When she eventually looks up at me, I hate the sadness I see in her eyes. But I have no idea what to do about it, so I take a step back. Then I watch as the woman of my dreams walks away from me for a second time.
Chapter five
Emma
This is not how I imagined our morning turning out. Me sneaking out of his room, not making eye contact with Roberto or anyone else. Once I’m outside, I send a text to Allie letting her know I’m on my way back to the motel. She doesn’t respond right away, and I’m glad. I don’t think I could handle explaining anything to her just yet. I decide to walk around for a while before figuring out a way to get to Dogwood Cove. I head down the street away from the hotel. Part of me keeps foolishly hoping to hear Nash’s voice calling me back. Even a text from him would do. But my phone and my surroundings are silent except for the birds, and my loud, opinionated thoughts.
Last night was by far the best night of my life. It wasn’t just the sex, but God, was that ever incredible. It was more than that; it was the connection. We talked, not just over dinner but in the dark after our second — or was it third —round of sex. Icuddledwith Nash Parker. We spooned. I fell asleep to his warm breath on my neck, and his legs tangled up in mine. It was…perfect.
And then I left. Again.
I mean, he could have stopped me. I didn’t sneak out this time. But he didn’t even try. He just agreed with me when I saidit was fun. Which, in retrospect, was a stupid thing for me to say, but I was beyond overwhelmed. For one blissful night, I managed to forget the differences between us. It didn’t matter that he lives his life in the fast lane while I’m content living as a homebody who visits her parents for dinner every Sunday. We were just two people, wrapped up in each other. Having his manager interrupt what was probably going to be the sexiest shower I’ll ever have in my life popped the fantasy bubble and brought reality crashing down on me.
A little while later, I find myself somewhere downtown, in the heart of the city. At least I’m guessing that’s where I am, based on the tall buildings and busy sidewalks. It dawns on me that I have no clue how to get back to Dogwood Cove, which means I need Allie to come and get me.
A glance at my phone shows me that she hasn’t answered my last text, so I decide to call her. Judging by the groggy sound of her voice, she’s just waking up.
“Hey sleepyhead, you realize it’s after ten, right?” I tease, but even I can tell the words sound hollow.
“Yeah, yeah. Why are you calling me and not having hot sex with the musician?”
I chew on my lip for a second before taking in a deep breath. “He had to go to Victoria for an interview, so I left.”
I hear rustling, which I assume is Allie sitting up in bed. Then her voice yells into my ear. “You left? Again? No wait, he didn’t even make sure you had a way home? What the fuck, Emma, I can’t decide who I’m more upset with — you, or him! Why the hell did you leave? Why did heletyou leave? I saw the way he was looking at you last night, and that is not the look of a man who would let a woman just leave. I swear you’re both just—”
“Allie, can you just come and pick me up, please?” I interrupt, not wanting to hear her go on any longer about how messed up this all is.
“Fine. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
I send her my location and hang up. I know I’ve got at least half an hour until she’s here, so I make my way to a bench in a park across the street.
Forty minutes later, I get a text from Allie saying she’s close by, so I cross the street to the Starbucks and line up and order some coffee and pastries as a thank you to my best friend for driving out to get me. I see her pull up, and hurry over to open the door, only to hear Nash’s voice coming from her car stereo.
“Seriously?” I grumble as I slide in and hand her a coffee.
Allie takes a sip, and shrugs. “He might be an idiot for letting you go again, but it’s a good song.”
I let out a long sigh and turn to face the window.
Allie seems to sense my need for more time to process, because she doesn’t make me talk on the drive back to the motel. Once we’re in our room, however, that all changes.
“Okay. Spill. What the hell happened?” She sits down on one of the beds cross legged, holding her coffee in one hand and taking a bite out of a muffin with the other. Crumbs spill onto her legs, but she doesn’t seem to notice, her attention is so focused on me. I roll my eyes as I go to lay down on the other bed, propping myself against the headboard.
“It’s pretty simple. We had an amazing night, then his manager showed up and said he had to leave early. I panicked, I left, and he didn’t try to stop me. End of story.”
“No.”
I look over at her with a raised eyebrow. “What do you mean,no?”
“I mean,no. That’s not how this ends. Not again. Did you get his number?”
I nod, reluctantly, uncertain if I want her knowing that.
“Then let’s call him!”
I shake my head emphatically. “No way. I’m not embarrassing myself like that. He’s got my number as well. If he wants to get in touch, he will. Besides, did you miss the part where he didn’t stop me from leaving?”
Allie comes over to sit beside me and pats my leg. “Girl, you know I love you, but sometimes you’re an idiot. He’s a man. Men are fragile. He probably didn’t realize you wanted to stay and didn’t want to risk his ego by saying anything.”
