Page 16 of #Resort Romance
“You okay?” he softly asked.
“Mm-hmm.”
“You’ve been quiet ever since we got back here to the resort.” For a few moments, he let that statement just hang there. “I get it, you know. This is a hard trip for you and while I’m sure having distractions is great, some of them can also be painful reminders of what we’ve lost.”
How was it that this man knew her so well? That he could always tell what was on her mind? It had always been that way—even all the way back when they were kids. Back then, she never gave it much thought, but now it was both a blessing and a curse.
At least…that’s how it felt.
After quietly sighing, she nodded. “I kept thinking how much Mom would have loved catching up with everyone tonight. One of her favorite things was going out and enjoying good food with friends. She used to love trying new places and surrounding herself with people who made her laugh and smile, so…this would have been a perfect night to her.”
Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he replied, “Then it’s something you should do to honor her memory. You know she’d hate it if she thought you were sad when everyone around you was having a good time.”
“Maybe, but sometimes it’s just hard.”
They walked in companionable silence as the cabins came into view. His family had gone to their cabin about an hour ago, but she and Jayce had stayed behind at the lodge and listened to the jazz trio that was playing in the bar. Honestly, it had been a wonderful evening and she hated how she was letting herself get sad.
Again.
And Jayce was right about her mom hating it for her too.
Now it was her turn to squeeze his hand. “Okay, I’m done focusing on things I can’t change. From this moment on, I’m here to enjoy myself and the place that holds nothing but great memories for me.”
He lazily nudged her shoulder. “For what it’s worth, I think that’s a good idea. And I don’t want you to feel pressured to hang out with me and my family. I know it all just sort of fell into place yesterday and today, but if there’s something you already had planned, I don’t want to stand in your way.”
“Are you kidding me?” she asked, followed by a small laugh. “You are saving me from myself. I made the decision to come here to the resort without an actual plan. Honestly, I should have just come up for the day, scattered mom’s ashes, and left, but for some reason I booked our usual vacation. Well, half our usual vacation. My therapist said it was a good idea and I felt like I could handle it. So really…I should be the one saying you shouldn’t feel pressured to hang out with me. Obviously your trip was well-planned with your family for your grandparents’ anniversary. I’m just like some kind of intruder who’s tagging along.”
Jayce came to an abrupt stop and hauled her in close. Even in the moonlight, she could see the fierce expression on his face. “First, you are not an intruder,” he stated gruffly. “We have known each other since we were five years old, Kelsey. Hell, you’ve spent more time with my family than most of my relatives. And as for tagging along, do you not get how much we want you with us? How much I want you with us? With me?”
“Jayce, I…”
Strong hands gripped her shoulders, giving her a slight shake. “Kelsey, do you have any idea how much I regret the way things ended between us? How many times I’ve kicked myself for not coming back here and seeing you? Or…” Muttering a curse, he released her, immediately raking a hand through his hair. “I should have called you! I should have let you know how much you meant to me!”
As much as she appreciated what he was saying, she couldn’t let him take all the blame. “I could have called too! This wasn’t a one-way relationship,” she countered. “We used to call and text and then…we didn’t. We’re both to blame here.”
His hands were back on her. “Don’t you think it’s fate that we’re both back here at the same time? I mean…what are the odds of that? This place is closing, neither of us have been here in years, and we both show up on the same day?”
Her heart was racing as she nodded. “I…I thought so too, but I’ve been consumed with so many other things that I was almost afraid to let myself think too deeply about it.” She hungrily took in the sight of him—the dark hair, the stubbled jaw, and the lips that she desperately wanted to kiss. “So much of my life lately has been about either sadness or survival that I can’t seem to let myself believe that something good is possible.”
His expression softened. “I can’t even imagine how hard things have been for you, but I am promising you right here, right now, that while we’re here together, everything’s going to be amazing.”
She didn’t mean to roll her eyes, but she did.
A little.
“You can’t promise that.”
Nodding, he leaned in, resting his forehead on hers. “Challenge accepted.”
“That wasn’t a challenge,” she said, unable to hide her amusement. “I’m just saying…”
“And I’m just saying,” he countered. “I’m a firm believer in the power of positive thinking.” Placing a kiss on the tip of her nose, he added, “And I’m positive that we are going to have an amazing vacation together.”
“I want to believe that…”
“Then do it. Believe it.” Taking her hand, they continued walking until they reached his cabin. “We can start on the amazing right now. Last night, it was pure torture to be the good guy and keep my hands to myself.”
“No one asked you to. If memory serves…”
