Chasing Trouble

by Sonia Stanizzo

  A knock sounded at the door and Gia, his assistant, poked her head around it to announce they were ready to start.

  “I’ll be right down.”

  She smiled, then left.

  He heaved himself off the chair, removed his suit jacket from the back of the seat and put it on, then tugged his tie and made his way downstairs to face the media storm.

  * * * *

  A ribbon was cut and cameras flashed. Dozens of questions were thrown Nick’s way, but he couldn’t remember any of them. He only hoped his answers corresponded with the questions.

  After the formalities were done, it was time to open the champagne, and waiters passed it out generously to the guests. He smiled and shook hands until he thought his face would crack. The atmosphere was electric, but he couldn’t plug into it, and a headache pounded at the back of his eyes. Would anyone notice if he slipped out quietly?

  Who cared if they did? He’d had enough of pretending he was happy. It was time to leave. When he decided to make his move and head toward the nearest exit, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. Annoyed that his getaway had been stopped, he sighed and turned to meet the laughing expression of Robin Parry, the CEO of a major car company.

  “You managed to pull off a great launch. But I’ll be more impressed if I see that you can actually sell anything as good as what we have.” Robin snagged two champagne flutes from a passing waiter and handed one to Nick.

  “You better be careful, we’ll be coming after you. You should be worried.” Nick raised the glass in a salute.

  Robin chuckled. “Ahh, Nick, always chasing the dream. I admire that, but will you get there? I don’t know.”

  Always chasing the dream. When it came to business, he chased until he got exactly what he wanted. It all started when he wanted to own the workshop in Sunland Valley. But that hadn’t been enough. He’d chased the dream of turning it into a caryard and having them in all major cities. He’d chased the dream of opening up a factory to make his own cars.

  The conversation he had with his mother before he left replayed in his mind.

  “I can’t keep chasing after her when she runs.”

  “When have you ever?”

  And that’s exactly what he let Ava do. He let her run off ten years ago without a fight. He never followed her demanding an explanation, instead choosing to believe the lie surrounding them. It had been easier to believe the deceit than believe in what they had. And like an idiot, he let her go again. If there was anything more important and worth chasing, it was Ava. He could have all the success and money in the world, but it didn’t mean shit if he didn’t have Ava in his life.

  His marriage to Kate never worked because he could never love her. Never love her because Ava had always filled his heart. And he knew without a doubt that a future with her was all he wanted. It had always been Ava and always would be. She was worth the chase.

  Handing over his untouched champagne to Robin, he excused himself. “I’ve gotta go. I have an even bigger dream to chase.”

  * * * *

  Ava glanced at the clock and willed for the time to pass quickly. Mrs. Johnston had spent the past half hour bitching about her two-timing, soon-to-be ex-husband and his new perky-tits girlfriend.

  “I want to take everything he’s got. I’m not leaving a thing for her to sink her acrylic claws into.”

  “Mrs. Johnston, we’ve already discussed how you’re dividing the assets. You were content with the decision.”

  “Well, that was before I found out about miss perky-tits.” Crossing her arms over her heaving chest, she tilted her chin. “Now you can rip up those documents and start again.”

  Blowing out a long, frustrated breath, Ava pinched the bridge of her nose. Thank God she never had to personally deal with this in her life.

  Glancing out the window, she could see the Williams caryard sign in the distance. Funny how for years she’d sat in this office and never noticed it before. Now it stood out like a neon light flashing in her eyes. Reminding her of Nick’s betrayal and how she was struggling to claw out of the dark pit she’d plunged into.

  “And if she thinks she’s going to live in the house that I paid for, she can think again.”

  Ava had zoned out, drawn into her own thoughts, and only heard the last of her client’s ranting.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Johnston, but I have another appointment. We’ll have to continue this another time.” She stood, walked over to the door, and opened it, giving the woman no other choice but to leave.

  When Mrs. Johnston left, she heaved a sigh of relief. There wasn’t another appointment, but she couldn’t listen to the whinging woman a moment longer.

  Walking over to the window, she stared at the sign, and her heart trembled behind her ribs. As much as she tried to squash thoughts of Nick from her mind, they were always front and center. She went to sleep thinking about him, dreamed of him, and woke up craving him. She’d hoped she’d only imagined falling in love. That it had all been caused by old memories and good times flooding back. But she couldn’t deny the feelings were real...strong. And that was why it hurt so damn much.

  “Ask yourself one question. Can you see a life without me?” The words echoed in her mind. The emptiness of not having him in her life consumed her and spread like a disease through her body. She was waiting for it to pass with time. This couldn’t last forever, could it?

  Like she always did when thoughts of Nick entered her mind, she threw herself into work, but after reading and re-reading Mrs. Johnstone’s divorce papers and not coming up with any solutions on how to adjust them—because she wasn’t starting again; she’d spent hours negotiating to get it to this point—Ava decided to put it away and deal with it tomorrow. In fact, all her cases could wait until the next day. She was too tired to do any more and would probably make things worse. With that thought in mind, she left the office.

  Walking to work this morning had seemed like a good idea. The sun had warmed her skin, and she could use a bit of vitamin D. She’d been cooped up at home or in the office for a month. The fresh air and sunshine would do her good. If only she’d checked the afternoon weather forecast. A storm had been predicted, and it happened to hit while she was only a few meters from home. Having no umbrella, the deluge of water soaked through to her skin. And when she thought things couldn’t get worse, a truck flew past, spraying her with muddy gutter water.

  Finally arriving at her front door and under shelter, she found two parcels wrapped in white paper leaning against the wall next to the door. One was labeled open first. The other labeled open second. There was no postage on them, so someone must have hand-delivered them.

  Unlocking the door, she picked up the square objects and took them inside. She was a little apprehensive about bringing something into her home when she didn’t know where it came from, but curiosity about what was inside won. It didn’t look too sinister. They were about sixty centimeters high and wide, and if she had to guess she’d say they were photo frames. Did Maggie drop off some photos? But why would she drop them off without telling her or leaving a note?

  Not able to wait any longer, Ava kneeled and tore into the paper labeled open first and gasped. Covering her mouth, she leaned back on her heels. It was the black-and-white photograph of the gazebo that had been hanging on Maggie’s wall. The one that she had loved despite the fact that the sight of the destruction made her heart ache. Hot tears burned behind her eyes, but she held them back. When she opened the next parcel, she did it slower and with more care. Her hands shook as she pulled back the paper.

  The gazebo that was once ready to be pulled down was now restored. The colored photo displayed a bright white structure standing strong and proud amongst a background of green foliage. A colorful array of daises bordered the edges, and baskets filled with yellow begonia hung from the beams. It was beautiful, even more so than what she remembered.

  Nick did this, she knew it. No one would have bothered repairing something that was ready to crumble.
Something no one used anymore. But the gazebo was her special place; a place she could go to and block out the world. Nick knew how much it meant to her, and he brought it back to life.

  The years of suppressing all her pain, fears, and sorrow came flooding out. The sobs she’d never let come out since her mother’s death ripped through her body, and tears fell like hot rain down her face. She sat on the floor crying for the loss of her mother, crying for the distance between her father, but mostly crying for the love she threw away with Nick. All because she let her insecurities destroy her trust in men. And at the first sign of trouble she ran away. Ran away from the only man she ever wanted to hand over her heart to and build a life with.

  A tiny part of her wanted him to have come after her. Hell, a big, fat chunk of her wanted him to fight for her. But why would he? In the last conversation they had he’d tried to explain why he’d kept her father’s secret, but she wouldn’t listen. All she could hear was another man letting her down. But she’d let Nick down by blaming him for keeping her father’s secret, and that wasn’t fair.

  God, she’d let go of the only man she’d ever opened her heart to, the one man she’d always loved. All these years she’d blamed her promiscuous father for her unhealthy relationships with men, and yes, it had played a big part. But it was losing Nick the first time that really caused her to close her heart and build a solid brick wall around it, giving no other man any chance. Because there could be no other man.

  “Ask yourself one question. Can you see a life without me?” Hell no, she was only fooling herself into believing she could.

  The urge to go to him pulled her up onto her feet. She needed to tell him she loved him, and she prayed his feelings hadn’t changed.

  Then she remembered he was in Singapore opening up the Williams factory. Well, if she was going to declare her love, she might as well make it good. So, if that meant flying to another country, that’s exactly what she’d do.

  A knock sounded at the door just as she was about to book the next available flight to Singapore. She didn’t have time to waste on visitors. Whoever it was, had to go.

  Before she opened the door, she glanced at her reflection in a mirror next to it and gasped with horror. Thanks to the rain and the truck splashing filthy gutter water over her, her hair hung in tangled clumps and her clothes were damp and dirty. The crying episode gave her blotchy cheeks, and mascara streaked down her face, giving her Alice Cooper eyes. She tried wiping the black smudges off her face but only made it worse, and the eyes staring back at her were puffy and red.

  The knock pounded again. Oh well, she looked like a wreck, there was nothing she could do about it now, and she opened the door.

  Standing on the veranda, with clothes rumpled and bloodshot, tired eyes, was Nick. Her heart trembled, and her knees shook. Not sure if she really was seeing him through swollen eyes, she blinked rapidly, but he still stood in her doorway. God, she’d missed him.

  “Can I come in?” he asked softly.

  A moment ago, she was ready to jump on a plane to pour her heart out, and now having him here only inches away, scared her to death. What if she couldn’t say what she really wanted to? What if she could but he didn’t want to hear it? He was here, at her home, surely that was a good sign? But his mouth was unsmiling and she couldn’t read anything in his clear blue eyes.

  “Can I come in?” he asked again.

  Moving aside, her hand shook as she gestured him inside.

  His gaze explored her face, and a frown creased his brow. “Have you been crying?”

  “Allergies,” she lied. It killed her for him to see the mess she was in.

  He cocked an eyebrow, and his full lips pulled into a flat line. Lips she was desperate to kiss. “Why were you crying?” Of course he didn’t believe her lame excuse.

  “Because…because…I love you, you big idiot. You send me the most gorgeous photos. And they made me cry like a baby, and now I look like crap. And if you don’t love me back, then you better leave right now, because I will not fall apart in front of you.” Too late...tears streamed from her eyes, and her body trembled.

  This was not the way she planned to profess her love. In her mind she was wearing the sexy, black Valentino dress she’d bought two months ago, hair and makeup was on point, and she’d articulate her feelings in a well-presented manner. Not the garbled bunch of words that spewed out of her mouth from someone who looked like a chaotic lunatic.

  Nick dug his hands in the pockets of his well-worn, faded jeans and glanced over at the photos she’d left on the floor. “You think I sent them?”

  Sucking a quick breath, she covered her face and groaned into her hands. God, I’m such a fool. “You didn’t?”

  “I did.” Stepping closer, he took her hands away, grinning with a sparkle of mischief in his eyes.

  “What? Oh, you’re such an arse!” She made to push past him, but he clutched both her wrists and tugged her to him, pressing their chests together. The vibration of his heart pounded against her.

  “I am an arse, for letting the best thing in my life walk away from me. Not once, but twice.” Pain clouded his eyes. “I know I don’t deserve you. I should never have kept that secret from you. I’m sorry. If I could change things, I would. But to hear you tell me you love me…” He dropped his forehead onto hers and drew in a shaky breath. “Makes me the happiest man alive. I love you, Ava. I always have and always will. You’re all I want.”

  A lump formed in her throat, making it difficult to talk, and the damn tears leaked again. So instead of speaking, she pulled his head down for a kiss that promised love and forever.

  When they broke apart Ava’s voice wavered. “I asked myself the question. I can’t see a life without you. I love you, Nick. I should never have blamed you for something that was my father’s fault.”

  “Let’s put that behind us, but promise me one thing. No more running?” He dipped his head to stare into her eyes. “If you do, I’ll only keeping chasing after you.”

  “No more running. You’re stuck with me through the good and the bad.” She glanced down at her wet and muddy clothes. “And this is kinda bad.”

  He laughed and pulled her in tighter. She would never tire of his strong, firm body against hers.

  “I’ll just have to put up with it,” he joked. “You can be covered in mud or cow shit and I’ll still love you.”

  “Aww, now there’s a man who understands how to romance a woman.”

  “You better believe it, Avi-baby. That’s only the beginning.”

  Epilogue

  One Year Later

  Fairy lights twinkled as they hung from the branches of the surrounding trees, competing for attention with the stars displayed in the ebony night sky. A soft breeze with a hint of Magnolia blossoms scented the air. The tables scattered on the grass were filled with food and drink and surrounded by their family and friends.

  Wrapped in Nick’s arms, Ava swayed in time to the string quartet set up inside the gazebo where earlier Nick and Ava were announced husband and wife in front of all the people they loved. It was the best agreement she’d ever made.

  “You seem a little quiet, Mrs. Williams.” Nick gazed at her.

  Would she ever tire of looking at that gorgeous face? She didn’t think so. Today his dark hair had been trimmed for the wedding, but she’d always love the unkempt farmer boy style.

  “Who said I was changing my name? You already convinced me not to sign a pre-nup.” She had to admit she was pleased he didn’t want anything to do with one. And she didn’t even feel sick about it. They were in this forever; she wouldn’t accept anything less. “How about Mrs. Cardona-Williams?” she offered.

  “As long as that ring stays on your finger, I don’t care what you call yourself.” Lowering his head, he kissed her softly. She quivered. “What are the chances of getting rid of everyone so we can christen this gazebo as husband and wife?”

  Glancing around the grassy clearing where a wedding marquee had
been set up, she watched her family and friends celebrating and couldn’t see anyone leaving anytime soon. “They don’t look like they’re going anywhere. We can always come back tomorrow and spend the whole day here.”

  Ava laughed at the disappointed expression on Nick’s face. Because she couldn’t wait a moment longer to be alone with her husband. Husband! She never thought in a hundred years she’d call a man her husband, and she loved the sound of it.

  She suggested, “Your ute’s not parked too far away. If we’re quiet, we might be able to sneak—”

  Without letting her finish, he grabbed her hand and they ran down the gazebo’s steps. “Let’s go!”

  About Sonia Stanizzo

  Sonia Stanizzo is a contemporary romance writer who lives in the beautiful South Coast of New South Wales with her childhood sweetheart/husband and their three children. When she’s not dreaming up stories about couples and their road to finding love, sometimes bumpy but always a lot of fun, she can be found taking pole dancing lessons (purely for the fun and exercise), reading, and writing.

  Sonia’s Website:

  www.soniastanizzo.com

  Reader eMail:

  soniastanizzo@gmail.com

  More Beachwalk Press Titles by Sonia Stanizzo

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  When the man you want to avoid is the one you really want, trouble is sure to follow.

  Gift shop owner Lauren Moore’s motto is ‘never trust a pretty face.’ Following a disastrous affair with a handsome celebrity, she’s vowed to never fall for anyone like him again.

  But when Australia’s sexiest ex-football player, Jack Henderson, barges into her shop late one night, displaying all the charismatic characteristics she wants to avoid, Lauren is unwillingly drawn to his seductive good looks and bad-boy smile.