Grounded for Love: A Reunion Romance Novella (7 page)

“She’s only doing her job. And he does need his rest.”

“Hmph. I don’t like her one bit.” Her mom bobbed her head and Serena was glad to see the familiar spunk.

“I know, let’s go get something to eat.”

“I have plenty of food at home. We can go there.”

“I was thinking Jake’s. I’ve been missing the Durango Burger with the special sauce—haven’t had one for a long, long time.”

“I don’t know.” Her mom shrugged then wiped under her eyes. “What if your dad wakes up and needs me?”

“We won’t be gone long.”

At the restaurant, they sat in a booth toward the back. It looked the same as it did when Serena was in high school. A waitress came to the table. “Serena?”

“Kammi? How are you?” Kammi was as cute as she was in high school with her expressive brown eyes and long black hair.

“I’m good. Are you back in town?”

“Only for a visit. What are you up to?”

“Working here, obviously.” She laughed. “I’m taking classes at Fort Lewis, working on my degree. What about you?”

“I work for a publisher in San Francisco.” She still couldn’t believe she’d landed such an amazing job right after college. Every time she thought about it, she felt giddy.

“Wow, sounds exciting.” Kammi grinned.

“It is.”

“Last time I saw you…” Kammi paused as if she were trying to remember exactly. “Yeah, you were with a guy and you were going on the train.”

Serena nodded, her jaw clenching. Why did Kammi have to bring up
that
memory? Holding up the menu, Serena said, “I think we’re ready to order.”

Kammi took their orders then left.

“I wonder whatever happened to Graham.” Her mom sipped some water.

“Funny you should ask.”

“Why?” Her mom leaned in with interest, like someone ready for a juicy bit of gossip.

Serena chewed on her bottom lip, unsure if she wanted to share what had happened, because then she might have to endure a “discussion” about it.

“Serena?”

Knowing she’d have to tell her mom eventually, Serena said quietly, “He was at the airport.”

“Here in Durango?”

She played with the silverware. “No. In Denver.”

“Oh. Was he stranded there too?”

“Yeah. I ran right into him. Literally. We ended up at the same hotel.” An image of Graham with snow in his hair flashed through her mind.

“He was that guy who cheated on you in college. Right?”

Sometimes, Serena wished she didn’t share all the details of her life with her mom. “That
was
what I thought.”

Her mom arched an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

Serena adjusted her weight then pulled at her shirt. “Apparently, I misread the situation.”

“Didn’t you tell me you saw him kissing this girl?”

Wow, she has a memory like an elephant.
“Yes, but, turns out, it was some sorority prank.”

Her mom sat back with a dazed expression. “So he wasn’t cheating on you?”

“I guess not.” The realization stung like a swarm of angry bees. Again.

“Oh.” That one word communicated an entire lecture of not jumping to conclusions and giving people the benefit of a doubt. She already knew everything her mom could possibly say to her on this subject, because she’d heard it all before—regularly, because jumping to conclusions was one of her go-to habits in high school. But she thought she’d gotten over it.
Guess not
.

“I know. I know. I made a mess of things. But it doesn’t matter anymore. He’s involved with someone else now. He’s gone on with his life.” That’s what she needed to do too.

“Do you blame him?”

“No. This is my fault. I wish I had stopped to think about it and not let my anger rule my actions. Maybe…” Her mind shot to a little house with a white fence and a nursery painted a soft green. She could see herself sitting with Graham on a bench, under the shade of a large tree in the backyard, while they tossed around baby names. Serena’s heart ached for the lost dream.

Her mom reached over and squeezed her hand “You can’t live your life with
what ifs
. You can only learn from your experiences and go forward.”

“You’re right.”

“Seeing him brought back all those feelings?”

A tear trickled down her cheek. “Yeah. I thought I was over it. I thought I was completely done with him.”

“But you haven’t dated anyone steady since then.”

“Because I couldn’t find anyone worth dating for any length of time. Besides, I’ve been busy with my career. I don’t have time for men.”

“Or maybe you just couldn’t move on.” Her mom never minced words. “And now that you’ve seen him and gotten it all out, maybe now you can move on, find a good man, settle down, and give me some grandbabies.”

“Mom. I really am fine without a man, you know. I don’t need one. I have a great career and an awesome apartment. My life is… great.”

“I completely agree.”

Serena looked at her mom.

“You are amazing all on your own.”

“But?”

“You’ve always wanted a family. A husband. Kids. Living in the suburbs.”

Serena let out a long breath. “I know. But maybe that isn’t in the cards for me. Maybe my calling in life is to find authors who can change the world with their books.”

“Or maybe now that you’ve seen Graham, your feelings won’t be all bound up inside anymore, and you can be free to love someone else.”

Her mom was right about one thing—Serena did want a family. She thought she’d have it with Graham, but it hadn’t worked out that way. And she only had herself to blame. No matter how much she wished differently, she couldn’t change what happened. She’d have to overcome her regret and find a way to move forward.

Graham lay on his twin bed in his old room. The wedding was in less than two hours and he needed to “put a smile on his face” as his mom always said when he was a kid. Seeing Serena had knocked him off-balance.

For the first six months or so, he’d thought about her almost every day, wondering what she was doing and why she’d stopped talking to him without an explanation. He’d tried to contact her, but when she wouldn’t reciprocate, he figured she didn’t want to see him anymore. Now he knew why, but it didn’t make him feel any better. Why hadn’t he gone out to find her? Been more persistent? Made her explain why she’d cut off all communication? He wished he could have a do-over. But he couldn’t.
It is what it is.

He checked his phone and found a text from Dana.

I miss you. Can’t wait until you’re back.

Graham set his phone on the bed. Dana had her life all planned out with a career and high-powered positions. She wasn’t interested in having a family. Graham wasn’t sure he was either anymore. At least not until two days ago.

He rubbed his eyes. How did this happen? How did he run into Serena after all this time? Fate must have a great sense of humor. Except he wasn’t laughing.

He’d been so sure what his life path was going to be. Now he wasn’t.

A knock sounded at the door. “Are you almost ready?” came his mom’s voice.

“Yeah. I’ll be out in a second.”

Graham finished putting on his black tuxedo. It made him feel like he was in a strait-jacket, but he was willing to be uncomfortable for Chad’s big day. He made his way to the kitchen. The house still looked the same, like no time at all had passed. He loved it. It held so many memories of his childhood. He hoped his parents would never change the house. Or sell it.

“Look who’s home,” his sister, Annie, said.

He gave her a bear hug. “Can you believe our little bro is getting married?”

“Right?” Annie laughed.

“Uncle Graham,” said Sarah, her blond curls bouncing as she leaped into his arms.

“You are such a big girl,” he said, inhaling the apple scent in her hair.

“I know,” she said with a giggle then covered her mouth.

“That’s what happens when you stay in Arizona for so long.” Annie raised her eyebrows, and Graham didn’t have to wonder what she meant. He didn’t need her to remind him that he hadn’t been home in a while.

“And this one is a boy?” he said, patting Annie’s tummy.

“Yep. But we haven’t settled on a name yet.”

“It’s my brother. His name is Kristoff,” Sara said matter-of-factly.

“Oh, it is?” Graham said.

“Too much
Frozen
at our house.”

Graham’s mom came into the room and she put her arms around him. “I’m so happy to have all of you here.”

“And by that you mean me,” Graham said.

“Well, yeah. It isn’t the same when you aren’t here.” His mom tucked a piece of her bleached-blond hair behind her ear.

“I know. I miss the family.”

“How about you starting one of your own?” His mom was anything but subtle.

“You have that new girlfriend. What’s her name?” Annie poked him in the ribs.

“Dana. Her name is Dana.”

“So?” Annie said. She gazed at him with the are-you-finally-going-to-get-serious-with-a-woman look.

“Now that Chad is getting married…” his mom tossed in, her deep brown eyes questioning.

“Someday.” Graham held up his hand. “Maybe.”

“Why can’t you settle down?” his mom prodded.

“I will. I will.” Why did he feel like he was on trial for still being single?

“Uncle Graham, I want to sing a song for you.”

“Well, I’d love to hear it.” He gathered Sarah up in his arms. Anything to get away from his well-meaning, but very nosy sister and mom.

Graham stood in the reception hall amid decorations in lavender and yellow. His brother exuded happiness and contentment, while Chad’s new wife, Tiffany, looked radiant in her flowing white gown. Graham envied Chad. It wasn’t that Graham didn’t
want
to get married, as his family seemed to assume, he just hadn’t found a woman he wanted to commit to since…

Annie broke into his thoughts. “What are you thinking about so hard over here?”

“Nothing.”

“Doesn’t seem like nothing.”

He shrugged.

“You know, I thought you’d marry that girl you dated in college. Serena, right?”

A nervous laugh fell out of Graham’s mouth.

“That was funny?”

“Actually, I ran into her.”

Annie pushed his shoulder. “For real? Where?”

“At the airport.”

“Like yesterday?”

He nodded. It sounded as unbelievable as it was.

“Wow.” She crinkled her forehead. “What happened?”

“It was pretty awkward, I’d have to say.” An image of Serena’s flushed face flashed across his mind and he smiled to himself.

“Didn’t she run out on you?”

“Yep.”

“Did you find out why?”

“Because I was kissing another girl.”

“What?” She hit him on the arm. “You jerk. No wonder—“

“Before you get carried away with lynching me right here, it didn’t mean anything.”

“Wow. That’s even worse.” Annie rested her hands on her hips.

Graham shook his head and let out a long whistle. “Do all women overreact like this?”

“Seriously? I’m going to chalk that up to you being an oblivious man.”

Graham blinked. “I think there’s a slam in there somewhere.”

“You aren’t really this clueless. Are you?”

“Look, it was some sorority thing. A prank. She had to kiss a bunch of guys within an hour or something. I don’t know. I didn’t even know her. Or like her. I was in love with Serena, who happened to come to my apartment at the exact moment that girl kissed me. Then she disappeared and never gave me a chance to explain.” He pushed out an aggravated breath.

“Did you explain it to her now?”

“When I found out why she disappeared, yes.”

“And?”

“And what?” He shifted his weight. “That was a long time ago. We’ve both moved on. And I’m seeing Dana now.”

Annie nodded with a smirk swiped across her lips.

“What?”

“Nothing.” She adjusted her dress and smoothed the flyaway hairs around her face.

“Spit it out.”

Annie looked at him. “All I know is when you brought Serena here, your eyes were all dreamy and—”

“That sounds really unmanly.”

“Okay.” She smiled. “I’ll rephrase. You seemed in love and like you were a perfect match.”