Stacey Joy Netzel Boxed Set

by Stacey Joy Netzel

  And then Lyssa showed up.

  Blond curls piled high on her head, legs that wouldn’t quit in her sexy dress cut up to there, and do-me heels. Yes, even in high school I recognized a pair of shoes like that. So, if I did, it stood to reason, so did Josh.

  He headed straight over to the punch bowl and downed not one, but two glasses. Next time I saw him, he and Lyssa were on their way out the doors, into the hall. I gave it about five minutes and then poked my head out. I had a right to check on my date, didn’t I?

  I promptly wished I hadn’t. Down the hall, in the shadows, Josh and Lyssa were locked in each other’s arms in a replay of one of their many reconciliation scenes.

  And that’s the last I saw of him that night. Not because I left, but because he did. He left me all alone at the dance with no explanation, no goodbye, no ride home, and no kiss. Jenna and her boyfriend Doug took me home, and from that day forward the casual friendship Josh and I had shared before the dance was gone forever. He and Lyssa were back together and I couldn’t even look at him in the hall.

  After a couple months they broke up for good. My humiliation of being ditched faded with the beginning of senior year, and like I said, I graduated and I forgot. I dated in college. Even got engaged for a few months last year. But none of my relationships worked out because I always ended things before they went too far. In the case of my engagement, the wedding would’ve been way too far.

  Thinking back on the Snowball formal as I stood in my sunny kitchen with the reunion invitation, I wondered if that night had something to do with my lack of success in the love department. Was that why I always said goodbye first? So I didn’t get ditched again? My mouth pulled down in a frown.

  Well, if it was, at least I actually said goodbye.

  A thick wedge of slush pulled my rental car into the center of the road, jolting me back into the here and now. I struggled with the wheel and tried to discern the gravel shoulder on the right side through the heavy curtain of wet, blowing snow. Headlights cut through the gloom. The sight of a huge black pickup heading straight toward me catapulted my heart up into my throat.

  I wrenched the wheel to the right. Slop from the truck’s tires slapped onto my windshield. The wipers swished it away, but I barely had time to be thankful I’d made it past the large vehicle before my right tires were sucked in by the mucky shoulder. Cranking the wheel back to the left only dug me deeper as my rental lurched down the embankment and then slid to an abrupt stop. Muddy slush splattered in all directions.

  I took a deep breath, assured myself I was unharmed, and leaned my head back against my seat with a low groan. Gotta love Wisconsin. Truthfully, I was envisioning the warm, sandy beach only minutes from my apartment.

  A knock on my driver’s side window made me jump. Through the fogged glass a tall figure motioned for me to roll down my window and I thumbed the power button.

  “Are you okay?” the man asked.

  “Um…I think so,” I replied. Then I lifted my gaze and sucked in a stunned breath.

  Josh Nelsen.

  He hadn’t changed at all. I blinked and stared. Yes he had. He’d matured. Gotten better looking. It wasn’t fair.

  He didn’t look at me as he checked out the situation with my car. “I don’t think you’re getting out of here without a tow truck.”

  “Great,” I muttered and reached across the seat into my purse for my cell phone.

  “Don’t bother.”

  I glanced up to see a phone already to his ear. While he waited for someone to answer on the other end, he shot an absent smile in my direction and explained, “My buddy Dave owns the local towing service.”

  Must be Dave Bensen, they’d been best friends in high school. After a brief conversation without consulting me at all, Josh made arrangements to have my car towed into Silver Falls and then stuffed the phone back in his pocket.

  “His guys are booked up on calls until at least eight. I can give you a ride to town, if you’d like to wait at the diner, or until you can call someone to come get you?”

  Transferring my gaze from the dashboard clock that read five fifty-six, I peered through the windshield at the whirling snow. What choice did I have? I sighed and faced Josh again, only to realize his stained, ripped jeans and ratty looking flannel jacket didn’t quite fit the dress code for the coming evening.

  “Aren’t you going to the reunion?” I asked.

  “Yeah, how did you—” He broke off as he leaned down and actually looked at me for the first time. His brown eyes widened. “Summer?”

  I gave a weak smile, and instantly chastised myself. Successful business woman. My next words came out a tad more pointed than I intended. “You remembered.”

  Guilt flashed in his eyes and I was sure it wasn’t just my wishful imagination. “Of course, how could I not?” His gaze shifted toward the road as a maroon car crept past. He lifted a hand to the driver and said to me, “What’s it been, like…?”

  “Ten years,” I supplied with just the slightest hint of sarcasm.

  “Yeah. Wow.” His gaze returned, somber and intense. “You look great.”

  “Thanks.” I failed to suppress a shiver over the déjà vu moment but blamed the heavy, wet snowflakes whirling through my window on currents of cold air. I did look great, thank you very much. Because I’d also matured, and though I didn’t expect to win Miss America, I knew I could turn heads on a good day.

  I’d made sure today was a good day.

  Then again ‘was’ might be the key word. I now had to exit my vehicle and climb up out of the ditch in the wind and snow. In my open-toed, three inch high, strappy sandals. Yep, that’s right. I’d gotten myself a pair of do-me heels just for the reunion. Not that I wanted to be done, but I’d figured it wouldn’t hurt to show him what he’d discarded.

  I leaned closer to the window and contemplated the muddy trail left by my sideways decent into Hell. The ground was rapidly turning white again, but still, maybe I could just wait for the tow-truck to pull my car out with me in it.

  “I was just on my way home to change,” Josh informed me. “If you don’t mind waiting at my house for a few minutes, we can go to the reunion together and Dave can have your car towed right to the supper club. You remember Dave Bensen, right?”

  I nodded, eyeing the mud again. Before I could voice my decision to wait right where I was, Josh had my door open. I tossed my keys into my purse and tentatively stuck one leg out so I could exit my vehicle. I’d put my stupid jacket in the back seat with my luggage when I picked up the rental in Milwaukee, so this was going to be unpleasant all the way around.

  “Whoa, hold up.”

  Josh leaned his head and shoulders inside my car. I pressed back against the seat in alarm at the same time I inhaled his warm, woodsy scent. He looked good and smelled good. So not fair.

  Next thing I knew, he lifted me into his arms with a muttered, “Hang on.”

  “What are you doing?” I squeaked in a high voice, grabbing for his shoulders.

  “You can’t walk through the mud in those shoes,” he replied with a grin that was way too cute.

  Wowza. He’d matured all right. Solid chest, strong arms, broad shoulders. I hung on all the way to his truck and tried to ignore the sizzle of awareness steaming the melting snow from my flushed cheeks. While I collected my wits, he returned to my rental to grab my coat and lock the doors.

  I’d barely caught my breath before he slid behind the wheel of his truck. A flick of his wrist started the engine and he reached to shift it into gear, then paused and cast me a sideways look. His damp hair tumbled across his forehead in a very appealing way.

  “Summer Clark.”

  I smiled and lifted my eyebrows, not quite sure what to make of his contemplative gaze. “Josh Nelsen.”

  He smiled back and finally checked the mirrors before pulling out onto the highway. On what turned out to be a short drive to his house, we exchanged answers to the inevitable question, “So, what have you been doing
since graduation?” Obviously he hadn’t left Silver Falls, and now worked in management at his uncle’s trucking company. A lot of outside physical work, which explained the muscles and the lighter brown highlights in his hair.

  “I run into Jenna from time to time,” he revealed. “She told me you’re doing well for yourself with your own business as a copywriter?”

  Jenna had never even mentioned Josh after graduation. To cover an unexpected thrill that he’d talked to her about me, I joked, “Yes, I’m the best boss I’ve ever had. I never get mad when I’m late to work and I get vacation whenever I ask.”

  He chuckled as he pulled into his garage. “Sound’s ideal.”

  The moment I saw him coming around to get my door, I quickly stepped down on my own. I did not need Josh being any nicer to me than he’d already been. Especially since I’d noticed his left hand sported no ring, and the second stall of his garage was occupied by a snowmobile, a lawnmower, and a motorcycle instead of a mini-van for a wife and two point two kids.

  He stood aside after unlocking his door and I entered his house with curiosity whirling through me. Did he live here alone? Did he have a girlfriend? Would it be too obvious if I asked?

  “Living room’s through there.” He pointed toward the large open area past an island counter separating the room from a spacious kitchen. “Can I get you anything? A drink or something?”

  “No, thanks.” My heels click-clacked as I crossed the tiled floor.

  “I just need about fifteen minutes to shower and change, so make yourself at home.”

  He’d removed his muddy boots and hung up his flannel jacket in the laundry room I’d glimpsed off the kitchen. I had a hard time not staring at the snug black T-shirt stretched across his chest and the nice fit of his worn jeans. Once through the living room to the hall, he caught the corner of the wall with one hand and paused. Awareness travelled through my body in the wake of his gaze as it took a swift trip down to my burgundy-painted toenails and back up to my face.

  “Sure I can’t get you anything?”

  A ride home from the Snowball dance? A goodnight kiss? An apology? I managed a cool smile. “I’m good.”

  One more beat of hesitation, then he gave an abrupt nod and quick-tapped the wall. “Right. I’ll be back.”

  I focused on his house instead of past emotions and renewed desires. It was a newer construction, open concept ranch, and much cleaner than I’d expected from a bachelor. I shouldn’t have been surprised after noting his well-kept truck and the organized garage, but I couldn’t help but wonder if the tidiness was thanks to a girlfriend after all.

  Further inspection—he’d told me to make myself at home—revealed no womanly touches. No fancy towels in the guest bathroom, no nice smelling candles, no decorative pieces on the end tables, and no magazines on the coffee table other than Sports Illustrated, Outdoor Wisconsin, and the TV Guide.

  I sat on his black leather couch, flipped through the TV Guide, and told myself I was not relieved. I wasn’t. I was—

  “Anything good on?”

  I jumped at the sound of Josh’s voice from just behind the couch.

  “Sorry,” he said, a smile in his deep voice. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “It’s okay.” I laughed to cover my embarrassment. “Quite the carpet you’ve got.”

  I set the magazine back on the table, stood and turned around, only to have to remind myself to breathe. His hair was still damp from the shower, and without evidence of any gel, a hint of curl rebelled against the comb marks. A crisp, white button down shirt highlighted the faintest hint of a five-o’clock shadow on his jaw, and I couldn’t help but notice the sprinkle of dark chest hair where his top button was undone. He’d tucked the shirt into a dark pair of jeans with a black belt and silver buckle, and black boots probably added another inch to his lean, six-foot-plus frame.

  “Hope I wasn’t too long,” he apologized.

  I glanced at my watch only to remember I’d removed it because the gold face and brown band didn’t go with my wrap-around, above-the-knee black dress and silver jewelry. I turned the gaffe into a careless wave that clinked my bracelets together. “Barely noticed you were gone. So, is it just you here?”

  The moment the words were out, my cheeks warmed. Might as well have asked him outright if he was available. I avoided looking at him and headed for the kitchen.

  “Yep, just me.”

  The hint of a smirk in his voice made me cringe because I didn’t want to know if he was available. I didn’t. I forced a teasing smile once I reached the door to the garage. “Cleaner around here than I’d expect for a bachelor.”

  Oh, crap, that still sounded like I was fishing. His smile widened. “My older sister Meg cleans houses for a living.”

  “Lucky you.”

  “Not really. She’s not cheap.”

  “No family discount?”

  “Nope.”

  “Well, you get what you pay for,” I advised as he beat me to the passenger side door and held it open. “I’d say she’s worth it.”

  “She’d love to hear that, but it won’t be from me.”

  We shared a laugh as he played the gentlemen act to the hilt and helped me up into the cab. Hmm. Did he remember what he’d done that night over eleven years ago? If he did, did he have any clue how much it’d hurt me back then? We hadn’t spoken since that night, not during the rest of junior year, or all of senior year.

  Now here I sat in his truck, on the way to our ten year class reunion, feeling like I was on that date all over again.

  We dropped off my keys at Dave Bensen’s garage, and then continued to the supper club. Jenna spotted me the instant Josh held the door open and we walked in together. While he hung up our coats, she rushed forward to give me a tight hug and whispered in my ear, “Tell me you didn’t come with him.”

  I glanced over my shoulder and whispered back, “Relax. My car went in the ditch and he gave me a ride. It’s no big deal.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Seriously, my rental’s being towed here when they get to it.”

  “If you say so.” Jenna didn’t sound convinced but as Josh joined us, she flipped her switch to chipper. “Gosh, Summer, I’m so glad you came! You look amazing in that dress! How’s Brad—you two set a date for the wedding yet?”

  I rolled my eyes and refused to look at Josh. “Considering I gave him the ring back six months ago, no, we didn’t set a date.”

  “Oh, I’d hoped the two of you would patch things up,” Jenna said with a mock pout. “I was looking forward to heading to Florida for your wedding.”

  “You’re always welcome to visit,” I reminded her as we headed toward the bar where I spotted other friends and classmates. I appreciated the thought behind her efforts to let Josh know I was happy and in love and completely over our one disastrous date, but I wasn’t prepared to pretend I was still engaged. Not to mention, I also didn’t want to highlight the fact that I had a failed engagement in my past, no matter whose decision it had been to part ways.

  Josh asked me what I’d like to drink and I received another raised-eyebrow look from Jenna. I stuck with soda. Despite her cynicism where Josh was concerned, the next couple hours were great and I was glad I’d made the trip. She and I caught up on our lives in person instead of via the phone or email, and it was also nice to here what my former classmates were doing these days.

  Not that they’d all made the reunion, but our small class of seventy-six students had produced a commercial airline pilot, military men and women, teachers, secretaries, stay-at-home mothers, two published authors, accountants, business managers and owners, and a host of other professions.

  Some people hadn’t changed a bit, either in looks or in attitude. Others changed, whether they’d gained or lost weight, were starting to lose their hair, became friendlier, more outgoing, or even more judgmental. I had a wonderful time meeting spouses, fawning over pictures of cute kids, and laughing and joking with people I hadn’
t seen since I was a teen too introverted to socialize.

  I didn’t realize how visible my shyness had been in high school until after the third person commented on how much I’d changed. It felt good to accomplish what I’d set out to do, especially since I felt Josh’s gaze more than once throughout the evening.

  He was one of the people who’d changed. For the better, on all counts. I had to keep reminding myself how I’d felt seeing him against the school lockers lip-locked with Lyssa when he’d brought me to the dance all those years ago, otherwise I feared I’d find myself encouraging his attention.

  About an hour after dinner, during which Josh sat on my right and I did not drop shrimp into my lap, Dave Bensen’s cell phone chimed from an incoming text message. His wife chastised him for leaving it on, but when he read the message and looked at me, I was glad he had.

  “Your front right tire is flat and the alignment is all out of whack. You want my guy to tow it to M & M’s?”

  Marty Brunski had opened Marty and the Mechanics back when my Dad was growing up. He’d passed on and Aaron Smith ran it now—or at least he had when I was in high school—but the name would always be M & M’s.

  “I guess that’ll work,” I agreed. “My rental insurance should cover it and tonight I’ll catch a ride with Jenna and Doug.”

  I was staying with them anyway, so I didn’t expect a problem. Dave punched in a quick message on his phone as I glanced around the bar area and added silently, if I can find them. It’d just occurred to me that Jenna and Doug had disappeared shortly after dinner and I hadn’t seen them since.

  It was closing in on ten p.m. when I finally received Jenna’s reply to my text message: Where the heck are you guys?