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Fuck me.
“Looks like you got duped.” I swear Dex smirks behind his scowl.
“Duped. Right.” I rub the back of my neck. “I’ll just… go.”
“That would be best.”
I nod and move to the driver door, pulling it open. I stop and turn to look at Dex. “Elena?” I ask him.
“She left with Tiff.”
“Thanks.” I give him another nod and climb behind the wheel, driving over the bumpy terrain until I meet the main road. I spy my phone in the cupholder, and I’m tempted to text her. Ask her why she left without saying a word. However, I keep my hands on the wheel. I know Elena. I know that she’s running. She’s scared. I told her last night that things were changing. I should never have touched her until she was sober, but that’s okay. Charmed Cove is a small town, and she can’t run from me forever.
“I’m coming for you, baby,” I mutter as I steer my truck toward town.
CHAPTER
THREE
Elena
It’s Wednesday, and I can’t stop thinking about Saturday night. I expected Callum to call or text, hell, send a damn carrier pigeon, and I expected him to be mad as hell that I snuck off on him. Instead, it’s been nothing but crickets. I haven’t heard a word from him, and that makes my chest ache as if there is a knife being twisted inside.
I didn’t expect a proclamation of love, but I did think he’d try to reach me. I guess that’s what I get for giving him the slip.
I don’t regret our night together. In fact, it’s been playing on repeat in my mind since our time together. I just needed a minute to process what happened. Callum and I are friends. We’ve kept in touch over the years. A text or email here or there. I’d see him when he came home to visit his mom, who still lives next door to mine.
I freaked out that teenage Elena got what she always dreamed of. However, adult Elena didn’t handle it all that well. I can admit when I’m wrong, but no matter how many times I pick up my phone to call him or send him a text, I chicken out. I can’t help but think that he regrets our time together and feels as though avoidance is the best policy.
Basically, I fucked up. I got overwhelmed and ran, and now here I am, obsessing over that night and too chickenshit to call him and apologize.
Shaking out of my thoughts, I finish cleaning up my workstation. Everyone else is already long gone for the day. I’m lucky that I have the rest of the week off. As a dental hygienist, I work three twelve-hour days. They’re long and grueling, but we all love only working three days per week. There are four hygienists in our office, and we all take care of each other, switching shifts when we need to.
This week I’ve been working late every night. It’s been one thing after another during the day, putting me behind, not to mention my head has been on Callum, and I’m not focusing as I should be.
Grabbing my keys and my purse, I stroll out the back door, making sure that it’s secured before turning to walk to my car. Charmed Cove is a safe town, but I still keep my head on a swivel, and I’m keenly aware of my surroundings, which is why I stop in my tracks when I take in the truck parked next to my car. Not just any truck. It’s one that’s been in my head for the last few days. The truck and its owner.
“Callum,” I whisper his name, but he hears me.
“Elena.” His voice is deep and husky, and it’s not a surprise that my body heats from just the sound of him saying my name.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as my feet carry me slowly in his direction.
“I’m here for you.” His arms are crossed over his chest, where he’s leaning against the front of his truck. They drop to his sides as he stands and takes a few steps toward me. He stops in front of me. When he reaches out and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, I melt, but I’m also fighting back the tears. I was certain he was upset with me and, even worse, done with me.
“For me?”
“I’ve been missing my girl,” he says, smiling down at me.
“Your girl?” I repeat. I fist my keys in my hands, and the jagged edges bite into my skin, confirming that this isn’t a dream. Callum Matthews is standing in front of me, telling me that he missed me.
“You gonna run again?” he asks.
“Callum—” I don’t know what to say. No, that’s not right. I know I should apologize, but I’m still too shocked to find him here waiting for me.
