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“If you won’t stay here, at least stay in Serenity for a couple of days. Give us a chance to talk to Gareth. I think he just needs a little bit of time.”
Janessa obviously knew Gareth better than Aria did, but Aria understood that she’d hurt Gareth, and not everyone was willing to forgive that. And even if hedidforgive her, it didn’t mean he’d want to be in a relationship with her anymore or would even want her around.
“I can stay, I guess.” It wasn’t like she had a plan of where to go next. She’d be staying in cheap motels for the time being, so staying in one in Serenity didn’t make any difference.
She’d use the time to figure out where she was going to go next. Because even though she wished with all her heart that Gareth would accept her apology and want to get back together, she could not allow that hope to grow inside her.
For some reason, losing Gareth hurt worse than her engagement to Tim ending had. Gareth was a different kind of man, one who had resonated strongly with her heart. She had been able to imagine a future with him so vividly. He’d brought joy and happiness into her life, and in return, she’d broken his trust and hurt him.
She’d also hurt and broken Janessa’s trust, but they’d been friends longer and perhaps their shared parental loss had made Janessa more willing to forgive. Though the best-case scenario would have been Gareth and Janessa both forgiving her and accepting her back into their lives, at least still having Janessa’s friendship helped soothe a bit of her pain.
As long as she didn’t think about Gareth.
Unfortunately, his hard gaze when she’d last seen him was a memory she couldn’t shake, and she was sure that would be the case for months to come. That thought made her heart pulse with hurt.
“I need to go.” She’d spent so much time crying over the past few days, that holding back the tears was getting more and more difficult.
“Can’t you stay for dinner?”
“I’m not really hungry, to be honest.”
“And you don’t want to stay here? I mean, your room is still empty.”
Aria got to her feet. “I’ve already checked into the motel.”
Janessa sighed as she got up. “I don’t like this.”
“I’m sorry. I think it’s best for now.”
“Just don’t leave town.”
“I won’t.”
“Keep your phone on and answer it.”
“I will.”
When they reached the front door, Janessa pulled her into a hug once again. “Thank you for coming back and explaining.”
“I shouldn’t have left,” Aria said. “I realize that now. Thank you for listening to me and forgiving me.”
Janessa smiled at her. “Always.”
Tears pricked at her eyes as she walked away from the place she’d come to consider her home. She slid behind the wheel of her car, once again having to blink rapidly to clear her vision. Her tight hold on her emotions was slipping away. She just had to make it back to the motel, then she could break down.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Gareth stared at the closed door, trying to sort through all his emotions. He’d been shocked to find Aria standing on the doorstep. Shocked and angry.
Why hadn’t she returned any of his calls? It had been four days, and she hadn’t been able to call him back? But she could just show up on his doorstep?
His anger, which bubbled furiously just below the surface of his emotions these days, had definitely overridden his common sense. He knew he should have reacted differently, but the hurt/anger combination didn’t lend itself to rational reactions.
Gareth turned and went out the back door to his deck. Bracing his hands on the railing, he stared at the mountains in the distance. There was a bit of a chill in the air, but he ignored it, seeking the peace he often found when looking out over nature.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work this time.
He knew he had to get past his hurt and anger. Neither emotion was doing him any favors.
