Page 96 of Blue Hawaiian
“You two are the biggest idiots on the planet. Why make these absurd rules? If you wanted her, you should have told her right away. Forcing her to wait three months was a complete waste of time.”
He raked his hand through his hair. “I realize that now. But in my defense, I wanted to get my life together. So did she.”
Victoria gestured with her wineglass. “You know, everyone thought I hadmylife together. Rich fiancé, great job, extravagant Christmas wedding. And today it all exploded in my face. So, my point is…” She stared at her glass in confusion. “What was my point?”
“That life throws you curveballs?”
“Exactly. So, don’t wait for the perfect time to tell someone you love them. Do it now.”
“I tried calling her tonight. To see if we were still on. But she didn’t answer. I’m worried something might have happened to her.” He didn’t want to torment himself with worst-case scenarios, but with Jess’s luck, anything was possible.
“At least she wasn’t flying this time. But you’re not giving up. Right? Just call her tomorrow. I’m sure she’ll have a good explanation.”
When she put it that way, he felt like a tool. He was acting as though their entire relationship was riding on this one perfect reunion. But perfection wasn’t something he or Jess had ever achieved.
“Right. I’ll call her tomorrow. Unless you think a grand gesture would work better. I could rent a limo and show up at her mom’s place dressed in my tux. Or track down a giant boom box and serenade her with her favorite song.”
She held up her hand. “Stop. I’m not even going to ask why you’re so well-versed in ’90s rom-coms. But whatever you’re thinking, don’t do it. Grand gestures are obnoxious.”
“But—”
“Trust me on this. Just tell her you love her. And that you don’t want to spend another minute without her. That’s more than enough.”
He gave her a grateful smile. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“You bet.” She raised her wineglass in a salute. “Oneof us has to get their happy ending.”
Chapter 38
By Jess’s reckoning, the drive to Big Bear should have taken two hours. But when her phone’s battery gave out, she had to pull over and retrieve the worn map her mom had stashed in the glove compartment. As she got back onto the freeway, an overturned big rig delayed her trip another hour. By the time traffic picked up, her check engine light came on.
Damn it.
Her bad-luck gene was kicking into gear.
She took the nearest exit and parked at a gas station. When she couldn’t figure out the problem, she was tempted to turn back. But she didn’t want to let Connor down.
That is, if he hadn’t given up on her already. By now, he might consider her a no-show. Or be annoyed she’d failed to tell him she was running late. But she had no way to reach him.
At this point, all she could do was keep going.
She didn’t make it to Big Bear until nine. Finding Blackwood Lodge was harder than she expected, because the roads leading to the cabins were dark, especially with so many places empty during the off-season.
When she found the sloping driveway that led down to Blackwood Lodge, she almost cried in relief. She parked in the overflow lot—a wide, gravelly area near the main cabin—and brought her emergency flashlight out of the glove compartment. The cool mountain air made her shiver, and she put on the fleece jacket she’d stashed in the truck, glad she’d thought to bring it. At least she wasn’t totally unprepared.
She made her way toward the lodge, guided by the beam of her flashlight. When she reached the parking area adjacent to the cabin, her light hit Connor’s truck. Beside it was an Audi with California plates. She shone her light into the Audi’s front window. On the passenger seat were a silver hairbrush, a tube of lipstick, and a metal water bottle with floral designs.
This was a woman’s car.
For a brief, paralyzing minute, she stood frozen in place, staring at the car. Had she been played? If Connor had moved on without telling her, she’d be crushed. Especially if he was spending the weekend with another woman.
No. You need to trust him.
Wasn’t that what their three-month separation had been about? Not just about rebuilding their lives, but learning to trust each other, even when they couldn’t communicate. Connor would have told her if he’d found someone else. He wasn’t the same guy who’d ghosted her five years ago.
She strode up the steps to the lodge, her feet crunching on fallen leaves. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the massive wooden door, her heart pounding frantically as she waited for him to answer.
When he opened the door, his joyful expression swept away the last of her doubts. He pulled her into a crushing hug. “You’re here. Finally.”
