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He glanced up, caught Chelsea’s eye from across the room. The wall cracked, emotions flooding through him.
And this time when he headed for the door, he didn’t let anyone stop him.
Jared sat in Chelsea’s driveway, staring at the darkened windows. So many emotions poured through him, making him feel like his blood boiled, like he needed to calm down.
He hadn’t wanted to go home, knowing the quiet would drive him crazy. He’d driven around for hours, battling the turmoil within him, sorting through memories he’d never willingly let into his head.
When all was said and done, he’d ended up sitting in Chelsea’s driveway, staring at her house, knowing she was alone inside. He hesitated, knowing memories of Laura hadn’t been the only thing that had caused him to push Chelsea away. Fear of what losing her would do to him kept him immobile.
If he kept her at arm’s length, if he refused to admit how much she meant to him, then he’d foolishly believed she couldn’t hurt him.
In the process he’d hurt them both.
He’d loved Laura, and had tragically lost her. He’d have given his own life if she and their baby could have survived that car crash. But he hadn’t been given that choice.
Guilt had ridden him hard, shielded him from letting anyone else get close.
The pain he’d felt at losing Laura and their baby had left him a broken man. But losing Chelsea…he wasn’t sure he could survive that if he ever opened his heart.
Whether he’d acknowledged her presence or not, Chelsea had been in his heart for ten years, since the moment she’d touched her innocent lips to his in the most earth-shattering kiss of his life.
And if fate hadn’t intervened, he’d have been on her doorstep the day she’d turned eighteen.
So why wasn’t he traipsing up those steps and knocking on her door, begging her to let him in?
Because he feared rejection. Why would Chelsea care about him? She was a beautiful, intelligent, witty woman with a bright future. Way too good for the likes of him.
He sighed, getting out of his car and closing the door. Still he hesitated, gazing up at the clear night, the sounds of the Gulf waves crashing against the shore playing a tumultuous song.
He walked round to where the steps led up to the main level of the raised beach house, stopped halfway up to stare at the sea. Here, with the closest house several hundred meters down the coast, one could imagine being the only person on earth.
At times he’d felt like the only person on earth.
The loneliest person on earth.
Until Chelsea had come back into his life.
He didn’t want to be alone. Not anymore. Not ever again.
He wasn’t alone.
His breath caught at the celestial vision greeting his eyes.
Chelsea stood on the balcony overlooking the sandy beach. She wore a creamy silk gown that covered her from neck to where her bare toes peeked out. The breeze blew the gown about her, plastering the fabric against her body, perfectly outlining her delectable figure.
He swallowed. Hard.
“Jared?” Her hand went to her throat, pulling the edges of her gown together. “Is that you?”
She sounded as though she thought she was imagining him.
“Were you expecting someone else?”
“I wasn’t expecting you. I told you to stay away from me until you were willing to admit you have feelings for me.”
Easy enough.
“I have feelings for you,” he said without hesitation.
