Jane swallowed, her heart racing and her lips tingling. “I don’t want you to apologize,” she admitted breathlessly. “I’ve wanted the same thing for just as long.”
She didn’t want to deny it, didn’t want to pretend or be careful. She stepped up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and crushed her lips to his again. The world melted away—the hospital, Pamela, the disease, everything. There was only this moment, this man, this feeling.
When they finally came up for air, Jane rested her forehead against his. “Don’t take this the wrong way. I want to explore what’s going on between us...”
“But you want to take it slow,” Gabe guessed, reading her so well it was almost frightening. “I agree,” he added before she could respond.
“I knew you would,” Jane said with a smile, and she really did. That was the amazing thing about Gabe. He understood her in a way no one else ever had.
They stood there for another moment, just holding each other in the hospital parking lot, both knowing that everything had just changed between them, and both willing to take the time to let it unfold naturally.
Finally, they separated and got into the car. The drive back to St. Augustine was quieter than the drive to Jacksonville had been, but it was a comfortable silence, their hands occasionally brushing on the center console, small smiles passing between them.
Whatever Pamela was up to, whatever the test results would show, Jane knew one thing for certain: she wasn’t facing it alone anymore. And that made all the difference.
10
HOLLY
Holly sat in the passenger seat of Charlie’s car, watching the historic streets of St. Augustine roll past the window. Her stomach was twisted in knots, and she had been silent for most of the drive from the inn. Charlie had not pushed her to talk. She let Holly quietly process what was about to happen.
Meeting Simon. Again. After thirty-five years of marriage and six months of separation, she was about to sit across a table from the man who had destroyed their life together and face whatever manipulation he had planned.
“You don’t have to do this,” Charlie said quietly, breaking the silence as she pulled into a parking spot near the Corner Café. “We can turn around right now. Let him stew.”
Holly shook her head. “No. I need to know what he wants. And I need him to see that I have moved on and that I want him to stop procrastinating and sign the divorce papers.”
Charlie reached over and squeezed her hand. “That’s my sister. Strong as steel when she needs to be.”
They got out of the car and walked toward the café. It was a charming place, tucked between two historic buildings, with outdoor seating under green awnings and large windows overlooking the street. Under different circumstances, Holly would have loved to come here. To sit with Jack and enjoy coffee and pastries while watching tourists stroll by. She smiled as her mind went straight to Jack when she thought about coming here under other circumstances.
But this was not that kind of visit.
Through the window, Holly could see Simon already seated at a corner table inside. He was dressed impeccably as always, his suit probably worth more than most people’s monthly mortgage payment. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and even from a distance, Holly could see the confident set to his shoulders. The posture of a man who believed he held all the cards.
“Ready?” Charlie asked, her hand on the café door.
Holly took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”
The bell above the door chimed softly as they entered. Simon looked up immediately, his eyes finding Holly’s across the café. A smile spread across his face. The practiced, charming smile that had once made her heart flutter and now just made her feel sick.
He stood as they approached, ever the gentleman when it suited him. “Holly. You look beautiful as always.”
“Simon,” Holly said coolly, not returning the compliment. She slid into the chair across from him while Charlie took the seat beside her, positioning herself between Holly and Simon like a protective barrier.
“Charlie.” Simon’s smile faltered slightly as he looked at Charlie.
“Simon,” Charlie replied, equally stiff and formal.
“I didn’t realize you were bringing your sister,” Simon said to Holly.
“I’m here as her attorney today,” Charlie said pleasantly, but there was steel beneath the words. “I hope that’s not a problem?”
“Of course not,” Simon said smoothly, settling back into his chair and glancing at Holly. “Though I’m not sure why you would need an attorney for our meeting.”
A waitress appeared, and they ordered coffee. Holly asked for a cappuccino that she had no intention of drinking. She just needed to have something to do with her hands. The silence stretched uncomfortably as they waited for their drinks to arrive.
Simon was the first to break it. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Holly. I know things have been... difficult between us.”
