Chapter 16
Monica’s eyes fluttered open Saturday morning, and she greeted the day with a smile that reached all the way to her toenails.
Her first thoughts weren’t about what she had to do today or tomorrow but about her time with Sean.
She’d always been gung-ho when it came to helping others.
She had gone a little overboard with the whole tree-decorating thing.
It’d worked out, though. She closed her eyes and relived the moment when his lips touched hers. Every nerve ending in her body tingled with the memory. That kiss had been the hottest thing she’d ever experienced, and he’d been so sweet about the need to put some distance between them.
Worked out was an understatement.
Monica had been dancing around the subject for weeks, but now she was sure that she’d fallen completely, madly in love with Sean Conklin.
But what about the job in Arizona?
It was a valid question, one that needed serious consideration. She hadn’t told Sean about her opportunity to work with Matthew Wright’s ministry. At first, he’d been obviously turned off at the mention of Matthew’s name so she’d kept it to herself. She’d barely known Sean then.
And now? Monica admitted that she shouldn’t have held the information back, especially now that she knew Sean’s story. Especially when their relationship seemed to be on the verge of something more than friendship.
She tossed the blanket aside and rolled from the bed. She had a lot to do to get ready for this afternoon. Besides, she often did her best thinking when she wasn’t thinking.
After a hasty bagel, Monica loaded her car with all of the things she’d need as props for this afternoon’s Christmas photos. She wanted to do a balloon arch in red, white, and green. She’d never made one before, but she’d watched a YouTube video. It seemed pretty straightforward.
She rolled into the church parking lot at nine thirty, frowning when she saw the familiar car parked next to the door. What was Ginny doing here so early? Monica parked next to the blue Mustang and waved.
Ginny didn’t wave back. She climbed from her car and leaned back against it with her arms crossed, a puzzled expression on her face. “Where is everybody?”
Monica cocked her head. “I’m sure they’ll be here for their appointments this afternoon. Are you here to help me set up?”
Ginny lowered her head and rubbed at her temples. “This afternoon?”
“Yeah...” But uncertainty was beginning to creep in.
Was her friend feeling all right? Monica hoped so because she needed this fundraiser to go off without a hitch.
“I have twelve families lined up for Christmas photos. It’s nice that you came by to help get set up, but I can do that by myself.
Why don’t you go home and rest? You don’t look like you feel well. ”
Ginny shook her head and met Monica’s gaze across the top of her car. “Do you remember the night that we talked about this event?”
“We talked about a three-hour session from one to four.” The words sparked a memory, and Monica’s heart took a nosedive into her sneakers.
“We did talk about that,” Ginny said. “But—”
“You said you had a wedding this afternoon.” Monica leaned against her car and put her face in her hands. “I’m such an idiot.”
“I’m guessing you didn’t change the time on your calendar.”
Monica shook her head. “I don’t suppose...” She glanced up to find Ginny looking at her incredulously. “Yeah, a canceled wedding would be a little too much to hope for.” Okay, she could figure this out. “Is there anybody local who might be able to do the photos this afternoon?”
“I’m sorry, Monica, I’d help you if I could, but between holiday weddings, parties, and pictures with Santa events, Christmas is the busiest time of year.
Everyone I know is booked solid from now through New Year’s.
I was so glad that I had this morning open to help you with your project. I wish I could, but... I’m sorry.”
“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. A good friend of mine told me that my schedule was going to bite me eventually. She was right. I’m just sorry that it inconvenienced you.”
They said their goodbyes, and Monica stood strong until Ginny drove out of sight. Then, she sank back into her car seat and rested her head on the steering wheel.
A couple of hours ago, she’d been fretting about telling Sean about Arizona.
Looked like those worries had been for nothing.
Without the fundraiser, she didn’t have the money to pay Matthew’s fee.
Without the fee to finalize the event, there’d be no invitation to come to Arizona.
Her determination to do it all for everyone—all the time—had cost her the most important opportunity of her life.
***
SEAN SPENT THE FIRST full day in his new home unpacking boxes, arranging furniture, and trying to keep track of his mischievous son.
More than once, he lost him, only to find him hiding in an empty box.
Jace’s slobbery smile at what he obviously considered a grand game made Sean laugh, which only contributed to having the game played out over and over again.
Despite Jace’s antics, Sean had plenty of time to think about Monica. Every time he looked at the tree, he thought about their life-altering kiss.
Life-altering.
He thought about those words as he worked.
He’d kissed another woman. He made a date with another woman.
For the first time in a year, his guilt over those two things was negligible.
Brittany still held a solid chunk of his heart, but she wasn’t squeezing the life out of it.
Had she ever, or had it been his own emotions keeping him in a stranglehold?
When he dug a little deeper, he found out that he really didn’t want to know.
He’d always have a part of Brittany with him in the form of their son.
Regardless of the life he chose to build from this point on, he’d never let Jace forget the mother who’d literally given her life in exchange for his.
But Brittany was gone. The future they’d planned together could never be. But Sean was still here and still had a future.
And if that future held another woman, she’d have to be good with that.
Sean laughed as he put the brakes on his train of thought. He’d known Monica for about five weeks. For almost half that time, he’d been trying to avoid her, and their first real date was tonight. They were a long way away from planning a future together.
While Jace took his afternoon nap, Sean called his progress good and stacked the remaining dozen or so boxes in the spare bedroom.
He grinned as his thoughts once again turned to Brittany.
She’d been a little compulsive. The two times they’d moved during their marriage, the boxes had been unpacked, the books had been arranged on the shelves, and the pictures had been hung before they’d gone to bed on day one.
Once, he’d threatened to tranquilize her if she didn’t chill out. It hadn’t worked. Seeing boxes stacked in the bedroom would drive her crazy. Being able to smile at those memories without the accompanying sadness was a gift.
Later, when he stood at Monica’s door, he took the time to smooth his shirt and hair with one hand while he put the hand that held a single red rose behind his back. It might have been a while since he’d been on a real date, but he wasn’t a slacker. He pressed the doorbell and waited.
He’d booked a reservation at Oakleigh’s both as a silent apology to Monica and because he was in the mood for a good steak. The one he’d enjoyed on that disastrous evening a few weeks ago had been one of the best he’d ever eaten.
Monica opened the door, and Sean was dazzled. He took a step back.
She was nothing short of lovely. The dress she wore was a pattern of red, green, and blue swirls against a black background. The blue was an exact match for the color of her eyes and made them even more vivid than usual.
“You look amazing.” He whipped the rose from behind his back. “For you.” Not exactly riveting conversation, but he was having trouble finding words.
Monica took the flower and inhaled the scent. Her smile was all the thanks he needed.
She swung the door wide. “Come on in. I’m almost ready.” She lifted the rose. “This is beautiful, thanks.”
“You’re more than welcome.” Sean took in Monica’s space.
If her office was an indication of who she was, her living area took that one step further.
It was full of the things his mother would call knick-knacks.
Books lined a couple of shelves, interspaced with small figurines of fairies, dragons, and unicorns.
The pillows on her sofa accented the colors of translucent wings, iridescent scales, and fanciful flowers.
Several books on the shelves bore titles that he’d enjoyed.
It seemed they shared a love of fantasy.
Like a piece of metal drawn to a magnet, he crossed to the shelf, plucked up a familiar title, and flipped through the pages. “This was a good one. Did you enjoy it?”
“I did.” Monica joined him. “I’m waiting for the next in the series. I know it’s available, but I’ve been so busy I haven’t ordered it yet.”
Sean thought of the book he’d just unpacked today. “I can loan you my copy.”
Monica looked at him through narrowed eyes. “I’ll take you up on that, but I swear, if you spoil it for me over dinner”—she tapped the book he still held—“the wrath of our favorite hero will be nothing compared to mine.”
Sean laughed. “You have my word. I see plenty of other books we can discuss, and now that I know you love a good fantasy, I’m sure we’ll have a few movies to talk about as well.
” He slid the book back into place. “I see an author or two here I haven’t read.
While you finish getting ready, if you don’t mind, I’ll pick something out to keep me occupied. ”
Monica leaned around him, and he got a whiff of her perfume. It was enough to send thoughts of a good book racing from his mind.
“Have you read Stiles?”