The Heart Between Us

by Lindsay Harrel

  Chapter 29

  July 27

  Blog Post Title: The Scariest Item on the List: Our Visit to the South of France

  Post Content:

  If I had any illusions of coming across as perfect (or fully sane) in this blog, they will be shattered with the writing of this post . . .

  Rain was in the forecast.

  She’d put it off long enough. They only had a little less than a week left before heading home. So today Megan had to tackle Amanda’s nineteenth item on the list: Kiss a handsome stranger in the rain.

  Megan stretched out on the padded lounge chair and watched the turquoise waves lap along the white sand of the French Riviera shoreline. Crystal had run off to grab a drink ten minutes ago and still wasn’t back.

  All around her, French residents and tourists alike read the latest magazines, chatted with friends in their bikinis, waded into the water, and drank champagne from crystal flutes. Sailboats and yachts dotted the horizon, going wherever the wind took them. The sun beat down from its mantel above, raining down bright hope for what the future would bring.

  And yet, Megan couldn’t help but feel despair rise in her chest. How was she going to do this? She was no flirt. Maybe if she channeled Crystal’s confidence. Her sister was naturally good at getting people’s attention.

  The worst part was . . . well, Megan had never been kissed.

  Almost kissed but not actually kissed. That moment in the London Eye with Caleb had been like fire crackling through her. Her whole world had tilted, and she’d seen it differently than ever before. She’d seen Caleb differently than ever before . . .

  How was she supposed to kiss another guy when Caleb was at the forefront of her mind?

  She picked up the big floppy hat Crystal had brought and placed it on her head, inhaling the coconut scent of her sunscreen. Megan couldn’t do anything if it didn’t start raining. She might as well relish this moment, so she closed her eyes. The heat plunged into her pores and deliciously devoured her, stopping all her thoughts and worries about what lay ahead.

  “Meg, wake up.”

  Crystal’s voice and a nudge to her shoulder shook Megan from her thoughts. Her body felt groggy, as if she’d slept. Maybe she had. She gazed around, her mouth cottony. People were abandoning their lounge chairs as drops of rain plinked from the darkened sky above.

  Oh no.

  “Let’s go to the cantina across the street.” Crystal pulled a pair of jean shorts over her bikini bottoms and pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head.

  Megan shifted to a sitting position and gathered her belongings. Together they headed to the cantina, where a blast of cool air hit them as they entered. Inside there were rustic brown tables surrounded by people seated in wooden chairs, and a large circular bar at the center. In the corner sat a patchwork couch, and the walls were decorated with splashes of red and orange, festive colors to keep the party going all day and night. The lighting was low, matching the mood outside.

  Crystal pointed to an open table in the back and they made their way that direction. As they squeezed through the crowd, Megan searched for a handsome man who might be willing to kiss her. What a joke.

  Good thing she hadn’t eaten much today, because her queasy stomach probably would not have been kind to her.

  And it was more than just the typical nerves over doing something so daring. Caleb’s eyes kept flashing in her mind, and they were wounded somehow. Kissing another man when all she wanted to do was kiss him seemed like a betrayal.

  And yet, it was on Amanda’s list, so it had to be done. Ever since Sheila Daily had suggested she publish the list in its entirety—for accountability and to build anticipation—readers had been excited to hear what would happen with this particular list item.

  And a growing dread had built in Megan at the thought.

  She bumped into Crystal, who had stopped abruptly at the table they’d seen. It was now being claimed by two handsome men in board shorts and no shirts. One had a wedding band on his left ring finger, but the other didn’t. He looked up at that moment and flashed a grin at Megan.

  If ever an opportunity could be called golden, this was it.

  “Come on,” she whispered to Crystal as she continued to move toward the table. Megan put on a smile of her own. “We were headed for this table, but it looks like you beat us here.”

  “Sorry. Crowded place.” The man with the wedding band took out a menu and started perusing.

  His friend swooped a hand through his blond hair. He was almost a dead ringer for a young Matthew McConaughey, with his tan skin and dimpled cheeks. “We’ve got room if you’d like to join us.”

  “We would, thanks.” Megan pulled out a chair next to the man and glanced back at Crystal, whose wide eyes displayed her surprise. Her sister took the remaining seat with a mumbled thanks. “Do I detect American accents? Boston, perhaps?”

  The non-married (or so she hoped) man passed them both menus. “Right on the money. Massachusetts, born and bred. I’m Greg, and this is Ryan. You’ve got an accent of your own. Midwest?”

  “Minnesota.” They shook hands. Greg’s handshake was firm, but it sparked a memory of another man holding her hands on a Ferris wheel high above London. She cleared her throat. “I’m Megan, and this is my sister, Crystal.”

  “I can definitely see the family resemblance.”

  “We’re twins. It’s not hard to see.” Crystal’s lips flattened, and she studied Megan with open displeasure. What was her problem? Megan had to get this item checked off her list, and she would have expected Crystal to be way more helpful than this.

  Megan turned her attention back to Greg. “Are you here for business or pleasure?” Megan took a lock of her hair and twirled it, something she’d seen other women do when flirting. Her own hair was a little short for the gesture, but maybe it didn’t look as stupid as it felt.

  Another grin fell across Greg’s perfect face. “We’re both lawyers seeing to a client’s interests here in the Riviera.”

  “Ah, so business then.”

  “Yes. But I wouldn’t mind taking time for a little pleasure too.” His wink sent Megan’s eyes careening to her menu and a blush to her cheeks.

  Beside her, Crystal harrumphed.

  “What about you? What do you do?”

  “My sister here is an architect, and I’m a library . . . Well, I’ll be starting a new job as an assistant librarian when I get home.” The day after they left London she’d called Kara up and told her the news. Megan just couldn’t think of a good enough reason to say no. Besides, there were a lot of pros to taking the job. She just had to be purposeful about pursuing her travel writing in her spare time.

  “I’ve always found librarians to be particularly sexy.”

  “Oh brother.” Crystal said the words under her breath, and Megan gave her shin a slight kick. Not that she could really blame her sister for the reaction. Greg was a bit over the top. But she needed a handsome guy, and he was here.

  A waitress came by, and they placed orders for the special of the day. Greg ordered a round of flights for the table, though Crystal refused hers. What in the world was up with her sister? Did Greg remind her of someone she didn’t like? Yes, he was an unabashed flirt, but there didn’t seem to be anything about him that screamed “creeper” or “serial killer.”

  Of course, that didn’t stop Crystal from flinging little barbs at him throughout their meal and asking him pointed questions. He let them roll off of him and refocused his attention on Megan.

  Megan, who, though it felt all kinds of weird and wrong, brushed her hand against Greg’s arm and her foot against his leg, who tilted her head and laughed when he told a dumb lawyer joke, who was stepping so far outside her comfort zone—but wasn’t that what this trip was all about, so Amanda’s dreams could come true?

  When they were finished eating, Megan leaned toward Greg. She had to be sure to get him alone so they could kiss in the rain, or all of this would have been for nothing. �
�Would you like to hang out for a bit? Alone?” Inwardly cringing, she forced the last word from her mouth.

  His wide grin told her he wasn’t opposed to the idea. “Sure. Let’s get out of here.” Greg reached for her hand and stood.

  Before Megan could move, Crystal grabbed her arm. “I need to use the restroom. Can you come with me, Meg?”

  Greg nudged Ryan, who had been texting or looking at his cell phone for much of the meal. “Women. They always need to hit the bathroom in pairs.”

  Ryan looked up and nodded, then swung his attention back to his phone.

  Megan stood and brushed her fingers against Greg’s hand. “Be right back. Can you meet me outside?” She felt utterly ridiculous.

  He looked toward the door. “It’s raining.”

  “I know. That’s kind of the point.”

  His eyebrows shot up, but the corners of his mouth twitched and he let out a staccato laugh. “Sure, whatever you’re into.”

  Crystal dragged Megan toward the restroom and shoved her through the door.

  “Ow.” Megan rubbed her arm. “What’s wrong with you?” The waiting area inside the restroom was tight, and they hovered near the paper towel dispenser.

  Her sister’s eyes flashed, and she threw her hands on her hips. “What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you? I’ve never seen you act like that before.”

  “Act like what? It was just a little harmless flirting.”

  Crystal rolled her eyes. “Flirting is one thing. Megan, do you know what that guy thinks?”

  “That I like him.”

  “That you want to sleep with him.”

  That queasy feeling roiled through Megan’s stomach again. “What? No, of course that’s not—”

  “I know that, obviously. But he sure doesn’t.”

  A toilet flushed in the small space, and a petite woman came out of the stall, her eyes darting between the sisters.

  They were quiet until she’d washed her hands and left.

  Crystal turned to face Megan again. “I’m assuming you’re trying to check that kissing item off your list since it’s raining. Am I right?”

  “Of course.” She would never act like that otherwise. Especially not with how she felt about Caleb.

  “You could have just found someone and said, ‘My sister dared me to kiss a cute guy in the rain. Want to help me out?’”

  Megan slumped against the wall. “I didn’t think about that.”

  “Now you’ve got to go tell that man you don’t really want to take him out into the rain to do who-knows-what. You just want a kiss.”

  The thought of kissing Greg now made her feel like running into one of these bathroom stalls and retching. Crystal must have seen the look on her face. She gentled her voice. “I can go tell him if you’d like.”

  For a moment Megan was tempted to let her. But this was her mess. She’d clean it up. “No, I’ll go.”

  “I’ll be inside if you need me.”

  “Thanks.” Megan left the restroom and weaved through the crowd until she reached the door. She opened it and saw Greg standing under the awning. When he caught her eye, his face lit up, but now she knew why. Could she still kiss him regardless?

  He grabbed her hand and led her around the corner to an alley, then wrapped his hands around her waist, backing her up against the wall of the cantina, where they were exposed to the sky but not much else. Whoa, he moved fast.

  The rain came down in sheets around them.

  Greg lowered his lips to her ear. “What did you have in mind for our little adventure?”

  She shivered and tried to wiggle out of his arms. “I’m afraid I may have led you on unknowingly.”

  He frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I only wanted to kiss you in the rain. Not . . .”

  Instead of loosening his hold, Greg pulled her even closer. This felt nothing like when Caleb had held her. Her lungs constricted, making it hard to breathe.

  Visions of Frank trying to accost her in the Peruvian hotel flashed in her brain. She’d only gotten away because someone had happened upon them. But right now there was no one else in sight.

  Megan pushed against Greg’s solid chest, but he didn’t move an inch. “Let go.” Her teeth began to chatter. “I want to go back inside.”

  “Why, baby?” He moved his hand, and it started to creep up her shirt. His fingers were ice on her stomach. “It’s fine. We can kiss.”

  Megan would get her kiss from a handsome man in the rain, but not like this.

  She wrapped her arms around Greg’s neck and yanked, bringing her knee up into his groin. He groaned and crumpled. She ran around the corner, slipping on the slick concrete but getting right back up. Then Megan fumbled with the front door to the cantina and stumbled into Crystal’s arms.

  Her breathing was heavy, but her heart felt strong. Because, this time, she hadn’t relied on anyone else to save her.

  She’d only needed herself.

  Chapter 30

  The proposal was perfect.

  Crystal sat back in her chair and stared at her computer. Here she was thinking she’d have absolutely nothing to present at the pitch a week from Monday, and instead, she had the ideal proposal. It hadn’t taken hours and hours of brainstorming or looking at architecture to unlock her inspiration.

  Instead, the joy of letting herself feel had pushed against the bridge she’d erected around her soul, washing it out with its gentle streams.

  Into it she’d poured the changing lights of the Taj Mahal, the longevity of the Roman Colosseum, the grandeur of Edinburgh Castle—and the whimsy of a girl in love. The community planned within the pages of this proposal would knock Jeff Lerner’s socks off. She still couldn’t believe the perfect combination of modern and old world had blended together in her mind to spark such creativity.

  But it hadn’t just happened in her mind. She’d let it penetrate her heart, and therein lay the difference.

  On the hotel desk, her phone vibrated. Though it was late here, it’d still be daytime in New York, so she wasn’t surprised to see Tony’s name on the caller ID—despite the fact it was Saturday. Somehow she’d convinced him to still consider her newest proposal, even though he’d been determined to go with Meredith’s. He was probably calling for an update.

  “Crystal speaking.”

  “Tell me something good.”

  “I just finished it.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. I’ve been waiting to see that proposal all week.”

  “Well, it’s done. Don’t get your knickers in a knot.”

  “My knickers?” Tony chuckled. “Where are you, London?”

  “Paris, actually. We just arrived this afternoon. Going to explore for a few days before heading home.” Then she’d have nearly a full week at home before the pitch on August 6.

  “I need to talk to you about that, actually.” Tony paused. “Mr. Lerner asked us to move the pitch up a week. To this Monday.”

  “As in the day after tomorrow?” No, no, no. Now that she had the perfect idea, she should be the one to present it.

  “Exactly. I need you to get on a plane as soon as possible. And don’t forget to send me your proposal so I can look it over and get everything prepared on our end. You just worry about getting here.”

  “I can’t. My sister is counting on me, Tony.” She’d made a commitment to see Megan through to the end. She couldn’t leave now.

  “I’m counting on you too, and I’ve been more than patient, Crystal.”

  She sighed. “I know you have but—”

  “And do I really have to remind you what’s riding on this? You versus Meredith. Senior architect. My reputation is on the line for backing you all these weeks while you’ve been gone. Don’t make me look like a fool.”

  “You’re killing me, Tony.” But he was right. She couldn’t abandon all her responsibilities at home just because she and Megan had made plans here. Crystal checked her watch. Perhaps they could squeeze in the last few bu
cket list items in the next twelve to eighteen hours and then she could hop a plane home. It wouldn’t be ideal, but at least she’d fulfill all her obligations.

  “I’ll be on a plane tomorrow.” She maneuvered her computer mouse and clicked to open an e-mail, attaching her proposal and hitting Send. “And I just sent you my proposal. I’m really proud of it, Tony. It’s . . . me.”

  “I hope so. Because Meredith has come up with quite a doozy herself.”

  The possibility of losing to Meredith still rankled, but her confidence in this proposal overwhelmed any fear she had that it would be rejected. “May the best proposal win.”

  “Atta girl. Let me take a look at this and I’ll dash off any questions I have to you before I leave today. Just make sure you’re back in the office early Monday. The meeting is at one. On second thought, tomorrow afternoon would be even better if you can swing it. Come straight here from the airport. Meredith and I will be here going over the final details.”

  “I’ll have to check with Brian.” It would be a Sunday, after all. And he wouldn’t appreciate her running off the moment she got home.

  Papers shuffled in the background. “Gotta run. Let me know when you land.”

  “Will do.”

  The call ended, and Crystal pushed back from the desk. This hotel room was more cramped than the others, but it had everything she and Megan needed. Outside their window, the most romantic city in the world called to her, life pulsing on the streets below. She took up residence next to the window and looked at the Eiffel Tower in the distance, stroking the pane and tracing the lights with her fingertip. How she wished Brian were here with her, experiencing the sight.

  “It’s pretty, isn’t it?”

  Crystal whirled to find Megan coming through the doorway.

  Her sister tugged off her jacket and threw her purse onto the bed.

  “Beautiful. Did you enjoy your evening?”

  “Yes. I can’t believe you missed the Louvre. I stayed until they made me leave.” Megan’s eyes were bright and her cheeks flushed. She seemed a lot better today than yesterday, when she’d had to fight off that stranger in the South of France. Crystal had marched outside, determined to kick the guy’s butt, but he still lay crumpled against the wall, groaning.