Chapter 61
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
Rachel didn’t know what to say. In a recent run of embarrassing moments, this would have to be close to the top. “Um.” There went all her best laid plans for keeping things strictly professional with Matthew, for keeping her distance.
He came. He’s here. And he looks so damn cute.
Rachel’s heart was breaking, her only consolation was the look of misery on Matthew’s face. She shouldn’t take comfort in seeing he was also suffering, but deep inside she did. If he was in pain, it meant he cared.
“Rachel, please?” he begged.
She looked to Kellie for guidance, but her sister shook her head. “I’m sorry, Rach but this is your decision. I was standing in Matthew’s place only a few months ago, so I can’t possibly tell you what to do.”
And Dan gave you a second chance.
“Okay. But not here. What’s left of my disastrous love life should be allowed the grace of a private death.” She hugged Kellie, then gave Dan a wave goodbye. “I’ll call you later. Okay. ”
“We love you.”
“Make good choices.”
That last one came from Dan, who gave a solid two thumbs up in added support. Rachel sighed and headed for the door. “Love you too.”
At the front door, she grabbed her coat from the peg. She’d just slipped her arms into the jacket sleeves, when Matthew appeared at her shoulder. He unwrapped his beloved Hermès olive green scarf from around his neck and held it out to her. “This always looks good on you, Rach. Please.”
He's going to kill me with lashings of kindness and guilt gravy.
She closed her eyes as Matthew draped the scarf around her. His warm spicy cologne tempted all her senses. Her heart was thumping hard in her chest, as he carefully zipped her jacket up.
He’s always been so gentle with me.
She was still trying to dampen down her rising hopes as he opened the front door and ushered her outside. “Are you okay if we go back to the lodge and talk in private?”
“Yeah, it’s far too cold to stand outside here in the street.”
He reached out and took a hold of her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry Rachel. I’ve been an ass and when we get home, I’m going to make it up to you. I promise.”
Matthew started the SUV and Crazy in Love, blasted out of the speakers. Rachel leaned over and turned the music down. “Thanks, Queen Bee. I get it,” she muttered. She understood the passion of new love. It really did make a girl crazy.
“Aspen does love it’s classic rock. I’m yet to find a radio station that plays anything released in the past twenty years,” said Matthew.
“When did Beyoncé become classic rock?”
“The album Dangerously in Love was released in 2003. That’s classic rock,” replied Matthew. His shy grin, brought Rachel close to tears. Could they find their way back?
“But I am also outraged on Beyonce’s behalf,” he added.
When they reached the empty parking lot of the lodge a short time later, Matthew stopped the Jeep and turned off the engine. They sat in silence for a moment. Rachel was tempted to say something but badly needed Matthew to take the lead. To show her where this was going.
Please. Please. I want this man in my life. I want a future with him.
He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. So damn sorry. I said some really horrible things to you earlier, and I behaved like an angry prick on the flight back from the wedding. I can keep apologizing but what I really want to say is that I don’t want to lose you, Rachel.”
Hot tears stung her eyes. She wasn’t used to the men in her life owning their faults. To admitting they were wrong.
“I don’t want to lose you either,” replied Rachel, reaching for the door handle.
I am not going to fall to pieces in his car.
She climbed out of the Jeep, and when Matthew came around to her side, and offered her his hand, Rachel didn’t hesitant to take it. Hand in hand, they climbed the front steps of the lodge.