Page 27 of Austen, Edited

Chapter 15

The whole experience was almost out of a fairy tale, and the only thing Abby worried about was if she’d be satisfied with tomorrow after all the fun of the night. As much as she’d protested for Tiffany to just let her wear one of the dresses she already owned, she felt amazing in the purple gown with the tulle sleeves Tiffany had worn for her high school senior prom.

Seeing Greyson all dressed up in a suit had nearly caused her to trip as she walked across the parking lot. Spending the evening on his arm was something she’d only dreamed of before, but being there, the twinkle lights decorating the deck of the boat and the candles on each of the tables on deck gave the whole affair an intimate vibe. The boat left the dock and started out on the open water fifteen minutes after Meg and Parker showed up. The last few rays of the sun setting left a beautiful mixture of pink, orange, and nearly purple in the sky.

“Have you ever been on one of these?” Greyson asked, placing his napkin on his lap. They were seated at a table for four people, along with Carson and Ruby Carver.

The other two shook their heads, and Abby did the same when he glanced over at her.

“What about you?” Carson asked Greyson, leaning his arm over the back of his wife’s chair.

“No. I was supposed to once, but something came up.” He didn’t look Abby’s way, only fidgeting with the silverware next to his plate.

Abby remembered that all too well. He’d been set to go on a dinner cruise with Hannah and her parents after they’d been dating for a few months. Abby had found him at their hideout, panicking about the entire ordeal. And she’d encouraged him to go, even though it nearly killed her to push him in the direction of his girlfriend. It was right before he’d packed up and left for Princeton, and the heartbreak had been nearly complete. Like a coward, he’d waited even then, until he was loading his car later that week, to tell her he was leaving.

But then Abby had left the hideout, needing to drive away to clear her thoughts. She’d made it onto the highway before someone sideswiped her and she’d been sent to the hospital. Like the idiot she was, she’d left Greyson’s name in her phone as the emergency contact. She’d been grateful to wake up and see him next to her in the hospital, but even a major concussion hadn’t changed his plans to leave or his relationship with Hannah, only delayed things for a few days.

As Abby thought about it more, that was probably the reason he’d stopped trying to contact her. Hannah had been more than jealous, claiming that if he really loved her, he wouldn’t have rushed off at a phone call. That had been a red flag for Abby, but Greyson had been too blind to see it at the time.

A server placed salads in front of them, and Abby was surprised at the delicious combination of flavors. She was used to using packaged salad drowned in ranch, but the raspberry vinaigrette with red onions and cucumbers was delicious.

“Wow, this is really good,” Carson said with a broad smile. He seemed to be a relatively happy guy with all the excitement he exuded. Tiffany knew all the couples here, each person having gone through the Love, Austen program in one aspect or another, and of all the people she’d ever talked about, Ruby was one of the people Abby had always wanted to meet. The fact that she was married to Abby’s favorite hockey player was a bonus.

The idea of a couple who’d broken up several years earlier, reuniting after a reality dating show, was something that did her romantic heart good. If only it were that easy for her.

She looked to the side, studying Greyson through her lowered lashes as she took another bite of her salad.

Shaking off those thoughts, she turned to their table guests and smiled. “Ruby, I’ve heard a lot about you from Tiffany. She said you’re an accountant?”

Ruby dabbed at her lips with her napkin and nodded. “Yeah, I’ve had my own firm in my home for several years. The benefit to that is now I can travel with Carson to his away games. Although the Stanley Cup is usually happening right around tax season, so that will be a little crazy whenever the Breeze goes to the playoffs.”

“Where is your next game, Carson?” Greyson asked, taking a bite of lobster.

Carson took a drink and smiled. “We’re heading up to Ottawa. That’s a big one because they’ve got a great team this year.”

“You’ll be fine. I’ve seen you skate, and it’s definitely better than your rowing skills.” Greyson chuckled, the sentiment catching on around the table.

Shaking his head, Carson said, chuckling, “I’ve seen you row, and you might want to stick with your day job too.”

Abby couldn’t help but laugh, the action freeing all the tension she’d been carrying around for the last few weeks. They continued dinner and held a toast from Parker to Meg, causing tears to form in Abby’s eyes. The whole idea of a surprise dinner cruise birthday party was something she found romantic.

After birthday cake and pie, Abby strolled over to one of the railings that lined the edge of the boat, staring out at the nearly darkened sky. The cool, crisp autumn air was perfect after a humid day, and all the feelings swirling around her made it easier to relax because of the atmosphere.

Something jabbed into her arm, and when she turned, she saw Greyson grinning at her only a few inches from her face. He leaned over the railing as well, looking down into the dark water.

“Here you are. I thought I’d lost you for a minute.” His voice was soft, sincere, and it pulled at Abby’s heartstrings. She’d always had feelings for this guy, but it seemed they were even stronger than before. So much for passing that test of getting over him.

“I’m just enjoying a quiet minute,” she said, pulling a loose piece of hair away from her face as she gave him a small smile.

He stood up straight, raising an eyebrow as he asked, “Do you want me to leave you alone?”

Abby shook her head, looping her arm through his and leaning her head against his shoulder. It was something she’d done a lot growing up, and she’d missed being able to do it for the past while.

“No, stay here.” She placed her other hand on his upper arm, breathing in the sea air and his cologne. The noise from the rest of the group could barely be heard, and she didn’t want this moment to end. It was as if all of her dreams had combined to form the perfect night out with the guy of her dreams. She did everything to push the feelings of what could happen in the future away, trying to concentrate on the moment right then.

She shivered at one point, and Greyson turned, pulling her into his arms. Why was it that this was the one spot she felt really safe, respected even? Glancing up, she saw Greyson looking down at her with a somber expression.

“What are you thinking about?” she dared to ask, tilting her head a little to block the bright light on the boat behind him.

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