In her mind, she couldn’t help but insert herself and Trent into the picture, hand in hand as they recited their vows. I promise to always love you. Forever.
Forever meant taking all that love and desire that brought a couple together and working it like clay. Re-forming it as their lives evolved, changing shape, sometimes softening, other times remaining slightly rigid, but in the end bound together as one solid unit.
They’d both learned the hard way that forever took more than words. It took effort and follow through, and that’s exactly where they’d fallen apart. But now, every time she saw him, every time she heard his voice or felt his touch, every time she thought of him, it pushed the painful memories of their separation a little further away...and gave her hope.
Hope that somehow managed to feel fragile and beautiful, frightening and thrilling, all at the same time.
* * *
TRENT SET THE bag of groceries he’d spirited away from the resort kitchen on the counter of his suite, and as he washed his hands, he reflected on the fact that after spending a decade trying to push thoughts of Reese away so that he wouldn’t have to face all the hurt he’d caused, she’d been there with him the whole time. Always on his mind and in his heart.
Work had been a way to self-medicate the ache of losing her. Working even more hours after she left had given him little time alone in the apartment they’d once shared. But he’d still missed her every minute of every day, no matter how hard he’d worked to tell himself that a practical guy like him should have known better than to let his heart get the best of him.
As he tossed banana slices, pineapple chunks, a handful of blueberries, and a bunch of fresh baby spinach into the blender, he thought about the things he and Reese had said to each other last night. She’d been right to feel angry about how badly he’d blown it. But even though the pain of losing her had left him feeling raw and shredded to pieces, he’d never been angry with her. He’d been hurt. And he’d felt guilty. Because Reese had left everything she’d known and loved behind, and he’d let her down.
Trent scooped toasted wheat germ and sprinkled it into the blender, then measured the coconut water and honey and added them to the mix, as well. This was Reese’s favorite smoothie, Passion and Glory. After he finished blending the ingredients, Trent poured it into a large cup, then left his suite and went in search of her. Knowing Reese, she was already working on the mural. He’d always loved how inspired she was and how much her art fulfilled her.
Reese turned as he came around the corner. Thankfully, the instant their eyes met, her lips curved up in a sweet smile. She was radiant in her knit cap, blond tendrils framing her beautiful face. She had the most beautiful legs, long and lean, beneath her jeans.
“You’re beautiful,” Trent said as he came to her side. Instinct—and the same desperate need he always felt when she was near—brought his lips to her cheek.
Despite the emotional upheaval they’d both experienced last night, she didn’t stiffen against his touch, which was a huge relief. But he could tell she was nervous by the way she was nibbling on her lower lip. Hell, his heart was going a mile a minute.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she replied as she took in his running shorts and T-shirt. “Are you just coming back from your run?”
“No. I haven’t gone yet.” He handed her the cup. “I made you a Passion and Glory smoothie. I even added the toasted wheat germ you love.”
“You remembered how to make it after all these years?”
He smiled, knowing his admission would make him seem like he’d been pining over her for a decade, which until the last few days, he hadn’t realized was true. “Actually, I usually make them on the weekends for myself. They were a hard habit to break.” Just like you.
“Thank you.” She took a sip and closed her eyes. “Mm. That is delicious. I haven’t had one since… In a long time.”
“Because it reminded you of us?”
When she nodded, Trent hated knowing she’d gone without something she loved because of him. He stepped in closer. “I’m so sorry about last night. Not that we made love—you know I love being close to you, and I wouldn’t give back those moments with you in my arms for anything—but I know it was too soon.”
“It wasn’t,” she said quickly, surprising him with both her words and the warmth of her hand over his. “I wanted you just as much as you wanted me. And I refuse to regret what happened last night. It’s just that this is all a lot to take in. But...”