Chapter Seventeen

Lance

One of my appointments cancelled last minute, so I had a break. I walked around the resort for a bit before finally heading back to the beach and sitting on the sand.

I pinched my brows together and rubbed my forehead as I thought back to this morning and the conversation I had with Gemma. The worst part about it was I didn't even know where the hell that came from, it was totally left-field. I mean, one minute we were happy, I was making her breakfast and we were talking like waking up and spending the morning together before I had to get to work was the easiest thing in the world. It seemed as natural as breathing to me, to be honest. The other, everything flipped, changed completely and I wasn't even sure why.

I really thought things would be different this time. Heck if I knew why, though, because clearly Gemma didn't have any interest in ending things differently this time around. She always played it safe, and I could understand that, even respect that. I mean, if anyone got that it was me. I had a kid, for crying out loud. But this was just ridiculous. She wanted everything to be neat and tidy, so she could define our relationship and put a nice little bow on it or something.

I raked a hand through my hair that was quickly drying in the summer sun, and exhaled. Why couldn't she just give us a chance? It wasn't like I was asking her to quit her business and stop talking to her family and friends. I was just asking her to take a chance on us. Well, technically, I never came out and asked her to do that, but it was implied, I felt, when I gave her my address and said the ball was in her court. Or did she think I was just talking about sex?

Couldn't she see this was more than that? That it always had been?

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and sighed, clearly more confused now than I was this morning when I watched Gemma do a complete one-eighty. And then what was that garbage about not ending things that way and thinking about it? She couldn't have it both ways and moments before she basically ended it herself by saying she was leaving. What did she want from me?

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and placed my elbows on my knees, typing a text to the guys. They were so far from competent to the ways of women, but they were my best friends and I didn't know where else to turn right now.

The Hurricanes

Me: I'm in over my head with this Gemma stuff. This is my SOS. Any advice?

Hunter: What happened? You two seemed fine this morning.

Corey: Woah, back up! She spent the night?

Tyler: Good for you, Lance. Your lonely buddy wasn't so lonely last night.

Me: Yeah, we spent the night together, but then this morning she freaked out and started talking about how she was leaving and this was going to end again.

Tyler: She seems scared it's getting real. You said she spooks easily. I get her, so maybe this is her backing out before it gets too serious.

Hunter: I saw them this morning, though. Gemma was definitely interested. She likes you, man. And I don't think I need to tell you this, but you like her, too.

Corey: The question is, who's going to make the first move?

Me: Are there even any moves to make? I feel like I already laid everything out.

Tyler: Doubt it.

Corey: Not helping, Ty. Lance, what was the last thing you two said to each other?

Me: We promised we'd think about things before making any decisions.

Hunter: If you've done your thinking, then I say take initiative. Girls like that.

Me: Take initiative? Like a grand gesture?

Tyler: And what the heck do you know about girls? Your bed's been just as cold as Lance's lately.

Hunter: We can't all be like you, Ty. Some of us rank quality over quantity.

Tyler: Shove off.

Me: Hello, desperate man asking a question here… initiative? Like a grand gesture?

Corey: Sorry, my take: it doesn't have to be grand. But you definitely have to make a move. Relationships are like chess. Keep making moves until you're out. And you, my friend, aren't out of moves.

Tyler: Where do you come up with this stuff?

Corey: I'm an intellect. At least that's what my mom tells me.

Tyler: You're a nerd.

Hunter: Getting off track here. Lance, just do what you think is right. She's obviously already falling for you, just make her see that she needs to stay instead of run from her feelings.

Me: I actually think talking to you doofuses helped. I have an idea, one that'll end this back-and-forth once and for all. I hope.

Hunter: Good for you, man. Good luck.

Corey: Yeah, go get your girl.

Tyler: What they said.

I looked up and was surprised to see Sophie standing in front of me, blocking the sun from my eyes.

"You busy?"

I shook my head and gestured to the spot next to me. "No, I'm actually on a break right now. Please, join me."

She sat down and crossed her legs, obviously settling in for a heart-to-heart or something like that. "I heard what happened with you and Gemma."

"She told you?" I cocked a brow and whistled. "I guess I'm just surprised. She told me she hadn't even told you about our fling years ago, so why tell you now what's going on?"

"I am her sister, you know," she practically admonished. Then she lowered her voice. "Plus, I didn't really give her a choice. She came in late this morning and although she changed clothes, I knew she never came back in last night." She raised a brow and dared me to say something different. "Don't try telling me it was all innocent between the two of you last night."

I held up my hands and scoffed. "I wouldn't dare. Especially because it seems you already have all the facts, so I'd just be lying and you'd know it."

"True," she said. Then she pointed a finger in my face. "You need to know something about my sister. "

I tried to search her eyes, which was proving to be difficult with her large-as-life sunglasses covering them. "What do I need to know?"

"She's complicated," she said, blowing outward and uncrossing her legs, relaxing a bit. "It's her thing." I saw her roll her eyes. "See, Gemma has never put herself first. It's always been about me or my parents or her business and clients. It's never been about her. She doesn't believe it should be. She thinks of herself last."

"That I know," I confirmed. "I've tried telling her it's not right. And if she's not going to take care of herself and put herself first, then she needs to let someone in to do that for her."

"And you want to be that someone?"

I nodded. "I thought I could be."

"Thought? What changed?" She crossed her legs and leaned forward, waiting for my answer.

"Your sister. She said she's leaving, and she's right." But Sophie knew this already.

She waved her hand in the air as though brushing my comment aside. "Forget what she said. She's missing the big picture and so are you."

I arched a brow, waiting for her to elaborate.

"I've never seen her happier than when she's with you. She's not as high-strung, she worries less. You make her lighter, if that makes sense. "

I listened carefully and took in every word she was saying.

"I told her she has to see this thing through this time and give you guys a real chance. She didn't ask for my two-cents," she said, using her hands to gesture as she spoke, "but she got it anyway."

"Something tells me she always does."

She pursed her lips. "You'd be right." Then she added, "Listen, don't give up on her, okay? Gemma's special and you make her happy, which means I'm sort of rooting for you two."

I ran a hand through my hair and shifted in the sand. "It's not that easy, though. I have an idea, but not a clue if it's actually going to work."

"What's the idea?" She leaned forward, her eyes growing wide with curiosity.

"You really want to know?"

She nodded. "Maybe I can help."

"All right," I responded, leaning in, too. I might as well get some help from a female because I didn't think the guys would prove useful here. "But this stays between us."

She mimed zipping her lips. "Lay it on me. I want to help anyway I can."

"All right, so here's what I'm thinking . . ."

* * *

With Sophie's help, I was able to get a note to Gemma for her to meet me tonight on the beach at our usual spot. This was it. There was no going back. I knew what I wanted. It had been what I always wanted—a real chance with Gemma.

She was like no other woman I had ever been with.

And I didn't want to be with anyone else but her.

I was just surprised it took me all this time to fight for her. I always regretted letting her walk out on me all those years ago, and I knew I'd regret it if I let history repeat itself.

And this time, I had backup—Mason. After all, Gemma wasn't just going to be part of my life, but she'd be part of Mason's, too. "Dad," Mason said, yanking on my hand I held his. "I don't see her."

I exhaled and looked toward the resort. "I don't either, buddy."

I wasn't sure if she'd come and that was the scary part, but life wasn't worth living if you didn't take any risks. I told her that many times before and I meant it. Taking risks always got me some of the best rewards. That was how I was here with Mason, who was by far one of the greatest parts of my life. He made my life better, and I couldn't imagine not having him in it. Sure, I didn't always make the best choices, but they all led me right here, so I was grateful for all of them.

"Let's just give her another minute." I was talking to Mason, but also telling myself. Because, the truth was, the more I stood here, waiting for her, the more I realized she may never show up.

After a few more minutes, I checked my watch and sighed. "You're right, Mason," I finally agreed. "It looks like she's not coming."

"Are we leaving?" Mason asked.

I looked down and nodded at him. "Yeah, we're leaving."

I started walking with Mason back to the resort just as he tugged on me and exclaimed, "My hat, Dad. It fell out of my pocket."

I looked behind us, but didn't see it. It must have fallen farther back where we were standing. "All right, buddy," I said, and let go of his hand, patting him on the back. "You go ahead and find it. I'll catch up."

I watched as he ran back to where we were earlier. As I did, I noticed a woman walking toward him, holding his hat in her hand. It was Gemma, and she was wearing another sundress, this time it was strapless. I didn't say anything, just blinked to really make sure she was there and it wasn't just my eyes playing tricks on me.

It was really her .

Gemma showed up.

"You came," I shouted, as I closed the gap between us.

She smiled and leaned down to Mason, handing him the hat. "I believe this belongs to you."

"Thanks," he said, smiling at her before standing at my side. "See, Dad, she did come," he whispered, pulling on my arm.

I chuckled and ruffled his hair. "I could see that, buddy. Good thing you left your hat behind." Then I turned to Gemma and confessed, "I didn't think you'd come."

"Don't tell me you were bolting?"

I laughed, remembering when I asked her a similar question when I caught her outside my door.

I smirked. "Of course not," I lied, repeating her words.

She blushed, remembering the exact moment, too, and replied, "Good, because it looks like you have everything you need."

"Now I do." Then I cleared my throat and said, "Hi, I'm Lance. And you must be Gemma?" I asked, trying to get things on the right track for her.

"Yes, I'm Gemma." She laughed and shook her head. "I'm sorry, what are we doing? "

"You like things neat, Gem, and our story is far from that," I explained my way of thinking. "So I figured it'd be best if we start over."

"But I don't want to start over or pretend like it didn't exist. I was recently reminded that things are messy and life's not perfect. In fact, I kind of like it that way."

I smiled, remembering the night she had that epiphany about life. She was staring at the painting Mason made that I had framed. At that time, though, she never confessed to liking a messy life. I supposed a lot had changed, that maybe Sophie was right and I helped her see things a different way. "So what now?" I asked.

"Now I finally do something that makes me happy and stop worrying about everyone else."

"Wow, that sounds like a new version of Gemma."

"You like her? I call her Gemma 2.0."

I shook my head. "I can get on board with this new you, but no 2.0, okay?"

She raised a brow.

I explained, "That means there was something wrong with the old version and that you needed improvements. You were perfect. Still are."

She smiled. "It's nice of you to say that, but, Lance, I was wrong. Three years ago at that hotel room, I should have never left. I should have stayed. I should have fought for you and said what I felt in my heart." She looked upward before looking back at me, as though knowing this was something she needed to do to move forward, but it was hard on her.

I needed her to know, though, that she didn't need to do this for me. I already had everything I wanted right here. I didn't want to live in the past and didn't think she should, either. "Gem, you don't need to do this," I said, trying to stop her.

She shook her head and swallowed. "Please let me."

When I didn't stop her again, she continued, "I was scared, so afraid that you might hurt me, or that I might get my heart broken. The truth was, I withdrew in my shell after that, because as much as I swore it was just fun, it was so much more than that. Maybe it started out that way, but it became more. And I wanted more. I wanted to be with you. I wanted to make it work. But I was scared." Her voice cracked on the last part and it took everything in me not to take her in my arms and hold her there.

"I think it's best we look forward now. I don't know about you, but I'm going to thank my lucky stars that you and I connected again and that we've been given another chance to make this work."

"Only because you fought for us," she noted. "And I haven't figured all of it out yet, but I don't want to have a long-distance relationship. So I'm going to stay here. Nothing is really tying me down. My job can be remote, more so now than ever since I have a staff back home and technology has improved. My sister's getting married and going to have her own life pretty soon. And I can always commute if I need to. I want this, Lance. I want to make this work."

I found her hand at the side of her and held it, bringing it to my lips. "I want that, too."

I laced our fingers together and smiled at her. "We better get going, beautiful." I tilted my head toward the resort. "Wouldn't want to get bit up by those mosquitoes." I winked.

She smiled at me and got on her tip-toes, planting a kiss on my lips. "Lance, I'm glad we met again."

"Fate," I said, thinking back on what she asked me earlier about fate, "it works in mysterious ways."