Chance(37)

He hands me a plain white card with a ten digit phone number on it. "Call me when you're ready to go, and I'll be back."

I nod as I press the screen to dial Clive's office. This is my last official duty before I cut myself off from civilization for the weekend.





Chapter 32


I watch Seth, the driver Clive hired, as he pulls the car out of the driveway. He'd insisted on helping me bring my suitcase and bags to the door. He wanted to go inside the house with me to check to make certain everything was in working order, but I'd patiently declined. I haven't been to the Foster's house in almost a decade. It looks exactly as I remember it. The green shutters are still a fitting and elegant contrast to the white siding that covers the outside of the house. The trees in the front yard are larger and the stone walkway that leads to the front door is now chipped and overgrown with grass. The essence of the place is exactly as it was when we filled the rooms with laughter during the summer. We'd race down to the beach and while the boys swam in the water, I'd collect rocks and shells on the sand.

I fish for the keys Gabriel gave to me in my purse. I sigh as I feel my fingers grab hold of them. I examine them under the light that is streaming from the lantern hung above the porch. I twist the key in the lock and shiver as I feel it give way. I swing open the door with one hand while I grab the handle of my suitcase with the other.

I run my hand along the wall near the door hopeful that I'll connect with a light switch. I do. The room fills with muted light and I soak in the surroundings.

The main room is elegant and although some of the furniture is covered with white sheets, I feel at home immediately. I'd sat on the green and blue checkered sofa when I played chess with Gabriel and I'd learned how to play a simple tune on the piano in the corner when Asher had a spare moment one rainy afternoon. This place speaks of my childhood and my connection to the Foster family and I realize that in my haste to get away from Caleb I've taken myself back to the heart of our connection.

I walk across the room to stare out into the blackness that envelops the back yard. The beach is just beyond it but I can't see it now. All I can see in my mind's eye is the last day I was in the house when I was fifteen. Miles had gone for a ride with Gabriel and Asher was embroiled in a heated tennis tournament that took him away from all of us for most of the week we were there.

I'd stood in this very spot, overlooking the yard while watching Caleb. He had just come back from the beach. His hair was a wet mess and it clung to the side of his handsome face. He was as tall then as he is now and back when I was a teenager he was imposing, dark and mysterious.

I remember every vivid detail of the day and just as I was about to walk away from the windows, he pulled a towel from a pile that his mother kept near the door for the boys to wipe their feet before they came into the house.

His eyes had darted around the yard but they never settled on the house and with baited breath I stood frozen watching as he turned to the side and slowly pushed his damp swim trunks from his body. It was the first time I'd seen a man naked. I knew that I should look away but I was mesmerized by the sculpted tone of his stomach and the gentle curve of his ass.

I caught a brief glimpse of his cock when he turned towards the house, before he wrapped the towel around him. By the time he walked through the patio doors and into the room, I was nestled on the couch, a book open on my lap.

He grunted something to me as he walked by and I looked up, staring at the strong muscles of his back and calves as he walked down the hallway towards his room. I never told him about what I saw. I never told anyone. It was my secret and as I've carried it with me through every relationship I've ever had.

I close my eyes as I lean my head against the cool glass and try to gaze out into the yard. I'll see the spot where he was standing tomorrow morning once the sun rises. For tonight, I'll lay in silence in the same bed I laid in that night after I saw his beautiful body and I'll dream the same dreams about my desire for him. The difference is now that I've felt the kind of pleasure he can give to a woman and that is a bittersweet torture in itself.

I feel my emotions rising to the surface. I knew that I'd feel something coming back here but I never imagined that the teenage crush I had on Caleb could feel so real so many years later. I need to forget about him. I need to say goodbye to what I've wanted with him and this feels like the perfect place to do that. I'm alone. I'm strong and I'm ready to move forward without my Caleb Foster fantasies in tow.

I gaze out into the darkness one last time and that's when I feel it.

I don't scream.

I don't panic.

I just reach up to grab the hand that's now resting on my shoulder.

I didn't hear him come in. He may have been here all along but I know it's him.

I turn slowly, look up and whisper his name.





Chapter 33


"I knew it would be you who found me." Asher traces the pad of his thumb over my eyebrow. "I kept telling myself that you'd remember how much I loved this place."

I nod slowly. I haven't been able to say anything other than his name since I turned around. He's sporting a full beard, his hair is longer than it was the last time I saw him and he's happy. He's happier than I've seen him in years.

"I'm sorry I haven't returned any of your text messages or calls." He reaches to hold my hand in his. "I had to get away. I was scared, Bell. I was worried that I'd start using again if I stayed."