Page 17 of The Other Plan

I reached forward and brushed the pad of my thumb across her cheek. Her skin was just as soft as I remembered it, and when she looked up into my eyes, I saw the same look she used to give me right before I kissed her.

And God, did I want to kiss her again. It took every ounce of strength in my body not to yank her against me and crush her lips with ten years’ worth of missed kisses. But she had a boyfriend now, and as much as it killed me to think of her with someone else, I wasn’t the kind of guy who would do that to another man. I’d been that other man, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

With a chuckle, I forced my hand from her face. “I was pretty heartbroken. I’m not gonna lie. I even called the cops and tried to file a missing person report. I was so worried. But it hadn’t been enough time for them to file it, and the next morning I checked your room again, and you were gone.”

“After I saw you with Janine, I took off and ran to the beach. I was too angry and heartbroken to go back to my room that night and confront Janine, so I spent the entire night on the beach in a cabana hut, sobbing. The next morning, I snuck back into my hotel room when I saw Janine leave. I grabbed my bags and took a shuttle to the airport.”

“So, you never talked to her again so she could explain?”

She shook her head. “No. And we were only assigned roommates, so I never saw her again. I think she went to college in Colorado or something.”

“I can’t believe that happened. I had no idea why you just left me, but now it makes so much sense. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”

“It turns out that I’m the one who should be apologizing. I can’t imagine how you felt.”

I chuckled. “I’d like to say it was no big deal and I took it like a man, but in reality, I was devastated.”

“Yeah. Me too. Although, it seems I didn’t have any reason to be.” Jenna rolled her eyes and palmed her face. “Wow. I really screwed everything up. I’m so sorry, Carter. I never would have left you like that had I known.”

A decade’s worth of confusion and pain seeped out of me hearing her say those words.

“Got a time machine in that wedding planner bag of yours? Think we could go back and redo that last night?”

With a small, pained smile, she dropped her shoulders. “I’ve got pretty much everything except a time machine in there. Maybe we could make a bridge of bobby pins and run back in time. Lord knows I’ve got enough of those in there.”

We laughed together, and it felt good to have the explanation I’d been dying to hear... but the sound of her sweet laughter only inflamed the fire for her that had never quite gone out. I felt it burning brighter as she looked up at me and smiled.

“Jenna, I know that you have a...”

Aunt Tilly’s voice echoing down the stairwell interrupted my sentence. “Did you find it, Jenna?”

“Um, almost, Aunt Tilly! Just one sec!” she called over my shoulder. “Sorry, I should get the wine for her.”

“Yeah. No. Of course. I’m sorry I slowed you up.”

“No,” she said on a sigh. “I’m so glad you stalked me down and forced me to listen to your explanation. And I’m so sorry that I took off like that and didn’t give you a chance to explain.”

“I don’t blame you one bit. When I caught my fiancée in bed with another guy, I didn’t exactly pull up a chair and really survey the situation to ensure they were doing what it looked like they were doing.”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry to hear that happened, Carter.”

“Yeah. It sucked at the time, but it’s all for the best,” I answered quickly. “Better I found out who she was before I married her.”

Jenna nodded. “I marry a lot of people that I know aren’t going to make it, and it’s always better if you can get out before it’s too late.”

“Exactly. Now I know.”

“Well, I’m sorry that happened to you. And I’m sorry I took off from Hawaii.”

“I’m just glad I found you again.”

We exchanged a look before Aunt Tilly’s voice interrupted once more. “Do you see it?”

Jenna chuckled. “She needs her wine. Stat. Gotta go.”

“By all means,” I said as I stepped aside.

“Coming, Aunt Tilly!” she called up before grabbing a case of wine and walking past me.