Until Then (Cornerstone Book 2)

by Noorman, Krista

  “You, too. You look great.” She grinned. “How’s Jeremy? Any big plans tonight?”

  Michelle shrugged. “I have no idea how he is. We aren’t seeing each other any more.”

  Two years was a long time to stay in a relationship that was going nowhere, but that’s exactly what Michelle had done. Jeremy was nice and treated her well. He was respectful and loved God. He had filled a void left in her life when Simon became too busy to spend time with her.

  Their relationship began at a singles party at church, which Janice had convinced her to attend. Those parties were usually so awkward, but Michelle was happy to see a familiar face — Janice’s cousin, Jeremy. They had met briefly years before and had seen each other at church on occasion. They spent the entire party shooting hoops and talking about basketball.

  Things progressed slowly from there, with coffee every once in a while, a movie now and then, sometimes dinner. This went on for about six months, before he asked her to officially be his girlfriend.

  If Michelle had been completely honest with herself, she would have admitted that the real reason she was attracted to him was how much he reminded her of Sean. It was a lame reason to go out with someone. They had absolutely nothing in common besides basketball, and she never felt the same kind of connection she had with Sean.

  Jeremy was an accountant — a numbers guy, at least that’s how he always described himself. She could barely keep her checkbook balanced. He didn’t care for television much, especially The X-Files reruns she loved to watch. And when they kissed, there was no spark. None whatsoever.

  Yet she stayed with him. Partly because she was lonely, and partly because she panicked when she hit the big 3-0. She became anxious to find someone and settle down, afraid she never would.

  Not the best reasons to stay in a relationship.

  When their second anniversary approached and he began to talk about their future together, she knew it wasn’t right. She didn’t love him like he loved her, so she ended it.

  “Oh, Chelle,” Maggie said sadly. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s no big deal, Mags.” She dismissed it casually. “We’ve been broken up for a few months now.”

  Maggie looked a little shocked. “I guess it’s been longer than I thought since we last talked. Are you seeing anyone new?”

  “Not really.” Michelle paused. She wanted to mention going out with Simon, but she didn’t want to spoil their conversation. She opened her purse to find some cash instead. “How ‘bout you? Any big Valentines plans?”

  “Just me and Billy.” Maggie nodded toward the goateed man with the hipster glasses standing behind the counter. He looked over at her and grinned.

  “Friend of yours?” Michelle asked.

  “He and his sister own the place,” Maggie explained.

  “Ah.” Michelle laid her purse next to Maggie. “Be right back.” She walked to the counter and ordered a latte from Billy.

  While she waited, she glanced over at Maggie, who was staring out the window at the people passing by. She looked deep in thought, and Michelle wondered how she was really doing. As far as she knew, Maggie had not dated anyone since Ben. This worried her, because Maggie was so capable of love. She hoped and prayed that one day her friend would find happiness with a wonderful guy.

  Michelle returned to the couch and sat facing Maggie. “So, what’s it like having another studio right down the street from yours?” She took a sip of her coffee.

  Maggie tensed up at the mention. “It’s nice that he wants to help his uncle and everything, but what about his studio in Grand Rapids? Who’s taking care of that?”

  “Oh, he hired someone as his office manager. Some pretty young thing just out of college.” She had never met Simon’s new assistant, Anna, but he had described her as a blonde bombshell. “And he travels back and forth,” Michelle continued. “He works some days here, some days there.”

  Maggie rolled her eyes. “Well, he should just stay out of Hastings and leave me alone.”

  “So you’ve seen him,” Michelle remarked.

  Maggie nodded.

  “Hmmm, I’m sensing a little bitterness.”

  “The thing is, he’s everywhere in this little town. And I can’t seem to get through an entire week without him bringing up his darn proposal.”

  Michelle got a nervous feeling in her stomach. “What proposal?”

  The bells on the door jingled.

  Maggie scrunched her nose at Michelle. “Speak of the devil,” she whispered.

  “Oh, sorry,” Michelle spoke quietly as she stood. “Did I forget to mention that I asked him to meet me here? We’re going to dinner.”

  Simon greeted Michelle with a bear hug and a quick kiss on the lips. “You ready to go?” he asked.

  Michelle pointed in her friend’s direction. “Coffee with Maggie.”

  Maggie held up her hand and shook her head. “Oh, no, that’s OK. Don’t let me keep you.”

  Simon glanced over at Maggie. “Coffee sounds great.” He walked to the counter.

  “I guess we’ll have to finish our conversation later.” Michelle nodded in Simon’s direction. “You’re welcome to come out with us tonight. It’ll be like our old college days.”

  “Oh, please, no,” Maggie replied.

  Michelle took another sip of her coffee, amused by her friend’s response. Maggie obviously still couldn’t stand Simon, and that gave Michelle feelings of satisfaction and relief.

  Simon returned and took the seat closest to Michelle. He gave her knee a squeeze. “Long time no see.”

  Michelle grabbed his knee and squeezed back as hard as she could.

  He squeezed harder.

  She cried out. “Ow! Uncle! Uncle!”

  “Well,” Maggie spoke as she stood. “That’s enough of a college flashback for me.” She tucked the magazine she had been reading into her bag and slid on her coat.

  “Hot date tonight, Canon?” He had a look in his eye that Michelle recognized — a flirtatious look she’d seen him give many girls in the past. She hated that he was looking at Maggie that way, and tried her best to ignore it.

  Maggie gave him a sarcastic smirk, which pleased Michelle.

  “Come with us, Maggie.” Michelle repeated her invitation. “Simon will pay.”

  He grabbed her knee once more. “What am I paying for?”

  “Our dinner.” She smacked his hand off.

  Maggie leaned over and hugged Michelle. “You guys have a nice time. We’ll get together again soon and finish that conversation.”

  “You bet.” Michelle gave her a final squeeze and kissed her on the cheek. “Call me.”

  Michelle glanced over at Simon, whose gaze was fixed on Maggie as she walked out.

  “So,” she said.

  He turned his attention to her. “So … dinner first or studio?”

  “Studio!”

  The night with Simon was wonderful. It was like old times. They walked down the street to Walker’s Photography arm in arm. He showed her their portrait studio, which was nearly ready for its big grand opening. They had dinner at a nice restaurant in town called County Seat and talked and laughed and caught up. He told her all about his recent weddings and funny things that had happened on the job. She told him how proud she was of him. It was the perfect Valentine’s Day.

  After dinner, they stayed in the booth at County Seat and had dessert.

  “I’m glad we did this.” Simon devoured a piece of cheesecake. “I miss hanging out with you, Chelle.”

  “Me, too.” She gave him a sweet smile. “So, what is this proposal Maggie was talking about?” Ever since Maggie had mentioned it, she had been dying of curiosity.

  “It’s nothing. Pete and I just thought we could refer wedding clients to each other that fit our photography styles. Like if somebody came into our studio asking about candid wedding photography, we could refer them to Maggie ‘cause that’s more her style. And I asked if she would send us the clients that want more formal
photography, which is my style.”

  “That sounds like a good idea.”

  “I know! That’s what I said.” He seemed a little worked up. “She didn’t see it that way.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because she hates me.”

  Michelle almost laughed out loud at the pouty look on his face, but she held it in because he seemed pretty bothered by the whole thing.

  “She doesn’t hate you.”

  “Whatever.” He shook his head.

  “Maybe she’s just worried about losing clients. Did you think of that?”

  He was quiet.

  “She’s had this little town all to herself for quite a while now, and you swooped right in with your new studio. She’s gotta feel threatened.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  Michelle gave him a look. “Be nice, Simon. You know she’s been through a lot.”

  He nodded. She thought she saw a hint of something behind his eyes, but she couldn’t read him.

  “You really are the best friend, Chelle. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  She reached across the table and took his hand. “Well, you’ll never have to find out.”

  He grinned and took both of her hands in his.

  At first, it was innocent, but then he began to trace little figure eights on the back of her hand.

  Her heart was racing as she watched his face.

  He didn’t look at her, only at their hands.

  “Simon.” She had to know what was going on in that head of his.

  He looked up at her.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He seemed confused, and it made her smile.

  “We should go,” he said.

  “OK.”

  He helped her with her coat, and they headed out into the cold. Michelle slid her arm through his as they walked along, snow crunching under their feet.

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.” Simon looked at her curiously. “What ever happened with you and Jeremy?”

  She hadn’t expected him to ask that.

  “I thought things were getting serious between you two. You were together for a long time.”

  “I know.”

  “Why did you break up?”

  “Something was just missing in our relationship. I think I knew it early on, but I was lonely, and I stayed with him for all the wrong reasons.”

  They arrived at Michelle’s car, and she looked over at him. “Honestly, I never felt half as much for him as I feel for you.”

  His mouth dropped open a bit at her admission.

  She hugged him then, and he held her tightly against him. They stayed that way for several minutes. The night air was chilly, but she didn’t feel the least bit cold.

  When she started to let go, he kept his arms around her and rested his forehead against hers.

  She was unsure what he was thinking, but something in her decided to make the first move and worry about the rest later. She moved her hands from around his waist up to his chest. He didn’t move away, so she angled closer and pressed her lips to his.

  Simon kissed her back.

  Even the softest touch of Simon’s lips on hers felt amazing. It was like static electricity — every hair standing on end, goosebumps running over her entire body. This moment she had been imagining for so long met her every expectation.

  She tilted her head and increased the pressure, wanting more.

  He suddenly jerked away. “I’m sorry.” He dropped his arms and took a small step backwards. “We can’t do this.”

  Her shoulders sagged. Not again.

  “Haven’t you ever thought about what it would be like?” she asked. “Us together? Because I think about it all the time.”

  “Chelle.” His eyes pleaded with her.

  “We know each other better than anyone else,” she continued. “What would be more perfect than for us to be together?”

  He took her face in his hands and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, then leaned his forehead to hers again. He exhaled slowly, his warm breath falling on her lips. “I don’t wanna risk our friendship. If anything ever went wrong between us—”

  “But what if it doesn’t? What if we’re meant to be together?”

  His thumbs brushed softly against her cheeks. “Just give me a little time to think about it, OK?”

  She was disappointed, but she tried to be understanding. It was a big step for them, not to be taken lightly.

  On her drive home, she mulled over what had happened and analyzed the whole thing to death. Simon had kissed her. Yes, she had been the one to initiate the kiss, but Simon had actually made the first move — holding her hands in the restaurant the way he had, holding onto her after their hug, leaning his forehead to hers so intimately. It seemed like he didn’t want to let her go, like he wanted to be close to her. And he had kissed her back, which gave her hope.

  At the end of the month, he would be attending a photography conference in Vegas. Maybe a little time away would help him realize that she was right about them. Maybe when he got back, he would be ready to talk. Dating a friend was not without its risks, but wasn’t it worth it to give their relationship a chance?

  When she turned into her parking spot at the apartment, her cell phone suddenly beeped, signaling a text message.

  “Thanks for the dessert.” It was from Maggie.

  Michelle was confused. She opened her phone and sent a quick reply. “What dessert?”

  No response came back right away, so she went inside. She had no idea what Maggie was talking about.

  A few minutes later, a message appeared. “The cheesecake.”

  She was still confused, but she had a sickening feeling she knew where the cheesecake had come from.

  “What cheesecake?” she typed hesitantly.

  Another response. “The cheesecake you had Simon drop off for me. Thanks, Chelle.”

  Her heart sank.

  “You’re welcome,” she lied.

  And she knew what Simon’s answer would be when he got back. It was what his answer always was.

  Just friends.

  At ten o’clock at night on the last day of February, there was a sudden knock at her door. Michelle wasn’t expecting anyone, so she cautiously peeked through the peephole to see who it was. Simon?

  She opened the door and was about to ask how the photography conference went, when he took her face in his hands and kissed her.

  Her heart skipped a beat or ten. This kiss was so much better than their first, because he was the one to initiate it this time.

  She leaned away to look at him, wondering what he was thinking.

  His hands dropped to his sides, and he searched her face. He looked completely unsure if he should have done that.

  One corner of her mouth raised up.

  He smiled at her and slid his arms around her waist, drawing her to him, kissing her again.

  She felt this kiss all the way to her toes.

  Stepping back into the apartment, she pulled him with her. He kicked the door shut behind him, and they laughed, breaking their kiss.

  She stroked the side of his neck. “I thought you didn’t wanna risk our friendship.” She raised an eyebrow at him.

  His hazel eyes were alight with something new — a look he had never given her before. “I changed my mind.”

  Was it attraction? Passion? Love? All she knew for sure was that she never wanted him to stop looking at her like that. Ever.

  16

  Being with Simon was fun and crazy and intoxicating. She couldn’t get enough of him. She had always wondered what it would be like if they ever got together. Would it change their friendship? Would it mess things up? But the past two months had been wonderful.

  Simon went out of his way to include her in his busy photography schedule. They spent most weekday evenings together since he worked weddings on weekends. She went with him and Uncle Pete to the big Grand Opening of the ph
otography studio in Hastings. He even invited her to join him for a photographer event at Rose’s, a quaint little restaurant on the shores of Reeds Lake.

  They settled in at a table near the back with a group of Simon’s fellow photographers. He introduced her to several people, so many that she couldn’t remember all their names. She didn’t care much. She was with Simon, and that was all that really mattered to her.

  “Hey, Chelle,” said a familiar voice.

  Simon’s whole body tensed up next to her, and she turned to see Maggie standing beside their table with a lovely brunette. Michelle stood and greeted her with a hug.

  “How are you?” Maggie asked.

  “Really good.” She smiled and raised her eyebrows up and down.

  Simon was looking anywhere but at them.

  “You and Simon?” Maggie whispered, and glanced in Simon’s direction.

  Michelle smiled happily and took her seat next to Simon again. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

  He turned and gave her a soft kiss on the lips, then looked straight at Maggie.

  Michelle looked over at Maggie, who glanced at her friend.

  “We’re gonna go get a drink,” the friend said, and they walked to some empty seats at a nearby table.

  “Who’s that with Maggie?” Michelle asked.

  “Her assistant, Sarah. She’s dating Maggie’s brother, Tom.”

  Simon had mentioned Tom quite a bit during the past couple months. Ever since Uncle Pete had moved permanently to Hastings, Simon had been spending a lot of time with Tom, and they had become good friends. She still thought of Tom as the flirty teenaged kid who hit on her their first day of college. Michelle was happy that Simon had found a friend in Tom, but she didn’t like that he was in such close proximity to Maggie. Something was going on there. She sensed an uncomfortable vibe between them. There was something strange about the way he tensed at the sound of her voice and the way he looked at her after he kissed Michelle. It sort of felt like … well, like he was trying to rub it in Maggie’s face. And that did not sit well with her at all.