He tried to keep his cool, but in spite of the two thousand questions pummeling his mind, he ended up running toward her.
“My goodness, is it really you?” He engulfed her in a tight embrace, breathing in her vanilla scented, auburn hair he’d long dreamed of running his hands through. He stepped back to take in the sight of her. She looked good—if he hadn’t known, he never would have guessed she’d spent a month in the hospital last May. Four months had been too long. “What brings you to Louisiana? Are you working?”
She shook her head. “I’m on a forced vacation from work. I’ve spent the last few months with my family in Pennsylvania, but you know me. If I’m not constantly moving, I’ll go crazy. Since someone once told me fall in Louisiana is spectacular, I figured why not see for myself, and so here I am.”
Monica never rambled, which made him all the more curious about her presence, and he couldn’t stop the questions from rolling off his tongue. “How long are you here for? Where are you staying?”
“Length of stay is to be determined, and I’ll find a hotel nearby.” She shrugged casually but her voice cracked. “I thought I’d stop to see you on the way before going all the way to town.”
“Why don’t you stay here? I have an extra room, or you can stay in the camper. It has everything you’d need.” That pesky voice was trying to tell him something again, but he ignored it as usual.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Rex.”
“C’mon, it will be fun.”
“That’s not the fun I’m looking for. I wouldn’t want to cramp your style.”
“I thought you knew me better than that.” Hurt slammed into his gut. “Why are you here?”
“Coming here was a mistake.” Monica stepped backward toward her car. “Forget I was ever here.”
What in the world had gone wrong so quickly?I can’t let her leave like this. He grabbed her arm, just firm enough to stop her. “Wait Monica, don’t leave, please, not like this.”
Just then the front door opened, and Jenna’s voice called out, “Do you mind if I put a load of laundry going?”
Monica’s eyes flashed with anger and sent daggers his way. “Really, Rex? I’m out of here.”
She stormed to her car, not looking back.
Man, that’s what the voice had been telling him. In the minutes since Monica showed up on his doorstep, he’d completely forgotten that Jenna was staying with him for the weekend.
“Another one-night stand gone bad?” Jenna asked, mocking him.
“She’s not a one-night stand and her name’s Monica,” he snapped. “I’ll be right back.”
Jenna crossed her arms, and her scrunched face showed her confusion regarding his attitude and the presence of this woman. “Lacey’s Monica? The Monica who saved Lacey’s life?”
“Yes, and I need to go stop her before she leaves.” He rushed toward Monica’s car not waiting for a response.
“Monica, wait, it’s not what you think,” he yelled out. “Please, just stop.”
“You don’t owe me any explanation, Rex. I’m the one who showed up surprising you. It’s not your fault you have a girlfriend, just for being a big enough jerk to invite me to stay.”
“Would you just listen to me please? Jenna is my sister. She’s in from New Orleans for the weekend. I was so shocked to see you that I completely forgot.”
Monica’s face reddened in embarrassment, and she cast her gaze downward. “I’m sorry. I guess I caused quite the scene.”
“Probably, but considering the reputation I have, it’s understandable.” Even saying the words hurt him, but he knew it was true. The badge of honor he wore so proud in the past was now his scarlet letter—even if undeserved. “Come inside, please. You’ll like Jenna—she’s a lot like you.”
Monica paused, out of reluctance or embarrassment he didn’t know. Please don’t go, he silently begged. After an eternity, she stepped forward and they walked side by side back to the house. Rex didn’t miss the movements of the blinds as they approached his home. He almost laughed. Little sisters may grow up, but they never changed.
“Jenna, this is Monica. She’s an old friend.” Rex wished he could introduce her as more, but what? They were more than friends, though Monica would fiercely deny it, but had she finally realized that there was much more between them than that? Is that why she was here?
Jenna wasn’t buying it, but thankfully kept her mouth shut, about that at least. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Lacey.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too.” Monica extended an olive branch. “I, un, am sorry about out there.”
“No worries. Are you going to be around for a few days? I’m sure Lacey would love to see you and catch up.”
