Page 43 of When You Were Mine

“She didn’t back then. Why?”

“Well, how’s she going to get up north? We don’t have trains and hiring a driver to come two hours out here, four hours to Snaefellsnes, and then another two back to the airport isn’t exactly feasible. And she doesn’t need us to meet the concierge, so she won’t be asking for a ride.”

“So, Chris will offer her the use of a car.” He grinned because he might not be thinking clearly, but Darby sure was. “I like the way your mind works.”

“I doubt she’ll find a rental a few days before Christmas, so the only car she’ll be able to use is my grandpa’s old Land Cruiser.”

“Which is a stick.”

“Yep.”

“And you wonder why I said yes to your proposal.” Smiling, he pulled her into his arms for a hug. “In another world, we might’ve been great together.” Except there was no other world.There’s only the one with me and Elzy.In every universe, across every space and time, there was only her. “Thank you.”

She shrugged. “I didn’t really do anything.”

“You’ve stopped me from screwing it all up, and I appreciate it.” He headed for the door.

“Where’re you going?”

“To find her. I have to be where she is.”

Smiling, she shook her head. “You’ve got it bad.”

“She’s the only woman I’ll ever love.”

And nothing would stop him from winning her back.

Jess dropped into the chair by the window. “He’s such an asshole.”

Oh yeah? Then, why is your heart still pounding from the way he kicked the door open?

When would she ever get over this man?

“Okay, but that does sound kind of hot,” her sister said.

“What?” Jess couldn’t even pretend to be outraged because it really was. The thrill of that moment still rang through her body.

“Sorry. I mean, it’s bad.” Amber faked a stern tone. “He’s a very bad man. Shame on him.”

“Who the hell does he think he is?”Turning me on like that?

“He’s a man who lost the love of his life. And it sounds like he’s going for it.”

“Going for what? I’mengaged.” She popped up. “And for God’s sake, he’s here to plan hiswedding.” Every muscle in her body clenched, and her skin flashed hot, then cold. “If he thinks I owe him a second of my time, then he’s an entitled piece of shit. I’m here to do a job. Not go frolicking down memory lane with him.”

And yet, instead of checking out light fixtures and paint chips online, I’m freaking out about some dickwad who walked out on me a lifetime ago.

When her sister didn’t respond, Jess asked, “Are you there? Are you even listening?”

“Hang on a sec. I’m picturing you frolicking. Like, are you two holding hands and skipping down the street? Are you giggling, riding bikes downhill with your feet off the peddles? I mean, either way, it’s really cute.”

“Amber.”

“Fine. But can I just say something?” her sister asked, all humor gone.

“No.”

“No?Then why did you call?”

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