28. Robert

Chapter twenty-eight

Robert

Sara's eyes narrow the moment she sees me. I sense the hostility, not that I blame her.

"Sara, it's good to see you. Can we talk for a few minutes?"

"I wouldn't, Sara," Katie advises. "He's probably going to break your heart again."

"Didn't you want me to see him, though, Katie?" Sara asks.

Katie sighs, shrugging. "Yeah, but I didn't expect him to just show up at our apartment. Seriously. Anyway, I'll let you two talk it out. Just be careful of your heart my friend."

Katie closes the door with a little bit of force. We stand there as an awkward silence simmers between us. I scratch my head, attempting to figure out where to begin.

"I'm sorry for showing up so suddenly."

"It's fine. I'm just surprised, that's all."

"I don't blame you if you really don't want to see me ever again, Sara. But can we at least talk somewhere? Preferably not here," I ask.

I don't mind the apartment complex, but I can tell Katie doesn't want anything to do with me. Then again, I do kind of deserve it.

Sara nods. "Yeah, I was just planning on going home and settling in for the night, but we can talk."

"Great."

We head back down and approach my Tesla. As I key fob the car, we slide inside and there is silence between us. I turn on the car and back out.

"I think there's a couple of nice places we can go if you're fine with a little drive."

"I don't mind."

"Good."

I take the highway for about ten miles until I see the signs for Stone Beach. When I pull off, I head to the first parking spot that I can find. As I approach, I turn the car off and look at her.

"I think this place is nice."

"Looks like it," she remarks, staring out at the ocean. "I forget that we're this close to the ocean. I don't really get a chance to come out here often."

"Yeah, me neither. Work and all."

We get out of the car and walk down toward the beach. Not a soul is out here, and as we sit on the rocks, I look up. Stars twinkle throughout the night sky.

"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?"

She nods. "Yeah. Haven't had a chance to go out like this in a while."

My heart thumps. I look at her, taking a deep breath. The only thing I can do right now is just tell her my feelings. "I'm sorry for what I did, Katie. For hurting you like that and saying those things. I know that you don't have to forgive me, but . . . ."

"You're the one who left the envelope with May, aren't you? The one with the money for the sanctuary?"

I nod. I can't deny that, especially with how important it is to her that I not lie. "I did."

"How did you figure it out?"

I look at her, hesitating for a second. I don't want to tell her about how I had Rebecca snoop, but maybe I should.

"I did my research."

"But how? That information isn't public—"

"I work in the real estate and property sector. I rehabilitate land and purchases. I asked a contact of mine to give me information on the place."

"So, you planned on buying it then?"

"Not at all," I say quickly. "Sure, I used that excuse to get the financial records," I admit, "but I have no intention of buying."

Sara nods, running a hand through her beautiful brown hair. We look out, and she inches closer. Our bodies are a comfortable distance away.

"So why, then? I saw you with that girl. I thought you forgot all about me."

I nod. "I suppose that makes sense. That wasn't the best thing I've done."

"Sure wasn't. Who was she, anyway?"

I hesitate. I can't lie to her, and I know that if I don't tell her now, I'm going to regret this forever.

"It's Maria. My ex-fiancée."

Sara's eyes widen like saucers, and I shudder, realizing she didn't know at the time. It upsets me because I don't want to make things worse, but I know lying will only get me in more trouble. I know it's not my best move, but still.

"Wait, that was her?"

"Yeah. She's not what you expected, is she?"

Sara shakes her head. "No, she's pretty but very mean."

I chuckle. She's not wrong about that one. "Well, you've got that right. Part of why it didn't work out, besides her heading for the hills the day we were supposed to tie the knot, was also that we were constantly at odds."

"She got on me for the credit card machine not being ‘instantaneous' the first time she came in."

"Ahh, explains the little quip she made."

Sara nods and looks down. "Yeah, sure does."

I sit in silence, ruminating on where to go next. Sara deserves to know the truth, and I deserve to at least get this off my chest.

"She worked for one of my partner companies and showed up at my office that day. She wanted to talk shop. I humored her because the owner Andrew is trustworthy and probably had a business deal for me to consider. But I learned she only did this because she wanted to talk to me again."

"Of course she did," Sara mutters.

"Yeah. I should've seen the red flags the second she called it a date, but I refused to admit it."

Sara sighs, looking down, and says: "When I saw you with her, I thought I was an idiot for even thinking we were together. I thought we actually were dating."

I nod. It was not the smartest thing for me to do. "I know. I should've been clearer, and I should've said what I wanted to say after all this time," I admit. "I was an idiot for not telling her, right then and there, that I wasn't interested. She called it a date, but I never felt that way."

Sara pulls her legs close, hugging them tightly. My eyes drift, catching the beauty of her form as she does. I want to hold her in my arms, take away this pain, and keep her close.

"I'm sorry. I got so upset and—"

"It's okay. It's my fault for not standing up for myself or for you. Afterward, she asked if we could try again."

"Did you?" Sara asks, hanging onto every word.

I pause, thinking about what I said back then. The feelings drummed up when I told her there was someone else who felt so right, even if it didn't end up being anything down the line.

"No. I told her there was someone else. I supposedly broke her heart if you can believe anything she says. After I did that, I felt better."

"Why's that?"

"Because I realized that after all this time, the right person's been here for me. She's sitting right beside me, and I want to make things right."

I turn, leaning a little bit in. I grasp Sara's chin and pull it up, looking into those sweet green eyes. Right now, I don't want to be anywhere else, and I want to show her that she means everything to me.

"Sara, I haven't found anyone who makes me feel the way I do about you. When I look at you, I feel like you are the right choice. You are perfect."

She nods, not saying anything.

"And I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't care about anyone else. Mom and Dad can be upset that I'm with you and not with some rich gal, but they'll get over it. I don't want to go a minute longer without you."

The words linger, and I bite my lip, trying to keep it together. For the first time, I feel nervous. My stomach churns, a choke forming in my throat. If she rejects me, it'll sting, and I don't know what I'll do when I hear it.

"Sara, all I did for the sanctuary, I did for you, not just because I want your forgiveness, but I really do want to see you happy. I know the world's not on your side, but I am. And I'm so, so sorry for what I've done."

Sara pushes her legs out and turns to me, smiling.

"I know, Robert. It's nice to finally hear all of this."

"I'm glad you think so. I'm sorry for hurting you, for being distant, and for treating you that way. I won't to do that ever again."

"You're forgiven," she replies, taking my hand and holding it. The jolt of desire courses through me as I lean in. Just like that! This precious woman forgives me, just like that! I am so very blessed.

There's something else I want to ask her. Something that's been eating at me ever since I messed up.

"Sara, I've got one more question."

"Sure, what is it?"

My lips dry as the words hover over me. This is the moment I've been waiting for. I chased after her and did everything I could to have her in my life again. I push a strand of brown hair away from her face, drinking up those green eyes staring at me. Her gaze has me hooked.

"Can we be together for the long haul? Try again. This time, I want to be open about our relationship with everyone, and I want to be the person you can always trust and rely on. I messed up once, but I promise that won't happen again."

Sara doesn't respond but instead looks away. A slow nod follows along with a smile.

"Yes, Robert. I want to be with you. I want to be together for as long as we can be."

"I'm glad you feel the same," I whisper.

But…. There is a condition" she insists. "There will never be lies between us again, not about big things and not about small things."

I smile as I question her in a tiny silly voice. "Does that mean I'll have to tell you what I'm getting you for Christmas before you open it?" Sara lifts her head in mock admonition. "Of course not, all gifts are exempt from the promise."

"Then I solemnly promise."

My arms wrap around her, holding her tightly against my body. Her head nuzzles my chest, and I squeeze tighter. Holding her like this, keeping her close to me like a lifeline, it feels so right. As the crashing waves hit the beach, the only thing on my mind is Sara. This is the one thing I've wanted to do for so long.

That is to have a second chance and to fix her life so that she can be as happy as possible, no matter what. And that means fixing both of our lives for the long haul.