by Sonia Parin
“You left a huge gap in my life.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“I felt your absence. It was both horrible and good. I tried to fill up that empty feeling by going through the conversations we’d had and the times I’d encountered you and then I’d snap out of it and notice you weren’t there.”
“I thought about you too. And... again, I’m sorry. When I left, everything happened so quickly. I didn’t know it then, but I had a lot to sort out, decisions about my life to make. I seemed to be living it for everyone else but myself. A few moments before you arrived I thought you might not want to see me again, but I didn’t think about packing up and leaving. I’m here to stay, Eddie. And again, I’m sorry I broke your heart.”
“Okay,” she said after a while. “Well, it’s not really okay. You should never have listened to Joyce.”
“It’s very hard not to. But for the record, I never set out to hurt you. And,” he drew her back slightly, “You should have known better.”
She nodded, and then she narrowed her eyes. “Hang on, are you trying to make this my fault? You left—”
“And I sent you flowers and gave you a puppy.”
“And I was supposed to read some sort of message into that?”
He sighed. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“You don’t sound sure of yourself.”
“I didn’t know where I stood with you. What you might want. Really want. As far as I knew, you were done with me. So I decided to think about what I wanted.”
“Done with you?”
“When I called to say I was catching the first flight out, you didn’t have much to say.”
She shook her head. “From the start you told me you were only here for a brief stay. While I wanted you to be the man who would turn his life upside down for me, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“Why not?”
“B-because...” she floundered. “I couldn’t. I can’t force someone to want me. Some people can’t compromise...”
“Eddie?”
She scooped in a big breath. “Remember how I told you I’d traveled once?”
He nodded.
“I went to... meet my mother.”
Theo didn’t push for more. He could tell this wasn’t something she talked about often.
“She left shortly after I was born.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I’m not telling you this to gain sympathy. After having four children, she decided she wanted a different life. She’d always put it down to post partum depression. But a few years ago, she contacted us. After all this time, she’d come to terms with herself... and her decisions. She needed to admit to us that she’d only been thinking of herself and that in a moment of sheer selfishness, she’d packed her bags and left.”
“That must have been hard for you to hear.”
“Strangely, no. She explained that she’d only been able to walk away from her children because of my father. She knew he’d take care of us. And he did.” She pressed her hands against his chest. “What I’m trying to say, Theo, is that she wanted a different life. She wanted to travel, to see the world. Living here made her miserable. You’re used to another lifestyle—”
“Eddie. When I got off the plane in Melbourne, I felt like I was coming home.” He laughed. “In fact, the moment I boarded my flight, I started breathing easy. I could relax... I’ve never had that feeling before. It has nothing to do with a particular place. It has to do with you being here. I’ve seen the world and I can get on a plane, preferably with you by my side, whenever I want to.”
“You’re serious?”
“Since I’m the one who broke your heart, is there any chance I could fix it?”
Her eyes shimmered again. “And make it better?”
“That would be my aim. Yes.”
She tilted her head. “How are you going to do that?”
“I’ll find a way. I’m hoping there’ll be plenty of opportunities… over lunch, dinner... breakfast.”
“In that order?”
“In whatever order you like.”
“Yeah, sure. What about the plane you no doubt have to catch? You say you like it here now...”
“There isn’t a plane. I told you, I’m staying.”
She tilted her head back. “Until the novelty wears out.”
“Do you think your heart could mend in that time?”
“Eventually, I guess it will. But what about afterwards? Once you fix my heart, I’ll need regular maintenance, so it doesn’t break again.” She shook her head. “No, I think I should take a chance and patch it up myself. I can’t ask for lifelong guarantees.”
“Why not? I’d like to.” He saw a spark of hope light up her eyes. “Eddie, I’ve tried settling down in the one place with one person. It blew up in my face when she fell in love again with her ex. I didn’t have any trouble picking myself up and moving on. But this is different. I can’t begin to measure how I feel about you. It doesn’t compare to anything I’ve ever felt. If you have feelings for someone else, if you’re holding on to a missed opportunity and wondering what might have been…”
She cupped his face and pressed her lips against his. “I am. With all my heart.”
He frowned.
“I’ve spent all this time telling myself I had too much to do and couldn’t spare a moment to think about wanting to see you again. But it was all I could do. I thought about everything I’d miss out on, like having an argument with you over nothing. Or nudging you awake in the middle of the night because... just because.”
His phone rang. He ignored it.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?”
He shook his head. “I’m busy.”
“It could be important.”
“It can wait. Whatever it is, someone else can take care of it.”
Then a hard fist pounded on the front door.
“I told you they’d come after you.”
“Don’t move.” Theo sighed and went to open the front door.
Mitch was leaning against the doorframe. “Is it all sorted out now? Or do I have to stand out here all day waiting for you to come out?”
Eddie’s arms wove around Theo’s neck. “Go away, Mitch. Can’t you see we’re busy.”
Mitch growled. “Oh, crap. You’re going to make me wear a monkey suit.”
“He hasn’t asked me yet. But he will.” Eddie reached past him and eased the door shut. “Now, where were we?”
“I think I was saying I’m staying, no matter what.” He looked up at the ceiling, and then back down at her. “We’ve covered the contingency plan, I know you like those. So in case you decide to run away, I’ll come too. What else is there to discuss?”
“Maybe we should stop talking.”
“There’s an idea.” He brushed his lips against hers and smiled. “We could reconvene in a few months’ time to discuss... what comes next. Although, you should know, I won’t take no for an answer.”
Epilogue
“I can’t believe you kept this a secret from me all this time.”
“I’ve had fun doing it.”
“You’re really serious about this.” Eddie stood in the middle of the vacant store that had once housed a wool and quilting craft shop. It was now six months since Theo had returned from L.A., the trip he’d made with Ben so he could meet his father. “And you expect me to be your partner.”
“You said you loved me.”
Right after he had, and on bended knee.
On his return, he’d given her a diamond ring and only six months to get used to the idea of marrying him.
She shook her head. “I can’t believe you want to open a restaurant.”
“There’s a gap in the market. We’ll fill it. It’ll be fun and you can have a new project to focus on. You’re always threatening to quit your job at the pub.”
“Yes, but… I don’t see you running a restaurant. Sitting in one, wiling away the time, yes, but runni
ng it…”
“It’s called delegating, Eddie.”
“And what about your parents. How will they survive without you as their manager?”
“They’ve been doing it all these months. Besides, I can keep tabs on everything from this end. And, if they really need me, they know where they can find me. Now, we need to think of a name. Something elegant. Posh.”
“Bull. It would never work in these parts. Then again… Actually, that has a nice ring to it.”
“What does?”
“Posh and Bull.”
“This is supposed to be a brainstorming session.”
Eddie watched Theo, standing with his hands on his hips, his gaze skating around the empty store, until it settled on her.
He shook his head. “No. No. No.”
“I like it. It’s us. I’ll trade you the white tablecloths for the name. It’s grown on me now.”
“I never mentioned wanting tablecloths.”
“You were about to say you wanted peach,” she teased.
“I’d never choose that shade. If I did, it would be damask.”
“White linen. And that’s my final compromise.”
He shook his head. “Fine. Posh and Bull and white linen table covers.”
“Hang on, that was too easy.”
“Consider it a gift. I always get to have my way with you.”
Remembering exactly how he had had his way with her the night before, she smiled. “Add it to the non-negotiable list.” She bit the edge of her lip. “Actually, I nearly forgot. You need to add Wilbur. If we’re going to set up house together and open a new business, then you might as well know I don’t go anywhere without Wilbur.”
“Wilbur?”
“He’s my stuffed toy.”
“Fine.”
“Okay, I’m done. Give me the pen and I’ll sign the lease.”
“Posh and Bull,” he said under his breath. “It seems like I’m making far more concessions than you. And you still haven’t told me what Eddie stands for.”
“I will. Someday. As for Posh and Bull. Admit it, the name’s growing on you.”
“Actually, it is.” He smiled and handing her his fountain pen, he turned so she could use his back as support.
Eddie immediately signed the agreement. “Now you sign.” She turned in time to hide her smile.
“So, do you sleep with Wilbur or does he sit in a corner of your bedroom? I’m not sure how I’ll feel about a stuffed toy watching us.”
“Wilbur is used to hanging high on the wall, so I’m thinking—”
“Wait a minute. Wilbur?” His voice thickened and rose. “The boar? In our restaurant?”
“The ink’s dried, Theo. There’s no backing out now. I’m going to be co-owner of Posh and Bull, and I’m going to marry you. It doesn’t mean I’m going to change. I have to remain true to myself and—”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
* * * * *
For updates and tidbits on the characters appearing in this story, as well as updates on upcoming releases, please visit soniaparin.com
Keep reading for an excerpt from Her Perfect Mismatch by Sonia Parin
Her Perfect Mismatch
Sonia Parin
Copyright © 2015 Sonia Parin
Chapter One
When Elizabeth Charles spotted the sign on the store window, she knew her bold move was about to be tested. If she passed, she’d embrace her new life in Eden. If she failed, she’d return to Melbourne with her tail tucked shamefully between her legs.
“No one said this would be easy.”
Over the last twenty-four hours, she’d made three major decisions that would impact the rest of her life. Each one had been validated by no less than ten solid reasons to justify her leap of faith, and as she’d agonized over each one, she’d felt a massive weight lifting off her shoulders.
She had to do this for herself. No excuses, no apologies because the alternative meant sticking around until she was replaced by a newer, much younger model. Younger than twenty-seven?
“It’s a sign,” she insisted as she drove around the block. Turning into the main street again, she slowed down and stopped behind a car that appeared to be idling. Before she could think better of it, she steered her car, front first, into a parking spot, killed the engine and leaped out onto the sidewalk, her focus on the quaint store window that beckoned her in.
This wasn’t just a test of her commitment to moving on. This new life she craved demanded the ultimate act of defiance.
Puff Donuts.
Elizabeth didn’t care if they were only a poor imitation of the famous croissant like donuts she’d heard so much about. She was beyond reason now. A couple of years before she’d lived across the road from the New York bakery which had first introduced the delightful pastries to the world, but she hadn’t been allowed to indulge because she’d been on a tight leash...
That was then, this is now.
Her stomach perked awake with the sort of demanding growl that refused to be pacified by flourishing a stick of celery under her nose.
“If you’re serious about doing this—”
She was. Absolutely. And, yes, she’d do it. She would shed the last soul wrenching vestiges of her previous life with an overdose of sugar and never look back again.
* * *
“Girls, zip it for a moment and listen up. There’s a right way and a wrong way of doing this.” Mitch Faydon smiled at the twins sitting in the back seat of their mother’s people mover.
Cocooned in safety features, he thought wondering if his reputation could withstand the damage. When Miriam Stewart had called that morning to ask a favor, she’d known Mitch couldn’t say no. The women of Eden had him eating out of their hands. Well, he had news for them. As of last night, he’d sworn off the lot of them and the sooner they realized that, the better. But that was neither here, nor there. Right now, he needed to focus on the twins. “You’re never too young to learn, girls. Make sure your car is in the right position, then check your mirrors, look over your shoulder and slowly reverse—” Mitch slammed his foot on the break, his eyes narrowing on the car that had come from out of nowhere and was now occupying his parking space. He growled under his breath. “Girls, cover your ears.”
“Why?” twelve-year-old Aimee asked.
“Just do it.”
“Are you going to swear because that lady took your parking space?” her sister Belle asked.
“You were dawdling. Mom says never to do that. In life, you have to be decisive,” Aimee said.
Mitch unclenched his jaw. “We’ll find another parking space.”
“That’s called a strategic retreat. Our dad is very good at it,” Belle said.
“I’m too hungry to go searching for the culprit. Even if she was in the wrong. And she was.” It just wasn’t worth it. This wasn’t about backing down. This was about giving himself some breathing space. He’d chill out for a while. Hang out with the boys. Leave the women of Eden to their own devices. Everyone knew him as the go-to-guy for a fun time. Well, no more...
As he drove around the block, Mitch couldn’t help thinking he was going about this the wrong way. Why should he stop enjoying—
He brushed his hand across his face.
He was the injured party. He’d been used. He’d been cheated on...
The words felt like canon shots in his mind. It was now or never. He had to fire up his determination. Stick to his guns. But first, he’d regroup. He might even redefine himself. He’d never set out to become the bad boy of Eden—
“The other parking spot was right outside the café,” Aimee complained.
“Don’t be such a wimp. It’s only a short walk. We can work on our appetites. Come on, I promised your mother I’d feed you breakfast.” He took hold of their hands and tugged them along the main street and toward Joyce’s Café.
Everyone had made an early start getting into town, making the best of the last days of summer. Heads tu
rned. People smiled and greeted them. More heads turned. Someone had the gall to stare at him with her mouth gaping open and he was sure he saw a cell phone pointed in their direction.
Yes, time to show the women of Eden there was more to him than met the eye. The local high school English teacher had gone to Melbourne for the day to visit her mother in hospital and she’d entrusted Eden’s bad boy with her precious twin daughters for the day. The news would spread in no time. And he might as well cash in. Parade the twins from one end of the main street to the other, let the whole world see he could be a regular guy too.
“Look! That’s her,” Aimee said and pointed toward the café. “The parking thief. Are you going to tell her off?”
Mitch swallowed back the growl he felt swirling in his throat and propelled the girls inside the crowded café. As they strode in, he sent his gaze toward the offender. She sat with her back to the door, her strawberry blonde locks tied into a knot at the nape of her neck, her long fingers tapping on the table. She looked to be on the verge of making a major decision. Either that or she wore her guilt with frustration.
“Take a good look at her, girls. She’s the type who gives all women a bad name.”
“Are you sure you want to have breakfast here, Mitch?” Belle’s big brown eyes filled with empathy. “She pierced your male ego.”
Her sister Aimee rolled her eyes. “Mom’s been listening to one of her audio books in the car and Belle’s picking up all this nonsense, well, that’s what dad calls it, right before he disappears into his man cave. Do you have a man cave, Mitch?”
“It’s not nonsense. Men are complex, multi-layered, sensitive—” he tugged on their hands. “Come on, let’s order some Puffy Donuts,” he said hoping to steer their attention away from him.
“Puff not puffy. And what exactly are they?” Aimee asked.
He wasn’t sure but if Joyce had gone to the trouble of advertising them, they’d have to be good.