Haley took a deep breath. It was going to be one seriously long day.
Thirty
Sullivan glanced at the radar detector and pushed the gas harder. Jensyn’s last text had told him that she’d convinced the waitress at a small-town diner to give them the slowest service possible. Jensyn had already tipped her before ordering.
He glanced at the GPS. It predicted an hour to get to the diner.
“I can beat that.” He pressed harder on the gas.
Time seemed to move in slow motion. He kept an eye out for cop cars and constantly checked the radar detector. It was his lucky day, as he had only had to slow down for a couple officers along the way.
Every so often, Jensyn texted him an update. Luckily, the texts showed up on his screen as an alert so he didn’t have to take his hand off the wheel to read them. The latest text said that she thought they’d be there another half an hour.
Sullivan’s GPS estimated he would arrive in forty-three minutes.
His pulse raced through him. He was so close. He could do this.
For the entire drive, he’d been thinking about what to say to Haley. It couldn’t be just that he’d made the drive. That wouldn’t impress her. He’d done something to hurt her, and her wounds ran deep. Whatever it was, he had to figure it out and make it right.
Every five minutes or so, Jensyn sent him another update. The race against the clock was growing more intense by the minute.
He came to a traffic jam. He slowed to forty, then thirty, then fifteen.
“I hope Jensyn has more ideas to stall Haley.” He squeezed the gear shift until his knuckles turned white.
Another text came in. Probably Jensyn saying they were leaving the diner.
It was from Logan, again asking where he’d disappeared to. He felt bad. Logan had to leave the campsite just to send him each text. As tempting as it was, Sullivan wasn’t going to text and drive. He’d just have to remember to let Logan know when he stopped.
Finally, the traffic picked up speed again. Sullivan had lost the headway he’d gained. He went as fast as he dared, darting around cars in each lane.
Another text came in. His heart sank. Haley and Jensyn had to be leaving the diner given how much time had passed. Jensyn’s message said that Haley was insisting on leaving, but Jensyn had one more plan to keep them there longer.
Sullivan hoped that would work. He didn’t dare go faster than he already was. After a few minutes, traffic picked up speed again, giving him the opportunity to increase his pace a little more.
His phone hadn’t received any new messages. That had to be good news. It meant that Jensyn’s plot must be working.
Finally, his GPS told him to take the next exit. Sullivan made his way to the far right lane and pulled onto the off-ramp.
A new text came in.
I cant hold her off. Sry.
Sullivan gritted his teeth. He was so close.
Just a few more turns.
He turned right at the light, but had to wait to turn left at the next one. He was tempted to run the red light since there was no oncoming traffic, but he didn’t. At long last, the light changed. His tires squealed as he turned.
The little diner came into view. Sullivan’s mouth went dry.
Haley’s car was parked in front of the door. It was backing out of the spot.
Sullivan needed to turn left. The light was red.
He was so close.
The light turned green. He sped through the intersection and squealed into the parking lot. He stopped behind Haley’s car, set the brake, and jumped out, waving his hands.
A look of shock registered on Haley’s beautiful face. Then her brows furrowed and her mouth formed a straight line. She got out of the car and slammed the door. “What are you doing here?”
Jensyn got out of the car and gave Sullivan a thumbs-up. Her mouth trembled like she was trying not to laugh.
Haley glanced back and forth between the two of them. She stopped at Jensyn. “What’s going on? Did you know about this?”
“Yes!” Jensyn burst out laughing. “I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not.”
“Me, too,” Sullivan said. “You wouldn’t answer my calls, so I drove all the way down here from my camping trip—which is farther north than Enchantment Bay, I’ll have you know.”
Haley gave him a double-take. “Why? Wasn’t I clear enough before?”
Sullivan stepped closer slowly. “We need to talk.”
“No.”
“Please hear me out. I came all this way.”
“So? You think I owe you now?” Though her words seethed with anger, tears filled her eyes. Pain and fear covered her expression.
He shook his head and took another step closer. “Of course not.”
“Then let us go. It’s a long drive to Grants Pass.”
“I’ll follow you there, then. We can talk when we get to your aunt’s house.”
She looked at him like he was crazy. “I won’t listen to you there, either.”
He stepped closer and took her hand. She shook, but didn’t pull away. A single tear slid down her face. Sullivan wiped it away with his thumb and let his hand linger. “I never meant to hurt you.”
Haley’s mouth trembled. She blinked and a tear ran down both cheeks. “Don’t. I can’t do this.”
“Why not?” He held her gaze.
She stared at him like she wanted to say something.
“You can tell me.” He wiped her tears away.
“I can’t.” She shook her head.
“Haley, I love you.”
She pulled her hand out of his and stepped back. “Don’t. Don’t do this.” She turned to Jensyn. “Get in the car. We’re leaving.”
Sullivan’s chest constricted. His mind raced. He had to convince her to hear him out. “Will you give me five minutes? That’s all I ask. If after just five minutes you still want me to leave, I’ll go back and you’ll never hear from me again.”
Haley wiped her eyes. “Don’t you get it? I don’t want a relationship—ever again. I’m done.”
“Five minutes.”
“You’re impossible.” She turned to Jensyn. “Both of you.”
“I’ll take that.” Jensyn smiled.
Haley turned back to Sullivan.
“Will you give me five minutes?” He stepped closer.
A look of defeat covered her face. “Fine, but don’t expect to change my mind.”
“Fair enough.” He cleared his throat. “But you’ll hear me out?”
“Five minutes.”
“Um, I forgot something inside.” Jensyn ran into the diner.
Sullivan held back a grin and kept his attention on Haley. “Do you want to sit over there?” He nodded toward a little bench under a plum tree.
“Sure.”
He took her hand and led her. They sat, and he faced her, keeping hold of her hand. “I’m sorry for everything, Haley. For losing my temper and saying things I didn’t mean.”
She didn’t say anything, but continued holding his gaze.
“You mean so much to me. Everything else pales in comparison.”
Haley swallowed and squirmed.
“I mean it, and believe it or not, I do love you. I’m not sure what I did to upset you so much, and it’s driving me crazy that I can’t figure out what happened. That’s why I left my camping trip—I couldn’t stop thinking about you. About us not getting along.” He paused, studying her, unable to tell what she was thinking. “What I’m trying to say is, it would kill me for us to part like this. If you really never want to see me again, I respect your decision as much as I hate it.”
Tears filled her eyes. Again, it seemed like she wanted to say something.
Sullivan squeezed her hand. “I’ve thought about this over and over, but I still can’t figure out what I did. One thing I did do wrong, though, was to make assumptions and not consider how much your past plays into who you are today.”
Haley flinched. “What do you mean?�
��
He took a deep breath. “I think my time’s almost up.”
“Keep going.”
His heart soared. She wanted to hear him out. He scooted a little closer to her. “I should’ve taken the time to consider how things would affect you differently. You’re like a precious gem that needs extra care, but then it shines brighter than all the rest. Haley, I’ve done a lot wrong when it comes to you, but I hope you’ll give me the chance to make it up to you.”
Thirty-One
Haley stared at Sullivan, trying to take in everything he said. Part of her screamed to run because he was only saying what he needed to in order to get her to do what he wanted. Another part of her believed he meant every word, and that he was different than all the other guys.
Her eyes misted as she stared into his hopeful eyes. She blinked the tears away. “Why did you say those things the other day? At the art studio?”
“What do you mean? I’ve been trying to figure out why you were mad at me.”
“Because of the things you said.”
His eyes widened with confusion. “What things?”
She cringed as his words ran through her head. “When you were on the phone. Y-you said I was ungrateful and that there’s no pleasing me.”
Sullivan’s brows came together. “I never—when did I say that? Honestly, those thoughts have never crossed my mind. Not once.”
“You said there was a list a mile long of things you’ve done for me.”
He glanced to the side, like he was trying to remember.
“I overheard you on the phone. You said all of those things and more.”
“The phone?” He turned to her, still looking perplexed.
“Outside the art studio.”
“The…? I was talking with Nancy—my secretary.” He paused and scratched his chin. “Wait. I was complaining about a client who was driving me nuts. Nothing I did was good enough in her eyes.”
Haley’s mouth gaped. Sullivan hadn’t been talking about her—he’d been talking about someone else completely. Haley’s face burned. She glanced away. “It looks like I owe you an apology. It sounded like you were talking about me, so I assumed…” She took a deep breath. “I just…” How could she explain how his words had hit her where she was weakest? She blushed hotter, deeply embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”
He put his fingertips underneath her chin and guided her gaze back to him. “It appears we’ve both made mistakes, and I’m really very sorry for mine.” His eyes were kind and gentle, like he meant what he said.
Haley’s pulse raced. What was she supposed to do now? She’d never received such a genuine apology. Was he really saying sorry with no strings attached? No bigger blowup coming later? She glanced around. He had no gifts. Maybe he meant every word. She wanted to believe him, but the part of her screaming to run was still fighting to be heard.
Sullivan pulled some of her hair behind her ear. “Are you willing to tell me why the necklace upset you?”
Everything spun around her. She gasped for air. Her fingers clenched the bench.
“You don’t have to if you’re not comfortable.” He leaned back.
She bit her lower lip. It was only fair for her to tell him. She took a deep breath and played with a nail. Her heart pounded like a jackhammer. “This is probably going to sound stupid—”
“Never.”
Haley glanced up at him. His eyes were still kind, full of… what was that? Love? She took another deep breath. “Whenever my dad gave us gifts as an apology…” Hot tears flooded her eyes, blurring her vision. She blinked, letting them fall to her face. “Those gifts always meant that a bigger blowup was coming. They were more of a warning than a nicety. I-I know you’re not him, but when you gave it to me…”
He wiped a tear from her cheek. “You flashed back to some of your most painful memories?”
Her throat closed up. She stared into his understanding eyes and nodded.
Sullivan pulled her close and wrapped his protective arms around her. “Now it all makes sense. I’m really sorry. I had no idea, and I would never do that to you.”
Haley nodded, not trusting her voice. She shook, and he rubbed her back.
“I only wanted to show you how sorry I was, and how wonderful I think you are. That backfired.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“At least I know what happened now.”
“I’m sorry, Sullivan.”
“Don’t be.” He leaned back and looked her in the eyes. “I’m sorry you went through everything you did. I can’t imagine growing up in a home like that.”
She frowned. What more was there to say?
“So…” He paused, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. “Will you give me another chance? I’ll do everything in my power to be the man you need me to be. I’ll spend each hour of every day trying to make up for all the injustices you’ve ever suffered.”
Haley stared at him in disbelief.
He ran the backs of his fingers gently across her jawline. “I mean it. You’re the most wonderful person I’ve ever met, and you don’t deserve anything that’s happened to you. It would be an honor if you would let me try to make it all up to you.”
“I… I…” More tears filled her eyes. Could he be for real? It didn’t seem possible, yet there he was, waiting for her response.
“Just stay in Enchantment Bay for the rest of the summer and see where this goes. No pressure. Let me pamper you and take care of you. I only ask for the rest of the summer—the time you were planning on staying in the first place.”
Haley threw herself into his embrace.
Sullivan held her tightly. “Is this a yes?”
She nodded.
“Good. I don’t want to make any assumptions.”
Haley laughed and wiped some tears away.
“Let me get those.” Sullivan leaned closer and trailed kisses along the path from her eye down to the corner of her mouth. Then he covered her lips with his, reminding her of their first kiss on the beach.
Thirty-Two
Sullivan walked up to Haley’s house, his hands feeling empty. It didn’t feel right—he wanted to shower her with gifts, but she was so much happier when he arrived without any. Over the last few weeks, she had really flourished. Now she had a new confidence and a bounce to her step. Nothing could have thrilled him more.
He lifted his finger to the doorbell, but before he made contact, the door opened. Jensyn smiled at him. “Haley’s almost ready. Wanna come inside?”
He stepped inside. “No eyebrow ring?”
She shrugged. Even her nose ring was now just a small diamond stud. “Just trying something new. Nice tie.”
Sullivan glanced down at the bright magenta tie his cousin Rafael had sent him for his birthday. “It’s my cousin’s creation—he’s a fashion designer.”
“I wasn’t knocking it. It’s super trendy.”
Footsteps sounded down the hall. Sullivan adjusted the tie and turned to see Haley. She was as gorgeous as ever, wearing a flowing lavender knee-length dress with a black ballerina pattern and tied at the middle with a black bow.
“You’re so beautiful.”
Her face lit up. Sullivan’s hands felt empty again. He wanted to hand her a big bouquet of flowers and a box of expensive chocolates. Instead he took her hand and kissed it.
She was wearing the necklace he’d given her. It was the first time he’d seen it since chasing her halfway across the state. It spoke volumes, and warmed his heart.
Sullivan cleared his throat. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, but I have something for you.”
“You do?” He tilted his head.
She dug into her purse pocket and pulled out a smooth gray rock. It had something inscribed on it. She held it out and he took it. The word Trust was in fancy script across the top.
Haley swallowed. “It’s hard for me to trust anyone, particularly a man, but I trust you.”
A lump formed in his throat. “Than
k you. I’ll cherish this always.”
She smiled. “You’ve done more for me than you’ll probably ever realize.”
He kissed her cheek. “I think I understand.” He took her hand, and they went outside to his car. They talked about a celebrity wedding Dakota was preparing for as he drove them to his parents’ home. All the Hunters were gathered for the weekly dinner, but this would be the first time he introduced Haley to his family.
Part of him worried she would be overwhelmed by the large group—his parents, two sisters, two brothers, and two brothers-in-law. But they were so welcoming, he was sure they would drive out any anxiety she felt. He was fortunate to be part of such a wonderful family, and he couldn’t wait to share them with her. It was part of his promise to make up for all the pain Haley had suffered.
When he pulled up to the house, the driveway was full of cars and the curb in front of the house was also packed.
“I didn’t realize this was a party.” Haley laughed nervously.
“Just my family. They’ll love you as much as I do. Okay, maybe not quite as much as me. But they’ll adore you. I promise.”
Her cheeks flushed. “I love you, too.”
That was the first time she’d said that to him. He cupped her face and pressed his lips on her soft, sweet mouth. She smelled of mint and citrus—intoxicating.
Someone tapped on the window. He sat back. “We should head inside.”
Haley nodded with a dazed look in her eyes. “I think you have some gloss on your mouth.”
Sullivan wiped it off and found some pink sparkles on his hand. He chuckled. “Thanks.” If either of his brothers had seen that, they’d have never let him live it down—not that he minded much. He got out of the car and opened Haley’s door. They walked up to the home he’d grown up in hand-in-hand. Excitement jolted through him. He couldn’t wait to introduce her to everyone. Sullivan opened the door and gestured for her to go in first.
Lively conversation sounded from the kitchen. Haley turned to him, her eyes wide. He squeezed her hand. “They’re going to adore you.”
She stepped closer to him as they walked into the bright kitchen that smelled of lasagna and garlic bread. Dakota and Freya were both laughing. Shale had his arms crossed—obviously, he was what they were so amused over. His mom stirred something in a pot and turned to them. Her face lit up. She came over to them, gave Sullivan a big hug, and then turned to Haley with a wide grin. “Welcome to our home, Haley. I’m so glad to have you here.”
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