Chasing the Runaway Bride (Bliss Series Book 3)

by Michelle Jo Quinn

  Levi chuckled, and I gave him a gentle push.

  “Hey, have you guys decided on a name?”

  “Yes, we did,” Levi replied, “Her name is Aimee.”

  ALEX

  It didn’t matter what part of the world I was in, when true love presented itself, I knew what it looked like. All I had to do was open my eyes and see.

  My camera was an extension of myself and because of it, I’d witnessed true wonders of the world. Nothing took my breath away more than when I saw true love. I raised it, I breathed in, and took the shot. Trying to capture the meaning of love in one photograph wasn’t a hard feat when I understood what it was like. It was beyond two people kissing, holding hands, while embraced by the warmth of the sun. It was present in what wasn’t easy to see. The simplest caress, the whispered care, knowing that nothing else mattered without each other.

  Walt Buford sat beside his wife in the sunroom, an extension of their home, which faced their grand estate, and what I’d gathered was his sanctuary. When he heard the second shutter noise my camera made, he raised a hand, slightly trembling from the obvious weakness he felt but continued to hide.

  “Alex, good morning,” he greeted, his voice hoarse. “Why don’t you come and join us?”

  I didn’t hesitate, stepping forward until I was soaked by the brightness of the sun. “Good morning.” I bent down to greet Georgia-Anne, who’d offered one side of her cheek for me to peck.

  “Did you get enough sleep?” she asked, waving a hand to an empty seat.

  “Better than expected.” I reached for the carafe of freshly squeezed orange juice and poured myself a glass.

  I’d been their guest for the past two days. I’d come for one purpose, and hadn’t expected the need to stay for another. Despite my own protestations that I would overstay my welcome if I didn’t leave sooner, it felt right to be here. To be near the people who’d raised the woman I’d fallen madly in love with.

  I wanted to understand her. Who she was before I met her, before she became the woman who’d driven me mental, who’d made having another woman by my side felt wrong. When I left my brother’s vineyard, I’d made a rush trip to New York City and reclaimed the motorcycle I’d left behind. As soon as I rode it, my direction had been clear. It hadn’t taken long to arrive in Stowe and when I got here, I’d been welcomed with open arms depsite only meeting Walt once, and never having met Georgia-Anne at all.

  “I’ll head over the kitchen and fix you up some breakfast.” Georgia-Anne patted my hand before she stood. There was no point in arguing with her that I was quite capable of doing the task, she was as stubborn as her daughter. I’d learned how to choose my battles.

  “Thank you.”

  I placed the camera on the table and sipped the juice in comfortable silence, which didn’t last long when Walt spoke. “When will you see my daughter again?”

  Rubbing the growth on my jaw, I contemplated on my answer before saying, “Right after I return from Istanbul.”

  He nodded and craned his neck over a shoulder. When he returned his attention back to me, my heart ached for Chase. Her father was getting weaker. Every movement exhausted him; every word out of his mouth was a challenge. But he continued to fight because of his love for his wife and daughter.

  “Take care of her.”

  His words gripped my heart. “I intend to.”

  He nodded again. Not long after, Georgia-Anne returned with a tray of food and Walt continued to smile for his loving wife.

  This was the kind of care Walt wanted his daughter to have, an all-consuming love. Before I dug into my meal, I caught his eyes again and nodded my head. It was a silent promise, and he accepted it as the truth.

  I loved his daughter. I’d been wrong to think I could ignore how strong my feelings were for her, that by seeing Marielle, I could easily erase the memories Chase and I had had together. Marielle had known the truth from the start, and the night I’d seen Chase out in the vineyard alone, Marielle had admitted what was so clear to her. Still, I tried to deny it. My heart didn’t wander. I couldn’t possibly love a woman when another warmed my bed. I wasn’t like my father. I continued to deny it even after Marielle had packed her bags and left. Cara might have ignited the argument that morning, but at the end, Marielle and I had understood our time came to an end.

  But it would be days before I finally admitted it—before I could surrender to the fact Marielle and I had been over before we’d begun. It took seeing Levi and Nica and the unfathomable happiness they shared when they held their daughter for me to believe I had love in my heart. Except Chase needed time on her own. I couldn’t have her thinking I’d jump right into a relationship with her days after I’d ended one. I wanted to know everything about her, and since she wasn’t forward about any of it, I’d come to do research on my own.

  A visit to her family had been an eye-opener. I found out about the sudden disapperance of her sister, and a friendly chat with her ex-fiancé, Daniel, had given me insight on what had driven Chase out of her hometown. Chase had spent years on her own before she met Veronica. I ached for the young woman who’d walked through life searching for something only she could say.

  “Are you sure you need to leave today?” Georgia-Anne asked, pulling me out of my reverie.

  I nodded and reached for the coffee she’d brought me. “I should have left yesterday. I’m promised Daniel I’d meet with him before my flight tonight.”

  She hummed and stared far off into the distance. “It’s nice to see you guys get along.” She lifted her teacup to her lips and sipped quietly before continuing. “My daughter said she’ll come next weekend. Would you be back then?”

  “I think I might be.” I smiled, more to myself than to my companions. It would be a surprise for Chase to see me here, comfortable in her parents’ home, sleeping in the room across from hers, eating breakfast in the sunroom with her parents, having a pint with Daniel.

  I could see it all clearly in my mind.

  I could breathe when I was around her, even better when I was with her. When I had her in my arms, nothing else had mattered. If it would take longer for her to realize we belonged together, I was ready to challenge each minute head on. She was worth fighting for, even if it was her own stubborn behavior I had to battle against.

  Her love was worth it all.

  CHASE

  I never truly believed in happily-ever-afters. That was Nica’s territory, and every day she became a testament that such a thing existed. There was zero doubt in my mind that Levi loved her through and through, and now, they had baby Aimee to shower affection to, as well.

  Could a non-believer get their happily-ever-after? I supposed it would help if I had a Prince Charming around. He was in Arnavutköy, Istanbul, last I heard—mostly from eavesdropping on Levi and Martina’s conversations. A quick Google search of the location hadn’t produced much information. The photos looked welcoming, but we were in California. If Alex wanted deep blue sea, all he had to do was take a short drive to the coast...and use the perfect camera filter. What could Alex be doing there? More importantly, why wasn’t he here? He was missing out on quality bonding time with his one and only niece.

  Levi hadn’t mentioned or hinted at the short conversation we had in the kitchen. I was both grateful and disappointed about that. I didn’t expect a thorough study on the topic, just a few clues, perhaps an insight on how Alex felt about me. Though, to be honest, I’d rather hear it straight from the ass’ mouth. Besides, Levi had more pressing matters to focus on.

  When Monday came rolling along, I prepared my bags to head back to San Francisco. Now that Nica was out of commission for work—and since I owned part of Bliss—it was up to me to take the brunt of the responsibility, something she and I had agreed on. For me, it was a driving force behind my move back to California, instead of staying in Vermont. My parents’ home was in Vermont. Like the song, I left my heart in San Francisco, and if I didn’t come back, I would wither and die.

 
Martina walked out of the house while I rearranged the Harley’s side bags. She and I hadn’t been alone since her arrival, something else I’d been grateful for. I didn’t know why, but she made me nervous. There was something in the way she looked me, like she was studying and scrutinizing me.

  “Levi mentioned you’re leaving today, Chase,” she said, spreading her lips into a polite smile.

  I peered at her through my sunglasses. “Yes, I have to get back to work.” Short and sweet. Then I busied my hands, stuffing them into the bag so she wouldn’t see how they trembled.

  She stood in front of me for a few minutes, taking all of my Harley in. Would she think it was inappropriate for a woman who was in love with her grandson ride a beast like my baby? But when she opened her mouth to speak, what came out surprised me.

  “My husband and I used to ride. After the war, he and I spent our early wedding years travelling the States.” Martina stepped forward and ghosted a hand over the leather seat. “I can still remember the thrill of it.”

  I smiled at her, and climbed onto my Harley. “I’m visiting Nica at the hospital before I head home.” Sliding my butt forward, I patted the back of the seat. “I can give you a lift?” Was it the right thing to do? Oh, Alex would have a heart attack if he knew. Served him right for not being here.

  “Oh, what a lovely idea.” She glanced toward the house. “But, I’d promised my grandsons I’d behave.”

  “I won’t tell if you won’t.” Martina shifted her weight from one foot to the other. What was I doing? Alex would have my head! “Maybe next time. I’m in Levi’s good graces right now. Wouldn’t wanna ruin that, would I?” I pushed my sunglasses up and winked at her.

  Martina let out a demure laugh, hiding her mouth behind a hand. “I thought it was Alex you were concerned with?”

  My mouth dropped to the ground. Martina’s eyes lit up and she lifted one hand to cup my cheek, speaking in smooth-flowing French. What she said I had no idea, but it somehow caused goose bumps all over my body.

  I arrived at the offices of Bliss Event Designers with my head in the clouds. As soon as I got off the elevator, my phone buzzed. A text message from an unknown number:

  You left?! I just got here! It’s Cara BTW. New phone, new number.

  I’d sent her a couple of messages the past few days, and hadn’t received anything back. I’d been worried but I couldn’t ask Levi or Martina. They might not have known that she was in contact with me.

  I sent a quick message back: Where have you been? I’ve sent you messages. I guess you didn’t get them.

  Her reply was even quicker: I broke my phone. Long story. It took me a while to get my contacts back. So where are you?

  I’m back in SF. Back to work.

  Cara sent: Are you coming back? We have so much to talk about, and I can’t say it over text.

  We did? I paused in front of the office entrance, reading and re-reading the text again. I was just about to type a text when a knock startled me. I looked up to see Gerard and Jewel waving frantically on the other side of the window to my right. They rushed out of the office to get to me, squeezing me in a group hug—without my permission!

  “You’re here!” they both said.

  Gerard propped a hand over one hip and quirked an eyebrow. “And you’re late for the meeting. Come on.”

  “Hold up, guys, I just need to send a quick message.” I waved my phone at them. Bad idea. Gerard snatched it out of my hand and ran into the office before I could take it back.

  “Who is more important than your welcome back to work meeting? Is it lover boy Danny?” he said, giggling as I chased him.

  “Danny?” Jewel asked.

  “It’s not Danny! And he’s not my lover. Get your facts straight!” I yelled at Gerard, tackling him in the hallway the moment I got close enough. My Daddy had taught me some moves when I was little and the boys at school had started picking on me. Gerard and I both dropped.

  “Get the phone, Jewel!” he screamed, as he grappled with me on the floor.

  “Jewel, if you touch that I will fire you!”

  “You can’t fire her. She’s part owner now.” Gerard wrapped his large legs around mine, effectively keeping me from squirming out of his grip.

  “Yes, you are!” I squeaked out from Gerard’s hold. “That’s why you have to do the responsible thing!”

  My argument worked. Jewel picked up the phone and ordered Gerard to let me go. “We should really start the meeting.”

  Gerard huffed and released me. I punched him a couple of times on the upper arm. Not hard enough to make him grapple with me again. Gerard was like a brother to me. A brother I had never wanted, but was glad I had.

  I straightened out my clothes and took the phone from Jewel. Then I sent a rapid text to Cara that I would have to talk to her later.

  Unfortunately, later didn’t come. Right after the meeting, Gerard was on me again, asking about Danny.

  “So you’re single? ‘Cause we thought you...” He didn’t finish, looking to Mateo and Jewel for some kind of affirmation that the rumors were true.

  As I’d said, these people were my family now. Opening up to Levi about my feelings for Alex had given me some sort of ease. I’d left San Francisco weeks ago without telling my friends, apart from Nica, the complete story. I guess today was the right day to straighten out speculations.

  With the conference door closed, I told Gerard, Mateo and Jewel my story. I spread out all my cards and came clean, everything from my father’s condition to my previous engagement to Danny to our current non-relationship relationship. Well, not everything per se. I did leave out what I had with Alex. Some things were meant to be kept as sacred secrets.

  “So you are single!” Gerard repeated, clapping his hands together in absolute glee. “Do you know what this means?”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “The answer is no.” I stood to walk out of the conference room. Confession time was over.

  “Yes!” Gerard clasped his hands together and knelt in front of me, blocking the door with his large frame. “Please, Chase, can we please have an un-engagement party?”

  “Oooh!” Jewel quipped from behind me.

  I looked over my shoulder and squinted at her, shaking my head as a show of disappointment. Then I turned my sights to Mateo, pleading him for some sort of help.

  He shrugged. “You know he’s never going to stop,” he said to me.

  “Ugh!” He was no help! “Fine! One party. Tonight. Just us.” I figured we would all be too busy for the rest of the day for anyone to make a grand plan for this cockamamie idea.

  How wrong was I? I had underestimated the powers of a group of event planners.

  When I awoke the next day to a thrumming on my bedside table, my mouth felt like the Gobi desert, and it took me a few more moments to notice the phone vibrating beside me. Not my phone. And someone named Honey Boo was calling. She was pretty in a piled-on makeup kind of way. I sat up to find the owner of the phone to, one, ask him or her what his or her phone was doing on my bedside table and, two, why had he or she been in my bedroom in the first place. Then the taste of bile crawled up my throat, sending me off to the bathroom.

  After a quick discharge of projectile vomit, followed by a couple more heaves, I washed the smeared make up off my face. I was fully clothed, in the same clothes I’d worn all day at work. As I changed, the phone vibrated once again. Out of my bedroom I went, and into a war zone. From the state of the rest of my apartment I could have easily called the army and reported some kind of national emergency. Anybody living in this country who partied like my friends did should be thrown onto an island where they couldn’t hurt those around them, particularly me.

  I looked around the living room and to the pathetic state of my so-called friends scattered all over the sofas and the floor. I deliberately stomped my five-inch heels onto the parquet floor to rouse them. Mateo was the first to groan, followed by Gerard’s protestations.

  “Why am I vomiting glit
ter?” I asked. “What happened?”

  Gerard chuckled. “You’re vomiting glitter? Must be because you wouldn’t stop licking Rocco’s abs last night.” Everyone else, still half asleep, snickered.

  “Who the hell is Rocco?”

  “That would be me.”

  I followed the voice and found it belonged to a half-naked man walking out of my kitchen, sipping what I assumed was coffee from one of my cups. My eyes fell on his ripped abs. Some kind of word gurgled out of my mouth.

  “Ah, and you have found my phone!” He stretched out his hand for the phone I had clasped in mine.

  “It was on my bedside table.” My own words slapped me into reality. “In my bedroom... oh my god... what was your phone doing in my bedroom? Where you there too?”

  Mateo spoke for him when all Rocco did was chuckle. “Relax, Chase, you’re not really Rocco’s type.”

  I was slightly appalled by that comment. “Why? What’s wrong with me?” My own ego tried to inflate itself back to its regular humungous size.

  “For one, you’re not a man,” Gerard answered.

  “Oh.” Right. For a moment, I forgot where I was. “Well, get your asses up. It’s Tuesday and we have work to do. And did anybody see my phone?”

  “Check the freezer,” Nica’s assistant, Becca suggested. My assistant, whose name I’d finally remembered was Stephanie, stretched out her arms and legs beside Becca. Glad to see that they’d had a great time too.

  “The freezer?”

  “No, it’s okay.” Rocco placed a warm hand on my arm. “I saved it. It’s in the kitchen, been ringing all morning.”

  “Oh shit.” I walked around sexy Rocco toward my kitchen, then turned around before I could get to my phone, yelling out, “And Honey Boo’s been calling you, Rocco!”

  He strutted into the kitchen and calmly prepared a cup of coffee for me. “She needs to learn about boundaries.” When I raised a brow at him, he shook his head. “Thank you for throwing a great party.” Then he handed me my coffee.