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“Not only will there be three kids…” He paused, looking up to the sky while his lips moved in silent counting. “…but also two babies.”
“Babies?” Her longings battled inside her. She could sit in a corner, holding a baby, with her back to Jarrett and Carlie.
“Please say you’ll come.”
He really wanted her there. Could it mean something? Maybe tonight was his chance to close the book with Carlie and open a new one with her.
“Fine. I’ll come for a little while.”
“Thanks, Rylie.” His knitted brows relaxed. “If you’re there, too, it’ll be easier. I can treat Carlie like we’re pals, the same as you and me.”
“Pals. Sure.” His words hit her like a brick. “We’re such great pals that you haven’t spoken to me since Carlie left for Nashville.”
His jaw dropped, and the air between them curdled with tension.
I can’t believe I said that.
“I’m sorry, Jarrett. I shouldn’t—”
“No. You’re absolutely right. I was mad at Carlie when she left, and I took it out on you.” His hand reached out, and she held her breath, waiting for the thrill of his touch. But he pulled back at the last second, stuffing his hands back in his pockets.
“It wasn’t your fault,” she said, feeling guilty for her outburst. At the time, he’d been hurting. And of course, he’d had no idea Rylie was in love with him. “I knew you couldn’t stand seeing my face when you were missing Carlie.”
“That’s no excuse.” He shook his head. “Our friendship was important, Rylie. It still is. I won’t make that mistake again. We’ll be friends, no matter what happens between Carlie and me.”
He wants to be friends. Lucky me.
Chapter 2
Jarrett’s feet pounded the pavement in a steady rhythm. He ran with a perfectly even gait, a difficult feat made possible by a state-of-the-art prosthesis on his left leg, along with years of practice. Usually running was a great way to clear his mind, but today his mind resembled a hoarder’s closet.
Carlie!
Carlie had taken his heart, and he’d never gotten it back. Nine years ago, she’d made him feel like he was the most amazing man in the universe, back when he was a poor, computer-nerd, grad student. All this time, he’d thought nothing would make him happier than to see her again. To have another chance. But now, knowing the dream was becoming a reality, he felt sick to his stomach.
After the initial shock of seeing Carlie’s face, he’d been relieved to learn it was Rylie, instead. At least he had time to pull himself together and figure out what he was going to say when he saw Carlie again. What he didn’t know was if he would be able to stick to his plan when she was standing in front of him in the flesh.
Jarrett turned off the road onto the paved running trail that wound through the foothills, its close proximity to his new home one of the reasons he’d purchased it. He forged up the incline without slowing, pushing his limits. He relished the physical pain, a distraction from the pain inside his mind.
He wasn’t the kind of man who ran away from problems. He had to face Carlie and settle things from their past. But a little extra support would make the task easier, which was exactly why he’d invited the sisters over for steak when his friends would be there.
He turned up the music in his ears, hoping the sound would drown out his painful memories. But Carlie’s face kept intruding into his mind. Or was it Rylie’s face?
He smiled, remembering their awkward encounter earlier that morning, Rylie’s cheeks flushing with embarrassment from falling in the spilled garbage. She was the innocent in all this drama with Carlie, yet he’d treated her badly. He hadn’t thought about how Rylie’d felt when he dropped their friendship. She’d suffered for her sister’s actions. But Rylie was a sweet person and deserved to be treated better.
People who didn’t know her well might think she was prickly, since sarcasm was a frequent means of communication. But he enjoyed their verbal spars, especially knowing the tender heart she protected with her sharp words. From the way she’d talked that morning, he assumed she was single, though surely she must’ve been married at some point. Guys would have to be blind not to see how beautiful and smart she was. He supposed her serious expression might scare some men away. She needed a man with gumption.
His mind ran through a short list of prospects, single men he worked with. He quickly discarded the idea—none of them were good enough for Rylie.
He and Rylie had been really good friends at one point, born of a mutual interest in computer engineering. In fact, when they’d first met, he’d considered dating her. But then he’d met her sister. Carlie was his opposite in every way—extroverted, funny, bubbly, never serious about anything. She melted his cares away with every burst of laughter. With Carlie around, he'd totally disregarded his bone cancer and the fact that it could come out of remission at any moment, this time not to take a limb, but to claim his life. Carlie’s sunny attitude had made him feel immortal. And when she left, the sun went with her.
He adjusted his stride as the trail started a downward incline.
Why had Carlie showed up in his life at such a critical time? It couldn’t be a coincidence. Was it possible this was a sign from God? Was it possible he and Carlie might pick up where they left off?
His forehead formed beads of sweat that had nothing to do with his physical exertion.
He had to put Carlie out of his mind. No time for distractions. Nothing else mattered right now. Not the pending deal with Personics Corporation. Not his relationship with Carlie. Only finding a way to bring Gabriel to the States before it was too late.
