Love, Michael: A second chance romance by Gina A. Jones

Author:Gina A. Jones [Jones, Gina A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonfly Books
Published: 2019-08-02T05:00:00+00:00

Now

A ring? Now? What's he thinking? He was only to walk his daughter down the aisle and then leave. From my point of view, anyway. I haven't seen this man in over twenty years, and he shows up and…purposes?

"Michael…I…"

"I said don't answer now. Let's deal with Tammy. I know you want to be there for her. I'll be here waiting, Jill. I'm not going anywhere." He's still on one knee, braced in the sand. He holds my hand with the ring. I look at it. Michael, Monica, and Jordan at the top of the cliff. Seagulls squawk and squeak in the background. The splashing of waves closes in, and the sun is about to set. He stands and wraps his arms around me. "Let's watch the sunset…together," he says and kisses me gently on the lips.

Turning me around, I'm cradled in his arms, and his chin rests in the crook of my neck. "I never want to miss another sunset with you, Jill."

So many emotions are running through me. The past, the present, Tammy, Monica and Jordan. Michael. I can't process so much in such little time. But he said not to answer him. And Tammy is high on the list. Even if I wanted to enjoy this moment, I can't with my best friend with such little time left.

"I promise to always be here for you. All you have to do is accept it," he says, and I close my eyes. I don't want to see the sunset, because it's the end of another day…and one day closer to Tammy's end. How will I ever enjoy another sunset again?

I break from Michael's embrace. "Michael, I can't do this."

"I know it's hard…with Tammy and all…"

"No. It's not just that. I can't do this with you. I can't put myself back through that again. I'm not the same person. There was a time whenever I saw you, I would get all jelly-like inside."

"And now?"

"Now, nothing." His eyes rim with redness and well with tears. "I had to learn to look at the ugliness you caused in our life. And now…that's all I see."

"You can't see any beauty in us?"

"Yes, I did, Michael. You didn't." I turn and head back down the beach. The sand makes it hard for a fast get away and he’s on my heel.

"Jill, please don't leave. Just have dinner with me. Monica and Jordan went to a lot of trouble…"

"And that's another thing. What is it with you getting all involved with my friends and family?"

"Monica's my family too," he defends.

"Oh, don't start that. Just because you gave life to someone doesn't qualify you as family. That's a whole other level. You gave that privilege up."

He hesitates, sadly gazing into my eyes. "Yes…I know, and it was the worst mistake of my life. If only I could go back, I would change everything. Watch Monica grow up. Have more children…”

"Stop," I say and continue to walk away. I can't listen to the what if's or should of’s. Staying away from Michael was the best thing I could have ever done for us.

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