“Who told you?” I continued to use the wall for balance. My mind felt like it was an ocean liner on rough seas, trying to remain in control.
“Who cares?”
“I do. I didn’t want you to know, that’s why.”
“Well, I know. And it’s not from you, is what matters. My mom bragged about it to Billy. She only came clean to me yesterday.”
Then I committed another cardinal sin. I revealed all my cards when I said, “Maybe you’ve been too busy with Bella for her to tell you sooner.”
He was back in a flash, caging me in. “Bella is nothing to me. You are everything to me. Always have been.”
His mouth about to lower on mine, I found the power to put my hand up and stop him. “No, I haven’t always been. Maybe in your mind I have, but your actions speak differently.”
“I’m here now.”
Slipping under his arm I crossed the foyer and sat on the step. “Ford, you’re here now, and in a week you’ll get cold feet again.” I bit my tongue to keep myself from saying I couldn’t compete with Hollywood starlets.
“No. I just walked away from a blockbuster movie in production, leaving my team in charge, to be here. To come to you.On a whim. The next time I leave, it will be with you, and only you.” His eyes narrowed on me, he pursed his lips. “Do you understand me?” He spoke in choppy sentences, running his words and ideas together. He seemed flustered, which was unusual for Ford.
“I have a new job. A life here. I’m getting a dog.” I said it matter-of-factly, as if I’d found a breed or researched it all.
“James, I need to hear what happened at your job, and if there are any grievances that need to be filed. I’m on the board. You know. You put me there. Then we can discuss your life here and why you can’t stay in touch with those people if you leave, and we can get a dog anytime you like.” More rambling and bossing from Ford.
“I’m a grown woman, Ford.” I put my head in my hands and braced my elbows on my knees. “I can’t pick up on a whim.” I reused his words. “I have responsibilities, and I don’t have a team. I’ve built a life despite a million obstacles.”
“I understand, but it’s time for our back nine. Together. We’ll make it work.” He knelt in front of me, his knees resting two steps below me.
“Back nine?”
“You know, in golf…the second part of the course. It’s a chance to prove yourself. We say, ‘heading in,’ when we go to play it. I’m heading in, James.”
I couldn’t help my eyes squeezing shut. I wanted to believe him, to believe this cacophony of an explanation…
“I’ve done it wrong twice now. Please, give me one more chance. Third time is the charm.”
“I think a princess said that.” I countered his charm, pun intended. “This isn’t a fairy tale.”
“It’s not a fairy tale, but it is our happy ending. This is reality. Our reality.”
I continued to look up at Ford, trying to gauge his sincerity, but his face gave me nothing but sexy vibes. I laughed inside, wondering how I turned into a hormonal young adult when he was around. His furrowed brow, messy hair, and deep, soulful eyes pooled like the sea at my feet.
“Come on, I’m hungry,” he said, taking my hand in his and pulling me up. “Let’s go eat.”
I didn’t say a word. I couldn’t find my voice. This moment was a dream come true and a nightmare all wrapped in one. I wanted to go; I wanted to believe him. But I’d done that too many times before. When it came to Ford, I was in a constant state of getting my hopes up…
“Do we have to take that town car?” Rather than sharing my true feelings, I asked about the car.
“Yeah, so we can share a bottle of wine.”
Hand on my hip, I stalled. “You know what? This is your last chance, Ford. You’ve held my tender heart in your hands since the day I met you. We’ve been friends and then nothing, with brief blips of more. And no matter what we are, I always end up hurt. This is the last time.” I took a stand, knowing I had to mention my feelings. It wasn’t that I was too old, but I was mature, and I’d lived too many lifetimes since we were twenty not to speak up.
“Last chance,” he said while pulling me close, his hand coming up the back of my blouse. “I’m not going to mess this one up.”
His stomach growled, breaking the moment.
“Oh, you really are hungry,” I teased. “I need to change out of these pants or this shirt. They’re not meant to leave the house at the same time.”
Ford broke out into a laugh. “I think you look great, but do what you need to do, as long as you don’t change your hair back to that ugly color.”
