by Alexa Verde
“You were worth so much more. That’s why I didn’t contact you. I was afraid you’d talk me out of my decision.”
Even worse, she knew him enough to guess Roman would’ve tried to find ways to solve the situation, and none of those ways would’ve been good. It would’ve ruined his life.
She’d married a different guy not because she didn’t love Roman.
She’d done it because she loved him too much.
“Oh.” The anger in his eyes subsided somewhat. “You had doubts about marrying that guy.”
She blinked fast not to let tears spill. And yet they did. “I didn’t want to marry him at all.”
His jaw dropped. “What?”
“You don’t get it, do you? I never loved him. You’re the only guy I ever loved.”
And by the looks of it, the only one she ever would.
She climbed inside the truck, wiping her tears as fast as she could before Jonah saw them.
Chapter Seven
ROMAN TOSSED and turned the entire night, Aileen’s words running through his mind with the repetitive sputter of a drill battling with brickwork.
Finally, he gave up on sleep and tried to watch an action movie on his phone using headphones so the sound wouldn’t wake Aileen and Jonah. But he had difficulty concentrating.
She’d refused to explain yesterday. She’d made a delicious dinner but, during the meal had avoided looking at him.
He placed the phone beside him on the pillow. With his mind in turmoil, he couldn’t follow the plot.
Then he simply stared into the darkness.
If she didn’t want to marry Dr. Krasinski, why had she? To have a rich life he couldn’t give her? Or…was she blackmailed into marriage?
But didn’t she know she could come to him for help? He’d have given up everything he had for her then.
Or was she trying to justify herself? Maybe even appease her guilty conscience? No, he knew her better. At least, he’d thought he had—until he’d received that wedding invitation.
Finally, he fell into a restless slumber. What seemed like minutes later, his alarm threw him out of his sleep. He flung his gritty eyelids open.
Okay, he needed to do something important today.
The client?
No, he rescheduled his customers for later.
Oh yes, he’d volunteered to drop off Jonah at school. With the roads now dry, school resumed as usual—much to Jonah’s dismay—and the school bus didn’t have a regular stop near Roman’s townhouse.
He leaped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom, looking forward to spending time with Jonah. The kid was fun to talk to, and while he’d tried to put a tough front, Roman sensed the same guarded vulnerability he’d once sensed in Aileen. Being a teenager was difficult, especially if Jonah was still relatively new in school and had to prove himself.
Roman brushed his teeth fast, welcoming the refreshing toothpaste flavor, and took extra time shaving. He’d taken his shower late last night, so he just put on his favorite cologne. The same brand he’d used in high school. The same brand Aileen had given him for their first anniversary of dating.
His hand stilled as he brushed his hair. Why did he use that same brand all these years? As if she’d find her way back from Portland to him by the scent. Ridiculous.
Speaking of scents....
As he pulled on jeans and a thin black sweater, he breathed in the wonderful aroma of freshly baked cookies and cinnamon, mixed with the savory scents of frying vegetables. The way he’d imagined his house would smell. This was his house, all right, only the scent was temporary.
Aileen, her son, and their pets staying here was temporary. His heart squeezed as he marched to the kitchen.
No matter.
Bachelor life suited him just fine.
Then why did something shift inside him as he looked at Aileen and Jonah taking out plates from the kitchen cabinets as if they belonged in this place?
No, he hadn’t bought such a big house because he hoped Aileen might one day return to Chapel Cove. He just liked to have a lot of space, and his many relatives scattered around the country and the world often came to visit and spend a few days at the beach.
A familiar longing appeared inside him as Aileen looked up at him. Those beautiful blue eyes…
“Good morning. Breakfast is ready. I made eggs with peppers and onions for Jonah and mushrooms for you.” She stumbled, and her cheeks pinked. “I hope you still like scrambled eggs with mushrooms.”
She remembered his favorite breakfast and troubled herself to make it. A pleasant wave washed through him. “Good morning. And I do.”
She beamed. “Please serve yourself and eat it up. You know I don’t like leftovers.”
He took a plate and piled high with eggs and mushrooms from the skillet.
Jonah did the same with eggs, sautéed peppers, and onions. “Mom, with your cooking, leftovers are never an issue.”
Aileen rested a hand on her son’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
Mugs with coffee, a bowl with a garden salad, and a large plate stacked with cinnamon-swirl French toast and regular buttered toast was already on the table. Okay, so that wasn’t cookies he’d smelled earlier, but he wasn’t complaining.
For some time, he could forget about all that happened in the past and Aileen’s mysterious words and just enjoy breakfast.
He reached for their hands and said grace.
“Amen,” Jonah said when Roman was done.
Maybe he could talk to Jonah about God on the drive to school. There were many things he’d like to talk to this kid about.
Roman scooped up his eggs with mushrooms, and his taste buds danced in delight. “Thank you. It’s just as yummy as I remember. No, I’m wrong.”
Aileen’s lips turned downward. “No, not as yummy?”
“I meant, no, it’s even better now.” He couldn’t help smiling as her face lit up at his praise.
He’d think later about everything that passed between them. Right now, he just wanted to drink in the tender gaze of her beautiful blue eyes like he drank his coffee. Even his coffee tasted so much better when she made it.
Jonah added salad to his plate and was putting a dent in his food fast. “I told my friends we’re staying in your house, and they asked me, um, to see if you could give us some tips.” He waved in the air with a toast. “From your ex–per–teese.”
“Sure.” Roman hurried to finish his food, too. He wouldn’t want Jonah to be late on his behalf. “Your friends need house repairs after the flood?”
“Nah. I mean, yeah, but their parents will take care of it. Your expertise in dating. They told me you dated the most beautiful women in town. How’d you do it?”
Aileen nearly spilled her coffee. “Oh, look how time flies. School starts soon. I already put the lunch box in your backpack, but make sure you have everything else you need there.”
Okay, this was not one of the things Roman wanted to talk to Aileen’s son about.
Jonah glanced at the wall clock. “Nah. There’s still time. Well, I told them—no offense, Mr. Roman—but considering you let my mom get away, I don’t know if you’re qualified to give us dating advice.”
“Hello! I’m here!” Aileen raised her voice as if to make sure they heard her.
Roman winked at Jonah. “After your mother got married, I dated a lot. A lot! So I think I’m highly qualified.”
Aileen groaned. “I’m still here!”
Okay, she did have a point. He shouldn’t talk about dating other women in her presence, though none of them ever caused the feelings in him she had.
He drained his coffee. “Um, okay. I’ll tell you while driving you to school.”
She married a different guy and didn’t even bother to tell you why.
He hushed the little voice in his head.
Minutes later, Roman and Jonah were on the way to school. Roman threw a glance at the boy. “Why do you want to know about dating? It’s not just because of your fr
iends, is it?”
A barely audible sigh reached him. “Well, that, too. But there’s a girl in school I like.”
Roman suppressed a smile as he turned his attention to the road. Kids really grew up too fast these days. But then, he’d started paying attention to Aileen at roughly the same age—okay, even before then—so he didn’t have a say in the matter. “What’s her name?”
“Shannon.”
“Does your mom know you like her?” Roman stopped at the traffic light, thankfully now working. The streets already looked cleaner and brighter with most of the debris gone, and many businesses opened again.
“Shannon doesn’t even know I like her,” Jonah grunted. “She’s so pretty. Long blonde hair with pink streaks, large blue eyes. Sweet smile. And there’s just something so sad about her eyes when she thinks nobody is looking. I don’t want her to be sad. Her parents are rich, so everybody thinks she’s got everything.” Jonah wiggled in his seat. “I mean, I had a rich dad once, but he barely even noticed me. What use was that? It’s like… she doesn’t have everything, but she can’t let anybody see it.”
Compassion mingled with curiosity to twist Roman up. “Did you talk to her?”
“No. Lots of guys in school like her. Older guys, too. Richer guys. The linebacker of our football team asked her out last year. She actually used to be a captain of a cheerleading squad. She turned them all down.” The kid’s voice dipped. “What chance do I have?”
How was he going to teach this kid the right thing? Roman searched for the words as he slowed in the school zone. This parental stuff was not easy by any means. “I’m going to disappoint you. There are really no tricks in dating, or in this case, making somebody like you. Just be yourself and show her you care about her.”
“How?” A more optimistic note perked up the end of that word.
Good.
“What things does she like? What classes might she need help with? What movies does she prefer? Maybe she has a pet, even a dog. You could share stories about your pets.”
“Oh, I get it. Thanks, man.”
Roman’s heart expanded as he followed the drop-off line of cars. The parental stuff wasn’t only tough. It brought a lot of joy, too. “Do something nice for her. Ask your mom for the recipe and teach Shannon how to cook some of Aileen’s famous pastries.” Roman looked at the boy.
“Huh. Cooking isn’t manly.” Jonah’s face scrunched up.
“I cooked with your mom.” Roman sent up a prayer for help to reach Jonah. “I’d also pray for guidance, if I were you.”
“Pray? How do you do that?” Jonah paused. “I mean, Mom talked about God when I was little, but I barely remember it. From what I understand, Dad got upset when he found out. He was an atheist.”
“Just talk to the Lord like you talk to me. Speak from your heart.” Roman pulled up to the curb, wishing he had more time with Jonah.
Could they maybe do something in the evening? Like a father and a son? His throat constricted. Not that he’d ever be a father to Jonah.
“I’ll try.”
Roman let the engine idle as he kept his foot on the brake. With a row of cars behind him, he needed to move fast. “What time do I pick you up?”
“Oh, I have wrestling practice today. Not that…” Jonah stumbled as he climbed out of the truck. “Not that I got into wrestling to impress Shannon.”
“Cool. I used to do wrestling in high school, too. I’ll come to your practice, as soon as I’m done with finishing the clean-up at your house.”
Jonah’s eyes widened as he stood on the curb. “You’d do that? Dad never… Well, never mind. See you in the afternoon.”
“See you later.” Roman nearly added “kid”, but Jonah might get offended. A warm wave spread inside Roman as he drove away from the curb.
He drove home much faster than he had to school and hurried to his door. Lost in thought this time, he automatically opened the door instead of ringing the doorbell.
Aileen looked up from the sofa where she’d been clutching her cell phone as if it were a lifeline. Judging by the puffiness of her eyes, she’d been crying, though her eyes were dry now.
His heart plummeted. “What happened?”
“I got the call back from the insurance. Apparently, the deductible is even higher than I realized. I already owe so much for the pastry store, my house, and my car.… Nobody is going to give me another loan. I can max out my credit cards, but how am I going to pay them back?” Her shoulders slumped forward. “I’m sorry. I know it doesn’t concern you.”
Air whooshed out of his lungs as he sat near her. “That’s all? That’s all you’re so upset about?”
Her jaw dropped. “You consider it little? That store is my livelihood! I need to provide for Jonah and myself. Well, and the pets.”
So the rich doctor ex-husband didn’t even pay child support? How could that be? He held the question back and forced himself not to reach out to her.
She seemed to read his mind. “My ex decided to retire after the divorce. He lives somewhere in Latin America now, and I don’t have his contact information. He conveniently forgot about mine and Jonah’s existence.”
Anger surged through him. Whatever had happened between two people in marriage, children shouldn’t suffer because of it. “Okay. It can still be easily resolved. I’ll repair your roof. I’ll donate the cost of materials, too.”
Her eyes went big. “You’d do that for me? But… But…”
“For you and Jonah. I’d do it for any other neighbor who needed help. And remember, you’re my neighbor now.” He still couldn’t figure out whether having her back was hurting him more by ripping old wounds open or beginning his healing.
“But… I live on the other side of town.”
“You’re still my neighbor. My cousin, Mateo, repaired the roof for Nai. I mean, it was for her aunt, but—”
“I heard about it. They were childhood friends who wanted to become more but never admitted it to each other. Twenty-two years later, they had a second chance. But they didn’t have the sad history we had.”
Do you want a second chance?
Thankfully, he’d managed to stop the question before it rolled off his tongue. He’d be crazy to want a second chance himself.
He shook his head in response to his own thoughts. “There was some misunderstanding in their past, too. And I’m sure even if they had the sad history we did, Mateo would still want to help out Nai.”
A soft smile touched her pink lips. “I heard about Nai from Kristina, one of her besties. Nai seems like an amazing woman with a caring heart. I’m so glad she finally found happiness.”
“And I’m thrilled for my cousin. I’ve never seen him this happy.” He rose to his feet.
That smile affected him too much, making him want to forget everything and take Aileen into his arms like he’d done so many times over two decades ago. Oh, to feel her close to him again….
“I–I don’t know what to say. Just thank you so much. You can have any pastries in my store on the house for the rest of your life.”
“Sounds great.” Though he’d prefer kisses, like before.
Grrr. What was he thinking?
He stepped back to put some much-needed distance between them. “First, I’ll measure up at the store so I can order the materials. Then I have to take care of a customer whose patio flooded. It shouldn’t take me more than two or three hours. Then we’ll get back to your house, and do what’s needed there.”
Should he admit he’d left her house till last because he didn’t want them to leave his townhouse? After just a few days, she and Jonah belonged here.
She perked up. “That’s a busy day. If you tell me what’s needed, I can go do the rest of the clean-up at the house.”
“Okay.” The word was dragged from him. “Promise me you won’t touch the power till I tell you it’s safe.”
“I won’t touch the power till you tell me it’s safe.” After parroting his words, she smiled again, lig
hting up her face from within. “And maybe I can help you with the roof. I can hold nails or… something.”
So much for putting distance between them and avoiding her company. “We’ll see.”
Like he was going to let her climb on the roof. He’d be terrified every second that she might fall and hurt herself.
“Once my house is done, I could go open the store for a few hours. So many people have called saying they missed my cookies and cupcakes! It’s nice to be appreciated.” Her lips widened.
The lips he’d kissed so many times… Blood rushed faster inside him.
Not helping!
He couldn’t let her be left to her own devices, so he’d fix the roof. But no matter what feelings she stirred inside him again, he couldn’t let himself fall for her. Couldn’t let her crush his heart for the second time.
Chapter Eight
LATER THAT afternoon, roofing materials loaded in the truck, Roman pulled up to Aileen’s Pastries. With the Open sign on the door, a few cars were there already. True to her word, she didn’t waste any time opening her business again.
Well, that sounded like the Aileen he’d once known. She’d always worked hard. Besides selling her cupcakes and pastries from door to door since she’d been a teen, she’d helped out in her father’s flailing hardware store, and then she’d started serving pancakes at The Pancake Shoppe as soon as she was legally old enough to do it.
But all her efforts had done nothing to cover holes left by her mother’s overspending or to stop the bickering at her parents’ place.
Roman strode to the store. He needed to tell her he was here, or she might worry when he started walking on the roof.
As he entered the pastry store, she looked up from the counter, then walked around it and stepped to him.
“Hey, hermano!” Kristina always used the Spanish word for “brother”. She waved to him from the table where she shared chocolate cupcakes with her husband, Greg, who’d become Roman’s good friend, and his daughter Kristina had adopted, Chelsea.