by Sophie Stern
But I don’t say anything.
Because it wouldn’t be fair to either one of us.
What are we going to do?
He can’t drive to West Valley every weekend and I definitely can’t come out to Storm Haven. The mountains are beautiful, but living out here would mean I couldn’t attend mixers every night and do all of those other horrible tasks that I hate.
No, this is definitely for the best.
At least, that’s the lie I keep telling myself.
“I’ll miss you,” he whispers into my hair.
“Miss you more,” I say.
“If you ever need help with the boys,” he says. “I meant what I said. I’d be happy to help.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
“And you should hook up with some shifters in your city. See if they can help support you, too. Shifter kids require a lot of work. You know how they say it takes a village?”
“Yeah,” I smile. “I know.”
“You got this, pretty human. I believe in you.”
Then he pulls away, presses one last kiss to my forehead, and gets into his SUV. He starts the vehicle, backs up, and pulls out of the parking lot. And that’s it. I’m alone.
This is what we both knew was going to happen.
Literally.
Both of us knew that this thing between us was a short-term fling. It was just a couple of days of fun and adventure. The kids got to hang out with Spot and have fun shifting into their forms and back again and Heath and I...
I bite my lip.
I won’t say I fell in love this weekend.
I won’t say it.
It’s much too soon, and much too wild, but it’s completely unfair that I have to go back to my normal life now.
Because right now, leaving him is the biggest mistake I’ve ever made, and as soon as I get into my car and close the door, I start to cry.
Chapter Eleven
Heath
The next few days suck.
There’s no easy way to come down from the high of meeting someone you think could – and should – be your mate. Seriously. I don’t know how people meet someone they could adore and just fall head over heels for them and then walk away.
I’m a fucking idiot.
Even Spot seems lonely and bored without the boys around. He really liked having brothers in the house, even if it was only for a few days.
I finish closing on the property I purchased and I meet with an architect to talk about my plans for building. My entire week is filled with contracts and meetings and so many chores that I barely have time to do anything, let alone read.
It’s not until the following Friday night when I’m unloading groceries from the SUV that I spot my Terri Jones book I left in the trunk. I grab it and bring it inside with me. It’s a good night to finish finding out what happens to the bad boy and the girl he loves, so as soon as I’m done putting away the things I bought, I settle down on the couch with a bottle of wine and my book, and I open it up.
And then I stare at my book, blinking.
What the fuck?
This is an autographed copy?
I bought it used at a thrift shop a few weeks ago. I feel like I would have noticed it was autographed, but then I see that there’s a note above the scrawling script that reads Terri Jones. There’s a personalized message.
And it’s addressed to me.
Dear Heath,
Thanks for a great weekend. Couldn’t have asked for a better guy to rescue me. Part of me wonders how I’m ever going to return to reality after being beneath you for the better part of a weekend. I miss you already, and I’m never going to forget you. If you’re ever around my neck of the woods, give me a call. I’d love to see you again.
Love, Terri Jones
XOXO
Beneath the signature is a neatly printed phone number.
Her phone number.
Terri Jones’ phone number.
No, scratch that: Theresa Jones.
Holy dragons.
I slept with my favorite author.
The realization hits me like a ton of bricks. The woman I’m falling for – well, the woman I’ve fallen for – happens to write the most wonderful and romantic novels I’ve ever read.
And I let her walk away.
I stand up and start pacing because I’m a little bit horrified at what’s happened. How could I have done this? How could I have let her slip through my fingers?
It’s just that I thought she didn’t want anything serious.
No, scratch that.
I thought she didn’t want me.
So, what, I didn’t even try?
I really am dumb if I let my own fear and insecurities dictate the fact that I had a chance to love an incredible woman and instead, I let her walk away.
Well, fuck that.
Fuck sadness and fear and holding back.
I hurry over to my laptop and pull up her professional website. I don’t text her or call her. Not just yet. First I need to find out when her next professional appearance is going to be because I’m going to go sweep Miss Terri Jones off her beautiful feet.
And this time, I’m not going to let her go.
Chapter Twelve
Theresa
The networking mixer is filled with publishing professionals, other writers, cover models, and even personal assistants trying to drum up new business and find new clients. There’s so much going on that it’s a bit overwhelming to deal with.
In fact, it’s taking all of my energy not to turn around and run right out of the room. I should do that. I should just leave. The entire week has been awful. Since coming back from Heath’s, I’ve made some decisions. Namely, I’ve decided that after tonight, I’m not going to keep working with Em. She was one of the first PA’s I interviewed and at the time, she seemed like a perfect match, but I’ve realized that we’re completely incompatible and no amount of trying is going to change that.
I need to just let her go and find someone else whom I connect with. Having a personal assistant is a must. I have way too much email and far too many appointments to handle my writing business on my own, but I need someone who has the same vision for my career that I do.
Em is not that person.
“You look beautiful,” a woman says to me, coming in for a hug.
“Hey, Meg,” I reach for a fellow writer I know. Meg Darling is one of the sweetest girls in the business. I have no idea what her “true” last name is. So many of us use pen names that it all seems to run together, but it doesn’t matter because she’s really nice and really kind and really, really helpful.
“So, are we having fun?” Meg asks.
“Uh, yeah, sure,” I smile, sipping my cocktail.
Meg just laughs and shakes her head.
“Terri, you’re going to have to become a better liar than that if you ever want to schmooze,” she warns me.
“I know,” I sigh. “But I’m not much of a schmoozer.”
“I know,” Meg says, looking at me. “And this might not be my place, so please, totally forgive me if I’m stepping out of line, but why do you come to these events? I feel like you’d rather be writing.”
“My assistant keeps signing me up,” I grumble. It’s not a good idea to publicly complain about someone you work with. More specifically, it’s not a good idea to complain about someone who works for you, but, well, I’m at the end of my rope.
“Sounds like you need a new assistant,” Meg whispers. “If you need someone new, or you feel like mixing it up a bit, let me know. My girl, Jen, is fantastic.”
She slips me a card and I slide it into my phone case.
“Thank you,” I tell her.
“I appreciate that.”
“Anything for you,” she says. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s a chocolate fountain with my name on it.”
I laugh and wave her off. Meg loves chocolate. She’s actually known for having her characters eat just the most delectable things
in her books. You really should never read a Meg Darling book unless you’re prepared with at least a box of chocolates and a bag of candy. You’ll need them.
“Hey, what the hell was that?” Em’s shrill voice sounds from behind me and I turn to see her standing with her hands on her hips.
“What was what?”
“I saw Meg Darling slip you a card. What was it?”
“Em, no offense, but that’s not really any of your business.”
She frowns, furrowing her brow, and I get the feeling that Em is not exactly used to being told no. That’s probably what makes her an effective assistant, but it’s definitely not something that makes her any fun.
“I think it is.”
“Drop it.”
Em sighs and shakes her head.
“Terri – Theresa – I just want what’s best for you.”
“Cool, thanks,” I say, looking around the room. I really, really don’t want to fire her here, but if she keeps pushing me, I’m definitely going to lose my cool. I wish she’d read my body language and just leave, but of course, that would be too easy.
“Listen, there are some people I want you to talk to.”
“That’s great, and I appreciate you, Em, but I’m enjoying myself right now, and I don’t want to go to any interviews this evening.”
I already told her I wasn’t doing any interviews. This shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“But I promised them you would.”
“Why would you do that?” I made it clear that tonight wasn’t going to be an evening of interviews.” She’s lucky I even showed up.
“Hey, I don’t know if you’ve forgotten who I am, but when your manager lines up an interview, you go to it.” Em snaps, and I sigh. I really didn’t want to do this tonight, but apparently, I don’t have a choice. I set down my cocktail glass on a nearby table, and I turn to her. Her eyes pale as she looks at me.
“Em, this isn’t working.”
“What? What are you saying?”
“Consider this the end of our professional relationship. Send me an invoice for outstanding debts tomorrow and I’ll pay them promptly. Then do me a favor and never speak to me again.”
“What? Why?” Her voice comes out shrill and whiny, and I realize that she’s on the verge of making a scene.
Whatever.
Somehow, I just can’t bring myself to care.
“For starters, you’re not my manager. You’re my personal assistant. You’re not doing a lot of assisting, Em. You’re doing a lot of bossing around, and I’m very tired of it. I don’t want to be your doll author. You don’t get to decide what’s best for my career. I do. Now please, leave.”
She looks like she’s about to scream, but then she spots something behind me and I don’t know how it’s possible, but she gets even paler.
I turn around to see what she’s looking at, and now it’s my turn to be shocked.
Heath is standing there. He’s come to see me. Only, he’s not staring at me. Nope. He’s looking right at Em, and he doesn’t seem happy.
“Fuck,” Em whispers.
Heath comes over and stands next to me, but he doesn’t greet me yet.
“Emily, I’m surprised to see you here,” he says.
And that’s when it hits me. He’s talked about an Emily from his past, but this? This is her?
“You’re the one who cheated on him,” I say, turning back to her.
“What? No! That was a misunderstanding. What? How do you know about that?”
“You bitch,” I say.
Suddenly, everything around me seems to spin. I can’t believe that my personal assistant is the person who destroyed my lover’s life. Heath may not be my husband or my boyfriend, but whatever this thing is between us, it’s not over, and I can’t let the fact that she hurt him go.
“You don’t get to call me that,” she snaps.
“You need to leave. Now.” I hiss at her through clenched teeth. I will not punch her at a professional event. I won’t do it. There’s no way. I’m so fucking close, though, that my entire body hurts.
Em looks at me and seems to realize that I’m fucking serious. She also sees my clenched fists and notes that it’s taking all of my strength not to punch her. Oh, I want to. I really, really want to.
It’s just that I also want to be the bigger person.
She makes the right decision, though, and she takes off running in the opposite direction.
And then it’s just the two of us.
It’s me and him.
It’s everything it’s supposed to be.
It’s us.
I turn to him.
“Heath,” I whisper. I’m on the verge of crying because I can’t believe he’s here. How is he here? Why is he here? “What are you doing?”
“I found your note,” he whispers. He reaches for my chin with his finger and tilts it up to him. Now we’re staring into each other’s eyes, and I can’t look away. “Why didn’t you tell me who you were?”
“Would it have mattered?”
“No. It wouldn’t have changed how I feel about you.”
“You came for me.”
“I came for you.”
“How is this possible?” I whisper. “I thought you only wanted a fling.”
“I was wrong, Theresa.” Then he blushes and looks around, seemingly remembering my pen name. “Terri,” he corrects himself.
“I thought that’s what I wanted, too,” I tell him. “Turns out, what I really want is you.”
“Terri, being with you was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Well, that and watching you put my ex in her place.”
“I can’t believe she was my personal assistant,” I shake my head. “I had no idea what she did to you.”
If I’d known, I would have fired her a long time ago.
“It’s not your fault.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry I let you go,” he says. “I should have told you how I really feel.”
“Well,” I smile. “Here’s your chance. Shoot your shot.”
He laughs, and grabs me, and he pulls me close. My cocktail dress rustles as he pulls me close to himself. He’s wearing a suit, which means that not only did he come here to sweep me off my feet, but that he prepared himself ahead of time. That’s something incredible.
Then, instead of saying anything at all, he kisses me.
Deeply.
Passionately.
Publicly.
I hear cameras snapping, but I don’t really care. Let people look. Let them watch. Let them know that I, Theresa Jones, am totally in love with a mountain man.
And he came for me.
“I know you’ve been looking for a change,” he says, pulling back. “I could be that change. I’m building a house. You and the kids can live there with me. You can write, and I can help you raise them, and we can be together.”
I look at him and shake my head. Incredible. What kind of guy meets someone and is just totally ready for this?
“Are you sure?” I whisper. It’s a lot. Like, a lot.
“Do you believe in destiny?” He whispers.
“I’m a romance author, Heath. Of course, I believe in destiny, and true love, and fate. I believe in all of that stuff.”
“There’s a legend that each animal shifter has one true mate: a partner they are destined to be with.”
“And you think I’m your mate,” I whisper, realizing what he’s saying.
“I know you are.”
“How?”
“When I met you, my inner-bear just knew. Does that sound crazy?”
“No,” I whisper, shaking my head. I reach for him, cupping his cheek. “Because I feel the exact same way, and I don’t even have an inner-bear.”
He laughs, and he kisses me again, and this time, he doesn’t stop. He kisses me over and over and over, and finally, I pull away.
“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you, too,” he says. “Now and fo
rever.”
He takes my hand, and leads me out of the ballroom. As we leave the event, I catch Meg out of the corner of my eye. She waves and gives me a thumbs-up sign, and it’s really, truly wonderful. It’s the best feeling to know that not only have I found someone wonderful, but that my friends support me and want me to be happy.
“This feels like a fairy tale,” I tell him. “And we’re scurrying out of the ball before the stroke of midnight.”
“I’ve lived without you for an entire week,” he tells me. “I don’t want to be without you for a minute more.”
“Really?”
“Now and forever,” he whispers. “It’s you and me, Terri. It’s you and me.”
We leave the event, and as we make our way to his car, I can’t help but feel like I truly am the luckiest woman in the world. What started out as a camping trip evolved into so much more. I didn’t go on that trip planning to find love, but I did. I found true love, and so much more than that: I found a mate. I found a best friend. I found Heath.
And he’s everything I’ve ever hoped for.
Epilogue
Heath
Six Months Later
I’m standing on a mountain looking out over the world around me, and I can’t believe how damn lucky I am.
Who would have thought that this was where I’d find myself after everything that happened?
Who would have thought that after being betrayed and losing the “love” of my life that I’d actually find someone who made my heart soar?
Who would have thought I’d manage to fall completely head-over-heels in love with someone as fantastic as Theresa?
I look over at her. She’s sitting on a little picnic blanket with our sons, and they’re all laughing and eating together.
“Come join us,” she calls out, holding up a cookie. “We saved one for you.”
For years, I thought I was unlucky when it came to love. I thought that my world was crashing and burning and that I’d never be able to find someone who made me smile, but she proved me wrong. They all did.
Now, not only do I have a beautiful wife, but I have a fantastic family. I have three wonderful people who love me, and my heart feels full. I step down from my spot overlooking the world, and I look over at them.