite body.

I send Emma a quick text.

Me: Luke showed up last night. He’s here. In my bed.