I tell Tyler I’m going to take a quick shower. His eyes meet mine and he says to take my time, he’ll be here when I get out.
I shower quickly, letting the cool water bring my body temperature down after my walk in the summer heat. When I get out, I find a pair of black cotton Gamecocks shorts and a garnet tank top. I pull a comb through my hair before tying it into a braid over my shoulder.
I emerge from the bedroom just as Tyler is depositing plates on the table. The TV is off and Tyler lit all the candles in the room. The soft glow makes everything very romantic. I sit at the table in front of my bowl and look down to see angel hair pasta with shrimp, a white wine and butter sauce, and loads of vegetables like broccoli, tomatoes, capers, onions, and zucchini.
My stomach growls in appreciation of my yummy smelling dinner and Tyler and I dive into our food. I eat a few bites in silence, enjoying that it feels normal, even though it’s not normal right now.
My curiosity finally gives in and I set my fork down in my bowl. “What’s going on, Ty?”
He looks at me, smiling, “I thought you might be hungry. I didn’t want to eat alone.”
He says it so matter of fact, like he’s telling me he breathed all day today. I catch the glint in his eye and I know he’s trying to get me talking. I’m willing to take the bait since I want things to be okay between us.
“Okay, well then, thanks. I was hungry, and I didn’t feel like cooking.”
Two can play at this game. I pick up my fork again and keep eating, enjoying every bite. I wonder if he’s taking cooking lessons without me because this is awesome.
After dinner I clean up the plates and put the leftovers in the fridge. Tyler helps, silently cleaning pans while I put things away, and then grabs two more beers before we go to the living room.
I can’t take it anymore, and the smile on his face tells me he knew I would crack. “What is going on? Radio silence for a week and now you show up and cook me dinner. I’m happy to see you, but I need to know what’s going on.”
Tyler lifts my hand into his and tucks his knee between us on the couch so he can face me. He looks as worn out as I’ve felt for the last week. It’s nice to know this has been hard on him, too.
“I’m here to apologize,” he begins. I start to interrupt, but he continues, “I was wrong to get so upset with you. I was still reeling from the whirlwind weekend in Louisiana and losing the baby, and I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. You didn’t deserve it.”
He can’t let me off so easy. It’s not fair to him to just accept that it was his fault. I know I should have called him. “I’m to blame, too. I’m sorry I never returned your calls. It was shitty of me. And you had every right to be upset last weekend. I can’t imagine what you went through, and I should have been there for you.”
“Thank you. So, do you want to watch a movie?” he asks. He switched gears fast.
“Seriously, that’s it? You’re okay with just that.”
Tyler squeezes my hand and brushes his lips against mine. “Yes, that’s it. I missed you, I was a jerk, and I’m sorry. You’re sorry too, you said so. I want to be with you Brooke. And I want to put this behind us.”
I exhale the breath I didn’t know was trapped in my lungs. “Okay. I’m good with that too. But one thing? If we fight again, can we talk about it? I don’t like going a whole week without talking to you. I know not talking to you is what started all this, but I missed you. If we are going to be a couple, I want to be able to talk through things.”
The corners of his mouth turn up and Tyler nods. “Yeah, we can talk. I should have called you back this week. Even if it was to tell you I needed more time. I’m still not over losing the baby, and I know there will be times when I need you there for me, but right now, I just want to be us again.”
I smile and nod. Tyler turns on the TV and finds a movie to watch. He pulls me close against him and it finally feels normal again.
Tyler grabs the remote and presses the mute button. I turn my head to look at him. “One more thing before normal can go on. I love you, Brooke.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes and I squeeze them shut, remembering this moment. I open my eyes again, seeing his beautiful face through blurry vision and say, “I love you, Tyler.”
His smile is clear, even through the tears. He leans down to me, sealing our mouths together. Tyler’s tongue tangles with mine and I reach up to his neck. He lifts me easily and carries me to the bedroom. Forget the movie, our bodies meet, and now we’re normal.
EPILOGUE - TEN MONTHS LATER
Tyler
Life couldn’t get any better than this. I really thought I was happy a year ago, but now, it’s simply blissful.
The sun is peeking through the curtains and I glance at the clock. I roll over and wrap my arm around a naked Brooke, nuzzling her neck. She moans against the intrusion and rolls onto her back. I lie my head under her arm and continue kissing her neck.
She smiles and tells me to stop, pushing me away half-heartedly. I roll back to her and climb on top of her. She reaches up and pulls me to her, filling my mouth with a passionate kiss. I slide inside her and we make love quickly, sleep still dancing around us.
Brooke slips out of bed and I watch her as the walks to the bathroom. The shower turns on a moment later and I wait until I hear the curtain close. Quickly I pull her gown from the closet and lie it on the bed, placing the small box on top.
I go to the bathroom and climb in the shower with her, my heart racing. We wash quickly, knowing we’ll be late if we don’t hurry. I turn off the water when we’re clean and hand Brooke her towel. I wrap my own towel around me and walk to the bedroom to get dressed. Brooke pulls her hair up into a twist within her towel.
She walks into the bedroom. I’ve just pulled on my khaki pants and I watch her as she goes to the dresser. She slips panties over her legs then covers her delicious breasts with her bra. She walks to the closet and pulls out the dress she planned to wear today. She steps into the dress and walks over the me so I can zip it up.
I guide her to the edge of the bed, gently so she doesn’t suspect anything. She lifts her hair so I can zip her dress and drops her chin to her chest. I hear her gasp and know she sees the box.
I drop to my knee once her dress is zipped. Brooke turns around, tears threatening to spill. When she sees me down on my knee, her hand covers her mouth and the tears trace lines down her cheeks.
I reach up and take her hand in mine. I’ve practiced for this, but I never knew I’d be so nervous.
“Brooke...” I take a deep breath. “The first day we met I knew you were someone special. I knew my life wouldn’t be complete unless you were a part of it. When you agreed to go out with me, my world started to fall into place. I know we’ve had a few rough times, but you’ve stood by me, and I’ve stood by you. We are better together than we could ever be apart. And I want to spend the rest of my life at my best. But I can only do that if you agree to be by my side. Brooke, will you marry me?”
She drops the hand covering her mouth and I see the smile that makes my world come alive. Brooke nods her head and I stand up, pulling her into my arms. I kiss her, holding her body close. We collapse onto the bed behind her.
After our second round of the day, my new fiancée and I finally manage to get dressed. We walk to the Colonial Life Arena for graduation. Our families and friends are planning to meet us after the ceremony so we duck in the back with the other graduates.
Brooke and I find Jen and our other classmates. We all stand together, talking about plans that we’ve already discussed countless times. Jen notices Brooke’s ring and screams. They jump up and down, and dance around. Jen hugs me and congratulates us both before announcing our engagement to the rest of our classmates.
I know how lucky we are. Of the sixty people in our program, only a handful have found someone. Brooke and I not only found each other, but found jobs where we can be together.
Brooke decided she wants to work i
n a school with kids. She’s secured a position at one of the elementary schools in the Charleston area, about twenty minutes from Paige and Dante. As for me, I was incredibly lucky and managed a job with the woman’s hospital, helping pregnant women, new mothers, and those dealing with the loss of a child.
In many ways, everything that’s happened over the last year got me the job. During my interview, the doctors asked me why I felt I was a good candidate for a position helping women overcome depression and loss.
When I shared my story about losing the baby, as well as my mother’s history, the doctors felt I was in touch with the reality of what I would be facing. I know helping others will allow me the chance to heal, but also to give hope to women who feel hopeless.
And it’s giving me the chance to follow my dreams, and help others.
Graduation passes quickly. Thankfully the speaker is engaging and gives great insight. Brooke and I sit together, holding hands, and I catch Brooke checking out her ring more than once. As we walk toward the stage, she turns and kisses me. I watch Brooke cross the stage, and then follow her.
I know, without a doubt, that I will follow this woman, wherever she goes, for the rest of my life. And nothing will make me happier.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary E. Thompson grew up getting lost in the world of fiction, but kept her feet firmly planted on the ground. After a responsible career in chemical engineering, she finally realized she would only be happy if she were writing, so she started. There have been many moments when she thought chemical engineering was easier, but she pushed through, knowing nothing worth doing is ever easy (to paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt). Now, living out one of many dreams, Mary is happy with her life, and anxiously awaiting every moment to come with her husband and two young children.
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http://www.MaryEThompson.com
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Other Titles by Mary E Thompson
Love On Deck Series
In Front Of Me, Book One
Available Now
Paige Stack is ready to have some fun. Out for one last hurrah with her two best friends, Paige is looking for a fabulous fling to forget her ex. What she finds is Dante, a stunning guy who promises to be more than willing to push every other man from her mind, and heart. Their five days together leave both of them wanting more, but the distance between them in reality stop a future from beginning.
Until Paige shows up to her first day of work and finds Dante sitting at the desk next to her. Will the magic from their fling carry over into real life? Can Paige trust a man again? Will Dante be the man Paige thought he was, or is he just another jerk?
Breathing For The First Time, Book Two
Available Now
Learning To Love, Book Three
Available October 1, 2013
Tiffany Wright has always focused on her career and her friends. Always the friend, and never the focus, Tiffany wants to find love for herself. And then Craig Meyer walks in.
Craig and Tiffany are paired together for their best friends’ wedding cruise. As roommates. Tiffany finds herself inexplicably attracted to him, but knows it’s never going to amount to anything since they live 800 miles apart. Their last night together, they share a passion that makes Tiffany want love in her life.
When Tiffany loses her job, she starts working with Craig, and lets herself imagine the love she lost. But Tiffany isn’t the only one with her sights set on Craig. Is Tiffany strong enough to fight for the man she wants? Will she finally go after what she wants? Is she really ready to love?
Finding Home
Available October 29, 2013
After walking in on her cheating ex-fiance’ Adaline Jameson heads south to her dad’s beach house, taking her best friend, Rosienna Walker, with her. The women are looking for an escape, but fall in love with the beautiful beaches of the small island of Shelly Isle. The men are pretty nice, too.
Adaline and Rosienna make Shelly Isle home, meeting the locals, settling into their new home, and getting chased by two of the town’s most eligible bachelors. As the women rebuild their lives, and their hearts, they find the courage to love again, and finally find home.
Wait For It
Available November 26, 2013
Cat Thomas is the only virgin left in River Pointe, New York. Or at least she feels that way. A moment of self doubt as a teenager made her commit to waiting until marriage, but now she wonders if it was the worst decision she’s ever made. All these years later, being a virgin is a much bigger deal, and finding ‘The One’ is even harder.
Ryder Hawkins is ready to escape his former life and looking for a quiet place to raise his seven year old daughter. He moves to River Pointe hoping to give his daughter a life he always wanted, stability and a loving parent. He only hopes he is enough for her.
When Cat meets Ryder, she thinks he’s just like every other man out there and doesn’t give him the time of day. Ryder quickly realizes Cat is different, and maybe she’s the missing piece of his life that could make him feel whole again. But can he capture her attention? And will Cat give up her commitment, or will she make Ryder wait for it?
More Than Adopted
Available December 24, 2013
Autumn Alexander has always felt like being adopted has defined her. Constantly in the background, even in her own life, she has let love pass her by more times than she can count. But Autumn is ready to take life into her own hands.
Autumn’s search for her birth family leads her to a truth she’s not prepared to hear, one that leaves her reeling. And there to save the day is her best friend, and man of her dreams, Ben Rogers. But when she needs him most, Autumn finds herself wishing it was her boyfriend, Nick Franklin, by her side.
Confused and heartbroken, Autumn has to find out which man she wants supporting her through it all. And whose heart she has to break. Autumn also needs to find out who she is, start living her life, and learn she’s more than adopted.
Excerpt From
Learning To Love
Mary E Thompson
CHAPTER ONE
Tiffany
“I can’t do it, it’s just too much for me. I really thought I could handle all of it, but I’m done. This way is so much better, and it’s such a weight off my mind. Plus, it’s really like me and Dante, right? I mean, we met on a cruise ship, it only makes sense that we should get married on one.”
Paige Stack, one of my two best friends, rambles on. I love Paige, but she’s been stressing over her wedding, flipping out because of all the plans. She calls me constantly, since I’m the planner of the group, but being 800 miles away, I haven’t been much help.
I think a part of me feels like if I could have been there for her she wouldn’t have given up on having a traditional wedding. But, Paige and Dante are not really traditional people. Oh, what the hell, another cruise will be fun.
I mentally return to the conversation as I hear Paige saying, “So Brooke and Tyler will be in one suite, you and Dante’s best man, Craig, will be in another one. We want to pay for y’all since we’re springing this on you. But the cruise ship won’t let anyone be in a room alone so you and Craig have to share. Is that okay?”
The hopeful tone of her voice tells me how important this is to her, but I am not looking forward to five days in a room with a complete stranger. Oh, man, what choice do I have?
“Does it matter if it’s okay?” I ask Paige, knowing I’m at risk of pissing off a very anxious bride who’s already cancelled one wedding.
I’m on thin ice asking her anything. She and Dante got engaged about six months ago and were going to get married on New Year’s Eve in Charleston. Paige has obviously lost it, but the date never changed. I knew something was up when I hadn’t received an invit
ation at Thanksgiving.
Apparently Paige and Dante needed to talk to their families, and wanted to do it in person. At Thanksgiving dinner last week, they sprung the change on their families. Dante’s parents live in Tennessee, where they visited first. Paige said his mom and dad were thrilled about going on another cruise. They were cruising to celebrate Mikaela’s, Dante’s sister, high school graduation when Paige and Dante met. We had just graduated college and were celebrating on our own.
His parents were excited about the cruise wedding, and happy to be going to some new ports for this trip. Paige’s parents were a different story.
Paige’s mom and dad divorced when she was in middle school. She and her two sisters stayed with their mom, but their dad remarried and has two boys. Her dad was all for the trip, and so was his family. Paige’s mom is unsure about being on a boat for days.
Dante talked Ronnie, Paige’s mom, into coming onboard, telling her it’s a lot of fun and that she’ll love it. I guess he channeled his inner planner and told her about all the activities onboard and the different shore excursions. She finally agreed, and their plans were set.
They obviously weren’t worried about me when they decided on this whole plan. Why in the world am I stuck with someone I’ve never met?
“Craig is a good guy, Tiff. I know this isn’t really a great situation for you, but We’ll keep you busy with wedding stuff and y’all will barely have to spend any time together. I promise. It’ll be fun.”
Breathing For The First Time Page 16