Within Six Months (A Wild Roses Novel Book 1)

by Cleo Scornavacca

  “I don’t know, Jade. I guess I thought my lifestyle would have found me someone special to spend the rest of my life with. Yet, all it’s done for the past year or so is show me how far away I’ve gotten from what I wanted for my future.”

  “Which is? No…wait you don’t have to answer that. Here I am going on and on about me, and then prying into your personal business, how rude.”

  “Not at all. Actually, I don't mind discussing it with you. Up until now, only Daniel knew of my plans. It would be kind of nice to get a woman’s perspective.”

  “Perspective? On what?”

  “On why I moved here and my plan to move forward with my personal life.”

  All this time I thought he just wanted to live at the beach, but his statement held hints of something far more serious…or someone.

  “If you’re comfortable with sharing something so personal with an almost perfect stranger, I’d be glad to give you my opinion.”

  “Baby, you're far from being a stranger at this point, and truthfully I’d love to hear what someone outside of my family has to say.”

  Baby… I’ve got to get over him calling me that.

  A bit of shyness came over me from his last statement, but I quickly brushed it off by straightening up, crossing my arms, and resting them firmly on the coffee table as I waited for him to explain his life’s journey.

  “For years I spent my time looking after others. Mainly, Rain…”

  I stopped him for clarification, “Your business partner?”

  “Yes, as I had said before, we grew up together, and I grew up protecting her. She was sick when she was young, and her parents, mainly her mother, effectively kept her sheltered, hidden if you will, from the rest of the world and a normal life.”

  “That’s horrible, but at least she had you as her prince charming.”

  “No, no prince. It wasn’t a romantic story in the least. Like I said, friends but very close friends. I’d never let anything happen to her, but then almost two years ago she met her husband, Daniel’s brother, and her life took a new direction. One that, in the beginning, I had a hard time dealing with, but in the end, I envied.”

  “Envied? Why?”

  Tommy leaned forward, then back again. He looked up for answers or possibly approval from the heavens to confess what he seemed to be struggling with for quite some time.

  “She was free. Free from her past, free to move forward and to move on. She was happy…truly happy. And I was lost…I had spent so much time protecting her that I lost me—my one true self. Don’t get me wrong, I love Rain and I always will, but I’m so angry with myself that I allowed me to get lost in the process. That’s when I decided to stop all of the reflection in self-pity and move here.”

  “To rebuild your life?”

  “Yeah, ironically while rebuilding a beach house.” He smiled, possibly to push away the awkwardness he felt while admitting his story to me.

  “So far, I don't see the problem. You're here building a new life and fixing up the house that in a year or so could be your new home. What’s wrong with that?”

  “You’re only half right.”

  “Then give me the other half.”

  “I set out to do this with a specific plan in mind. I want to fix up the house, that’s true, and while doing so, meet the person I’d like to spend the rest of my life with.”

  “Okay, I’m still not seeing the problem.”

  “I have a timeline. I want to wrap it up all within six months.”

  “I see, you want the house to be completed before the lease is up and want to see if my family will sell it to you earlier than agreed upon. I’m sure—” This time he interrupted me.

  “No, no, no… I wanted to fix the house and find the woman I want to be with by summer’s end and start a family in six months.” He was matter of fact and to the point. It was almost clinical and as if his life depended on it.

  “You realize although it’s not impossible, finding someone and making a life together shouldn't be contingent on a timeline. Love should grow naturally.”

  With his eyes closed and a flat-lipped expression, Tommy’s demeanor changed as he shook his head in almost slow motion. “I knew it. I shouldn’t have said anything to you. I knew you wouldn’t understand.” Standing, he whipped his napkin onto the table and headed for the door.

  Before he could leave, I reached for him and placed my hand on his arm. He stilled but didn't turn to face me.

  He turned his upper body partially to face me. Looking at my hand, he gently took it to his mouth and kissed my fingertips. It took everything I had to keep my body from outwardly reacting to what was happening inside of me. My outer-self was fighting my inner-self. I wanted to comfort him more but held back.

  Tommy’s jaw tightened, he further turned and faced me head on. His hands framed my cheeks. Our bodies quaked and our mouths came close enough to touch. We looked to each other for guidance…for an answer. Our breathing grew intensely shaky, and our breaths heated the small space between us. The seconds that passed heightened our emotions that had been building since we first met each other on the dance floor that fateful night.

  The rain outside my door cooled off everything, everything except what was happening between us, right here…right now. I couldn't speak or swallow or move. All I could do was watch as Tommy changed course. He pressed his lips to my forehead…hard, and said, “I can't do this. I can't drag you into something I know is wrong for you, something you’re not ready for. Thank you for an amazing evening, Jade.” With that he let go of me, vigorously pushed the sliding door open, and without closing it, he rushed out into one storm…leaving the other brewing between us, behind.

  The space in the room was filled with a numbness I hadn’t felt since Jimmy died. I quickly grabbed my bearings because my heart told me to go after him, yet my common sense, still fighting me, told me to let him be.

  Unfortunately…my common sense prevailed.

  Jade

  TOMMY WALKED OUT of my house over two weeks ago and other than the occasional wave and false pleasantries from across our decks, there was nothing between us until the awkward moment I had the not so great pleasure of walking in on, in the alley between our houses yesterday afternoon.

  At first, I assumed he was embarrassed about what transpired between us at dinner two weeks back, then I thought he wanted to keep our relationship tenant and owner driven and he was consumed with the house, as it did need a great deal of updating.

  It’s not like I laughed at his plan. I said it wouldn't be easy, and apparently, my response hit a nerve. It hit my nerve too. If he didn’t like what I had to say, then why even ask at all for my opinion? Part of me wanted to tell him to grow up and make him understand that just because someone, namely me, doesn’t necessarily agree with what he’s doing, he shouldn't have walked out on our night the way he did. Then there was the other part of me who had wanted on numerous occasions to walk over to his house, knock on the door, and apologize for not believing in his choices. Of course, the reality was his personal life wasn’t any of my business, so I felt it best to leave it alone and let him cool down.

  Then I thought, maybe he was starting to put his plan in motion to meet his future bride? And if he was doing that in the last two weeks, why was it bothering me? He was single, and he could do anything he wanted, without any interference from me.

  Today proved, in some bizarre way, he was doing exactly that. Today, I had gone to work like any other day, but it was slow, so I phoned Blaze, and said I’d be back early. If she was down here with Reece, and she was free for the afternoon, we could go paddle boarding in the bay. She said she was up for it, so I locked up the shoppe and headed home.

  By the time I sped into my driveway and crossed over to the alley…there they stood looking at me. The banter between what sounded like Tommy and a woman could be heard clear to the street.

  Why me? Why now?

  I didn't want to pass by them to get to my stairs
, but it was too late.

  Holy Shit! Jade, remain calm, smile, and run for the door!

  As I walked through, between our houses, this woman, who wasn't any older than me but appeared to be because of her business attire, far too much makeup for daytime wear, and her strict slick bun, charged past me…then stopped, silently remembered something, and turned back in my direction.

  “Are you his neighbor?” She said in a fluster, pointing up toward the beach house.

  “Uh, yeah…I am.”

  “Well, let me just say you'd better watch out for yourself.” She huffed in a hushed and serious tone.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Honey, were you listening? I’m trying to give you some womanly advice…move!”

  “Move?”

  “Yes, move! He’s not normal!” Her voice elevated.

  I peered around her, trying not grin, only to see Tommy pinching his lips together trying to keep himself from laughing.

  “Okay…I know I’m going to regret this, but why?” I asked as Blaze walked up.

  “What’s going on? Who’s this?” Blaze cut in.

  “I think she’s Tommy’s date.” I leaned into my friend without looking away from the hysterical woman in front of me.

  “Yes, I am…was…he’s….”

  “I know, not normal. I heard you the first time. Do you want to explain why?”

  “I was getting to that.”

  Blaze and I both crossed our arms, cocked our heads, and leaned in for what was going to be the biggest waste of time. Straightening her business jacket and her collar, she continued. “Well, if you must know, I thought we were going out for a good time, but then he tells me he’s basically looking to get married. Can you imagine?”

  Not moving, Blaze and I looked sideways at each other before I spoke.

  “Really… marriage? You don't say?”

  “Yes, I do say. What normal guy wants to jump into marriage?” Then she leaned in closer and whispered to us. “I mean look at him…that body, that face…I thought he wanted to have some fun, then he gets all weird and serious on me; that’s not normal.”

  “Yeah, I get it,” I said, now truly annoyed at this foolish woman who had no idea what a great guy Tommy was and that she was ruining my day of paddle boarding on the bay, on such a beautiful afternoon.

  Blaze went a bit further.

  “So sweetie, I take it he didn’t sleep with you?”

  Appalled, Miss “Three-piece-suit” stormed off, stating she tried to warn us. Her presence left the alley and turned the corner. That’s when Blaze and I’d turned back to each other and laughed.

  Our amusement came to a halt with Tommy joining in.

  “Ladies.”

  “Sorry, Tommy, but I don't think that one will be back.” Blaze hardly contained her laughter. She kissed his cheek and headed upstairs to change for our afternoon on the water. The minute she was out of sight, the alley shrunk. No scents of the ocean or summer, only awkwardness between us.

  “Jade, listen…I,” he said, stepping in closer…too close.

  My hand touched his chest, over his racing heart, to stop him.

  “There’s nothing to explain.”

  “Damn it, Jade, will you please just…” he said— his frustration calling out to me, as I ran up the stairs like a chicken.

  I didn’t think there was a need for apologies from him, or an I told you so from me, and being alone again with him after these two weeks away, made me want him more. The pain inside me cut deep, leaving him behind, the expression on his face—but I had to. I had to keep my clear thinking intact…and it was only clear when I wasn't staring into his eyes.

  I peeked out of my window, to check the alleyway. It was empty. The coast was clear, so Blaze and I took our boards and headed to the bay area beach to paddle board for the rest of the afternoon.

  Once on the water, tranquility turned to tension as Blaze felt it necessary to point out every reason why I should give Tommy a chance. We spent more time quibbling and splashing water at each other than paddling. Finally, each of us gave up, agreed to disagree, and went off on our separate ways.

  The rest of day and the rest of the week, I spent my time avoiding Tommy, altogether. I’d scoot out of my house early every morning and work until late in the evening. He didn't try to call or knock on my door. No matter, much of the time, I worked at the shoppe, scheduling special events, including the annual fundraiser for our local animal shelter and meeting with the contractors to go over the final designs for the new building. I did call Daniel to see if Tommy was doing okay, and he said he was out of town until the weekend. I was curious if he met someone, made up with that hideous woman, or went away on business. I didn't ask, and Daniel didn't divulge Tommy’s whereabouts.

  The week finally came to a close. It was Friday, not my usual day off, but because one of my staff needed Tuesday off, I traded with him and now I got to relax and surf with my favorite ladies.

  Blaze arrived last night, Kim would be here shortly, and Aunt Viv said she would stop by before she left for her weekend in Philly. I should say her third weekend in Philly. If I didn't know any better, I would wonder if she had a special man out there in the “City of Brotherly Love.”

  Checking the clock and seeing it was almost 11, made me succumb to the fact that I had to reluctantly slide out of bed and get my day started. I loved being lazy on my day off, but I wanted to set up the food and drinks for our first get together of the summer.

  Looking from the deck off my bedroom I noticed Blaze had started the party without me. Scents of coconut and tropical fruits filled the air, while the sounds of the waves in the distance were muffled by playful beachgoers nearby and Blaze’s choice of 60’s surf music.

  Our boards, leaning on the side railing of the lower deck, were waxed and ready. The old rectangular, turquoise cooler on wheels, marred by its faded paint and surfing stickers, was filled with an assortment of drinks embedded in the mounds of store-bought ice cubes. The grill cover was off and stored, while the grill itself was yet untouched, but ready to go. Surfing came first and the food came later.

  My eyes welled up in unison with my heart as the sights and sounds of my childhood days flooded my present moment. The memories that followed were a bit painful, yet in a strange way comforting. Reconfirming this would be my home…for always.

  Breaking free from my thoughts, and once downstairs with snack tray in hand, I headed outside to join Blaze and the land of the living.

  “Well, I wondered when you were getting up?” She stated, looking up at me with arms outwardly stretched wide with a Bloody Mary in each hand. I smiled, shook my head, and rolled my eyes at her over the top greeting.

  She popped the glass with alcohol infused tomato juice and a tall stalk of celery into my hand, while she grabbed a chip with some guacamole on it and settled on one of the six lounge chairs that faced the magnificent ocean view. I took my cue from Blaze and joined her, as we both stretched out under the midday sun.

  “Hmmm…this was a great idea, Jade,” Blaze purred, as she shimmied her string-bikini clad body into just the right position for optimal comfort and just erect enough to gawk at several hot guys playing volleyball on the sand not far from the edge of my property.

  “Wow, you’re in a good mood. What did you do, break up with Reece?”

  Blaze’s head turned. Her chin dropped like a heavy weight in my direction, as she slid her glasses down to show her disapproval of the witty jab I took at her current lover’s expense.

  “Funny—no, I didn't break up with Reece. For your information, I’m just happy we’re doing this…you, me, and Kim. It’s been a long time since the three of us surfed together. Can’t we just enjoy ourselves and leave Reece out of it?”

  “I’m sorry. Of course, we can. I’m happy we get to spend the entire day together, too.”

  “I bet you are.” Blaze could give as good as she got.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  �
��I would say by the looks of things you need this break as much as I do. You know, from the man in your life?”

  Instantly pissed and now sitting up to face her, I asked the burning questions. “What the hell do you mean, ‘by the looks of things,’ and what man in my life? I don't have a man in my life.”

  “Listen, since you came down those stairs, you and Tommy have not even once acknowledged one another. He’s almost within earshot and you haven't even said hello—neither of you. Plus, for you to declare a make-believe relationship for Reece’s benefit and for Tommy, who you knew like, what, two minutes, to play along, and now he's not speaking to you either, except for that little incident in the alleyway on Tuesday, then something’s wrong. So, what’s going on, Jade?” Her long-winded analysis ended with her usual loving concern for me.

  Touching my lips, remembering how close we came to kissing, made my explanation all the more painful. I looked off at the beautiful blue waters of the Atlantic and told Blaze about the dinner I had with Tommy.

  “We had dinner two weeks back and everything was going relatively smooth. Well, maybe a few bumps here and there, but basically good and then he told me about why he moved here.”

  “And?”

  “He said he wanted to find a wife and start a family?”

  “So?”

  “So…are you going to keep up with your one-word inquisition?”

  “It’s just that I’m not seeing anything that would cause the both of you to stop being neighborly toward one another. If you get what I’m saying?”

  “Trust me, I know exactly what you’re saying.”

  “Meaning?”

  I paused. I hated when she did that.

  “Sorry, Jade, go on.”

  “Like I said, he wants to fix the house, eventually buy it, and have an at the ready wife to move in with him and then start a family.”

  “Jealous?” She asked, in a sing-song tone.

  “Get serious. I have no expectations in that area of my life.”

  “I am serious. Why would you stop talking with a guy as sexy as Tommy and avoid an opportunity to talk with him the other day unless you're upset about his plan?”