Through the deck cracks she saw the door to the bottom porch open, catching her dad's attention. His eyes widened with appreciation and what Beth perceived as desire. Wow, did not want that vision imprinted in her mind. Her mom stepped into view, wearing a one piece navy blue swimsuit with white trim and an eye-hole opening at the front that tied. At fifty-nine, her mom was regally beautiful. No wonder Dad still was head over heels for her. Nothing sagged on her, no wrinkles, no extra skin. She looked to be in her forties rather than about to turn sixty.
Smirking, her dad nodded an apparent question his wife asked.
In a way, their relationship reminded her of hers and Sean's. Her dad was so much bigger than her mom that he engulfed her when he held her. Her mom seemed to relish when his beefy arms wrapped around her petite frame. Beth could relate. Whether in bed, at the movies, at the park, on the sofa, or taking a stroll down the road, there was nothing better than being in the protective arms of an overprotective man. She missed it.
Mrs. Connors climbed into the pool while her husband put away the hose. The late morning/early afternoon sun beat down on that side of the house. Today was supposed to be in the nineties, so they decided to take advantage of the pool before it became too warm to enjoy. Jill dove under the water and swam to her husband. When she surfaced, he picked her up and wrapped her toned legs around his waist. Beth watched her dad lean down and gently kiss her mom. The private moment between them screamed romance and adoration.
Tears stung Beth's eyes. Part of her knew she was being stubborn, a gift from her father, but the other part wanted to jump in her car, drive over to Sean's, and beg for him to take her back. He would. Every day she received flowers, cards, or a chocolate gift that pleaded for her to talk to him, give him a chance. Close to two months into their short relationship, Beth had been happy for the first time in years, and Sean had been the one to give that to her. Her inability to hear didn't matter to him. He learned and adjusted. He catered to her as if she was the most important person in his world, and she believed she was. Actually there was no doubt she was. Thinking back to that horrible dinner party, Sean had protected her by whisking her away from the onset of trouble. He'd chosen her over his beloved cousin. Even Ryan took guard over her, slipping into a big brother role. But how could they ever truly be happy together when the elephant in the family was their cousin, whose lifestyle destroyed her life? That wasn't something she could easily get over, and every family gathering would be riddled with awkwardness because Beth didn't have it in her to forgive the Murphy family. Not only that, there was the untapped issue that Sean would want children, soon, because of his age. After seeing him with his young cousins, there was no doubt he would. Beth was positive she couldn't raise babies in a safe environment. She barely took care of herself. Plus their age difference had to play a part eventually. What did they have in common really, except for both working in the medical field? Ultimately he would have become frustrated with having to adapt to her lack of hearing. Their time would have ended sooner rather than later. Swiping the escaped tears from he cheeks, she determined the end of the relationship now was for the best.
Flashing of the porch lights interrupted her wayward thoughts. Glancing back at her parents, they were too involved with each other to hear or bother with an intruder to their bubble. Beth crawled off the lounger and went inside. She was shocked to find Ryan standing on the doorstep.
He smiled, relief crossing his handsome features. "Hi."
"Hi," she said softly.
"Can we talk?" he asked.
Shaking her head, she said, "Ryan, I think it's best if Sean and I end our relationship‒"
"I think you're wrong," he said. "But before we get into that, how are you?"
Surprised at his concern, though she shouldn't have been, she answered, "Okay."
Grinning, his eyes grew affectionate. "Can I come in or are we gonna have this discussion on the front step of your parents' home?"
Stepping aside, she waved him in, then showed him to the living room. "Please have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?"
"No, thank you," he said. Sliding his big body on the sofa, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees.
She sat on the opposite side of the couch and waited for him to say his peace.
"Do you miss him as much as he misses you?" Ryan asked.
Frowning, she asked, "What?"
"He's devastated right now, Beth," he said. "Miserable. You must know he would be, right? I mean, Sean doesn't tell women he loves them. There's only been three women who've been given those three words‒our mom, Courtney, and you."
That couldn't be correct. Sean had to have been in love before. Look at him, a Greek god that was sensitive, caring, and intelligent. "That can't be true."
Ryan silently chastised her with an arched brow. "It is."
"It doesn't matter, Ryan." She shook her head. "How could we possibly work out? How could‒"
"Who do you think Sean chose, Beth? He picked you. He tossed our cousin out of his life, he's so furious with her. Do you have any comprehension what that means to us? You're the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with, grow old with, build a life with. You. No one else. There was no hesitation on his part, he picked you. He'll always pick you, even when you refuse his calls, his visits, his gifts," Ryan said. "Have you been happy, because you look like you've been cryin'? Is it over Sean?" He scooted closer and took her hands into his. "Just hear him out. Give him a chance to fix this, Beth."
"Ryan, there's too much going against us," she argued.
He body went rigid. "Like what?"
"I don't want to hash it out." She sighed heavily, and her head fell forward. "It would have ended eventually."
His large hand lifted her chin to look him in the eyes. Searching hers, he finally said, "Just listen to him. Meet with him one time, and if that's still how you feel then I'll accept it."
"You?" she asked.
He snorted. "Surely you don't think I'll accept anything but a happy reunion ." He stood, kissed her hard on the top of her head, and left the house.
That was it?
Not two minutes later, her cell phone beeped with a text message from Sean. Meet me at the new office. 5 pm tonite.
Great, now she had a date with a man she was trying to distance herself from. But that annoying tiny voice in her head was screaming out in joy that he was coming after her with gusto, even utilizing his brother. The man didn't fight fair.
16
This had to work. Sean couldn't and wouldn't accept anything but victory. Which meant, at the end of the evening, Beth would be back in his life. Permanently.
Glancing at his watch, he nervously fiddled with the white linen tablecloth placed precisely over the empty desk. Two lit tapered candles created the centerpiece. Votive candles littered the packed office space, creating a soothing ambiance. Two plated, fine dining dinners with sterling silver covers sat perfectly between the polished silverware. When he went to his mom's house earlier, she'd been more than happy to help him pull out everything he needed to wine and dine his girl.
After fixing the table for the umpteenth time, he wandered over to the window to watch for her car to pull in. Leaning against the sill, he felt his heart thrumming through his chest. What would he do if she refused him? Could he handle it? Would he allow her to walk away so easily? Hell no.
Shaking off his despondent thoughts, he focused on the here and now, winning back his girl. After Ryan got home earlier this afternoon and explained his discussion with Beth, they both concluded there was much more going on than the dinner incident. Apparently his Beth believed they weren't meant to be together. Well he'd put a halt to those errant thoughts immediately. Whatever it took and whatever assurances she needed, he'd give her.
A clearing of a throat interrupted him. Wheeling around, Beth stood at the threshold of the office, looking beautiful in black slacks and a sheer ivory short sleeve blouse.
Confused, he glanced outside then back at her. "How did you get here without me seeing you pull in?"
Smiling that adorable shy look, she shrugged. "Parked around back."
It only took a few long strides to get to her. "You look beautiful," he said softly. He took a lock of her silky strands between his fingers, briefly toyed with it, then brushed her hair off her shoulder. That attractive, endearing blush she had no control over made an appearance. One of the many list of things he cherished about her.
"I thought we were only talking," she said softly.