“I’m sorry,” I blinked down, studying my tan pumps. “I hadn’t realized you two were still together. Elaine doesn’t talk about it.”
“I know.” We were standing in the parking lot, and he crossed his toned arms over his equally toned chest. “We thought it would be easier if we gave you two some space for now.”
“For now?” I shook my head. “You can be as open as you like. Derek and I are through.”
His lips parted then closed, and I could tell he was trying to decide what to say. “I’d like to be a little more open with you. If you’ll hear me out.”
“Patrick, please…”
“I don’t want to offend you or pick at a fresh wound,” his voice turned gentle, “but if you’re still deciding—”
“I’ve already decided…” Sadness burned in my throat stronger than the anger I normally used to fight it.
Seeing Patrick reminded me too much of being with Derek, of being held in those strong arms, of that deep sense of safety he’d given me. He had been so comforting after my year of nightmares. Of course, I’d fallen in love with him. I was an idiot.
“Derek’s wife died six years ago,” Patrick continued. “He wasn’t the same for a long time. Not until…”
My eyes burned with rapidly forming tears. “Please stop,” I whispered.
“He had no idea, Mel. Neither of us knew what you’d been through.”
“He should’ve told me the truth,” I said. Two tears splashed onto my cheeks when I blinked, and I angrily wiped them away. “He lied to me. That’s all that matters.”
“He’s sorry.”
I spun on my heel and headed back to my car. The last thing I needed was to hear about his regret. Any man who could do what he did, get as close to me as he did, and then lie, hide something that important, was capable of anything. And I’d already been down the road to anything. I wasn’t revisiting the location.
Derek Alexander was a thing of my past, and if I never met another man as long as I lived, I’d be happy.
My beach condo was absolutely perfect for my recovery. Just being in it made me feel peace. It also made me feel lucky, like I was getting another chance.
It was part of what had been envisioned as a planned beach community near Sea Breeze that fell victim to the recession. When the developers went broke, they sold off what was left for cheap, and I happened to be on the market at the exact right moment. It was as if all the negatives in my life had managed to twist out one beautiful positive for me.
Since the location was only partially developed, I was secluded from much of the tourist traffic that regularly invaded the area. Most of my neighbors were full-time residents who’d lucked into their properties as well. We were all bound together by sandy paths and picket fences, and we valued the seclusion of our area. Our dunes were untrodden, and the sea oats and beach scrub formed a nice barrier between us and the high-end resorts nearby.
Sitting on the shore, I inhaled the salty air, tasting it on my tongue. I straightened my shoulders and allowed the warmth of gratitude to tingle through every part of my body. I was alone, but I was content in this new, healing chapter of my life.
Except when Elaine visited. Since I’d bumped into Patrick that day, she’d stopped tip-toeing around their relationship. And my former one.
“Patrick said he does nothing but monitor Sloan now,” she said, removing the ingredients for our dinner from the brown bag she’d brought with her. I was busy opening a bottle of wine. “He’s determined to catch him breaking the law and bring him down.”
“I don’t care, Elaine,” I said in my usual monotone when she got on this subject. “And I’m so tired of having this conversation. Derek and I are through.”
“But he’s still in love with you,” she insisted. “And he wants that bastard to pay.”
“And you’re a hopeless romantic,” I said, pouring us both large globes of red wine. “I’m a little irritated you didn’t tell me you were still dating Patrick. He was in on the lie, too, you know.”
“He didn’t know you were sleeping with Derek,” she said. “You didn’t even tell me that part until after!”
“You couldn’t see anything but each other,” I said taking a sip. “Besides, he knew they were there to spy on us, and he didn’t tell you. How can that not drive you crazy?”
“Mmm… Patrick drives me crazy in other ways.” She winked, taking a sip of her wine.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re impossible.”
“And I think you’re secretly in love with Derek.”
“I’m not talking about this with you anymore.” She couldn’t understand because she’d never been hurt like I had. “I won’t be with someone who could lie to me like that. So convincingly.”