Free Second Thoughts by Jade Winters Page B

hand back.
    “I can’t believe we hardly spoke yesterday. There’s so much I want to know.”
    “Like?”
    “Like how come you ended up running a coffee shop? I thought you wanted to be the CEO of a charity and travel the world saving animals.”
    “I did. But reality set in. The coffee shop was quite accidental actually. It was Bettina’s idea. The shop came up for rent and she thought, with me having a business degree, it was a great opportunity to start my own business, especially as there wasn’t any nearby competition.” She shrugged. “But the lease is coming to an end soon and I still don’t know whether the landlord is going to extend it or not.”
    “I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. So what’s been happening beside work? What’s life been like for you?”
    “I’ve got no complaints. My life’s pretty much like everyone else’s. Work and pleasure. What about you?”
    “Mostly work, unfortunately.”
    “Some things never change then.”
    Sara ignored the insinuation. They both knew she had only put her career before their relationship once and she’d been paying the price for it ever since.
    “Do you want something stronger to drink?” Sara suggested as she stood and walked over to the mini bar.
    Melissa declined with a wave of her hand. “I can’t. I’m driving.”
    “You could always leave your car here and get a cab back.” Sara’s tone was light and breezy as she poured herself a gin and tonic.
    “No, it’s okay. Isn’t it a little bit early for alcohol?”
    “Not for me, I’m on holiday remember.” How could she tell her that she desperately needed something to calm her nerves before she exploded right there in front of her. It was unbelievable but nothing had changed in all these years. Her attraction to her was still as strong. She wanted nothing more than to kiss her there and then like she used to. Knowing that would be the biggest mistake she could make, she took a quick sip of her drink instead.
    “I suppose it would look funny, you turning up home without your car, unless...”
    “Unless what?”
    She cocked her head. “Unless you’re going to tell Bettina where you were.”
    “And why would you think I wouldn’t tell her?” Melissa asked frowning.
    Sara shrugged. “I dunno. I don’t think I’d be happy if we were together and you were seeing an ex.”
    “Well it’s a good thing we’re not together then.” She lowered her eyes to the ground as she said softly. “Besides, Bettina doesn’t know much about you.”
    Sara sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes narrowing into slits. “Oh. So I wasn’t that important to you then?” Horribly aware that her voice sounded accusative, but unable to help herself she continued. “What did you do, just carry on as if I was never a part of your life?”
    Melissa’s head jerked up, her eyes widening. “Let’s not start rewriting history here. If I remember correctly it was me that wasn’t as important as your career. You didn’t even have the decency to send me a condolence card when my parents died.”
    Sara rolled her neck, wincing when she heard the cartilage crunch. “Okay, but I didn’t hear about their deaths until after the funeral. I’d only just arrived in San Diego and had no internet access or phone for the first week I was there.” She paused, close to not revealing all the effort she had made to get in contact with her and the humiliation she had felt at the rejection. But she realised that if they were going to get closure, everything had to be out in the open no matter how much it hurt. “As soon as I found out, I came back to England – I was willing to give up everything but it was you that decided to turn your back on our relationship.”
    Melissa gave her a look of exasperation. “What the hell are you talking about?”
    Sara stared at her. “Oh don’t play games, Melissa. Three weeks you had your guard dog turn me away. I understand you were grieving for your parents, but don’t try