One More Step

by Colleen Hoover

  She gives me a quick look and then makes another turn. “My dad was always a bit of a drinker, but for the most part he kept it under control. And then three years ago, we lost my mom to breast cancer, and in the process, I sort of lost my dad to the bottle. He drank every night to drown out the pain, and one night he got behind the wheel after a few too many shots of bourbon.”

  She stops talking, takes in a staggering breath, and blows it out.

  “Juliette, you don’t have to—”

  “No, It’s okay. It’s good for me to talk about it.”

  “Okay.”

  “Long story short, he hit a car head on. Killed himself and the driver of the other car.” She takes another breath and looks at me. This time she looks a little lighter. “I don’t know that I’ve ever told anyone that out loud.”

  “Really?”

  She nods. “Of course everyone in town knew about it, but no one ever said a word. They just supported me and helped me pick up the pieces. The compassion this town showed me is the main reason I refuse to leave.”

  “So you started being an Uber driver to help pay it forward?”

  “Yeah, I guess. I mean, I’m also a nurse at the hospital, so I can only Uber on days I’m off, but I like to do what I can. I don’t want anyone else to have to go through what I went through.”

  Juliette loosens her grip on the steering and moves a hand to her leg.

  I reach across the car and place my hand on hers. “I’m sorry that happened.” She looks at my hand on hers and then at me. “I know you think I’m handsome, but eyes on the road, Juliette.”

  She barks out a snort-laugh, and I find myself smiling at the endearing sound.

  “I like you, Mason. What’s your last name?”

  “Cavanaugh. Mason Cavanaugh. And you’re not so bad yourself, Juliette…”

  “Pearson.”

  “Juliette Pearson.” She doesn’t move her hand from under mind, but the moment passes, and I slowly pull my hand back. “Where are you taking me?”

  “You’ll see.”

  “Fair enough. I like surprises. So, a nurse, huh?”

  She smiles and shrugs. “It’s nothing.”

  “It’s something. Nurses are great.”

  “Oh yeah? You married to one?”

  I laugh and raise my left hand to show my bare ring finger. “Nope.”

  “Girlfriend?”

  “Haven’t had time for one.”

  “Pity.”

  “But maybe now that I’m moving here, that’ll change.”

  Juliette doesn’t respond, but a smile touches her lips and light shade of pink colors her cheeks. “Where are you from?”

  “San Diego.”

  “Wow.” She makes another turn. “Illinois is a far cry from California. What brought you here?”

  “Do you want the long story or the short?”

  THREE

  Juliette

  “WE HAVE ABOUT another four minutes in the car,” I tell him. “But I can take the long way. I’m a sucker for a good story.”

  Mason seems to like my reply. Maybe he’s enjoying my company as much as I’m enjoying his.

  “It’s nothing juicy,” he says. “So wipe the smirk off your face.”

  I pretend to wipe the smirk off with the back of my hand and try for a serious face that only causes both of us to laugh.

  “My father was a big corporate type. A high-end lawyer. Mom fed into the lifestyle. I was groomed to follow in his footsteps, and I did.”

  “I figured. Your suit is very corporate.”

  “This is who I was, not who I am,” he says, loosening his tie. He pulls it from his collar and drops it on top of my book still perched on the console. “I went to the college of his choosing and graduated law school at the top of my class. Right after graduation, I took a job at his firm. I lived the high life, and made more money than I knew what to do with. I rubbed elbows with influential people and built my clientele.”

  Mason goes quiet, and I nudge him with my elbow. “I feel a but coming on.”

  He rests his head on the seat and turns to look at me. It’s hard to concentrate on the road when all I want to do is pull over and give him my undivided attention.

  “I wasn’t happy,” he finally says. “I thought I was, but it eventually caught up to me. Mom noticed, and one day when I took her out for lunch, she looked at me and asked what my favorite childhood memory was.”

  “And? What is your favorite childhood memory?”

  “Coming here, to Benton.”

  I frown. “Really?”

  “Uh-huh. Every summer we went to Chicago; Dad had a conference he had to attend. While he spent his time in the city, Mom would rent us a cabin down here on the lake, and we would spend a few days alone. We swam and rented paddle boats, and we walked into town to have ice cream at Millie’s diner.”

  “They have the best ice cream,” I say.

  His face lights up. “It’s still standing?”

  “Oh yeah. Millie’s granddaughter runs it now.”

  “I’ll have to go back there sometime soon.”

  Maybe I could go with you, I think to myself, half hoping he’ll tack the question on to his statement.

  He doesn’t.

  “So your favorite memory is spending a week here every summer?”

  He nods. “From the age of eight to sixteen. The best week of each year. I told Mom that was my best memory, and she told me I needed to find that happiness again. She could tell I was off, but honestly, I was shocked she said that to me. Mom’s always followed Dad’s lead, but now I’m wondering if maybe she wouldn’t be happier living a different lifestyle.”

  “Interesting. You should ask her sometime.”

  “I think I will. Anyway, a week later, I quit my job at Dad’s firm—”

  “I bet he was pissed.”

  “That’s an understatement. He was livid—threatened to disown me. I took off, came here, and spent a few weeks out on the lake. I found myself again and knew I couldn’t go back to the life I was living. It’s great for my dad, but it’s not the life I want.”

  “What life do you want?”

  “Honestly, I’m still trying to figure that out. But I know it’ll be here. I love this town.”

  “It is pretty great. There are lots of fun shops and restaurants, and I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. In fact, I bought a building today.”

  “You did?”

  The contentment on Mason’s face tells me he’s happy with this decision. “Yup. That’s why I’m wearing this monkey suit. I had to pull it out of hiding. I met with the loan officer today and then the property owner. Well, ex-property owner. I bought the vacant building down on Third.”

  “Old man Dave’s office? He was an accountant.”

  “Yeah, I think that’s him.”

  “He retired a few years ago. It’s a great location. What are you going to do with it?” I pull down the drive of Benton’s one and only bed and breakfast just as the sun starts to set. When I park in the driveway, Mason runs a hand through his hair, mussing it up.

  “I’m still going to practice law, but no more of that big, corporate shit.”

  “What will that look like?”

  He chuckles. “Estate planning, contracts, and business law. I might do some criminal and adoption law too.”

  “Mrs. Baker always said she wanted to divorce her husband, but she didn’t want to drive into the city to do it. Maybe you’ll get her business.”

  “Maybe,” Mason says with a laugh. “See? That’s good news already.”

  “Well, we’re here.”

  We look out the front window to see a small elderly woman open the front door and hop down the steps.

  “That’s Louise. You’re going to love her. She’s a fifty-year-old in an eighty-year-old body, and she’s the best damn cook.”

  “I’ve never seen an eighty-year-old move that fast. I hope she doesn’t break a hip.
”

  I laugh and open my door to greet Louise.

  “Come here, you sweet thing,” she says, pulling me into a warm hug.

  Louise was a godsend after my father’s death. She’s one of the only reasons I ate halfway decent in the months following his funeral.

  “Who is your handsome friend?” she asks, turning toward Mason as he climbs out of my car. When she stops in front of him and holds out her hand, he takes it and pulls it to his lips. Forever the charmer. “Oooh… a man hasn’t done that to me in years.”

  Mason gives her the smile that makes me squirm. “My name is Mason.”

  “Welcome, Mason. Jules texted me and told me you need a place to stay. She specifically said you wanted a room that wouldn’t have bedbugs.” We all laugh, and she continues. “I promise my inn doesn’t have bedbugs. How long will you be staying?”

  “Just until I can find a place of my own.”

  Louise’s face lights up. “You’re moving to Benton?”

  “I am.”

  “Welcome! We’re so glad to have you. Jules, will you show him around and I’ll grab his things out of the car?”

  “Sure thing.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” Mason insists. “I can get it.”

  But Louise is having none of that. She takes Mason’s shoulders and directs him to the house. “Let Jules show you around. He’ll be in room three. Are you hungry?”

  “Starved,” Mason says, following me toward the house.

  “Great. Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes. It’s almost done baking.”

  As soon as we walk through the front door, Mason pulls in a deep breath. “It smells amazing in here.”

  “You’re going to eat good. Louise is going to pamper the hell out of you. You probably won’t ever want to leave.”

  Mason smiles and follows me through the house. I show him his room first, and then the kitchen, living room, office, and library area. Finally, I take him out back and show him my favorite part of the property.

  A small lake sits at the back of Louise’s grounds. “It’s beautiful out here.”

  Mason walks beside me toward the dock. “Gorgeous.”

  When I look at him, he’s staring at me. “I meant the lake.”

  Lifting a hand, he tucks my hair behind my ear. “The lake is beautiful too.”

  We stand silently and watch the water lap against the dock. “I used to date Louise’s grandson. His name was Brandon. We were high school sweethearts and had our whole lives planned out. Right out of high school, I worked two jobs to help put him through college.”

  “What was he going to school for?”

  “His MBA. He finished, and then it was my turn. He was going to work while I went to school.”

  “But that didn’t happen, did it?” Mason’s fist clenches at his side.

  “No, it didn’t. He decided small town life wasn’t for him. He wanted to move to the city and get a corporate job. He asked me to go with him, but my mom had just been diagnosed with cancer, and I didn’t want to leave her… And he wasn’t going to stay. Long story short, I took out a student loan and started nursing school, and he moved away. Haven’t seen or talked to him since.”

  “Do you miss him?”

  “No.” I shake my head. “That’s how I know we weren’t meant to be.”

  “Juliette?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Brandon was an idiot. And an asshole.”

  “All right,” Louise yells from the back porch. “Dinner is ready.”

  We walk side by side to the house, neither one of us saying a thing.

  It’s weird—we’ve only known each other for an hour, but I feel like I’ve known him for years. I can’t help wondering when I’ll see him again.

  Will he want to see me again?

  The thought shakes me to my core. I swore I wouldn’t put myself in a spot to have my heart broken again, and after an hour I already know Mason could have that power over me, if I gave him the chance.

  “I better get going.”

  “You’re not going to stay for dinner?” Louise asks. “There’s plenty for all of us.”

  “Nah, I’ve got to get going. I still need to finish the book you interrupted,” I say, swatting Mason on the arm. “Thanks again, Louise. Mason, it was nice meeting you.”

  He fidgets on his feet, seeming flustered that I’m about to walk away. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “Let him,” Louise says. “Never stop a man from being a gentleman.”

  “Thank you, Louise,” Mason says.

  She pats Mason’s cheek, and I jerk my head toward my car. “If you insist on being a gentleman, who am I to stop you?”

  “Glad you see it my way.” He holds out his arm. I shake my head and tuck my hand in his elbow.

  “So, when will I get to see you again?” he asks as we stop beside my car.

  “I don’t know.”

  “How about tomorrow night? We could go to the diner and get some ice cream.”

  My eyes dance around Louise’s yard before falling on his. “I don’t know.”

  “Are you scared?”

  “No,” I scoff. “Why would I be scared?”

  Hell yeah, I’m scared. I haven’t even looked at a guy since Brandon, and then Mason slides into my car and has my pulse racing, my body heating up, and my mind wondering what it would be like if he kissed me. And what if he does kiss me and I like it? No, scratch that, what if I love it? And then what if he leaves like Brandon did? The men in my life haven’t always had staying power.

  “Just asking.” He studies me for a few seconds. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

  “Just wondering if your stay here is going to be permanent.” His knowing gaze penetrates mine, and I rush to explain. “It’s just… You’re just moving here. What if you change your mind in a week and decide small-town life isn’t for you?”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  “It might.”

  Mason grabs my hands. “Okay, how about this? I’ll meet you at the diner two weeks from today—six o’clock, because I don’t want to interrupt your reading time.” He smirks. “That gives you two weeks to warm up to the idea of me and gives me time to settle in.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I do. Meet me there.” Mason takes a step back and then another and another, his smile growing as he moves away from me.

  I ache to reach out to him, to continue whatever it is that’s building between us, but I don’t. My insecurities have me rooted to the driveway.

  “Two weeks, Juliette.”

  “Mason, wait. I—”

  “Don’t stand me up.” He winks and disappears into the bed and breakfast before I have a chance to reply.

  Dammit. This was completely unexpected. He was completely unexpected.

  “Some of the best things in life are the things we don’t see coming.” Mom’s words ring loud in my head.

  I open the car door and slide into the driver’s seat.

  It isn’t until I pull into my driveway that I notice my book is gone.

  FOUR

  Mason

  THIS HAS BEEN the longest two weeks of my life. I’ve looked for Juliette everywhere—on the street, in the coffee shop, and every other place through town I’ve explored—and each time I’ve come up empty.

  Colin assured me she’s not avoiding me, but that’s all he would say. I know he’s talked to her, but the fucker has tight-ass lips. I love that she has someone watching out for her, but soon, if I’m lucky, that someone might be me.

  A chime dings above the door as I walk into Millie’s diner. It looks the same now as it did when I was kid.

  “Seat yourself,” a waitress says from across the room.

  I nod and move toward the back corner booth that Mom and I used to sit in. I have something with me, and as the waitress walks up, I set it on the booth beside me.

  “What can I get
ya?”

  I look at the nametag on her shirt. Brittany. “Are you from around here?” I ask.

  Her face brightens. “I am.”

  “Do you know Juliette Pearson?”

  Her shoulders stiffen. “I do. If you’ve got a beef with Juliette, you need to take it elsewhere.”

  I hold up my hands. “No, it’s nothing like that. She’s meeting me here, and I was just going to ask if you know what she likes to order. I was going to surprise her, that’s all.”

  Brittany’s face relaxes. “Oh, in that case, hell yes, I’m from here, and I’ll help you out. She likes a cookies and cream shake and a basket of fries.”

  “Perfect. Get me that, as well as a chocolate shake.”

  “Coming right up.” Brittany turns to leave and then whirls back around and gets all up in my face. “We all love Juliette. She’s been through a lot in her life and deserves some stability. She also deserves a little fun. So if you can’t give her those things, you need to back off.”

  “I’m not going to hurt her, and I happen to like having fun.”

  She lifts two fingers and points from her eyes to mine and back to hers. “Good. I’m watching you.”

  I blow out a breath when she walks away, and then I freeze when the door to the diner opens.

  Juliette walks in and pauses. Her hair hangs loose over her shoulders, brushing against the tops of her breasts. She’s wearing a pair of skinny jeans, sandals, and a black blouse that hangs off of one shoulder. She looks absolutely stunning.

  I stand from the booth. “I was hoping you would show up.”

  She gives me a saucy grin and moves toward me. “You didn’t give me a choice.”

  “Missed me that much, huh?”

  Juliette shakes her head. “You have my book.”

  “Ahhh, that.” I reach toward the booth where I set her book when I walked in. I pick it up, but I don’t give it to her. Not yet. “When I realized Louise grabbed it with my stuff, I thought maybe you’d come back for it.”

  “I thought about it.” She reaches for the book and then laughs when I hold it out of her reach.

  “But—”

  “But I wasn’t in the mood to read.”

  I frown and lower my hand. “Why not?”

  “Because something else—or should I say someone else—was occupying all the space in my brain,” she says, snatching the book from my hand. “Couldn’t concentrate even if I wanted to.”