The Day He Came Back

***The following afternoon, Raven and I were in the kitchen while Dad was napping upstairs.

The doorbell rang.

“Are you expecting someone?” she asked.

Shaking my head, I said, “No.”

I heard Genevieve open the door and say, “Can I help you?”

I peeked around the corner and caught sight of blond hair just as her voice registered.

It couldn’t be. I’d just spoken to her yesterday.

Then I saw her face.

When Paige spotted me, she lifted her arms in the air. “Surprise! I used up the rest of my vacation. Screw it. I hopped on a plane. I missed you too much to last a whole month.”

I had no time to grasp what was happening before Paige engulfed me in a hug.

My mouth hung open. “Wow. This is certainly a surprise.” My heart pounded.

“I knew you’d tell me not to come. I hope you’re okay with me surprising you. I just couldn’t stay away. I want to be here for you.” She wheeled her suitcase to the corner before returning to me and wrapping her arms around my neck.

Looking over Paige’s shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Raven, who’d emerged from the kitchen. She looked like she’d seen a ghost as she watched Paige embrace me.

Sweat dotted my forehead. I pulled back and took Paige’s hand as we walked toward Raven. I forced out the words that were unavoidable.

“Raven, this is my fiancée, Paige.”CHAPTER NINETEEN* * *RAVENHis fiancée.

Paige.

His fiancée.

His fiancée.

Say something.

Clearing my throat, I said, “It’s nice to meet you.”

She flashed her beautiful white teeth. “Likewise.”

Not only did she have a gorgeous British accent, but Paige was blond, blue-eyed perfection. She looked like an older version of the girls who used to hang out by the pool back in the day, but also a little like Baby Spice from the Spice Girls.

He turned to her. “Raven is my father’s nurse.”

Yup. That’s all I am. Nothing to see here.

Her expression changed. “Your name…is Raven?”

“Yes.”

“That’s so ironic.”

“Why do you say that?”

She looked at him then back at me. “The prototype robot our company first designed was named Raven. Gavin named it.”

What?

I gave him a questioning look. His eyes seared into mine, but he didn’t say anything.

Holy shit. “Wow,” I said. “That’s so...weird.”

“I know. Very strange coincidence.” She smiled. “Anyway, it’s great to meet you.”

“You, too.” I looked from Gavin to her to the massive rock on her finger. I’m gonna be sick. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to tend to Mr. M.”

I ran up the stairs as fast as I could. Retreating to the bathroom, I shut the door and let out a shaky breath. Gavin had a fiancée. He was getting married. He was taken—for life. Any hope of rekindling anything was over. And what was that other thing about? Gavin had named a robot after me? He had been thinking of me over the years. But that was insignificant now. Because it was too late.

Too late.

Too late.

Too late.

I looked down at my trembling hands. I hadn’t realized until this moment how much I’d been holding out hope that Gavin and I would find our way back to each other. How stupid to think a catch like him would still be single.

Mr. M would be waking up any minute. I needed to shake myself off and tend to him. I was his nurse. And nothing more. Despite feeling empty inside, I splashed water over my face, put on my big girl panties, and did my damn job.***I tried my best to keep away from everyone but Mr. M for the rest of the day and prayed I wouldn’t run into Gavin and Paige on my way out. But once again, I had no choice but to go through the kitchen where I kept my belongings.

Gavin was alone when I entered. He looked tense and had a glass of wine in his hand as he leaned against the counter.

I couldn’t even look at him. “Sorry to interrupt. I’m just gonna grab my keys and go.”

“You’re not interrupting. I was waiting for you.”

My heart clenched.

“Where’s your girlfriend…uh…fiancée?”

“She’s napping before dinner. You know, the time difference and all.”

“Ah. Right.” After what felt like the longest moment of silence ever, I said, “Well, I should let you be. I’ll ju—”

“I’m sorry I didn’t mention her,” he said.

“You don’t owe me an explanation.”

“I know, but given our history, I should have said something. I was going to. There just never seemed to be a right time.”

My eyes stayed glued to the floor. “No worries.”

“She really surprised me in coming here.”

“Well, clearly she couldn’t live without you.” I know what that’s like.

“About the robot thing…” he said.

I finally looked up at him. “Yeah. What was that all about?”

“I did name the prototype after you. I don’t know why. I don’t want you to think I was—”

“That you were still in love with me?” I blurted.