Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“Of course I don’t want you to quit your job. I actually…well, I was going to talk to you about this when we got back from Ohio, but I was offered an assistant DA position in San Francisco, near my family. I didn’t know how you’d feel about possibly moving…”
“You mean, you’re considering taking it?” I asked softly.
“Well, like I said, I was going to talk to you, but…yeah, I was hoping you’d agree to move.”
“Oh.”
He cleared his throat. “Anyway, it might be right for both of us…”
“Alex, really, if you want to stay in Vegas and you think it would be awkward to work with me—”
“No, I think we’re mature enough to work together. That’s not it. I just…well, I have a lot to think about.”
I nodded. “Okay, but if you change your mind about me leaving the office, will you tell me? I care so much about you.”
“I know you do,” he said sadly. He looked down for a second. “I’m going to get a flight to San Francisco from here and join my family. Will you be okay flying by yourself the rest of the way to Dayton?”
“Yes. Of course.” I slid the ring off my finger and held it out to him.
He took it from me, staring at it for a moment before putting it in his pocket. Then he stood, grabbed his still-wrapped sandwich, pulled the handle up on his suitcase, and walked around the table. He kissed me softly on the top of my head and said, “Be happy, Grace.”
I watched him walk off and wiped away a tear. As sad as I felt, I knew what I’d done was right. I had fooled myself into thinking it was a good choice to marry someone I had lukewarm feelings for. And that had been deeply unfair to Alex too. He was a good man. He deserved to find a woman who brought out the best in him—and especially that passionate side he swore he didn’t have.You be happy too, Alex.
I sat for a few minutes longer, coming to terms with what had just happened, when suddenly it registered what song was playing over the airport sound system. Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” played softly beneath the clanking of trays and the sound of chairs scooting across the tile floor. I laughed a soft laugh. As the song continued to play, my nerve endings began vibrating with purpose.
I knew what I was going to do. I wasn’t going to go to Dayton. I had a flight to change.
__________
I had to pay a hefty fee, but I was able to book a flight back to Vegas that left a couple hours later. My body was humming with anxiety, but I also felt filled with gleeful anticipation, the knowledge that this choice was right singing in my blood. I was going to Carson.
Call it off. Give us a chance.
I wondered if I should call Trilogy and get ahold of him before I just showed up there. But I somehow knew it would be better to go to him in person, to explain my feelings while standing right in front of him. He had been brave, as usual, and put it right out there that he wanted us to try again, to try for real this time. And I had pushed him away not once, not twice, but all three times he made his feelings known to me. I’d had a good reason—another person’s feelings to consider. But still, it had to have been hard for him to lay his pride on the line and to be rejected. I wanted to look in his eyes when I told him that I wanted him too. I have always wanted him. If I had been honest with myself, I would have known as soon as I looked in his eyes again that I had never stopped.
As I waited for my flight to board, I took my phone out of my purse and dialed Julia’s number.
“Hey, Sis,” she answered. “I thought you’d still be flying right now.”
I cleared my throat. “I’m actually about to board my flight, Jules,” I said, “um, back to Vegas.”
There was a slight pause. “Why? Is everything okay?” she asked worriedly.
“Well, yes and no. I broke up with Alex.”
“Oh, Gracie, I’m so… I mean, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m good, Julia. We…weren’t right together. It took me a little while to figure it out, and I’m sad about that but relieved too.” I took a deep breath. “Anyway, I’m headed home, and, Julia, I’m nervous to tell you this, but I’m heading home because Carson Stinger is back in my life—you know, the man I spent a weekend with almost five years ago. And he’s not a porn star anymore. He’s a SEAL, or rather, a former SEAL who now works in security, and I, well, he wants me, I mean, I hope he still wants me.” I paused. “My behavior toward him, well, it wasn’t awesome. I’ve been all over the map because I was confused and…anyway, I want him too and I’m going home to tell him that. And I hope you all will forgive me for ruining Christmas, but I have to do this because he taught me to follow my heart. And I am, and he’s my heart.” I started crying at this point, but I couldn’t stop talking. “He’s had my heart all this time, Jules, and I carried that and deep inside it scared me so badly because I didn’t think I could ever have him again. But—”