Romance: The Second Chance - Contemporary Romance (Romance, Contemporary Romance, Suspense Romance Book 1) (5 page)

             
O
nce Abby had finished her shower, and her crying, she and Melody worked on a puzzle, drinking tea while Abby told her what had happened at the beach. She mentioned Molly, and how she had still yet to hear from her since she departed with the surfer, but figured she'd be receiving a call from her soon.

              Then, Abby slipped. She let out that she’d run into Eli at the beach, and once she did, she had to confess the whole ordeal. Every heart-palpitating second of it. Including her promise to come by the café tomorrow for lunch.

              Melody's eyes light up at that, and nothing Abby said was any use. Melody had a very high opinion of Eli, but not for the same reasons as everyone else. She didn't care that people called him a hero, or that he was handsome; what she admired most was the way he’d treated his late wife, Hannah. Melody explained that they’d moved here about 4 years ago, and bought the café, but that Hannah had been diagnosed with cancer shortly after and passed less than a year later. Melody watched as he stayed by her side, day-by-day, caring for her as she withered away before him. He could have left. Could have made a new home for himself somewhere else. It would have been a lot easier. But he didn't. He’d stayed by her side until the very end.

              Abby swallowed hard. It was a lot to take in, especially after she had been so eager to get away from him earlier. But she still didn't
know
him. She wasn't looking for a relationship right now, and might not ever be again.

              But she would try to be a little less hostile and defensive around Eli, maybe try to get and know him a littler better. Maybe even become friends. She would definitely like to spend more time with his dog. But friends was as far as they would go. She couldn’t allow it to go further.

~*~

              Minutes after Abby’s head hit the pillow, the phone rang. Of course it was Molly. She’d always had
perfect
timing. Abby spent the next hour letting Molly talk her ear off about Eric, the surfer she’d run off with, about how she’d finally found
the
one
. Abby was as excited as she could be when she was half asleep. But once Molly finally hung up, Abby found her thoughts stayed on the conversation. What could it be like to be that naïve?
The one
. Who knew how long Molly and Eric would even last. A week? A month? A year? Who knew, maybe he
was
the one. Abby’s gut told her that the relationship was a stupid influx of hormones, but what did she know?

              She decided to not over think it, and instead just be happy for Molly. Be there for her. Whether that was to help her through a tough break up, or to be her maid of honor at her wedding.

Finally, sleep overcame her.

~*~

              When she awoke the next morning to an angry alarm clock, her eyes told her she hadn't enough sleep, and her body agreed. Then she remembered she started work today for Chuck, and needed to be there by 7:00 AM.

              The weather outside didn't look nearly as wonderful as the day before, so she put on a sweater, just in case. She brewed herself a cup of coffee, and was out the door before even Melody was up.

              Outside, the clouds had rolled in pale grey. Bringing gloom to the town like a billowing fog. The temperature had dropped significantly, as Abby had predicted from a quick glance out the window, so she wrapped herself tightly into her sweater. Chuck's Bait and Tackle shop was on the water, but only about a mile away from Melody's. All down hill, so it would only take about fifteen minutes or so if she kept up the pace.

              She made it in thirteen. Partly because she wanted to make a good impression, but also because it was cold out, and the brisk wind drove air between the stitches of her cheaply crafted sweater.

              Chuck wasted no time in putting her to work preparing bait for the tourists and local fisherman. Though the smell was foul, Abby wasn't squeamish. She didn't love it, but it would earn her money and she was determined to make the best of it. Chuck was friendly, cracking jokes Abby wouldn’t ever think of   repeat. She enjoyed the man's company, and his upbeat personality. His earnest passion for life and people was infectious; it was easy to see why he had so much business with the locals. She was even caught off guard when Chuck told her it was lunch time, and that she could wash up in the bathroom before she left. She had lost all sense of time, and immediately became flustered as she cleaned her hands, and attempted to scrub the fish smell from her body. It was no use. She figured people in this town would be used to it anyways, plus she really had no other choice.

              “I’ll be back in an hour,” she said, patting her hands dry as she came out.

Chuck lifted a hand in farewell. “Take all the time you need.”

Abby smiled. Though flattered by his generosity, she really had no intention of spending more time with Eli. He still made her nervous, whether it was rational or not. She would be back on time.

~*~

              Eli checked his watch for the third time in the past ten minutes. On edge with anticipation. The watch read 12:07.  He thought she'd have been here by now. He’d been struggling to get her out of his head all day.

              He and Ricky had been working since 9:00 AM. Ricky handling the grill and fryers, Eli the counter. It had been a slow morning, but picked up for lunchtime. Most of the tables were filled, and Eli feared there wouldn't be one for Abby to sit down. He’d noticed as she was left him at the beach yesterday that she walked with a slight limp. He didn't want her to have to wait to eat. She might just decide to leave.

              As soon as one of the smaller tables was vacant, he cleaned it off, and put down a sign that said ‘wet paint’, crafted with a sharpie moments before. The toxic smell was still fresh on the cardboard.

              Ricky laughed, and told him that he was losing it. Maybe he was.

              He checked again. 12:11. Maybe she wasn't coming. But just he thought that, there she was. He spotted her off in the distance. Her soft, silky hair blowing in the wind, exposing blue eyes that would make even the deepest of oceans jealous. He noticed the strain on her face, and could tell she was limping again. Not as severely as the day before, but it was still there. He could see it. Maybe she’d rolled her ankle—but then why try and hide it? She wasn't trying to hide it just from him, but from everyone. Which made him all the more curious. All the more protective.

              A flush of rage surged through him. Just at the thought of someone doing that to her. He’d always hated a bully, and never was one to stand idly by and watch them work. He hoped this wasn't the case with Abby, but if it was, he would make it right. He'd protect her. Just as he had tried to protect Hannah.

             
Hannah
... His thoughts trailed off.

              “Ah gringo!” Ricky called to him. “That her?”

              Eli put the thought in storage, saving it for later. He nodded.

              “Aye Yai Yai... you got a lotta work to do man.”

              “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Rick-o.”

              “Hey, all I'm saying is, she doesn't look like someone who’ll be taken easy. You’re gonna have to win that girl over, again and again.” Ricky shrugged, then pointed his spatula at Eli. “But she'd be lucky to have you.”

              The sudden compliment on the tail end of the insult caught Eli off guard, but when he looked over at Ricky he was already back at work. Usually Ricky didn't talk seriously at work, or really ever. He showed his love in other ways. Sometimes through insults, but Eli knew he could count on Ricky. That he'd always be there for him when he really needed it. Just like he’d been there for Eli when Hannah died.

              Eli stood up straight, and pretended not to notice Abby approaching, looking over old orders taken from the rush that ended minutes ago.

              Moment later he heard her soft voice speak hesitantly to him.

              “Hey.” Her words sending shock waves through Eli's body.

              “Oh hey! Almost thought for a moment you weren't going to come.”

              He immediately regretted saying that. It showed he’d been expecting her, worse, that he’d been
waiting
for her. Not a good start.

              If she was disturbed by his statement, she didn't show it. Instead, she gave a soft grin that twisted Eli's stomach into a pleasant knot.

              He couldn't even understand these feelings himself. He didn’t really know her, and besides, he’d already had his chance at true love. If a second time around was going to be anything like the first, he didn’t want any part of it.

              “No, of course not.” She pursed her lips, then bit down on them. Eli stared, unable to help himself. It had been these little things about Hannah that had driven him mad, too. In the best way.

              Now she was the one who looked unsure. Eli froze, his charm, the natural charisma that usually flowed so effortlessly from his mouth suddenly absent.

              After what seemed like an eternity, Ricky spoke up.

              “Hola senorita,” he called from the back. “My name is Ricky Jimenez. You can call me Ricky, or Rick-o.” He winked at Eli, who rolled his eyes. “I'm the only one who actually knows how to
really
cook a good meal around here, so make sure I'm working before you buy.”

              Abby gave Eli a semi-surprised, yet impressed look. Probably amused by Ricky's outgoing personality.

              The simple way Abby's eyes made contact with his was enough to turn Eli's legs into noodles. What
was
this effect she had over him?

              “It's nice to meet you Ricky.” She called back to him.

              “You as well Abby!” And then he froze. Realizing what he’d just done. Eli shook his head at him fractionally, eyes wide.
You aren't supposed to know that.
Ricky grinned at him, then quickly put his head down pretending to work.

              Abby looked amused. Which only intensified Eli's embarrassment.

              “How'd he know my name?” she asked. Obviously enjoying the torment she was causing him.

              Eli panicked, his mind completely blank. He laughed a little.

              It sounded forced.

              “Word travels fast in a small town. Not often you get a pretty young lady coming to Treasure Bay for more than a few days.”

              He offered a smile, hoping she bought it.

              “Yeah, definitely.” She didn't.

              “Alright” Eli said awkwardly, “what can get for you on this fine day? We’re currently running a special for today. Half off everything except the crab medley.”

              She laughed. “Umm... I think I'll just have a burger and fries.”

              “And to drink?”

              “Water would be perfect.”

              “Alright, coming right up. And don't feel you have to stand here and wait. You can go ahead and sit down over there,” he motioned towards the empty table, now cleared of its improvised sign, “and I'll bring it right over.” He waited, breathless, for her to move. Why did he care so much if she stayed? Why did everything in him
need
to be near her, as though her very presence was a source of happiness?

. Why did he care so much if she stayed?               “I appreciate that, but I really need to get back.” Eli was crushed. This was the part of love that no one talks about, but happens more often than not. The part that makes you want to crawl up into your bed. To turn off your phone, shut your blinds, and give up on the world. Because, for at least that moment, nothing, and I mean
nothing,
else matters, except you and your despair and her rejection.

Wait,
love
? Was that what he felt? What was
happening
to him?