Free What Might Have Been by Wendi Zwaduk Page A

trying to forget her. He unlocked the vehicle and tossed his wallet onto the passenger seat.
    Something his father said flicked into his mind. When a man wants something, he’ll work like hell until he gets it. Never give up. Tanner nodded. He’d give her time. If it took the rest of his life, he’d be patient and let her come to him. He’d waited fifteen years to see her. He’d found out what could’ve been and wanted more—lots more. What was a few more days? Every moment since she’d first stood in his embrace, he’d fallen more and more in love with her. His future was reflected in her eyes.
    Determination flowed through his veins. If he gave her another taste of his love, maybe the promise of his devotion would be enough to turn her thoughts of what might have been into something that felt right.
    Tonight.
    He dipped his head as he passed the main entrance of the hotel. “No matter how long it takes, Macy, I’m waiting for you. I love you, sweetheart.” He pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards home. “Just realise, soon, that you love me, too.”

Chapter Eight
     
     
     
    Two and half hours after Tanner left, Kealie stood behind Macy wielding a hot curling iron. Macy blew a stray curl from her eyes and stared at her sullen reflection in the mirror. More tears threatened behind her lashes. Even if she got on her knees and crawled, no man, including Tanner, would take her back after she had coldly asked him to go. The thrill of being the queen of solitude was gone. Being with him, held tight in his arms, wasn’t a dream—it was fate. Macy brushed her hand over her cheeks and focussed on Kealie’s jabbering.
    “Did you know my graduating class named me a home-wrecker?” Kealie pursed her crimson lips and aimed the hot iron at their reflections. “For the record, I destroyed one living room. That’s it. I can’t help it that guys seem to follow wherever I go.”
    “You’re beautiful, that’s why they flock to you.” Macy sagged down in the chair. Just when she’d thought she’d be able to give her heart to the one man she loved, the past had bitten her in the ass. Women like Kealie, women with confidence and inner light, drew men like flies. Maybe Macy was meant to be an isolated wallflower after all.
    “I’m nothing more than a good time, and you’re crying—again. You’re going to wreck your makeup.” Kealie put the styling tool on the counter and threw her arms around Macy’s shoulders. “Tell the divine Miss Kealie all your problems—she’ll make it all better. And if she can’t, she’ll find a man to take your breath away. Berto and Remi mentioned a threesome. I’d say take them up on it.”
    “They would.” She sighed. “Have you ever seen your future and, even though you wanted to grab it, you let it slip away?”
    “Tanner?”
    “Does it show?”
    “Cellophane.” Kealie’s chin dug into Macy’s shoulder. “You wear your heart on your sleeve, whether you believe it or not.”
    “He said he loved me.” Macy forced herself to remain calm. “He wanted me to move in with him, but—”
    “Sshh.” Kealie clamped her hand over Macy’s mouth. “You’re a beautiful woman. He sees how he screwed up in the past. Granted, he might be moving at warp speed, but at least he’s being honest.” She grabbed a comb and teased a section of hair at the crown of Macy’s head. “I still don’t see why you tossed him out on his ass. Didn’t you say he was the marrying type?”
    “He wants a forever I can’t give him.” God, even she hated the whiny tone in her voice.
    “Damn it!” Kealie threw the comb across the room. It landed with a thump by the bathroom door.
    Macy flinched. Kealie wasn’t one to show anger often. When she did, hell really had no fury like a pissed-off Kealie.
    “Will Tuttle screwed you up one side and down the other because of his own insecurity, Macy. I hate him.” Kealie leaned against the counter under the mirror and folded her arms.