by Jess Bentley
“Yes, Arsen. Had you known… what would you have done?” Rory’s alcohol-fueled voice lashed out.
“I would’ve come to you.”
“And left as soon as Tanya Cox came calling?” Rory knew that she was being borderline bitchy but she didn’t care.
“Rory, look at me.” Arsen walked toward her and held her by the arms. “There’s nothing between me and Tanya.”
He paused and Rory searched his eyes for the truth. Do I even care what he thinks? Should I even bother looking for the truth? Haven’t I already given up on him?
“Maybe Tanya wants certain things from me, but I am in no position to give any of that to her.” His voice was soft and honest.
“And why is that, Arsen?”
“Because… my heart lies with someone else.” He stared into her soul. Fuck. Don’t fall for his words, Rory.
“How many times have you used that line since this morning?” Rory regretted saying that as soon as the words came out of her mouth.
Arsen just stared at her silently. The sounds of the party drifted in from somewhere far away.
“How did you even get here?” she asked.
“I wouldn’t have found you if it weren’t for Lizzy. I had to ask Mickey for her number—a favor that he won’t let me forget about anytime soon. I texted her in the morning and she was the one who helped me out. She’s a really nice girl.”
“If she’s so nice, then why didn’t you save her from Mickey?”
”I would have, had I known. As you know, I didn’t leave Montcove with them so I didn’t know she was on the plane. I don’t really socialize with Mickey and I didn’t see her till the day you saw us at the club. I didn’t think there was anything fishy going on as he was being pretty nice to her.”
Rory contemplated whether she should believe this man’s words. So far it all seemed to check out. It is not like he keeps a watch on Mickey 24/7.
“I don’t know, Arsen. The memories from Montcove still taste bitter and I’m not sure I can take all this anymore. I felt really hurt.”
“And if I could…” He stopped and looked away. “There are so many what-ifs.” He seemed exasperated with himself.
Rory’s gut feeling told her that Arsen was being truthful to her. They sat in silence as she gathered her thoughts. It would be unfair of me to blame him for what I have gone through. Neither can I blame him for what happened to Lizzy. And yet… we’re from two different worlds. Nothing can ever happen between us. We don’t belong together.
“Thank you for the apology, Arsen. It takes a big man to admit a mistake.” She tried to smile.
“I am glad that we got that out of the way,” he replied after a moment’s pause. “I was scared I lost you. I thought you might never speak to me again.” The tension that was present on his face a minute before dissipated.
“Arsen…”
“When do you get out of this place? Can we go somewhere quiet?”
“Arsen. I’m not going anywhere. I mean … I can’t leave now, and tomorrow I am going back to Montcove.”
Arsen’s face changed.
“What… I don’t understand. Spend a day with me, Rory. Forget everyone else. Just you and me, a whole day together.”
“And then what, Arsen? What after that day?” she asked, but he had no answer.
“You will always have something to do, Arsen. You can take a day out here and a day out there, but there will always be something or someone that will require your attention and I don’t think I can handle that.”
Arsen sat silently.
“I’m a simple girl—I like simple things. A quiet peaceful life full of love, that’s all I need. You are amazing. I bet you’re more romantic than any guy I’m ever going to meet. You certainly are more charming and more handsome than anyone else I have ever met. But what happens after we ride off into the sunset holding hands? They never show that in the movies, do they?”
Arsen remained silent. Rory looked away to avoid looking into his eyes. Far away she could see her sister working the party, laughing loudly, giddy with joy, talking to guests with her husband in tow.
“Rory. We can make this work if we both put in the effort. If both of us are willing.”
“I am not sure I am, Arsen. I am tired of working hard for everything in life. I am tired of worrying. I don’t want to have to worry about where you are, or who you’re with or why I haven’t heard from you in three days. I just can’t do it.”
Rory knew that she had made the right decision. Arsen wasn’t right for her. And as tempting as wanting to be with him was, there was no way in hell that it would work. I am just protecting myself from any future disappointments, she reminded herself.
Arsen just nodded, his lips pursed together. No sign of that gorgeous smile, only the sounds of leaves rustling in the breeze. He looked away in contemplation for a minute, and then looked back at Rory. Questions in his eyes. Or maybe shock. Maybe disappointment at not getting what he wanted.
“Okay, Rory. You know what’s best for you.”
Awkward silence reigned. Rory was not sure how she should reply to that. Arsen turned around and Rory’s hand automatically reached out to him. Stop him, Rory. Arsen walked away slowly, his head down in contemplation. Rory waited and hoped that he would turn around, and thankfully for her, he did.
Arsen paused a moment, as was his style. Arsen Ford always thought about what he was going to say before he said it.
“Goodbye, Rory. You’ll always be the one that got away.” A wistful smile was on his face. He was stopped in his tracks by the sound of Rory’s voice urgently calling out to him.
“Arsen!… Thanks for wearing my T-shirt.” Fuck, Rory. Just say what you really wanted to say.
“You’re welcome, Rory. Anything for you…” Arsen turned around and walked away from her. Rory sat back with a thud, doubts creeping into her head. She could hear the screaming of girls and a general commotion in the party area as some of the people in the wedding party recognized Arsen.
Rory sat there for what seemed like forever and was broken out of a trance with the sound of footsteps coming toward her. Had Arsen come back? Did he come back for me? Rory quickly stood up to see.
It wasn’t Arsen but Lizzy who walked up the steps of the gazebo.
“I just saw Arsen and he left in a hurry. Then I couldn’t find you anywhere. Are you okay? What is going on? Did you talk to him?”
The last thing Rory could do was answer Lizzy’s questions. A hair’s breadth away from breaking down in tears, Rory decided to stay silent.
“Rory?” Lizzy sat down right next to her and held her by the arm. “What happened Rory? Tell me? Please?”
Rory drew a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Gaining composure, she got up and straightened her dress.
“I just threw away the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Chapter 72
One month later…
After a morning full of rain, the sun finally stepped out of the clouds, spreading an unreal color on the island of Montcove. The sunlight reflected off a newly-placed sign that simply read, The Empty Canvas below which another sign informed the general populace about a 50 percent off sale that was also going on at the establishment that previously existed there, a bookstore.
Outside, the street was empty and the only sound was of birds chirping. Inside, there was a single sound—that of a mouse clicking. The woman who ran the store sat in front of the computer, but instead of doing inventory for her books, she was cycling through different T-shirt designs. Rory knew that any customers or any of the art students that she had acquired over the last couple of weeks wouldn’t start dropping in till after lunch. She used the free time to catalog the new designs that she had come up with in the last week.
More importantly, she was starving. Running a fledging T-shirt business did not leave her time to cook. Yet another afternoon she made Lizzy run to Martha’s to pick up lunch. Her stomach was rumbling, but she was comforted by the fact tha
t Lizzy would be back anytime now. It hadn’t surprised her in the least how hardworking Lizzy had become since their return from LA.
Rory was truly happy. Happier than she had ever been. The last month had been fantastic. She was finally getting paid to do what she liked, and for once, she was living a life without worry. Rory smiled a contented smile to herself. Her thoughts were stirred ajar by the sound of the main door of the shop opening. Finally. Lizzy! I’m starving, she smiled to herself.
“I was wondering when you were going to come back…” she said without looking up.
“That, I wasn’t expecting,” the reply came, but to Rory’s surprise it was not Lizzy that spoke. Instead it was the husky voice of a man, dressed in a white shirt, black tight jeans, with unkempt hair.
“I thought you were…” The words hung suspended in the air. Rory’s hand reached her wide-open mouth in surprise. During the last few weeks she had done her best to forget Arsen Ford, and now here he was, in the flesh.
Her hands formed into fists, fighting the urge to touch him. She fought her body’s need to embrace him, to engulf him in a kiss. But she deserved more. More than Arsen Ford could give.
“I was not expecting you here. What can I do for you?” she replied in a cold tone. For once Arsen wasn’t smiling.
“I wasn’t expecting myself to come here either.”
“Then what made you come here?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“I am not sure it is. Do you need another T-shirt?” Rory said drily.
“I need more than that.”
“Arsen…” Rory hesitated.
“Rory. Enough. You have lived all your life in fear and doubts. Where has it gotten you all these years? What has it ever done for you?” Arsen paused. His words echoed the same thoughts that were running around her head not so long ago. Arsen took a couple of steps toward her.
“You doubt my actions or the lack of them. You’re suspicious of everything surrounding me and you’re not sure about my lifestyle. And all this when you haven’t even been a part of it yet? Are you really willing to let go of all that we could be, because of unfounded doubts?”
“Arsen, I have fallen too often to make the same mistakes again.”
“So have I. But I still think that when something as wonderful as this comes along, it is well worth the gamble.”
“Arsen…”
“Rory. There is no one else. There is nothing else. Forget the rest of the world. It is between you and me. It has always been you for me… ever since I got to know you for who you truly are. Look me in the eye and tell me you didn’t have the feeling that this could be something special?” Arsen was right in front of her now, staring deep into her soul.
Something stirred in her. Passion? Emotion? Hope? Dear God, no hope, please. She folder her arms over her chest.
“Arsen…”
“Tell me you don’t feel even an ounce of what I feel and I will walk away for good.”
“Arsen…”
“Tell me that you didn’t think about me even once since you saw me last?”
“Arsen, please…”
“Tell me you aren’t happy to see me right now?”
“Arsen, please!” Rory replied, much louder than she intended. He held her by the wrists, gently but with a hint of possession, his face much closer to hers than she had realized.
“Rory,” Arsen said sternly. ”What is this?” he demanded to know. His gaze was fire. His eyes studied her, looking for answers.
“I wanna be with you, Rory, now and forever. I want to love you for who you are. I want to love you more than anything else in the world. I want my entire being to come alive when you fix those eyes of yours on me. I want it to be just you and me, in our secret bubble, away from everything else in the world. ”
A wall came crumbling down inside of her, her eyes welling up as she finally saw the truth in his face, in his eyes, in his words. The ache of loneliness and turmoil left her heart. This man really did see what was special in her. This man really did see the side of her that everyone else did not. This man had not pressured her to be a certain way. He accepted her for who she was.
Rory didn’t wait for her thoughts to complete as she lunged at Arsen, who instantly lifted her up in his arms. Their lips intertwined. Even with their eyes closed, they could see each other and feel the great connection, the electrifying energy that one can feel at the start of a great love. This is really something special, Rory thought.
Rory exhaled with a sound as they split apart. Arsen was smiling. A smile of innocence, a smile of happiness on his face. The smile of a man who had finally won the battle.
“So are you going to help me with that T-shirt or not?” Arsen joked. Rory hit him playfully and leaned in to kiss him again.
“OH MY GOD!” They both turned at the sound of a voice. Lizzy was back in the shop and her jaw had dropped to the floor to see Arsen not just present there, but with his arms wrapped around Rory.
“Is this a dream? Is this what I think it is? Is it? Has it?” Lizzy was hysterical, her confusion answered with shy laughter from Rory.
“Yes, Lizzy. It’s true. Rory is now much more than just my T-shirt designer,” Arsen grinned.
“T-shirt designer?” Lizzy was still confused. The look on her face was hilarious and Rory couldn’t stop laughing.
Arsen turned to Rory and kissed her gently on the lips. A quick peck. He knew Rory would be embarrassed in the presence of Lizzy were he to launch into one of his delicious kisses.
“Aww. You two are the cutest. When you called me in the morning, I didn’t know you would be in Montcove so soon,” Lizzy said to Arsen.
“Wait, what?” Rory asked. “This is your doing?”
“Oops. Guilty as charged.” Lizzy smiled sheepishly. “I told you that he wasn’t like the rest of them. That’s why I’ve been in touch with him since we left LA.”
“You have?” Rory raised a brow and then looked at Arsen, who just shrugged.
“I owed you one. After all that you did for me, Rory, I just had to return the favor. I knew you were hurting without…”
“No, I was not,” Rory cut her off as Arsen looked at her with a self-satisfied smile. “Anyway, enough of that.”
Thankfully for Rory, Lizzy quickly changed the topic.
“I got some yummy food from Martha and I’m starving,” she said.
“And looks like we have plenty of food for you, too.” Rory turned to Arsen.
“But do you have room for me here?” Arsen asked.
“What do you mean?”
“The first time I was in your house, I fell in love with it. There was something about the energy here. I asked you to rent it to me but you declined. I hope you won’t this time?”
“I still don’t understand.”
“Rory, Lizzy—you guys are the first people I am telling this to. I left Insurrection and now I’m going to embark on a solo career.” His eyes gleamed. He is so happy, like a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders.
“Arsen!” Rory embraced him. “This is amazing. This is the best decision that you could’ve made.”
“About time, right? No more fights, no more unhappiness, and no more world tours. I might be starting from scratch again, but it’s better than working with someone who I can’t respect. ”
“Yes. That jackass does not deserve to even be in the same room as you,” Lizzy said, referring to Mickey.
“So Rory, can I…”
“Of course, Arsen.” She rushed to kiss him, not giving a damn that Lizzy was right next to them. “You can stay here as long as you’d like.”
“What if I never leave?” He winked.
“Even better!” she smiled.
As Rory carried the food from the kitchen to the drawing room, she saw Arsen and Lizzy setting the dinner table. This was her life now. A new art studio, a new life of financial freedom, and most of all—her own Prince Charming. The kind of love that happens in movies.
This is my family now, Rory smiled. She couldn’t believe that Arsen was here to stay. The idea of waking up next to him, the idea of spending nights in his arms, excited her beyond belief. This was just the first of the many more amazing days to come. The table was set and Rory had filled up their glasses with wine.
“Cheers to you two amazing ladies,” Arsen said as he raised his glass.
“To all of us,” Rory joined in.
“But most of all, cheers to Rory and Arsen. Finally!” Lizzy exclaimed, and they all laughed.
“Bon appetit,” said Rory and they all dug in to their plates.
The sounds of plates and knives faded into the background as the rain, in its typically loud fashion, started pouring down on the beautiful island of Montcove.
Epilogue
FIVE months later
Rory laughed happily as Arsen walked in the room and pushed her down on the bed, laying on top of her.
“How are you, gorgeous,” he said as he pulled her top down to kiss the upper skin of her chest.
“I’m trying to figure out what to wear to my fabulous best friend’s wedding,” she protested, but only mildly. She knew she couldn’t resist Arsen when he began to tease her body with his mouth.
“Mmm, maybe we should do that,” he said.
“Do what?”
“Get married,” he said into her chest. Then in one smooth motion he pulled off her dress, revealing the new bra and panties set she’d treated herself to when her T-shirt business had another ten thousand sales. “Ooh, nice,” he murmured and began kissing her nipples through the delicate lace.
Rory found it hard to think straight. He was sending the most delicious electric shocks through her body, but her head was reeling. Did he really want to get married? She grabbed his face and looked at him.
“Are you serious?” she asked.
“As a heart attack,” he answered with a gleam in his eye. “What do you say?”
“Oh my God,” she said as he ran his hands over the delicate frills of her thong underwear. His fingers hooked under the fabric and slid along it, gently teasing her.