Page 75 of Hometown Girl

But he’d ruined it. He’d taken all of those years they’d spent together and turned them into wasted time.

Why, then, had she agreed to dance with him at the reunion “for old times’ sake”?

He’d slipped his hand around her, placing it on the small of her back as if he were comfortable with her, familiar with the curves of her body. Because he was. In a way nobody else was.

That night, as he held her on the dance floor, she looked up into his eyes, searching for a sign that he regretted what he’d done.

“You’re still so beautiful, Beth,” he said. “We had so many good times.”

She could smell the alcohol on his breath as he pulled her closer. “That was a long time ago, Michael.”

“But we were good together, weren’t we?”

She didn’t respond.

“We could be good together again—just for tonight.” He turned his face into her neck, lips brushing against her skin. “I have a limo.” His hands had crossed out of comfortable and into intimate. He held one of her hands to his chest, while his other one skimmed the outline of her body. “I know you miss me. I can see it in your eyes.”

Beth inched away from him and forced his gaze. “Is this what you’ve become?”

He loosened his grip on her, but only slightly.

“Or is this who you’ve always been?” Had she been too blind—too lovesick—too caught up in her perfect plan to see it?

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Her eyes scanned his, and she marked the moment in her mind. “I hope you have a wonderful life, Michael,” she said, severing the connection between them. “I really mean that.”

“Where are you going?” He had tried to pull her back, but she’d remained—as she always would—just out of his reach.

It was the closure she’d needed. And yet now, sitting across the table from Dina, her heart still ached knowing there was someone else in his life, someone he loved enough to spend forever with.

“Well, I’m glad to know this whole renovation thing is working out for you.” Dina’s words pulled Beth back to the here and now.

“You said yourself it was a brilliant idea.” Beth hated that a lump had formed at the back of her throat.

“It’s charming, I’ll give you that.”

“But you don’t think it’s brilliant anymore?”

“I didn’t say that.” Dina leaned back slightly in her chair. “Are you guys okay for money?”

“We’re fine,” Beth said—a little too quickly. Dina was the last person she wanted knowing about their financial struggles.

“Good. I’m glad.” She smiled again. Why couldn’t Beth find any trace of condescension on her face? Dina was famous for that. “You’ve sure got the town talking. Everyone is really excited about what you guys are doing for the community.”

The thought made Beth nervous. What if she let them all down? Again?

“Well, I should go. I have a meeting in the city this afternoon.” Dina scooted her chair back and stood up, lingering for a few long seconds, as if she didn’t want to leave.

“Thanks for stopping out.”

“Of course. And I’m serious about the ad campaign. Turns out, I’m pretty good at those.” Dina opened her sleek designer bag and pulled out a small white card. “Here. Call me when you’re ready, and we’ll put something together.”

“Thanks.” Beth took the card, hating that it was Dina whose kindness made her feel like a charity case.

As they stood on the front porch, Dina turned toward her. “Good luck.” She opened her arms, and Beth stepped into a quick but awkward hug.

Dina’s phone rang. “I need to go. See you soon!”

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