Page 26 of Trusting You
My mouth dropped open as realization that she was walking away sunk in. “Damn it!” I punched the water as I growled in frustration.
“Go after her,” Emma called from the other end of the pool. When I turned to snarl at her, she pointed at the direction Mel had gone. “If you like her as much as you say you do, go after her. Don’t give up now. If she’s worth it to you, you need to keep pursuing it.”
“Stay out of it, babe,” Brock warned from beside her.
“No,” Emma shook her head. “I’ve been watching them. She likes him, she’s just afraid of him. He needs to show her that she can trust him. He’s changing for her. I’ve seen it.” She looked back at me, “What are you waiting for? Go!”
I quickly pushed up on the side of the pool, grabbed my towel, and followed the path Mel had taken. It didn’t take long for me to find her. She was sitting on the sand with her towel wrapped around her. Her knees were pulled up, and she was shaking as if she were crying. I felt like an ass for doing this to her. This was my fault, but I didn’t know how.
I quickly jogged over the sand, coming to stop beside her. Her head lifted as she stared out at the water. One hand wiped at her eyes before a strangled whisper came out. “Please don’t break my heart.”
I swallowed the lump that had formed from her plea before sinking down beside her. I tugged lightly at her chin with my thumb and index finger, begging her to look me. “I won’t,” I promised. “I swear, I won’t.”
She nodded before leaning into me and placing her head on my shoulder. How the hell would I keep that promise? How could I promise to never hurt her? I’d been hurting her since we met. Every time I thought I was making progress I’d screw up. I had to try harder. She was worth it, and I was going to prove that to her if it was the last thing I did.
Chapter 11
Melinda
The week went by quickly with Aaron and I spending pretty much every waking moment together. He either came over to Em’s house, or I went to his place. He took me to the pier one night, we had a couple more fires on the beach, and tonight we were going on a real date. It was my last night in Wilmington, and Aaron insisted that we stay up all night. Emma was doing the driving tomorrow, so I didn’t really need to be awake anyway, right?
“You’re not mad that I’m not going to be around tonight, right?” I looked up from where I was digging in my suitcase to find Em staring at me.
“Not at all. My parents want to talk wedding stuff. Well, at least my mom does. I think Dad just wants to make sure she doesn’t spend a fortune,” she laughed. “Have fun, and we’ll catch up tomorrow. Just make sure you’re back here by nine. I don’t want to get back to school late.”
“I agree. I want to be able to unpack and relax tomorrow before classes start,” I smiled as my fingers brushed over the soft yellow sundress I’d packed. “I just feel bad running off again.”
“You remember last summer, right? When you came to visit and I spent all my time with Brock. I get it. You like him, and we don’t live near him. This is your chance to be with him, so I’m not upset. I see you every day, and I’m happy that you’re happy,” she smiled before turning at the doorway to her room. “Enjoy your night,” she grinned before disappearing down the hallway.
I pulled the sundress from my bag and started getting dressed. Aaron had said that tonight was going to be a real date. I didn’t know what he meant by that. We’d already been out to dinner, swimming, walked on the beach, hung out at the pier. I didn’t know what else he had in store.
When he pulled up in his Jeep, I was sitting on the porch. I knew it probably looked way too eager and lame, but I was excited. I’d pulled my hair up, and now I was glad because Aaron had the top off.
“Hey, beautiful,” he grinned as he bounded up the steps. He was wearing a white golf shirt and khaki shorts. His golden tan from being on the beach all week stood out against the white fabric, and I couldn’t help but stare at the way it clung to his chest.
“Hi,” I offered a lame wave. I stood and brushed my hands down the front of my dress. I hadn’t worn a dress out with a guy since I’d dated Jason. He always told me he liked them because he could touch me in public and be discrete about it. After we broke up, I never wore them again. I always felt dirty, but with Aaron it was different. Over the last few days Aaron had shown me that I could be me and not lose what I’d worked so hard for. When I told him to stop, he did. He’s never pushed me, and I’m finally at a place where I can relax.
“You ready?” he held out his hand to me when he reached the top of the steps. I nodded and placed my hand in his. He led me over to the Jeep, and after helping me get in, he jogged around to his side.
“Where are we going?” I smiled as I folded my hands in my lap.
“You’ll see,” he smirked as he cranked the engine and turned onto the road. We drove for a little while before pulling into the parking lot of what looked to be a fancy restaurant. It had green awnings that covered the windows, and a large deck that ran along the side facing the ocean. Gas lanterns hung by the doors, and a sign was lit up on the roof naming the place “The Office.” “I hope you like seafood,” Aaron’s smile faltered as he held open the door for me.
“I love it,” I grinned up at him as I passed by and entered the restaurant.
The hostess didn’t even ask how many when we stopped at the stand. She smiled at Aaron and began leading us to the deck outside. “Your server will be right with you. Enjoy your meal,” she giggled as she backed away and I saw the way she was looking at Aaron. It was the same way most of the women did.
“You know her?” I couldn’t keep the annoyance out of my voice if I tried.
“Actually, yeah,” he chuckled.
“Fabulous,” I rolled my eyes as I grabbed the menu. I was no longer hungry or excited about this date, but knew I was stuck here.
“Susan and I went to high school together,” he snickered “and no, I’ve never seen her naked.”
“I didn’t ask,” I scoffed.
“You didn’t have to. I could see it all over your face. I do know girls that are just friends,” he chuckled as he set his menu aside. “I called ahead. She knew we were coming.”
