Page 2 of Second Love

Her traitorous gaze sneaked his way and Maddie flushed and jammed the book in the right spot. She lifted the next one, grateful to see this was a more modern title, though the hero was still shirtless. When she peeked Sawyer’s way, she couldn’t help imagine what he might look like shirtless. Just as well-built as this male model she was willing to bet. Sawyer’s tight dark blue t-shirt certainly showed off his body to good effect.

She found the right spot and slid the book in.

“Just a few weeks until Dad’s estate is settled and everything.”

She nodded. “Are you staying at the house?”

He shook his head. “No, it’s a mess. I’m renting one of the holiday cottages. Primrose?”

Maddie knew the sweet fisherman’s cottage. It was owned by Mr Blake who had moved out of the town a few years ago to live with his daughter in Torbay. It was hard to picture Sawyer living in a twee cottage—even if only for a few weeks.

Silence filled the air. The dusty atmosphere of her shop drew thicker. She cleared her throat. She had hoped she wouldn’t see him until the funeral, then she would be primped and totally ready for him. She would have offered a few consoling words to the man who had broken her young heart and that would have been it. The end.

But no. Sawyer had never done things the easy way, and apparently their reunion wasn’t going to be easy either.

“I’m sorry about your dad.”

“Thanks.” He lifted a shoulder and she wondered if that was genuine nonchalance or feigned.

Sawyer had never been close to his dad. The man had been a drinker and didn’t understand his teenage son one bit. Maddie had seen how much that had affected him and it had always broken her heart that the two men never got along. She’d always had this idea of somehow helping them see eye to eye but of course those ideas seemed pretty stupid after Sawyer left her at the altar.

He shifted on his feet and folded his arms. He seemed to be working up to something. Maddie dropped the books on top of the stool next to her and faced him. It was probably better to get whatever humiliation it was out of the way.

He opened his mouth, closed it again and rammed a hand through his hair. “About... about that day.”

“That day?”

“Our—” he glanced at his feet “—wedding day.”

Fresh humiliation rushed through her. She recalled sitting at home, waiting for news of his arrival at the church. No sign of him, the best man had said. Couldn’t even get him on his mobile. He never did answer any of her calls or texts.

She turned her head away before he could spot any tears in her eyes. “It doesn’t matter...”

“I was a jerk.”

Maddie whipped her head around and stared at him for a moment. She’d called him worse in her mind. Now was her chance to shout and rage at him, to unleash the anger she’d been holding onto for all these years. Except angry outbursts weren’t really her.

“You were,” she agreed quietly.

“I never should have...”

“Left me? Disappeared without a trace?”

Broken her heart?

“I thought it was for the best.”

“Really?” She folded her arms. Maybe she could do an angry outburst after all. Yes, she liked the idea of that. Maybe she’d even slap him and fling him dramatically out of the shop.

His mouth pulled into a firm line. Unfortunately it didn’t make her think any less about what it might be like to kiss those lips and feel his stubble graze her skin.

“I was accused of vandalising the war memorial.”

“Yes, I heard.”

“I didn’t do it.”

“I know that. It was one of the younger kids. He admitted to it only days later.”

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