Owen sat on the bed with his legs out in front of him, ankles crossed. He patted the mattress next to him and gave me a half-smile.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted as I sat down.
His arm wrapped around my shoulder. “Is this dinner important to you?”
“The dinner isn’t important…but Ellen is.”
Owen flinched at my words, and I realized how they must have sounded.
“Let me explain. To me, Ellen has nothing to do with Cameron. I mean, I know she’s his mother, but she’s so much more than that. When I left Fairfield, I felt like I walked away from my mother, and it would be nice to have her back. It has nothing to do with Cameron, I swear.” I paused for a moment. “I feel guilty, Owen. She didn’t deserve to have me walk out on her without a word. I owe her one dinner.”
Owen stroked my hair, and he let out a long sigh. “Okay, let’s go to dinner.”
I reached up and placed my hand on the back of his head, pulling it down so I could kiss his lips.
“Thank you,” I whispered against his mouth.
He smiled and kissed me again, pulling me into his lap.
“But I need you to promise me he isn’t going to be there. I couldn’t handle that. I mean, I know you’ll have to talk to him at some point, but I’d prefer not to see him again,” he said, looking vulnerable.
“Of course. I made Ellen promise it would just be her and her husband. No one else,” I assured him.
He nodded. “Okay. Dinner.”
I snuggled against his chest and thought about how lucky I was to have him in my life. A pang of guilt hit me, and I knew immediately it was because I hadn’t told Owen I saw Cameron. He deserved to know.
“Owen.”
“Mmm?”
“I also saw Cam at the grocery store today,” I said quickly. I knew he’d heard me because his hand stopped rubbing my back, and he sucked in a quick breath.
“He said he wanted to talk to me, but I yelled at him and told him I didn’t want him in my life and then I…” I hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell the whole story. “And then I slapped him.”
Owen was silent, and I felt his body shake slightly beneath me. I was horrified that I’d made him cry, but when I sat up I was surprised to find him smiling.
“You — you slapped him?” he asked between gasps. He was laughing in earnest now.
“Yes,” I said, looking down and picking at a loose thread on the bedspread.
“He must have really pissed you off!”
“He did!”
Owen’s face went serious for a moment, and he looked down at me with concern. “Are you okay? Did he upset you? Hurt you?”
“I’m fine. I told him about you,” I added, hoping this would help Owen feel more secure.
He nodded, pulled me back into his arms, and switched off the lamp. His fingers ran through my hair soothingly for a moment, and when his breathing slowed, I knew he’d fallen asleep. For the second night in a row, I fell asleep in the arms of the man I loved, who meant everything to me, while thinking about the man who’d hurt me deeply enough to make me doubt everything.
***
I woke up the next morning to the sounds of Owen rustling around again. I opened my eyes and watched him packing clothes in his bag. It was nice to have a moment to observe without him knowing it. He was so masculine. The toned muscles in his back moved lithely as he picked up his boots and sat on the bed to put them on.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, smiling when he saw me watching him.
“Morning. Do you have to leave today? Can’t you stay a little longer?”
“It’s only for a few days. I’ll be back this weekend so we can look at some houses,” he said, leaning down to kiss the top of my head.
“I’m going to miss you,” I pouted.
Owen chuckled and bent down to put his boots on. I sat up and rubbed his back, trying to stay close until he had to leave.
“Okay, I better get going. I have to work this afternoon.”
I got out of bed and followed him downstairs. “Please drive safely, and call me as soon as you get home.” I kissed him on the lips and savored his taste.
“I will. I’ll call you every night. Just enjoy being home and spending some time with your dad.”
“I love you.” I squeezed him tightly and tried to hold back tears. I knew it was stupid because he’d be back in a few days, but I’d really grown to depend on him.
“Love you more,” he said, heading out the door.
I didn’t follow him outside. I didn’t want to watch him drive away. I walked slowly back up to my room and crawled into bed, pulling Owen’s pillow close and inhaling his sweet scent. I groaned when my phone beeped loudly, but I reached across and grabbed it, smiling when I read the message.
I miss you already xxx
I smiled and held the phone to my chest. Five days. He would be back in five days. I couldn’t wait.
Chapter Five
A Waltz Down Memory Lane
“What do you think of this one?” Owen asked, peering over the top of the newspaper.
“Describe it to me,” I said through a mouthful of toast and peanut butter.
We sat at the dining table in my Dad’s kitchen, eating breakfast and looking over the houses for rent in the newspaper. Owen had arrived about half an hour before. He’d left Boston before dawn so he could spend most of the day with me.
“Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, on Lindley Street, remodeled kitchen, and attached two-car garage.”
“Sounds good.” I took another bite of toast and brushed the fallen crumbs onto my plate. “I’ll call to see if we can see it today with the others.” I’d made several appointments for us during the week, but today’s paper was adding to the list.
“Agreed,” Owen said with a smile. “I need to have a shower, and then we can head out.”
I picked up my cell and dialed the number listed in the paper.
Fifteen minutes later the appointment was made and Owen came down the stairs in jeans and a sweatshirt, looking sexy with his hair still a little wet.
“Let’s go find our new home,” he said, kissing me gently before smacking me on the ass and walking me out the door to the car. I held my hand out for the keys, but he raised an eyebrow at me stubbornly.
“You don’t know your way around town. It makes sense for me to drive.”
“Well, I’ll never learn my way around if I don’t drive myself. You can direct me.” He got in and had started the car before I’d even opened the passenger door.
We drove in silence except for me telling him where to turn as I sulked about not being allowed to drive. Fairfield was such a small town that he practically found the way without my directions.
We pulled up in the driveway of the first house and stared at it.
“This is not where we live,” I said bluntly, folding my arms over my chest.
“I agree wholeheartedly,” he said, pulling back out of the driveway and driving us toward the next house on our list.
I tried not to be snobby, but when I thought about home, it did not include a rusted bathtub in the middle of the front yard and half the pickets ripped off the fence.
We pulled up to the curb outside the second house.
“What do you think?” Owen asked.
“Looks fine so far. Let’s check inside.”
Owen turned off the car, and we got out. We walked up the drive holding hands, our earlier disagreement forgotten. We approached the front door and were greeted by a bubbly young man who showed us into the entryway.
“You must be Charlotte and Owen,” he said. “Nice to meet you.”
He held out his hand to Owen and gave me a warm smile. “The house was built ten years ago and has only had one owner — ”
“We don’t need the spiel, thanks,” Owen interrupted, clapping the guy on the shoulder. “But we’d like to have a look around if that’s okay.”
“Oh, sure,” he said enthusiastical
ly. “I’ll be downstairs in the study when you’ve finished. Please let me know if you’d like an application.”
We gave him a nod and walked through to the lovely kitchen with marble countertops and new appliances. Owen let out a whistle and turned to me with his eyebrows raised, clearly impressed.
“Before you get too attached, let’s check out the bedrooms,” I said with a laugh.
We walked down the hall, and I was immediately taken with the large master bedroom and bath, which had a Jacuzzi, his-and-hers sinks, and a spacious walk-in closet.
“I like it,” Owen said.
“It does look good. What was the rent on this one?”
“I don’t remember, and I left the ad in the car, but I wouldn’t have suggested it if it was out of our price range. We can afford this,” he said excitedly, taking my hands and pulling me into the bathroom. “We could soak in that Jacuzzi with champagne, and then move into the bedroom for…you know.”
To emphasize his point he pressed his body against mine and ran his hands up my stomach, cupping my breasts and squeezing them through my shirt as he kissed my neck.
I laughed and teased that he had a one-track mind, but I stopped laughing when I was struck by déja vu. The memory flooded my mind so powerfully that I couldn’t have stopped it if I tried…
…“What do you think?” I whispered as we walked into the bedroom.
The real estate agent had been shadowing us all over the open house, but we’d finally managed to lose him when an elderly couple came into view the house as well.
“I like it. You?” Cameron asked, his hand finding mine.
“I suppose I could live here,” I joked coyly.
When we reached the landing at the top of the stairs, Cameron pulled me into the master bedroom and pressed me against the wall.
“We could be making love in this room every night for the rest of our lives,” he whispered huskily in my ear as his hands roamed over my body.
“Mmm.” It was hard to think coherently with him touching me so intimately.
His hand slipped between my legs and rubbed my sensitive flesh through my jeans. I moaned again, a little louder this time, and bit his shoulder to keep myself quiet. We heard footsteps on the stairs, and Cameron swore under his breath as he pulled away from me.
“How do you like it?” the real estate agent asked as he entered, followed by the elderly couple.
“We’ll take it,” Cameron said with a laugh before looking over at me for confirmation.
I nodded with a big, cheesy grin on my face. The elderly couple gave us a happy smile, as if they were looking at a younger version of themselves, and wandered on down the hall.
“I guess I mean we’d like to make an offer,” Cameron said more seriously.
“Let me just go out to the car and get some information for you to look over. Then your agent can be in touch,” the man said before disappearing.
“I can’t believe we’re going to own our own home!” I gushed excitedly.
“We already have our own home,” he chuckled, nuzzling his nose just below my ear.
“We have a rental. This will be our place.”
“Our place, huh? And we can do anything we want here?” He pulled his head back to look at me. I could see a glint in his eye, and I knew he was up to something.
“Yes,” I said warily.
“Come on, quick!” Cameron grabbed my hand and pulled me into the master bath, locking the door behind us.
“What?”
“I have to have you,” he said, breathing in my ear as his hands quickly undid the button fly of my jeans. Then he started on his own pants.
“Cam, we can’t. He’ll be back any second,” I scolded, reaching down to pull my jeans up while he pouted at me.
He sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just got carried away.”
“No need to ever apologize for wanting to make love to me. I’ll make it up to you when we get home.” I trailed kisses down his jawline. “And when we move in, we can christen every room.”
“I like the sound of that,” he said, chuckling and kissing me again. “Let’s get home then.”
I fastened my fly before following him back out into the bedroom where the agent was now standing, giving us a very smug look. I could feel heat radiating from my cheeks and knew I must be as red as a tomato. Cameron had a silly smirk on his face, and he smoothed my hair, which must have been looking crazy.
“Here’s some additional information for you,” the agent said with a smile.
“Thank you.” Cameron took the papers and grabbed my hand. “We’ll have our agent be in touch with a formal offer.”
The agent smirked at me again, and I began to feel uncomfortable with his stare.
“Let’s go,” Cameron whispered.
We ran down the stairs and out to the car…
I was pulled out of the memory by dizziness that almost knocked me over with its intensity.
“Are you okay? What happened?” Owen asked, panic in his voice.
“I’m fine. I just need some fresh air,” I gasped.
He led me out onto the large balcony off the main bedroom. I took a few steady breaths and could feel my heart rate slowing and the panic subsiding. Owen rubbed my back and pressed soft kisses against my forehead.
“It was hot in there. If we decide to live here, we’ll have to remember to leave some windows open.”
“Do you like it?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly.
“I think it’s perfect for us.” He smiled and kissed my forehead again.
“I think so too. Let’s not look at the other houses. I’m happy with this one.”
“You’re sure?” Owen asked, looking into my eyes.
“I’m sure,” I insisted, giving him a reassuring smile.
I called the other rentals to cancel our appointments while Owen and the property manager talked about our application, going over the details and requirements for living in the house. We took the paperwork and promised to return it early the following week, along with a check for first and last months’ rent.
As we drove home, I noticed Owen’s excitement about finding a house seemed to have waned.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, stroking the back of his neck.
“I’m just thinking about this dinner we’re going to tonight,” he grumbled.
I let my head fall back on the seat and folded my hands tightly in my lap. “Are you sure you’re okay with it?” I asked nervously.
If Owen asked me to cancel the dinner, I would. But I dreaded having to call Ellen and tell her.
“Yes. Well, no. But I’ll go for you.”
“I love you, Owen Cooper,” I whispered, kissing his cheek and stroking my thumb over his chin.
“I love you, Charlotte Barnes.”
“Ooh, stop!” I shrieked suddenly. Owen slammed on the brakes, and the car behind us honked.
“What?” he asked, looking around.
“Sorry. I just wanted you to pull over so I could show you something,” I said with a guilty look.
Owen’s eyes widened, and he burst out laughing. “You never fail to surprise me.” He shook his head as he spun the wheel to pull over to the curb. He stopped the car and turned in his seat to look at me.
“Well?”
“Come on!” I said, jumping out of the car and running across the street.
I could hear Owen’s footsteps as he ran behind me, but I didn’t stop until I’d reached the grass. I spun around just in time to see Owen catch up and look around curiously.
“This,” I stated loudly, throwing my arms out, “was my high school.”
Owen laughed. “It’s nice,” he said, obviously not impressed.
“Well, I know it’s small, but this is where I spent my teen years. I had my first kiss, learned to love Shakespeare, and danced at my senior prom all right here at this school.”
“Who was your prom date?” Owen asked, looking as if he didn’t really want to know.
>
“Ethan Davis, the school quarterback.”
“Not Cameron?” Owen asked, a little surprised.
“No, I didn’t meet him until the year after graduation.”
Owen smirked as he took my hand, and I led him around the school buildings.
“So did Ethan get lucky after prom?”
“Ewww, no! I caught him making out with Amanda Foster in the girls’ bathroom.”
Owen looked furious for a moment, and then sad. “So you were upset at your prom?” he asked, stroking my cheek tenderly.
“Well, at the time I was sad, but now I’m fine,” I laughed, thinking back to that night and realizing what a lucky thing that betrayal had been. Without it, I wouldn’t be here with the man I was going to love for the rest of my life.
We wandered further into the complex, and the gym came into view, looking exactly as I remembered it. We peeked inside an open door, finding streamers everywhere and decorations on the walls.
“I wonder what’s going on,” I said.
“There was a fundraiser dance last night,” said a voice from inside.
I looked over to see the same janitor who’d worked at the school when I went there. He looked at me for a moment and smiled.
“You look familiar,” he said, squinting.
“I was a student here. Do you mind if we come in?
“Sure, have a look around,” he said jovially.
Owen smiled and pulled me into the gym. Once inside, I let go of his hand to look around. The decorations were all blue and silver, the same as they’d been for my prom all those years ago.
“Will you dance with me?” Owen asked, holding out his hand.
I giggled and accepted, feeling a rush of excitement as he twirled me around and held my waist tightly, waltzing me around the gym.
“Close your eyes,” he whispered.
I obeyed and smiled when he hummed a slow tune for us to dance to. If I allowed myself to believe it, I felt like I was back at my prom. Only this time, Owen’s strong arms around me made me feel content.
“Thank you,” I breathed.
I sensed him moving closer before his lips softly touched mine. I leaned into his chest and moaned softly against his mouth.
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