“Oh!” Her brows rise. “You’d better hurry up and fix it before it’s too late. You can risk your pride and gain the girl or keep your pride but lose the girl.”
Ronnie cuts in again. “Now you’re dishing out relationship advice?”
I really dislike Ronnie. Why has Callie saddled herself with this pseudo-friend?
“Thank you, darlin’, for listening and for sharing your story. I hope you find your Prince Charming some day. In the meantime, don’t be anyone’s doormat. You deserve better.”
She blushes. I stand and nod good-bye to Ronnie.
Sitting in my car, I replay my conversation and think about Lindsey. I’ve never told her how much she means to me. Of course, taking her to Atlanta should have proven something to the woman. Don’t actions speak louder than words? Regardless, my stomach burns when considering her moving away.
I’d gone to Atlanta hoping to close the lid on my past by facing Mama. Perhaps all I accomplished was substituting one extreme brush-off with another.
I certainly didn’t help my case by yelling at Lindsey after Rob showed up on her doorstep. Instead of pouring my heart out, I walked out.
Not Rob; he kept his cool. He’s outplayed me all summer with the flowers and presents. Well, if I’m going down, I’m going down fighting.
On my way out of town, I stop at a jewelry store. I’ve never bought jewelry for a woman. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I skim over the light-filled glass cases loaded with formal-looking pieces. None of that stuff looks like Lindsey to me. Plus, considering her upbringing, she probably owns all the platinum and diamonds she can wear.
In the corner of the store, I spy a collection of casual, bohemian necklaces by an outfit selling under the name Love Heals. That’s so corny, but apt to our situation. Plus, Lindsey strikes me as the corny, sentimental type.
One necklace, made of pearls spaced loosely along a thin, brown leather strap with a silver floret clasp, catches my eye. It can be worn as one long strand, or wrapped two or three times along the collarbone. It looks like Lindsey to me, sporty yet feminine.
I picture Lindsey, naked in my bed, wearing it coiled around her neck. I want the image to be real. Even if she takes off, I’d like her to take this little remembrance of me with her. Whatever happens, I know she didn’t fall into bed with me easily. I doubt I could feel so much if she felt too little. I probably have just one last shot at convincing her to stay. I’d better make it count.
Almost two hours later, I arrive safely home. My back’s screaming at me for being so boneheaded today. I spent too much time in the car. That, plus I strained it over the past two days in bed with Lindsey.
Rob’s rental car isn’t in Lindsey’s driveway. Her house looks dark. Are they out to dinner? Surely she didn’t pack up and leave without saying good-bye. Then again, Rob might have pressured her to leave immediately. I frown at the possibility.
My back hurts when I exit my car, so I decide to run inside and grab a painkiller before I go over to her house. I try to hurry because time is no longer on my side.
Once inside, I head straight to the kitchen. I set the gift on the counter and look for aspirin, but then I feel an electric awareness. I turn the corner and stop. Lindsey’s curled up asleep on my sofa. She’s here, in my house, and Rob’s car is nowhere nearby.
She senses me watching her, stirs, and sits up, blinking in confusion. The pain in my back dissipates instantly, but my lungs feel compressed.
Lindsey
Levi’s standing across the room, guarded, saying nothing. All my planned speeches and sentiments vaporize. I’m rooted to the cushion, unable to manage a fully formed thought.
“You’re home.” My paper-thin voice drifts through the air.
“You’re here.” His face remains contemplative.
I’m going to have to take the first step. I knew it would be the case. Levi’s not comfortable with emotional declarations. Even if he were hopelessly in love with me, he’d never admit it first. Love’s never brought him anything but heartache, so he doesn’t trust it.
Dating Levi will require a lot of patience, but I can’t walk away. I hope he’ll give us a chance.
“Where have you been all day?” I hold my breath.
“Santa Barbara. How long have you been here?”
“A few hours.” I bite my lip. Will he be sarcastic and accuse me of snooping again?
“Where’s Rob?” Levi steps a little closer, but his arms remain folded in front of his chest. His anxious eyes pin me in place while he waits for my answer.
Shrugging, I check my watch. “Cooling his heels at LAX, I hope.”