Page 52 of Second Chance Wedding
They lived very different lives, and when those lives did intersect, Ana remained determined that she and Ben be fiercely independent and not reliant on her parents due to their many rules and restrictions.
Cheers erupted after a cry of bingo, and Ana allowed herself to lean against the floor-to-ceiling support while she sifted through her thoughts one by one.
She and Cole had talked about her reasons for ending things back then, and they’d reached an understanding of sorts. Was it possible to do the same with her parents? After all these years of separation and pain, could they find a way to move forward?
Ana glanced over her shoulder and watched as Quinley’s aunt gave Maureen a hug. The two seemed to dab at tears and whispered quietly until Winnie’s granddaughter ran to show them her bingo card. Both women beamed at the girl, though Ana’s mother’s smile seemed forced and sad. Almost broken from…wistfulness? Envy?
Ana turned back to the window, her heart in her throat.
With Ben’s recent behavior, maybe this was proof it was time to try again?
ChapterTwelve
Can we talk?” Cole watched as Ana jerked in surprise and turned her head before quickly refocusing on the treadmill so she didn’t stumble.
A week had passed since the Marine ball, but every time he’d tried to connect and talk, Ana had made one excuse or another as to why she couldn’t.
“I need to finish my workout so I can go pick up Ben.”
He climbed onto the treadmill beside her but didn’t start it. “Ana, I talked to Jonesie. He told me what he said. What heshouldn’thave said to you.”
“Was it true?”
Cole bit back a curse before he stretched out a hand and yanked the red magnetic emergency clip from her treadmill to stop it.
“Hey.”
“We need totalk, Ana.”
Her muted complaint had drawn the attention of several others in the gym, but Cole ignored the curious stares and focused on the woman in front of him.
She moved to straddle the treadmill as it slowed, and he took in the form-fitting tank top she wore over a sports bra and leggings. It took everything inside of him not to throw her over his shoulder like a caveman and carry her off to hide her away from the other admiring looks being sent her way. He wasn’t the jealous type normally. Only with her. More proof of how much she meant to him?
Ana grabbed the hand towel draped over the top and pressed it to her neck, but he noticed the way she squeezed it nervously.
“Cole, there’s really nothing to discuss. I think we need to keep things professional. If this isn’t about Ben…then there’s nothing to say.”
He inhaled and fought his frustration. She wasnotgoing to retreat. He wouldn’t let her. “Oh, there is plenty to say. You’re avoiding me.”
“Maybe I am. Sowhyare you stalking me to my gym?” she shot back.
“It’s Elias’s gym—and the only one within a reasonable distance to the island,” he said dryly. “Catching you here was accidental.”
“I have to go.”
“Ana, why are you running? Huh? I thought we’d agreed to start fresh. Blank slate and all that?”
Her knuckles turned white even as her fingers turned red from squeezing the towel.
“I thought I could, but I…”
He waited for her to finish or give whatever excuse she was going to make, but instead she just stared up at him. He searched her gaze, seeing pain and regret in the depths of her green eyes.
“I hurt you,” she said finally.
“In the past, yes. You hurt me. But that’s the past. Ana, don’t let anything Jonesie said impact things between us now.”
“How can I not? When I think of what could’ve happened to you because ofme, I can’t— I can’t breathe, Cole.”
