Butterflies in Honey (Growing Pains #3)(18)

“Well, I’m going to head out,” she said, standing up, doing her best to keep the tears from her eyes.

Sean stood up with her. “I’m going to hang out a minute.”

He stepped to her, his body inches away. She looked up at his intense eyes, the color lost to the night. She got a moment of panic, thinking he would kiss her. She didn’t think she could turn him down. She didn’t want to turn him down. She’d never cheated before in her life, not thinking much of those that did, but if Sean asked… she wouldn’t say no. Not to him.

He saw the concern on her face and spared her the decision. He hugged her close, needing contact. “I want you to be happy, baby. Whatever decisions you make, I just want you to be happy. Okay? Promise me?”

Krista was consumed. This was the final goodbye. He would move away somewhere and she wouldn’t even know how to find him.

Tears were running down her face. She clutched him tight and clung to his chest. “When I was here I was happy, Sean. Really happy.”

Sean kissed the top of her head. They stood that way for a long time—hugging each other close, not wanting to let go. Not wanting to admit that the last page of the book had been written, and the book finally, after all this time, had to be shut for good.

Finally Sean’s arms loosened, and he let go.

Krista backed up, sniffling like a child. “Take care of yourself, Sean.”

He watched the love of his life walk away. For the second time.

“The end,” Krista muttered into the emptiness of the night.

Chapter Six

The phone started to ring. Sean put down his pen and rubbed his eyes. His life was nothing but stress these days. It had been three months since he said goodbye to Krista for the second, and final, time. He’d told everyone around him that if he heard her name, he would immediately walk out of the room. His house was sold and in escrow without him having found another. He’d given his notice to Dexico and was wrapping things up.

He had also turned Tory down. Repeatedly. He didn’t want to work anywhere he might see Krista. Not even in the same town, much less the same company. In another three weeks, he’d have no job and no house. He didn’t have a clue what he would do, and he didn’t really care. Start over, probably. Maybe move to Hawaii. Take a year off, maybe. Hopefully meet someone new. Probably not even bother.

Sean picked up the phone. “McAdams.”

“Sean.” It was Tory again. The man was the most persistent person Sean had ever met.

“Hi Tory. It’s still a no.”

“I am not calling to offer you a job—though, of course, the position is still open and I will gladly offer it when you’ve come to your senses.”

Sean wasn’t in the mood to smile. “I don’t really feel like spending eighteen holes repeating myself, Tory. And I certainly don’t want to see Ben’s latest painting.”

“You do, actually; it is his best yet. I bought it for my daughter. The young man is in love, I believe. His piece shows it perfectly—very sweet. He was too embarrassed for his girlfriend to see it. Although, she would have wanted to have it, I am sure.”

“Uh huh.” Sean pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Anyway, Emily has asked that I pass this on to you. She seemed adamant about it. She was convinced you would want to know.”

“Sure,” Sean said, looking out the window. Arguing wouldn’t make Tory go away—not when Emily was behind it.

“Well, Emily has heard from Ben, upon procuring the painting, that Miss Marshall—excuse me, Miss Fields—is single again.”

Time and space contorted around Sean’s office. The phone became his lifeline to reality. He gripped the hard plastic as if someone was trying to rip it away from his head.

He shouldn’t care. It shouldn’t mean anything. It had been three months since he’d said goodbye to Krista for the second time. Three months meant her breakup had nothing to do with him.

Tory continued into the silence. “Yes, it seems she was a whirlwind of activity when she returned from San Francisco. She moved her friends to L.A., got one of them a job immediately—the other is now employed with me, too, I believe—redecorated her house, and broke up with her boyfriend. I believe breaking up with her boyfriend was first, however. Then redecorating. Emily has the specifics.”

Sean felt stupid asking, but he couldn’t help it. “Is she seeing anyone else?”

“My Emily is always right, it seems. Don’t tell her I said that. As far as Emily knows, no, she is not dating right now.”

Sean slowly blew out his breath. “Can I call you back?”

“Certainly. You have the number.”

Sean hung up amid swirls of color. Before he could get his bearings, he called the one person he knew would have all the information.

“Well hello, stranger!” Marcus sang merrily as he answered the phone.

“Marcus.” Sean calmed himself. “Hi. Listen, uh…”

Sean continually felt stupid. He should have approached this differently. He couldn’t just call up another dude and ask straight-up girl gossip.

Luckily, Marcus read into the call. “Yes, she’s single. I would have told you, but you have that ban and all.”

Sean’s whole body was tingling. “Did you talk to her about it?”