One Sweet Day I Found You: A Sweet Romance Book 1

by Jillian Walsh

  “Yeah,” Courtney said, her voice a little too high-pitched. “Kira introduced me. It’s been great. They’ve been so nice, all of them. And Gia’s super nice. She’s new in town, too.” Courtney exhaled.

  “That’s cool.”

  “Look, Nick,” she started in. Courtney gazed into his eyes and her knees weakened further. “This has been killing me. Can we go somewhere and talk?”

  He stared at her for a second, searching her eyes, but not answering. Was he going to say no?

  “Yeah. Let’s go.”

  He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her gently through the crowd. For a minute, it felt like nothing had changed between them. Like they were at a party as a couple, making the rounds through groups of friends and strangers—laughing, talking, holding hands.

  But they weren’t. She might be truly losing him—at any time, once they started to talk. She had to make him see that the thing with Austin was all just a terrible misunderstanding.

  Nick led her away from the party to one side of the apartment building where there was a bench. It faced a long, grassy hill that led down to a narrow stretch of sand along the lake. He let go of her hand and sat down on the bench, and Courtney settled in next to him, both of them keeping their distance.

  They both gazed off at the lake in silence for a minute or two. Should she speak first? He seemed like he had something in particular he might want to say, leading her here with such assurance.

  But he stayed quiet. She waited another few seconds then took hold of his hand again, and spoke not to his face but to the emptiness in front of them. “Nick, I miss you so much.”

  His voice was calm and even reassuring. “So, let’s talk.”

  What was going on inside his head? She couldn’t read him right now. Her palms were sweating. She looked at him and he finally turned and looked her in the eye.

  “So, listen,” Courtney started again. “Last week—that was my ex-boyfriend you met. We broke up, like, nine months ago. He dumped me—hard. He cheated on me, with my roommate. It was horrible.”

  Nick interrupted. “Wow, that sucks. So how could you do the same thing to me?”

  “What?” Courtney said. “I didn’t. Nick, this isn’t the same. I didn’t cheat on you. I know it looked like that, but…” She let her voice trail off.

  Nick was unconvinced. “So, why was he at your place—overnight? And how am I supposed to believe you?” He pulled his hand away.

  Courtney stared at him, his face full of questions, and Nick went on. “I guess I assumed wrong, but I thought we were exclusive. I mean, we never said it, but I…I didn’t think we had to. It just felt like we both agreed on that.”

  “We were. We are! You were right—we didn’t have to say it. But I should’ve told you how I felt. I’m not seeing anyone else and I don’t want to see anyone else. Austin and I—we…” Courtney couldn’t bring herself to tell him everything yet. He sounded too upset. She had to bring him around first, get him to see where she was coming from. “He was in town for a bachelor party. It was totally by chance that I ran into him at The Anchor. We just talked.”

  She looked at him, her eyes pleading. “You have to believe me.”

  Nick listened, not saying anything. He scratched behind his neck nervously, still cautious.

  “See, he and I never even talked after what happened between us last year. I just ran off to Australia to get away from him—from everyone. So, when I saw him, I realized how badly I needed closure. I was still a mess inside about him—not that I missed him, just that I never got to tell him how horrible he made me feel and what that did to me. I was involved with him for nearly a year, so it was a big deal to me. I had to finally deal with it. And Nick, I didn’t go seeking this out. I was just out to have a good time with the girls. He was just there, and my past just came rushing back.”

  Nick studied the ground in front of them as the last of the daylight faded to dark. He didn’t say anything, but Courtney could see his expression softening.

  Courtney tucked some of her hair behind an ear. “And I know I never told you about him. I really should have. Maybe if I had you wouldn’t have reacted the way you did. It wouldn’t have come as such a surprise.”

  “I get that—how you needed closure.” Nick sounded reasonable. “But yeah, we should’ve talked about this before. I was blindsided. I mean, I told you about Regina and how much all of that screwed me up for a while. What if the shoe had been on the other foot? How would you have reacted?”

  Courtney considered that. If she’d have come to his place and found him there with his ex, she would’ve lost it, too. It would’ve been Austin and Alicia all over again for her. “I’m so sorry,” she said.

  Nick took a deep breath. “But then, why didn’t you just tell me about Austin that night? I got called out on a rescue all day. You could’ve just sent a text to say something was up and I would’ve called you when I got home. I would’ve been okay with it if you’d explained. But why did I have to find out by accident? That’s what’s killing me—you lied to me. And were you ever going to tell me? Or were you just going to pretend like it never happened and leave me in the dark?” He gazed at the ground, his shoulders slumping.

  Courtney didn’t answer. She had asked herself those same questions when she’d found Austin and Alicia together. Would she have ever found out if she hadn’t walked in on them?

  “I just don’t know if I can trust you.” Nick ran a hand across his face nervously.

  She had to make him believe in her. This wasn’t the same as her situation with Austin and Alicia. “I was going to tell you. But I was trying to get rid of him when you showed up. I didn’t want you to have to meet him. And I wanted to talk to you that night, Nick, but I never even heard from you.” Courtney was getting a little worked up now. “I mean—I get it that you’re called out and have to cancel sometimes, but I had no idea what was going on when I didn’t hear from you all day. It made me think I didn’t matter to you.”

  “That’s not fair.” Nick got defensive again. “I was on a water rescue. My phone was off all day—there’s no service on the lake. I didn’t want to wake you up that night when I got back. I figured you were asleep. That’s why I only sent an email.”

  Courtney stared into his eyes, frowning. “I know, and I’m sorry about that too. I shouldn’t have gotten mad about our date, Nick. I just wasn’t used to it. I know you get called out for rescues, so I gave you the benefit of the doubt all day, and I didn’t start to get angry until it got to be really late in the evening. I’m so sorry. It was really stupid. I should’ve trusted you. And I didn’t see your email until the next morning—after you came over.”

  Nick sighed. “It’s okay. I’m sorry I confused you. I should’ve just texted you back that night.”

  Courtney nodded slowly. “But, see, even if I had talked to you that day, and then run into Austin, I still would’ve needed to have it out with him. Honestly, this whole thing had nothing to do with you and me, except that it has everything to do with you and me. I had to get past my relationship with Austin to move forward with you. On some weird, messed-up level, I had to do it—for us.”

  Nick let that sink in before he answered. “Really?” He looked her in the eye. “Because that is pretty messed up.” He grinned, lightening the moment.

  She hadn’t seen those dimples in a long time. She took the moment to gaze with longing at the cut of his masculine jawline, his strong neck.

  Courtney laughed at his joke and accidentally let out the sob that had been stuck in her throat. She had to be sure he understood. “I know. It is messed up. But does it make sense?”

  Nick looked at the ground again. “Yeah, it does.” He looked back up at her, half a smile creeping across his face.

  She reached over and cupped his face in one hand, searching his eyes.

  “So did it work?” he asked. “Are you totally over this guy now?”

  “Yes, totally. I only want you, Nick. I only ever wanted yo
u throughout this mess—and ever since I first met you,” she said. “Austin’s just a friend now. He went from enemy to friend. Lost his hold over me. That’s all that changed.”

  He leaned in closer to her and Courtney inhaled his intoxicating scent, a duo of subtle woodsy and citrus flavors. She’d missed that scent, those eyes, that gaze, more than she’d even known. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry, Nick,” she said. “I just want you back.”

  He took her face in one hand and lifted her face to his. Earnestly, he kissed her on the lips. She kissed him back softly for several moments, and then more fervently, eagerly.

  Had she ever felt this way about someone? She didn’t think so. Was this what real love felt like?

  She pulled him in closer and he returned the feeling with a greedy, hungry passion, his hands in her hair.

  Twenty-Four

  Nick stopped and pulled back then looked her in the eyes. “Courtney, I missed you so much. So much.” His expression was pained.

  “I missed you too.” Emotion had overcome her. “I don’t want to be without you, Nick.”

  “I’m sorry I cut you off like that. I just—I just thought the worst possible things when I saw him there. I’ve been burned before. Some girls just…well, it hit a nerve, that’s all.”

  She kissed him again, this time with relief. “I understand.”

  Nick continued. “I’m sorry I cut you out like that. I had to turn off the tap completely for a while, just to get out of bed everyday. I couldn’t think about you with him.” He shook his head. “I didn’t know what to think. Can you understand that? This week has been brutal.” He gazed into her eyes with longing.

  “Yeah. I get it, but we could’ve had this back—so much sooner, if you’d have just let me talk to you.” She gazed at him. “You can’t cut me out like that. I don’t want to lose you again.”

  “You won’t.” He kissed her with more intensity then whispered in her ear. “I care about you so much, Courtney. I want you to know that.”

  “I feel the same way.” She threw her arms around him again and buried herself in the warmth and strength of his neck, and he held her there tightly.

  Abruptly, Courtney pulled away. “Wait.”

  “What is it?” Nick looked confused and sat back.

  She had to come clean. She had to tell him the last important detail. She could never fully move forward with Nick if she weren’t honest with him. She’d broken his trust. It had to be said.

  He searched her face again, and worry began to cloud his. “What’s going on?”

  “There’s just…” She looked away then back at him. “I…I have to tell you—something else,” she stuttered.

  Off in the distance, the first fireworks of the night began to light up the sky.

  Distracted, they both turned to look. A couple of spurts appeared, accompanied by a few quieter cracks and bangs. Soon, a sparkling red, white, and blue trail of flame ascended from the horizon, hissing as it rose. High over the lake, it burst into the sky with a magnificent boom.

  “Oh, my gosh! It’s so beautiful!” Courtney’s face lit up.

  Another followed moments after, and another, and another. They watched, forgetting for now that Courtney had just put a damper on the moment.

  Nick looked at Courtney, his expression sweet, happy. He put his arm around her.

  She rested her head on his shoulder, both of them with eyes on the sky. “Happy Fourth of July.”

  “Back at you,” Nick said, kissing her cheek.

  A few minutes later, Nick sat up again and gently pulled some hair away from her face. “Hey, what else did you want to talk about?”

  Courtney sat back. She was going to ruin the moment if she told him now. She watched nervously as another set of firecrackers lit up the sky.

  She couldn’t lie to him.

  Still, she couldn’t bring herself to sacrifice this moment—not yet. She couldn’t get enough of Nick—she’d only just gotten him back. “It can wait a minute. Let’s just enjoy the fireworks first.”

  She put both arms around his firm shoulders and the heat between them rose as the sky thundered with fire. Nick kissed her back, everything else forgotten for a few precious moments.

  Finally, Courtney pulled away. It was time. She couldn’t go on lying to him.

  “Okay, so, I have to tell you something,” she began again, this time forging ahead before she lost her nerve.

  Nick sat up. “What is it?”

  “Austin kissed me that night. He didn’t know about you at the time—he thought I was single. But I was so upset, about him, about you—I thought you’d blown me off all day. I just forgot myself for a minute. It came out of nowhere…” She paused. “I kissed him back.”

  Nick was speechless for a few seconds, his jaw dropping. Confusion crossed his face. “But—you just said—nothing happened?” He ran a hand back and forth across his mouth and chin, contemplating her words.

  “It was only for a couple of seconds. I stopped as soon as I realized what was happening. I swear. I wanted it to be you, there with me.”

  Nick looked stricken. He stood up and paced once in front of the bench. “But it wasn’t me.” He twisted up his face. “And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” He sounded angry.

  Courtney swallowed. She felt sick to her stomach. This was not coming out right. “Nick,” she began again softly, “No. It meant nothing. I swear. It was only—”

  “But—” he cut her off, louder. “How could you do that to me, after all you just told me? You just said you didn’t cheat on me.” He rubbed his forehead. “And how could you leave that part out until now? I mean, what the…?” He looked around, searching for words.

  Another boom filled the night and the sky lit up with brilliant electricity. They heard the excited oohs and ahhs from the crowd around the corner at the party. Courtney rubbed her forehead. He didn’t get it. It was nothing.

  “Nick, you don’t understand,” she begged. “It wasn’t like that. I pulled away from him—right after it started.” Her eyes welled up with tears. “I wanted to tell you before. This was really hard for me to say. I was so wrapped up in having you back. Please.” Her voice cracked. “Please, Nick,” she croaked. “I’m so sorry!”

  Nick snorted in disbelief a few times. Courtney sat there, holding back a sob.

  He stared at the ground. “Don’t worry—I understand,” he said dryly. “I understand perfectly. I never should’ve trusted you.”

  He stared at Courtney for a long moment, his eyes filled with pain. She stared back at him, pleading.

  “There’s something I should’ve told you, too, by the way,” he said. “I’m moving back to Chicago in the fall.” He tore his gaze from her, turned, and stumbled off into the darkness.

  The pitter-patter of soft raindrops started on the roof of the Camry as Courtney drove down Victoria’s driveway to the guesthouse. She’d just picked up some groceries at the local market. Once again, not yet twenty-four hours since her latest disastrous conversation with Nick, she had little appetite. Still, even the last bit of cereal in her cabinet was no good without milk, and a bowl of cereal was one of the only things she’d been able to contemplate eating today, even if it would be for dinner.

  She noticed a long stretch of dark clouds in the distance, looming above the lake, as she passed the big house and parked outside the cottage. She turned off the car and sighed. A quick check of the weather app on her phone revealed rain for the rest of the afternoon, plus three more days of it on the way. Great.

  It was July fifth, and she’d woken up not only to an awful headache from too many pink margaritas, but also to a pair of swollen, bloodshot eyes, once again. Her talk with Nick had been painful enough, but his last-minute announcement had nearly knocked the wind out of her. She was going to be here through Christmas and New Year’s, if not longer, if Beecham asked her to stay. Nick was supposed to have been here indefinitely.

  But now?

  She thought they�
��d have more time. His decision probably had something to do with her behavior lately. He hadn’t mentioned any of this before. She fought back tears for the seventh or eighth time since she’d gotten out of bed.

  Sniffling, she slid the phone inside her purse to protect it from the rain. With a heavy canvas grocery bag and purse over her shoulders, she climbed out of the car and hurried to the cottage. Inside, she placed the bag and the purse on the kitchen counter and went back out for the second bag.

  A quiet cry sounded amidst the raindrops, and she stopped to listen. What was that?

  It came again. Meow.

  Ash.

  She glanced around the yard, at the trees where she often saw him harassing the birds and squirrels, and peered down toward the marsh. Where was he? Surely, Victoria would want him inside if it was going to rain all evening?

  Courtney peered across the driveway to the house. Ah. There he was, on the porch, scratching at the front door.

  Courtney would just go drop the groceries on her counter, throw the milk in the fridge, then head over and ring the bell at the big house. Victoria must not be able to hear Ash crying. She often had the television on a little loud at this time of day. It would be a good chance for Courtney to check on her, anyway. She could ask her if she’d stayed up for the fireworks last night.

  A few moments later, Courtney stepped up onto the long covered porch and inhaled the fresh scent erupting from Victoria’s pink hydrangeas across the humidity of the warm afternoon. She lowered her umbrella. “Well, hello there, Mr. Ash,” she said in her best baby talk, approaching the cat. “Are you locked out?”

  His fur wasn’t too wet, but he stood on his hind legs, pawing at the door. “Oh, let’s not do that, Ash. Victoria doesn’t want her door all scratched up, now does she?” Courtney reached down and petted him across the back, and he dropped down onto all fours. She rang the doorbell.

  Ash swatted his tail anxiously, but no answer came. Courtney could hear the television. It was turned up loud. She rang again. Nothing. She knocked. Still nothing.