by Melody Grace
“Finally, that douche-nozzle gets his payback,” Eliza agreed.
Brooke snorted with laughter. “Douche-nozzle? What are you, six?”
“It’s fitting,” Eliza grinned. “Anyway, I’m glad you two squared everything away. That has to be a weight off your mind, right?”
Brooke nodded. “I’m going to try not to feel guilty anymore,” she confided. “I feel like I’ve been dragging around all these regrets, but it’s time to let them go.”
“Atta girl.”
“Wait a minute.” Brooke saw a familiar sign fly by out the windows. “I thought we were going to Provincetown. You know, wine and chowder like usual.”
Eliza looked evasive. “Actually, there’s a movie on. They’re showing The Thin Man, I figured it could be fun.”
“I love that movie,” Brooke exclaimed. “Where is it playing?”
“Well, about that . . .”
Eliza turned off the highway, and Brooke saw the Sweetbriar Cove sign up ahead. “Eliza!” she exclaimed.
“You’ve been avoiding this place long enough,” Eliza argued. “Come on. We had to skip Sunday pastries at the bakery because you were so worried about running into Riley, and karaoke at the pub, and the best lobster rolls—”
“OK, OK,” Brooke sighed, but still, she felt a twist of nerves at the thought of being on his turf again.
“It’ll be fine,” Eliza reassured her, pulling up to park just off the square. “He won’t even be there. I mean, classic movies at the town hall? That’s not really his scene.”
“No, it’s not.” Brooke tried very hard not to think about Riley’s scene—probably charming some gorgeous woman’s pants off on that boat of his. “You’re right. I can’t stay away forever.”
They got out of the car and headed inside. The main hall was already busy with locals, and had been set up with a massive projector screen and rows of mismatched chairs and comfy beanbags. “Ooh, they have snacks.” Eliza brightened, making a beeline for the trestle table along one wall, practically groaning under the weight of homemade goods. A hand-written sign explained that donations were welcome and all proceeds would be donated to the Sweetbriar Nog-Off Prize Fund.
“Do I even want to know?” A familiar voice beside Brooke made her turn. It was Poppy, looking at the sign with a bemused expression.
“Don’t ask me,” Brooke agreed. “I’m guessing it’s some town tradition.”
“A grand one,” Mackenzie announced, joining them. She had two brightly colored cushions under her arms, and deposited a couple of bags of chips on the table. “The big town eggnog competition, at the Christmas festival. People work on their recipes all year round. Debra usually has it locked down,” she added, nodding to the older woman who was pouring something from her flask into a mug of coffee. “But Summer’s a wild card now. My money’s on an upset victory.”
“The drama never ends,” Eliza laughed. “Maybe I should write an article, eggnog at dawn.”
“Don’t even joke about it,” Mackenzie said darkly. “We’re still reeling from the dairy-free incident of ’09.”
“I won’t ask.” Eliza nudged Brooke. “I’ll go grab us some seats.”
“I’ll get the popcorn.”
“So, I haven’t seen you around,” Poppy said to Brooke, as she filled a bowl with snacks. “How have you been?”
“Good,” Brooke said slowly, wondering how much of what happened with Riley made it back to the gossip mill. “Busy. Things are hectic at the hotel.”
“Summer said!” Poppy exclaimed. “She’s baking around the clock, you have so many weddings.”
“Or maybe I’m just telling her that, and eating all the cakes myself,” Brooke cracked.
They all laughed, and then Mackenzie paused and gave her an appraising look. “You know, we should all get together, when you have a break. Girls’ night, or something like that.”
“I’m in,” Poppy agreed.
“Sure,” Brooke said, touched. “That sounds nice. If you’re sure,” she added, thinking of Riley again. She didn’t want to make it weird, hanging out with his friends, but everyone had been so welcoming, she’d love to get to know them better.
“Positive.” Mackenzie nodded. “Oh, look, I think they’re starting the movie.”
Everyone moved to take their seats, but no sooner had Brooke delivered her armful of snacks to Eliza than she realized her glasses were in the car. “Be right back,” she whispered, and ducked out as the lights started to dim. She turned down the hallway—and almost smacked straight into someone just entering the room.
“Easy there.”
Brooke sucked in a breath. She knew the strong arms holding her steady, even before she looked up into Riley’s blue eyes.
“Brooke.”
He said her name softly, and her mind went blank. Suddenly, her pulse was racing, and the few inches of space between them seemed at once too close—and not nearly close enough. In an instant, it all came flooding back. Every hot, reckless kiss.
Every blissful moment of pleasure.
“Riley, hi.” Brooke reeled back. “Sorry, I was just . . .” She gestured vaguely, her brain still trying to catch up.
“No problem.”
There was a pause, and she felt his gaze on her, burning through her defenses.
“How are you?” Riley asked slowly. “You look good.”
“Thanks.” Brooke gulped. “So do you.”
He did. Riley was clean-shaven, and wearing a pale blue pullover that looked soft enough to touch, but there was something else about him too, some new energy crackling in the air around him.
“How are things with the bar?” she asked, still feeling tongue-tied.
“Fine.” He shrugged. “You know it pretty much runs itself. I’m actually working on something else these days,” he added, looking bashful. “Consulting for some tech start-ups, you know, kids just starting out.”
“That’s great!” Brooke exclaimed.
He nodded. “I like it, pointing them in the right direction, showing them the mistakes to avoid.”
“Does this mean you finally figured everything out with your old business partner?” she asked.
“No.” Riley gave her a rueful look. “But I decided I wasn’t going to waste any more time on the past. Some things you just can’t change.”
Brooke’s heart clenched. Did he mean them, too?
“I should . . .” She backed away.
“Right. I won’t keep you.” Riley looked into her eyes and gave a quiet smile. “It was good seeing you, Brooke. Take care.”
“You too.” She ducked back into the main hall and made her way blindly to sit beside Eliza. The opening scene was playing, but the movie was a blur to her, her heart still pounding with a reckless drum.
What just happened?
She knew it was inevitable that she’d see him again. In a community this small, she was surprised it hadn’t been sooner. But nothing had prepared her for how it felt, up close and personal after all these weeks apart.
It was like no time had passed at all.
His smile still made her heart skip. His eyes still seemed to pierce beneath the surface. And she still craved to touch him, to fold herself into the strong and steady warmth of his embrace.
She sat through the movie in a daze, replaying every moment of their awkward encounter, searching for clues about how Riley really felt. He’d talked about leaving the past behind, but did he mean more than just his old business? Had he moved right along, the way Brooke was afraid of—to some other girl, another fling, replacing her as if she’d meant nothing at all?
She burned with jealousy just thinking about it, even though she knew she had no right. She was the one who pushed him away.
And there she was now, wanting nothing more than to pull him close again.
By the time the final credits rolled, and the lights came on, Brooke felt more confused than ever. She’d thought that time would give her clarity, and that somehow, if she just wai
ted long enough, all her conflict would melt away, and she’d know for certain what she wanted. And it had been working. Every day, she felt more focused, more like herself again, the person she’d been before Archer made her second-guess everything.
But seeing Riley had thrown all that into chaos. She wanted him so badly, every cell in her body ached to turn back the clock. All her good intentions were clouded with memories of them together, and just how good it felt to be with him.
But it was too late. She’d made her choice, and it was done.
“Ready to go?” Eliza asked, shrugging on her coat.
Brooke swallowed back the regret and forced a smile. She wasn’t ready, nowhere close, but sometimes, you just had to move on. “Sure, let’s go.”
Eliza dropped her off at the apartment, and Brooke fumbled for her keys, but just as she reached to unlock the gate, it swung open of its own accord.
Brooke paused.
“Hello?” She pushed it wider. Her landlord was usually a stickler for security, but maybe she’d forgotten to shut it properly on her way out. Still, she kept her keys in her hand, sharp edges facing out, and took another few steps inside—
She stopped, amazed. The small courtyard had been transformed. Tiny lights were strung over her balcony, glittering between the shrubs and trees. Music was playing, and dozens of candles flickered on tabletops and in every corner. It was magical—and she had no idea what was going on.
“Is somebody there?” Brooke looked around, and then Riley stepped out of the shadows and she forgot how to breathe.
26
“Hey,” Riley said, taking a cautious step closer.
“Hi,” Brooke echoed, feeling dizzy. He stood there in a duffel coat and scarf, with that gorgeous smile, and she couldn’t believe it.
What was happening right now?
“I’ve thought a lot about what you said,” Riley started. He looked almost nervous, with his hands jammed in his pockets, and she itched to push his hair out of his eyes. “You were right. I didn’t listen to you. You weren’t ready for something serious, you told me over and over again, but I was so caught up in the way I felt, I didn’t want to slow things down. I’m sorry. For what happened at the wedding, and . . . everything. I never meant to hurt you, or screw things up with your job.”
Brooke had to reach out and steady herself. She couldn’t believe what he was saying—or that he’d gone through this effort, transforming her little courtyard.
“And you were right about the other stuff, too,” Riley continued, with a rueful smile. “I didn’t know what I wanted. I was stuck in limbo, I didn’t want to let go of the past, or put myself out there again. It took me a while, but I finally realized I want more than that. I want new challenges, and to care about something again. And Brooke,” he took a step closer, meeting her eyes with that gorgeous stare.
“I want you.”
His words shivered there between them, full of promise.
“Not now,” Riley added quickly. “I know, you’re still figuring everything out, and that’s OK. I’m not putting any pressure on you, or saying I expect anything to happen. I just want you to know, I’m in love with you. And I’ll wait as long as it takes for you to be ready to take that chance again.”
He stopped. “That’s . . . all I wanted to say.” Riley cleared his throat. “And that I want to be your friend. Just know you can call me, any time you like. To talk, or hang out, or . . .” He stopped. “Whatever you want from me.”
Brooke was frozen in place. She felt like this was a dream, but no—her breath left a puff of steam in the chilly air, and her nose was running, and still, the electricity between them was brighter than anything she’d ever felt before.
Riley gave her a soft smile. “I won’t keep you up,” he said, and turned to go. “Sweet dreams.”
She watched him walk towards the gate, and something inside her snapped.
She couldn’t walk away from him again.
“Wait!” Brooke called after him, her heart pounding so hard it could have burst right out of her chest. She was on the edge of something here, and she could fall, hard, and hit the ground.
Or she could fly.
Riley paused, and slowly turned back to her.
“I don’t want you to wait,” Brooke said, looking at him. This man, God, this man. She’d met him at the worst possible time, and still, somehow he’d turned it into the best.
“I don’t need more time, or to move on, or anything like that. It’s you, Riley,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “I’m falling in love with you too, and I don’t want to wait anymore. There’s never going to be a perfect moment, when I’m suddenly healed enough to do this again. But I think . . . I think any moment with you is going to be the right one.”
She caught her breath, suddenly feeling naked and exposed. What if she’d gone too far? What if, after everything, he still wanted the chase?
Then Riley’s expression changed, and that smile broke over his features, bright as the purest summer’s day. He closed the distance between them in a few short strides and swept her into his arms, and his kiss told her everything she needed to know.
Hot and sweet, slow and impossibly tender. It was a kiss that promised a thousand days—and nights—to come.
Brooke surrendered to it willingly. She’d step off the edge, take the fall, because she knew with every instinct in her body, that he was the only man for her.
She’d trust her heart, because she trusted him.
Riley drew back, cradling her face in his hands. “You love me?” he repeated, grinning widely.
She smiled. “For my sins.”
Riley laughed. “Oh, we can work on those . . .” His hands slid over her body, drawing her closer, but instead of a hot, fevered embrace, he just held her to him, like he was savoring every breath.
“I missed you,” he murmured softly.
She melted into him, holding tightly. “I missed you too.”
This was where she belonged, right here. And maybe it had taken her some tears and heartache to get there, but she’d made it. They both had.
And she couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
27
“Where do you want the chair?” Riley called, hauling it through the door into Brooke’s apartment. Or rather, their apartment. After all, as Brooke said, it didn’t make sense for him to keep all his stuff above the bar when he spent most of his time over there anyway.
Brooke emerged from the bedroom, looking sweaty from hauling boxes—but still more beautiful than anyone he’d seen. It still took his breath away, waking up beside her in the morning, and knowing he got to be the one to fall back in bed with her at night. After the months apart, Riley would never take that for granted again.
“How about in the corner?” Brooke suggested, and he maneuvered it into place. “Perfect,” she grinned. “Now where’s the rest of it?”
“This is it.”
She blinked. “You travel light.”
“Not anymore,” Riley grinned, tugging her into his arms. He dropped a kiss on her collarbone, hands roving lower. “I’m thinking about getting something very heavy and permanent. What would you think about a grand piano?”
She laughed. “Do you play?”
“I could learn.” Riley kissed her, taking his time. He meant it, too: for the first time in a long while, he had no intention of leaving. His new clients out in California were begging him to relocate, but they would just have to live with Skype. This was his home now, right here, with Brooke.
“Ahem,” a teasing voice came from the doorway. “Sorry, are we early?”
He looked around. It was Mackenzie, with a package in her arms, and behind her, he could see Cooper and Poppy on the landing. They were all decked out in Halloween costumes—ready for the big party in town later that evening.
“No, come on in!” Brooke skipped away, and went to usher them inside. “You’re late, actually. Turns out, Riley doesn’t have anything else left t
o unpack!”
“My favorite kind of moving party,” Mackenzie grinned. “All that’s left is helping with the housewarming celebration.” She was dressed in a black catsuit, while Cooper and Poppy were in 1920s clothes, right down to their slicked-back hair and bootlegger shoes.
Riley got the glasses out and poured everyone a drink. Mackenzie had brought some of her new pottery as a gift, and they all admired the sailboat scene. “Is that . . . us on the boat?” Brooke peered at the tiny details. “Oh my God, it is. Look, she’s got my blonde hair! I love it, thank you!”
“Any time.” Mackenzie smiled. There was another knock, and Grayson and Summer arrived. Brooke went to welcome them inside, and Mackenzie gave Riley a thoughtful look.
“What?” he asked, grabbing some snacks.
“Nothing. Just, look at you,” Mackenzie teased, munching on a chip. “Putting down roots on dry land, a steady relationship . . . I’d hardly know you.”
Riley laughed. “You’re the one who saw it coming, remember? You said you’d be here with popcorn.” He tossed a kernel at her and she caught it in her mouth.
“I did, didn’t I? Damn, I’m good.”
“Just wait, you’ll be next.”
“I don’t think so.” Mackenzie gave a wry smile, her painted whiskers crinkling. “I’m all set. The Spinster of Sweetbriar Cove,” she quipped, but Riley wasn’t convinced.
“You’ll find someone. How could they resist you?”
“You’re getting soft on me,” Mackenzie teased. “All this coupling up, you’re losing your edge.”
“Ha,” Riley snorted good-naturedly. “My edge is still razor-sharp, baby.”
The others joined them, and Brooke raised her glass in a toast. “To moving on,” she said, giving Riley a secret smile. “And moving in.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
Riley looked around, and felt a satisfaction he’d never known before. Gliding over the water was fun enough, but putting down roots was something else. They would grow into something solid and beautiful, a life where he belonged—with the woman who’d shown him he was ready for the next chapter of his life.