Love Me Nots (Jasper Falls 3)

When she awoke, she had a voicemail from an unlisted number, and her heart tripped out of beat. She fixed coffee and prepared for anything, promising if he wanted to see her she’d say yes, leaning into whatever the universe sent her way, just like Maggie suggested. But if he told her to fuck off, she’d accept his wishes and cut all ties, doing her best to get over him.

But it wasn’t his voice on the message. “Perrin, it’s Bran. I got a new phone, and I wanted you to have the number. I’m actually going to be home this weekend. I was hoping we could talk. I’ve done a lot of thinking, and there are some things I need to say to you. Nothing bad. I promise. Please call me back.”

He dictated his number and she found herself jotting it down. She set the phone on the table next to her coffee and notepad. No word from Gage.

She sat in silence for several minutes, thinking of Gage and wishing he’d called. She swore she wouldn’t bother him again, not unless he showed signs of wanting to speak to her.

And now Bran had called. What could he possibly want to talk about?

Undecided if she would call Bran back, she pushed herself through her usual morning routine. She went to work, still finding it difficult to disguise her depression. Luke and Tristan saw right through her fake smiles, but she distracted them with gossip about Ryan and Maggie’s news.

“My money’s on twins,” Luke wagered, being a twin himself.

“I think it’s a girl,” Tristan guessed.

Talking about the baby seemed the only way to genuinely smile. “I want a little, pudgy boy. Could you imagine him playing toddler sports?”

They all groaned on cuteness overload.

After her shift, she closed up the bar and helped Sue wipe everything down. Now that they weren’t getting the property, she supposed it was time to hire a new waitress and put their savings to use.

“I’m going to put out a want ad for more help around here.”

“Thank God,” Sue sagged with relief. “I didn’t want to say anything—”

“I know. I’m sorry I made you wait so long. I’d like you to help with the interviews and training.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. This place couldn’t run without you, Sue.”

“Thanks.”

It took three solid days for her to accept Gage wasn’t calling. She’d driven past the motel and casually stalked anywhere he might be, but his rental car was nowhere around. Then the call from the bank came.

“The buyer backed out. The lot’s back on the market.”

She should have been happy, but this meant she’d never see him again and that was a crushing thought. He was gone.

“Thank you. I’ll be in touch,” she told the bank.

She didn’t tell Maggie the land was once again for sale. With a baby coming, maybe it was best to save their money and not take any risks. She honestly didn’t have the heart to want it again, too afraid something might not work out.

Bran called again, and this time she answered. He was in town and wanted to meet to talk. She agreed to have dinner with him and was surprised, when she saw him, how little she felt. All of her old emotions were gone. She only felt pity for him.

“I’ve done a lot of thinking,” he said, repeating his words from his phone message. “I was wrong for doing what I did.”

She raised a brow. It took him a year to realize that?

“I’m sorry I hurt you, Perrin.”

She couldn’t forget what he did, but she could forgive him. Letting their past go seemed the best solution for both of them. “It’s okay, Bran. I’m fine, now.”

He took her hand, his once familiar touch now cold and foreign. “You’ve always been so strong.”

Was she? She didn’t see herself that way.

“I miss that.”

Muscles knotted in her back like little warning signals to pull away. “Bran…”

“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but everyone makes mistakes, Perrin. I was confused and lost.”

“In another woman’s bed?”

He gave her a pleading glance. “I was scared.”

“Of what?”

“I don’t know. Success. My future. Everything was moving so fast, and it seemed like I needed to keep up. It felt like the right time to get married, but maybe I wasn’t ready for a wife.”

She frowned. “No one forced you to propose.”

“I know. I take total responsibility. I’m different now. I’ve grown up. I’ve done my running around, and now, I’m ready to finally settle down.”

Now that he’d screwed everything with a pulse… “What does this have to do with me?”

He hesitated and scooted his chair closer, cupping her hand in two of his own and placing a kiss on her knuckles. “I want a second chance, Perrin. I can be a loyal husband. I’ll prove it to you. You just have to trust me.”