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“I’m a simple girl—I like simple things. A quiet peaceful life full of love, that’s all I need. You are amazing. I bet you’re more romantic than any guy I’m ever going to meet. You certainly are more charming and more handsome than anyone else I have ever met. But what happens after we ride off into the sunset holding hands? They never show that in the movies, do they?”
Arsen remained silent. Rory looked away to avoid looking into his eyes. Far away she could see her sister working the party, laughing loudly, giddy with joy, talking to guests with her husband in tow.
“Rory. We can make this work if we both put in the effort. If both of us are willing.”
“I am not sure I am, Arsen. I am tired of working hard for everything in life. I am tired of worrying. I don’t want to have to worry about where you are, or who you’re with or why I haven’t heard from you in three days. I just can’t do it.”
Rory knew that she had made the right decision. Arsen wasn’t right for her. And as tempting as wanting to be with him was, there was no way in hell that it would work. I am just protecting myself from any future disappointments, she reminded herself.
Arsen just nodded, his lips pursed together. No sign of that gorgeous smile, only the sounds of leaves rustling in the breeze. He looked away in contemplation for a minute, and then looked back at Rory. Questions in his eyes. Or maybe shock. Maybe disappointment at not getting what he wanted.
“Okay, Rory. You know what’s best for you.”
Awkward silence reigned. Rory was not sure how she should reply to that. Arsen turned around and Rory’s hand automatically reached out to him. Stop him, Rory. Arsen walked away slowly, his head down in contemplation. Rory waited and hoped that he would turn around, and thankfully for her, he did.
Arsen paused a moment, as was his style. Arsen Ford always thought about what he was going to say before he said it.
“Goodbye, Rory. You’ll always be the one that got away.” A wistful smile was on his face. He was stopped in his tracks by the sound of Rory’s voice urgently calling out to him.
“Arsen!… Thanks for wearing my T-shirt.” Fuck, Rory. Just say what you really wanted to say.
“You’re welcome, Rory. Anything for you…” Arsen turned around and walked away from her. Rory sat back with a thud, doubts creeping into her head. She could hear the screaming of girls and a general commotion in the party area as some of the people in the wedding party recognized Arsen.
Rory sat there for what seemed like forever and was broken out of a trance with the sound of footsteps coming toward her. Had Arsen come back? Did he come back for me? Rory quickly stood up to see.
It wasn’t Arsen but Lizzy who walked up the steps of the gazebo.
“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.”
26
One month later…
After a morning full of 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.
