AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Just before you passed out last night, you told me that we had something in common. You said that you left your fiancée on your wedding day.”
He leaned back in his chair as his eyes burned into mine.
“I told you that, eh?”
“Yeah. You did.” I nodded. “I just wondered why. You can tell me it’s none of my business, but remember, I spilled my guts to you.”
“True.” He took in a deep breath. “I did leave my fiancée on our wedding day. I had just sold Cloud and made millions, graduated from MIT, and I guess I figured why the hell not? I met Marley at MIT, and we had been together for a little over a year. It just seemed to make sense for some reason. She did all the planning, and I just agreed to everything, but I had doubts during the process. I couldn’t see myself or a future with her when our wedding day came. Or anyone, for that matter. Spending the rest of your life with someone doesn't seem natural.”
“But your parents.”
“I know. They have a great relationship, and as much as I admire them, I couldn’t see myself like that. So, before the ceremony, I mustered up the courage to go into the room she was waiting in, and I told her that I couldn’t do it.”
“She must have been heartbroken.”
“She was. She cried as I had never seen her cry before, called me all kinds of names, and told me to get out. So, I did, and I never looked back. It was probably the hardest thing I ever did, but it was for the best. She’s married now with two kids, and she’s happy.”
“Weird how life works out sometimes. So, you never see yourself getting married and having a family?”
“Nah. Not really. I guess it’s who I am.”
“Well, at least you know who you are.” I smiled.
After finishing dinner, we took a walk along the shoreline. Taking off my shoes and throwing them into the sand, I lifted my dress so the bottom didn’t get all wet. Drew took off his shoes and socks and rolled up the bottom of his pants. Darkness had settled in, and the moon shone above us, lighting our path as the gentle tide swept over our feet.
“Thank you for dinner,” I said as I nudged his shoulder.
“You’re welcome. It was my pleasure.” He looked over at me.
Something stirred inside me. My belly flipped, and my heart started to pick up its pace. I stopped, and he stopped alongside me and placed his hand on my cheek.
“You are so beautiful, Jillian. Both inside and out,” he spoke as his head dipped closer to mine.
I gulped.
“Thank you, Drew.” I stared into his eyes.
He swallowed hard and removed his hand from my cheek.
“We better head back. It’s getting late.”
Chapter Twelve
Drew
The connection I felt with her was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. I wanted to kiss her, but I had to refrain because if I did, I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to say goodbye. I knew that once my lips touched hers, it would be something that would haunt me for the rest of my life. As we approached her suite, she asked me to come inside for one last drink before I left. Was that a good idea? Probably not, especially with how I felt about her, but any last moment I could spend with her was gold, and I wasn’t about to turn it down.
“Let me pour.” I smiled as I took the bottle of wine from her.
Handing her a glass, we sat in the chairs out on the balcony and listened to the subtle waves hitting the shore.
“I’m sure going to miss it here,” she spoke.
“Me too.”
It was killing me not to know where she was headed next. But for both our sakes, it was best that I didn’t. Looking over at her, I noticed she had something in her hair. As I reached over to get it, she reached up and placed her hand on mine.
“Sorry, but you had something in your hair.”
