Vacancy: A Love Story

by Tracy Ewens

  Flawed logic. That’s what her decision to leave and return to a world she ran from would have been called in corporate speak. It was at the root of most bad decisions and it was certainly to blame for why Hollis had returned to a place, a job, that didn’t bring her any closer to happiness. She’d told Matt when they were back at the cove that she wanted to be happy more than anything and yet she’d spent the past few weeks pretending again, trying to revel in her success even though it all felt wrong.

  Matt had not come for her as he’d said he would, which was understandable considering he had saved her ass and she repaid the favor by again running away. She had sent the e-mail and he had not replied. Hollis was sick of herself and her “flawed logic,” so she could hardly blame Matt. Besides, she was responsible for her own happy, and that’s why she quit her job. After she left her boss’s office, she’d had a flash of regret, a feeling of failure even though she told herself she was going out on top, but it was fleeting because by the time she’d packed up her desk and walked past Megan, the snickering bitch, she felt the release of letting go. For the first time in her life, Hollis was choosing herself, her peace of mind over the smoke and mirror show of being perfect.

  The doorbell rang as she was packing her books. She stood from her crouched position, and the sunlight glinted off the large window that looked out over San Francisco Bay. For a moment, she was in the center of her half-packed living room and awash with a feeling she didn’t recognize. It was sort of like being picked first for a team at recess or being called on in class, but more adult. The doorbell rang again, followed by knocking, and Hollis knew exactly what was racing past her heart: the feeling of being chosen.

  Tears flooded her eyes. She knew who was now pounding on her door and she knew why he was there. All those years, had she been waiting for this moment, waiting for him?

  The past no longer mattered. Hollis had already taken responsibility for her present, and now she and Matt had come full circle. All of it, the good and bad, had brought them to where they were now—two people, a door, a choice. Hollis wiped her eyes, unlocking her front door to the one man she would ever love.

  He was breathless and walked past her before she said a word.

  “I’m not sure I want to live in Maine, but—” he blurted out and then looked around her apartment. “Where are you… are you moving?”

  Hollis nodded and waited for him to retreat, backtrack because finding her packing was not in his plan, not what he’d expected. She wanted to step forward, tell him she quit her job and exactly how they could have a wonderful life together, but this time, she said nothing.

  “Okay, well where are you going?” He let out a breath.

  “I don’t know yet.”

  Matt looked a little deflated. “What do you mean you don’t know? Don’t you have a plan? Color-coded labels or something? Do you have a new apartment yet?”

  “No.”

  He crossed his arms across his chest then uncrossed them and pointed at her. “Don’t do that. That is not, we don’t do the one-word response anymore.”

  She almost laughed at his uneasiness, but before she could say anything, he rubbed the back of his neck and began pacing.

  “All right, well since you’re not offering much, I guess this is on me. If you’re packing because you—”

  His words fell when Hollis stepped in his path and wrapped her arm around his neck.

  “Breathe, Locke-ness.” She kissed his neck. “Tell me why you’re here.”

  “I love you.” His arms went around her waist. “I don’t have an action plan, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Maybe this doesn’t need to be complicated. I’m here to get you.”

  A smile spread across her face and Hollis felt the world right itself. So many years and there she was, dangling and holding onto him, their hearts pounding and Matt wanting.

  “Do you see those boxes?”

  He looked toward the window, brow furrowed, and nodded.

  “They are packed with books. I never realized how many books I had until I started to pack them. Lots of coffee table books, and even though I sent some of them to the—”

  “Holls?”

  “Right, sorry. Anyway, those boxes are quite heavy. I bet you can’t lift three of them at a time.”

  The corners of his mouth curved up ever so slightly and his eyes filled with the challenge of a thirteen-year-old. “Of course I can.” He held her closer as they both surveyed the boxes.

  “Those are packed to the top. You could barely lift the empty keg from behind Mitch’s bar last time I checked. No way you can lift three of those.” She played along, swallowing a lump in her throat.

  Matt nodded. “I’ve been paddleboarding with Toro. My core is stronger.” He released her and patted his abs.

  Hollis held back a laugh.

  “I’ll make you a deal.” He stepped into her but didn’t touch, instead hovering like they were floating around one another.

  “Fine. If you lift three of those boxes, what’s the prize?”

  Matt’s eyes started to fill and Hollis thought she might die right there.

  “You are, Holls. If I lift those boxes, will you marry me? I promise we don’t need to wear scratchy sweaters.”

  She leaned into him, their lips almost touching as she wrapped her arms back around his neck. “I’m kind of a bulldog. I’ve never been married before and as of yesterday, I’m unemployed. Maybe you should wait a while until…”

  “I’m done waiting.” Matt took her face in his hands.

  “Fine,” Hollis said. “I’ll marry you.”

  A smile spread across his face as a tear spilled from his glorious blue eyes and Hollis felt her heart swell, taking up the far corners of her chest.

  “Don’t you want me to lift the boxes first?”

  She shook her head and kissed him.

  Epilogue

  Hollis watched as Matt crossed off the last box on the calendar that hung in their kitchen.

  “That’s three months,” she said.

  He nodded and kissed her.

  “Do you think we’re out of the woods?”

  “Probably not. I’m not sure this baby-making thing is ever over.”

  “You know, your honesty is becoming hard to deal with. You do remember that I’m hormonal, right?”

  He laughed. “How about I buy you some ice cream? It’s probably time to start ice cream therapy.”

  “Oh, I hear that can be intense. Should we call people? Tell them now?”

  “We could take a drive to get the ice cream. I know this great little place by the cove.”

  “Really, I’m up for a drive. I love the cove.”

  He stepped into her. “And I love you, Holls.” He kissed her, and even though they were a married couple, even though they were most likely going to be parents, his kiss brought her right back to the pier every time. Those summers when she learned to sail, kissed a boy, and found her split-apart.

  Acknowledgements

  I would like to thank:

  Katie McCoach and Nikki Busch because they’re wonderful and I enjoy working with them.

  Women that make tough choices and pave their own way. I’ve been inspired my whole life.

  My family for putting up with my moods, imaginary friends, and often absent mind.

  Readers for inviting me into your lives. The honor is never lost on me.

  Tracy Ewens shares a beautiful piece of the desert with her husband and three children in New River, Arizona. She is a recovered theatre major that blogs from the laundry room.

  Vacancy is her seventh novel, and the sixth in her A Love Story series.

  If you would like to keep in touch, you can find Tracy on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to her newsletter at www.tracyewens.com.

 

 

  om.Net