Chapter 13
13
ELLE
W ithin a few days, I am in contact with the Monarch Bay Resort & Spa and book my travel arrangements to California. My life feels like it’s gone through so many changes in the past week, and my head won’t stop spinning.
My flight is set to take off later this morning, so I leave my house early with all of my luggage, prepared to weather the long haul. I’m riding in a black town car sent by the resort. I’m scared and excited, but I think I’m ready to take on this new challenge.
Well, almost ready.
Since I have some extra time before I need to be at the airport, I ask the driver if he’ll make a quick stop for me, which he kindly agrees to do. When we pull in front of the Magnolia Point Resort, I take a deep breath to center myself, then head inside. Serendipitously, as soon as I walk in, I spot Jeremy, a cute but quiet guy who often stops by the cafe.
“Psst! Jeremy!” I hiss, trying to get his attention.
He turns around and smiles when he sees it’s me. “Hey, Elle! How’s it going?”
“I’m good. How’re you? How’s your dad?” I inquire.
“He’s feeling much better. Thanks for asking. And thanks for sending him the soup last week.”
“Of course. Glad he’s feeling better.”
His smile widens into a grin. “What can I do for you?”
“Um…” I rub the back of my neck. “Is, uh… Is Peter around?”
Jeremy checks his watch. “Hmm, he should be done with his morning meeting by now. Want me to bring you to his office?”
I blink a few times as anxiety seeps in. “Are you sure that would be alright?”
“I’m sure he’ll forgive me,” Jeremy counters with a conspiratorial wink, then leads me toward the back of the building.
We weave through a few people and hallways before finally approaching a large corner office. Jeremy knocks, then pokes his head inside. “Excuse me, sir. I have your 9:30 appointment out here waiting for you.”
“What?” I hear Peter ask from inside, and the sound of his voice after a full week of not speaking to each other makes my skin break out in goose bumps. “I don’t have a 9:30. If this is a walk-in, just tell them to reschedule for another time.”
“Oh, I think you’ll want to see this one, sir.” Jeremy grins over his shoulder before ushering me inside the office.
Peter stands with his back to us and a file open in front of his face. As he turns around, I can see he’s pinching the bridge of his nose. “Jeremy, seriously. I’m not in the moo—” His words die off when he looks up and sees me nervously wringing my hands.
“Hi,” I greet shyly when he doesn’t say anything.
“Hi…” he replies, seemingly in shock that I’m here. When he snaps himself out of his stupor, he puts his file down and rummages around his desk. “Uh, can I get you something? Water, coffee, anything?”
I wave a dismissive hand in front of me. “No, I’m okay. Thank you.” I’m so anxious I feel like I could puke.
Jeremy cuts in, reminding us he’s still here. “If you two are good, I’ll just head back out front. Let me know if you need anything, boss.”
“Thanks, Jeremy,” Peter replies. “And stop calling me boss .”
“Sure, I’ll get right on that.” His chuckle is quiet as he exits the room, leaving me alone with Peter.
“Right.” Peter drums his fingers against his leg. “So, um, what are you doing here, Ella Kate?”
Hearing him say my name makes my heart clench because I’ve missed it so much. I’ve missed him .
“I’m going to California,” I blurt.
His dark eyes widen. “Oh. That’s good to hear?” He responds like it’s a question, trying to gauge my reaction.
“Yeah,” I confirm. “It is good.”
“And you were able to get all that time off work? I understand you have… responsibilities.” His tone isn’t condescending or demeaning, and that makes me feel even more like shit for how I reacted the last time I saw him.
I cross an arm over my body to grip the spot above my left elbow, as if shielding myself for whatever is about to happen. This is much more awkward than I thought it would be.
“About that…” I clear my tight throat. “Well, I talked to my parents about cutting back on my hours and exploring other interests.”
“Other interests…”
“Seems they think I need more time to pursue my passions outside of the cafe. To start living my life , as my mom put it.”
“And they can manage without you?”
“So it seems.” I look down at my shoes. “It’s not that they don’t need me or anything.” I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince here, myself or Peter. “But they don’t wanna see me waste my life away in the cafe or miss out on any opportunities.”
“I see.” He nods curtly and avoids my gaze. “So, I guess you’re going to California then.”
“Yeah, they think it’ll be good for me to try something new. Go on an adventure and all that.”
“That’s good to hear. I’m happy for you.”
“Yeah, me too.” There’s another awkward lull while we both scramble for something to say.
“When do you leave?” Peter asks.
“Today.”
His eyebrows shoot to his hairline. “Today? Wow, that’s?—“
“Right now, actually.” I jut my thumb over my shoulder in the direction of the lobby. “I have a car waiting for me out front.”
“Oh… Well, I don’t want you to be late.” He looks like he wants to say more, but decides against it. “Have a safe trip.” He turns toward his desk, shuffling a few stacks of paper.
“Peter, I…”
He looks up at me and I freeze. “Was there something else?”
“I just wanted to tell you that I… that I’m, uh…” I exhale a loud breath, silently begging my heart to stop beating so fast. Jeez, I was much better at this when I was practicing in front of my mirror. “I’m sorry for the way I treated you. It was unfair and uncalled for. I’d give anything to take it all back because I really want you to come to California with me.”
His confused expression causes my breath to hitch in my chest. “What? You just expect me to drop everything I have going on right now and go on a trip with you? Across the country?” He faces me completely, crossing his muscular arms across his chest. “That sounds a little irresponsible , don’t you think?”
There’s an edge to his voice that fills me with shame and I wince—even though I deserve it. When I bite my lip and begin wringing my hands again, Peter sighs and drags his palm over his face.
“I’m sorry, Ella Kate. I shouldn't have said that.”
“It’s fine.” I brush it off, a little hurt while also knowing I brought this on myself.
“I just…” He sighs again, shaking his head. “I am happy for you, and I really hope you succeed. But I’m not ready to forgive you just yet.”
My chin starts to wobble but I fight back my tears. This is all my fault and I’m not sure how to fix it.
“I feel things for you that I’ve never felt for any other woman. I put myself out there and chased you for weeks. I fell in love with you and you acted like none of that mattered.”
“You do matter to me?—”
“I need some time. Can you understand that?”
I nod, not sure what else I can do at this point. “Of course. Yeah. Totally. Take all the time you need.” I start walking backward to the door. “Well, I guess I should get going. I don’t wanna miss my flight.”
My hand reaches for the doorknob, but when Peter calls out, my steps falter. “Ella Kate?”
“Yes?” I answer immediately. I don’t turn around, though. Because I don’t want him to see the tears rolling down my cheeks.
There’s a pregnant pause before he finishes, “I really hope you have fun out there. It’ll be a great experience for you.”
“Yeah,” I say, hoping he can’t hear my heart breaking from across the room. “I think so too.” I don’t dare look at him or I’ll really start sobbing.
With no goodbyes shared between us, I dart from his office and hustle back to the town car out front. I thank the driver profusely for waiting for me and swipe at a few errant tears. I chastise myself as he helps me with my luggage after dropping me off at the airport.
Don’t you dare cry, Elle.
I make it through security relatively quickly and head to my gate.
Don’t cry.
Thankfully, I’m one of the first boarding groups so I get on the plane with no issues and put my carry-on bag in the overhead bin.
Don’t you do it.
I buckle myself into my seat and wait for the plane to take off. We leave on time, cutting through the clouds until there is just a sea of blue to be seen outside my window.
Don’t cry.
Leaning forward with my elbow propped on the tray table, I’m thankful for my window seat. I pretend to stare at the morning sky, hiding my face as the tears finally begin streaming. I try to ignore the ache in my chest, refusing to acknowledge the fact that Peter may never want to see me again.
This can’t be the end for us. It just can’t.
California is even more beautiful than I thought it would be, and now I understand why it’s referred to as the Golden State. It’s bright and sunny and warm and the ocean is absolutely majestic. It’s a photographer’s dream to have all these gorgeous panoramic views.
When I arrived yesterday, I decided to turn over a new leaf. I cried all my tears on the plane, and I wasn’t going to spend the rest of the trip sulking and sad because I need to stay sharp for this fantastic opportunity I’ve been given. I can’t afford to blow it simply because I’m heartbroken, something I completely brought on myself.
I was greeted by a new driver at the airport and he delivered me straight to the resort, where a small team of employees offered me a kind welcome. They told me how impressed they are with my photography, and a few even asked if I do weddings or baby pictures. I was so overwhelmed and admitted that I haven’t expanded too much outside of business shoots yet. But that certainly gives me more to think about for the future.
Then, I was able to spend the rest of the day strolling around the property, snapping some pictures here and there, just getting a feel for how different areas of the resort look at various times in the day. I talked to several staff and guests, and even experienced the Pacific Ocean for the first time. It was way more fun than I thought it was going to be and gave my spirit a much-needed boost.
Needless to say, I’m excited to get to work today. After slathering on sunscreen and donning a wide-brimmed hat, I grab my camera and leave my hotel room. Only to immediately slam into something hard.
“Ow!” I squawk, rubbing my injured nose.
“Shit. Sorry, Ella Kate. Are you alright?” a familiar voice asks. “I didn’t realize you were stepping out.”
I slowly crane my neck upward. “P-Peter?” My mouth drops open as I blink. “What… But how… I don’t..”
He chuckles and rubs the back of his neck. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you after you left yesterday. Actually, I haven’t stopped thinking about you for even a minute since you got out of my car a week ago,” he confesses. “I know I said I needed some time, but I realized that no matter the amount of time you give me, I’ll always forgive you. Because I love you.”
My knees almost buckle with relief.
“I couldn’t let you go thinking that I didn’t.”
His explanation makes me smile. “You could’ve waited until I got back.”
He shakes his head and grips my shoulders. “No, I really couldn’t. I already spent a whole week without you, and I refuse to spend any more time away from you.”
“Oh, Peter. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m sorry too. I just want you to be happy, honey. That’s all I want.”
“You make me happy,” I whisper as I lean forward on my tiptoes to crash my lips to his.
Kissing him feels like coming home as I angle my face up and rest my hands on his broad chest. It’s been so long since I felt his lips on mine. And I decide right here, right now, that I never want to go that long again.
When we pull apart, he rests his forehead against mine.
“Thank you for coming back to me. I love you, even if I’m terrible at showing it.” I stare into his eyes, caressing the soft hair at the nape of his neck.
“Thank you for waiting for me,” he replies, pecking my lips again.
Before I can get swept up in him, I step back and clear my throat. “As much as I would love to continue this, I’m actually burning daylight right now and really need to get out there and take some pictures.”
He gives me a lopsided grin. “That’s my girl. Wanna show me what you got?”
I close my hotel room door and start walking down the hall. “Hmm, I don’t know,” I tease. “I’m not sure if you can handle it. I found some pretty cool spots yesterday—spots that are tricky to get to for an old man like yourself.”
“I’ll show you old, little girl.” He pinches my side and I giggle. “Wherever you go, I’ll follow. I’d follow you to the end of the world if I had to.” He slings his arm around me and presses his lips to my temple. “And later tonight, how about I show you some sights I wanna photograph?” He comically wiggles his eyebrows, and I giggle.
My cheeks flame and I shove his face away from mine, quickly looking up and down the hall to make sure no one is around. “Oh my God, is your mind always in the gutter?” I hiss at him as I pick up my pace and leave him chuckling behind me.
I worry for a split second that he’s going to decide he wants to spend the day doing something more fun than watching me take pictures, but a moment later, he catches up beside me and slides his hand into mine.
“Where to first, sweetheart?” he asks with that signature handsome smile posed on his lips. I smile back at him and squeeze his palm.
He may follow me wherever I go, but I’d follow him too. To the moon and back if I had to. Anywhere, as long as we’re together.