Only You (Harbor Falls #2)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

H annah

“Look at you.” Adalyn smiled during our Facetime call. “My sister is the hottest woman in New York City.”

“Thank you.” I grinned. “Do you like the dress?” I did a little twirl with my phone in my hand.

“I love it, sis. When do I get to meet Mr. Matthew Ridge?”

“Hopefully soon. I plan to talk to him tonight about taking a little trip to Harbor Falls.” I smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Adalyn, he’s the one. I feel it in my heart. I’ve never been so head over heels with a guy before like I am with him. I know it’s only been a couple of months, but?—”

“Say no more.” She put her hand up. “I totally get it.” She looked over at Colin, and he waved. “Hi, Hannah.”

“Hi, Colin.”

“You look beautiful. Hot date tonight?”

“Yeah.” I smiled. “I better go. I’ll talk to you two later. Love you.”

“We love you too.” Adalyn smiled. “Have fun tonight.”

I grabbed my purse and hailed a cab to Matthew’s penthouse. Letting myself in, I set my purse down, opened a bottle of wine, and poured a glass while I waited for him to get home from work. My phone dinged with a text.

“Hi, beautiful. I’m running a little late. I called the restaurant and pushed back our reservation for seven thirty. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m just chilling at your place with a glass of wine.”

“Perfect. I’ll be home soon. I love you, my princess.”

“I love you too, my prince.”

Matthew and I met a couple of months ago on the streets of New York City when I accidentally bumped into him, spilling his coffee all over his expensive suit. I was mortified and kept apologizing like a mad woman. Instead of letting me pay for his dry cleaning, he wanted me to buy him another coffee. So, we headed to the nearest coffee shop, where we sat, talked, and drank coffee together. He was charming, and a relationship formed.

I took my glass of wine to the terrace and stared at the brightly lit city. As I sipped my drink, I thought about how I saw a future with us, which I never did with any guy. But, with Matthew, he was different.

I heard the elevator ding, and a smile graced my lips. Turning around, I stepped inside and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw a woman staring at me.

“Who the hell are you?” Her stern voice echoed throughout the penthouse.

“Excuse me? Who the hell are you, and how did you get up here?”

“I’m Matthew’s wife.”

The glass dropped from my hand and shattered all over the wood flooring. The elevator dinged, and Matthew walked in. His eyes widened when he saw both his wife and me standing there.

“Charmaine, what are you?—”

She turned around and slapped him across the face. “Ten years, Matthew. Ten years of marriage today, and this is what I find? I knew you were screwing around behind my back, you lying son of a bitch.”

“Charmaine, I can explain.” He gripped her arm.

“There’s nothing to explain, you liar. You got caught.” She jerked out of his grip and jammed her finger into his chest. “I’m calling my lawyer on the way back to Connecticut and filing for divorce. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be ruined. You can have your little whore over there.” She stormed out.

“Charmaine, wait!”

I stood there, shaking in disbelief.

“Hannah,” Matthew said, walking to where I stood.

“Don’t come near me.” I pointed at him. “You’re married?” I grabbed the sides of my head. “And today is your anniversary? I can’t believe how fucking stupid I am.”

“Hannah, I can explain. Things haven’t been good between Charmaine and me in forever. I was going to divorce her.”

“You’re a liar!” I shouted.

“No, baby. I swear. I love you so much, and I can’t lose you. I don’t love her.”

I stood there and shook my head as the anger and humiliation brewed.

“Go to hell, asshole. If you ever contact me again, I’ll get a restraining order against you.” I grabbed my purse and pushed the button to the elevator.

“Hannah, wait. Just listen to me,” he begged.

The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside, fiercely pressing the button to the lobby. “As I said, Matthew. Go to hell.” The doors shut.

I climbed into the cab, gave the driver my address, brought my hands to my face, and started sobbing.

“Miss, are you okay?” he asked.

“No. I’m not okay,” I said, sobbing.

A million little things were spinning around in my head. The pain in my chest was indescribable, and it hurt to breathe.

Entering my apartment, I pulled my phone from my purse and found several missed calls from Matthew. Pulling up his number, I blocked it. How could I have been so stupid not to see the signs? His charm blinded me. Staying in Connecticut every other week, two phones and the calls he’d step out to take in private. His penthouse didn’t have much. He told me he was a minimalist. It wasn’t his home like he led me to believe. Connecticut was his home—where he lived with his wife two weeks out of the month. I fell on the couch and laid my head back as a sickness tore through me. I needed to know something. It had been eating at me since I’d left Matthew’s. Unblocking his number, I took a deep breath and hit call. I needed to know for closure.

“Hannah, thank God,” he answered.

“I’m only calling you to ask one simple question.”

“Anything, baby. You can ask me anything.”

“Do you have children?”

“No. We never wanted children. Please, let me come over so we can talk about everything. I love you, Hannah, and I can’t lose you.”

“You’ve already lost me, Matthew. Don’t even contact me again.” I ended the call and blocked him.

I pulled up Adalyn’s number and stared at it. If I called her now, she’d worry about me all night. I needed to get out of New York City for a while to clear my head, so I took the suitcase from my bedroom closet and threw it on the bed. After packing some things, I pulled up flights to South Carolina. There were two seats available on an eight a.m. flight in the morning. I booked it, climbed into bed, and cried myself to sleep.

S tepping off the plane, I headed to baggage claim to retrieve my suitcase, then found my way to the rental car service to pick up the car I’d rented last night. When I climbed inside, I punched the address of the art gallery into the GPS and pulled out of the airport. My phone rang. Glancing at it, my mother was calling. Shit.

“Hi, Mom.” Tears instantly filled my eyes.

“Hannah, sweetheart. I’m Just calling to check in. We haven’t spoken in a couple of days.”

“How’s Italy?” My voice quivered.

“What’s wrong? Are you in a car? You sound like you’re in a car.”

I couldn’t tell her what had happened with Matthew yet, for I didn’t want to ruin her vacation. She’d worry and get on the next flight home.

“I’m fine, Mom. I just landed in South Carolina, and I’m on my way to Harbor Falls to visit Adalyn.”

“Was this a planned trip? You didn’t mention you were going there.”

“It was a last-minute decision. I had some time off work and thought, why the hell not.”

“Adalyn must be thrilled you’re coming.”

“She doesn’t know yet. I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“I’m coming, darling,” she shouted. “I have to go, sweetheart. We’re leaving for dinner. Have fun in Harbor Falls, and give Adalyn and Colin a big hug from me.”

“I will, Mom. Enjoy your dinner.”

I wiped the tears that fell down my face. My heart ached fiercely, but it lessened as soon as I passed the Welcome To Harbor Falls sign.

Pulling into the small parking lot behind the art gallery, I checked my face in the rear-view mirror before taking a deep breath and climbing out of the car. When the bell above the door chimed, Olivia turned and looked at me.

“Hannah!” She smiled.

“Hi, Olivia. Wow. You look like you’re ready to pop.”

“I’m due next week. Adalyn didn’t mention that you were in town.” She placed her hand on her belly.

“It’s a surprise.” I tried to put on a bright smile. “Where is she?”

“She and Luis are upstairs in the office reviewing some orders.”

“Thanks, Olivia.” I headed up the stairs and stood in the doorway of Adalyn’s office.

When she looked up at me in shock, the tears I fought to hold back came flowing down my face.

“Hannah? Oh my God. What are you doing here? What happened?” She ran over and hugged me tight.

“He’s married, sis.” I sobbed.

“What?” She broke our embrace and looked at me.

“Oh, dear,” Luis said, walking over and placing his hand on my back.

“Come and sit down.” Adalyn led me to the light grey couch. “What do you mean he’s married?”

“I was at his penthouse last night waiting for him to get home from work, and his wife showed up. It was their ten-year anniversary.” I sobbed.

Adalyn pulled me into her. “That asshole. I’m so sorry, sis.”

“Um, what did the wife say when she saw you there?” Luis asked.

“She told Matthew that she was filing for divorce and she’d ruin him.”

“Ah, there’s nothing like a woman scorned,” he said.

“Why didn’t you call me last night?” Adalyn asked.

“I didn’t want to worry you. Besides, I didn’t want to talk to anyone. Adalyn, it hurts so bad.”

“I know it does. Come on. I’m taking you to the house. Did you drive here?”

“I flew in, but I have a rental car.”

Luis handed me a tissue. “Addy, you take her rental car to the house, and I’ll drive your car back later.”

“Thanks, Luis. Come on, sis.” She helped me from the couch.

Luis wrapped his arms around me. “You don’t give that cheater slimeball another thought. He did you a favor. I know you don’t see it now, but in time you will. I promise.” He kissed the side of my head.

“Thanks, Luis.”

Adalyn grabbed her purse. We climbed into the rental car and drove to her house.