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“I just saw Arsen and he left in a hurry. Then I couldn’t find you anywhere. Are you okay? What is going on? Did you talk to him?”
The last thing Rory could do was answer Lizzy’s questions. A hair’s breadth away from breaking down in tears, Rory decided to stay silent.
“Rory?” Lizzy sat down right next to her and held her by the arm. “What happened Rory? Tell me? Please?”
Rory drew a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Gaining composure, she got up and straightened her dress.
“I just threw away the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Chapter 26
One month later…
After a morning full o
f rain, the sun finally stepped out of the clouds, spreading an unreal color on the island of Montcove. The sunlight reflected off a newly-placed sign that simply read, The Empty Canvas below which another sign informed the general populace about a 50 percent off sale that was also going on at the establishment that previously existed there, a bookstore.
Outside, the street was empty and the only sound was of birds chirping. Inside, there was a single sound—that of a mouse clicking. The woman who ran the store sat in front of the computer, but instead of doing inventory for her books, she was cycling through different T-shirt designs. Rory knew that any customers or any of the art students that she had acquired over the last couple of weeks wouldn’t start dropping in till after lunch. She used the free time to catalog the new designs that she had come up with in the last week.
More importantly, she was starving. Running a fledging T-shirt business did not leave her time to cook. Yet another afternoon she made Lizzy run to Martha’s to pick up lunch. Her stomach was rumbling, but she was comforted by the fact that Lizzy would be back anytime now. It hadn’t surprised her in the least how hardworking Lizzy had become since their return from LA.
Rory was truly happy. Happier than she had ever been. The last month had been fantastic. She was finally getting paid to do what she liked, and for once, she was living a life without worry. Rory smiled a contented smile to herself. Her thoughts were stirred ajar by the sound of the main door of the shop opening. Finally. Lizzy! I’m starving, she smiled to herself.
“I was wondering when you were going to come back…” she said without looking up.
“That, I wasn’t expecting,” the reply came, but to Rory’s surprise it was not Lizzy that spoke. Instead it was the husky voice of a man, dressed in a white shirt, black tight jeans, with unkempt hair.
“I thought you were…” The words hung suspended in the air. Rory’s hand reached her wide-open mouth in surprise. During the last few weeks she had done her best to forget Arsen Ford, and now here he was, in the flesh.
Her hands formed into fists, fighting the urge to touch him. She fought her body’s need to embrace him, to engulf him in a kiss. But she deserved more. More than Arsen Ford could give.
“I was not expecting you here. What can I do for you?” she replied in a cold tone. For once Arsen wasn’t smiling.
“I wasn’t expecting myself to come here either.”
“Then what made you come here?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“I am not sure it is. Do you need another T-shirt?” Rory said drily.
“I need more than that.”
“Arsen…” Rory hesitated.
“Rory. Enough. You have lived all your life in fear and doubts. Where has it gotten you all these years? What has it ever done for you?” Arsen paused. His words echoed the same thoughts that were running around her head not so long ago. Arsen took a couple of steps toward her.
“You doubt my actions or the lack of them. You’re suspicious of everything surrounding me and you’re not sure about my lifestyle. And all this when you haven’t even been a part of it yet? Are you really willing to let go of all that we could be, because of unfounded doubts?”
“Arsen, I have fallen too often to make the same mistakes again.”
“So have I. But I still think that when something as wonderful as this comes along, it is well worth the gamble.”
“Arsen…”
“Rory. There is no one else. There is nothing else. Forget the rest of the world. It is between you and me. It has always been you for me… ever since I got to know you for who you truly are. Look me in the eye and tell me you didn’t have the feeling that this could be something special?” Arsen was right in front of her now, staring deep into her soul.
Something stirred in her. Passion? Emotion? Hope? Dear God, no hope, please. She folder her arms over her chest.
