Free A Blast from the Past (A Second Chance Romance) by Sharon Cummin Page B

out.

Chapter
12
    Olivia
    The
kids were in the kitchen talking to Carol and my mom. I looked
everywhere but couldn't find Zander. My mom said she would watch for
the kids for me so I could find him. I knew where he was and headed
for our spot in the woods. He was sitting in one of the chairs with
his eyes closed. Everything was so different. He was different. I
watched him for a moment before walking closer and sitting in the
chair next to him.
    "I've
missed being out here. I never thought I would. The air is so fresh.
It's so quiet. I slept out here all night. It was so relaxing. I go
to my gym now to think and get rid of my stress. It just doesn't feel
the same," he said.
    "That's
not so bad," I said with a smirk. "I'm sure the ladies
appreciate that."
    "You
were there a week before you accepted his proposal. It's the only
time you've left here. Why didn't you come see me? Why didn't you
call and let me know where you were? I would have wanted to see you.
I can't believe I could have seen you. Why were you in New York nine
years ago, Livie?"
    I
took a deep breath and looked down at my fingers that were nervously
twisting together.
    "I
went for a little trip. I'm sure you were much to busy to see me,"
I said.
    "How
long were you there?" he asked.
    "One
day," I said softly.
    "Why
the hell were you in New York for one day? Who were you with?"
he asked.
    "I
was by myself," I replied.
    "Okay,"
he said. "You went to a huge city for one day, alone. Why? I
will ask you again, why didn't you tell me? You could've told me
where you were. I would have driven anywhere to see you. I hadn't
seen you in seven years. I would have done anything to see you."
    He
turned in his chair. I could feel his stare looking right through me.
    "Are
you a detective or a doctor?" I asked.
    "Answer
me, Livie," he growled out.
    He
had changed since he left. His voice was deep and commanding. When he
spoke to me, I felt like he was filled with emotion and found myself
wanting to answer him honestly. I'd never met anyone like him. Maybe
it was all those years of controlling things in his practice.
Whatever it was, I found myself wanting to please him. He was
incredibly sexy, and his voice sent goosebumps up my arms.
    "You
really want to know, Zander?" I snapped at him. "Do you
really want me to tell you why I was there? I'll be honest. I've
never lied to you. You better be ready for what I'm about to say."
    "Tell
me now," he demanded.
    I
got to my feet and looked down at him with confidence. My blood was
rushing through my body. I felt like I was going to explode. It
wouldn't be long before my emotions hit the surface.
    "I
went to see you," I snapped. "I fucking went there for you.
Are you happy now? I knew Mike was going to propose. I needed to see
you. I needed to tell you how I felt about you. I don't know if I
hoped you would wrap me in your arms and tell me you felt the same
way about me or if I was just being crazy. There was a tiny part of
me that thought and hoped you wanted me as much as I wanted you, that
maybe you'd want to figure out a way for us to be together. I was
wrong. It was one of the biggest mistakes I had ever made. My parents
didn't even know I had gone. I bought a plane ticket and left. I
didn't know Mike knew about it. Like I said, it was a mistake."
    He
got to his feet and stood tall in front of me.
    "You
never came to me," he said. "I never saw you."
    "Do
we really have to do this to me right now?" I asked.
    "What
do you mean?" he asked.
    "Our
eyes connected, Zander," I said. "You looked right at me."
    "I
swear I don't know what you're talking about. You were never there. I
saw you all the time. Every damn time I turned around, I thought I
saw you or heard your voice. Each time I'd close my eyes, but when
I'd open them back up, you'd be gone. Tell me when."
    "You
thought you saw me?" I asked.
    "Every
damn day," he said.
    I
was so confused. Why would he think he saw me? I know what I saw.
    "Really,"
I snapped.
    He
nodded his head.