Cherished (Wanted #4)(5)
Author: Kelly Elliott

I turned and opened the door. I walked into the room where I was planning on spending the next few weeks…alone. I just needed time to sort through things and figure out what I was going to do now that I wouldn’t be buying the vet clinic in Mason.

Where will I go? What will I do?

I sat at the small table for two at the Mesa Café and waited on my shrimp burger. I’d tried to call my father’s house to let him know I was okay, but I couldn’t get the stupid phone in my room to work. I just hoped that Amanda and Brad had let everyone know that they had seen me. I didn’t want my dad to worry about me.

Oh shit…he’s going to kill me for running off and not telling him where I was going. Double fuck!

“Long time no see.”

I looked up and saw the same man I’d seen earlier walking on the beach. He was peeking down at me with a drop-dead gorgeous smile. I couldn’t help but notice those deep green eyes, and his dark brown hair had that perfect messy look to it. I smiled back and nodded.

“Hi, um…I just got here today, so you’re actually the first person I’ve talked to…well, besides the hotel staff and the waitress here.” I let out a giggle.

Oh, for the love of God, what is wrong with me? I just made an ass of myself.

He glanced down at the empty chair and lifted his eyebrows. “Tell me why a beautiful woman, such as yourself, is here alone.”

My smile slowly faded before I managed another weak smile. “It’s a long story.”

He nodded and said, “Mending a broken heart?”

My mouth dropped open, and I just stared at him. Am I that obvious? “Um…”

He started laughing. “Don’t be too shocked, love. I’m here for the same reason.”

I lifted my eyebrows with a questioning look.

“Yep. I was left at the altar…literally. I was standing there, waiting for her to walk down the aisle. She never made it, and I was left with two plane tickets to Belize and a broken heart bigger than the size of Texas. So, what else could I do? I made the trip with my best friend. He just left yesterday.”

“I’m so sorry. That must have really hurt. I’m glad your friend was able to make the trip with you though. Did y’all at least get to have fun while he was here?”

He smiled. “Oh, hell yeah. It was nothing but getting drunk and then waking up the next day to go sightseeing before getting drunk again. That was our routine for two weeks. By the way”—he extended his hand out to me—“the name is Trey Walker.”

I placed my hand in his and smiled. “Jessie Rhodes. And yes, I’m mending a broken heart, but I’m not really ready to talk about it, so…”

Trey held up his hands and smiled bigger. I wasn’t sure what made me do it, but the next thing I knew, I was inviting him to sit and have dinner with me. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to talk to him. I actually laughed a few times. I also found out that he was a lawyer from Dallas, Texas.

Huh…I would have never pegged him as a lawyer.

“You’ve got to have the key lime pie gelato. Oh man, it’s to die for.”

I smiled. “Share it with me?”

“I was hoping you’d suggest that,” he said with a silly grin.

My stomach did a funny little dip. What in the hell was that?

I instantly felt guilty for even having dinner with Trey, and now, we were going to share a dessert. Then, I closed my eyes and saw Chelsea riding Scott, like the whore that she was, and I quickly pushed those feelings aside.

Besides, the last thing I wanted was another relationship. Men sucked.

Trey was telling me how he and his best friend had ended up falling off a pier a few days ago, and I couldn’t help but laugh at how animated he was. It was so nice to finally not think about what had happened to me. To be able to laugh felt so good.

“Sounds like y’all had an interesting few days,” I said.

Trey nodded his head and smiled. “May I walk you back to your cabana?”

For a few seconds, the guilt from wanting him to walk me back filled my whole body until I quickly pushed it aside.

“Yes, I’d love that. Thank you.”

As I walked up to my cabana, I turned to face Trey. “How much longer are you here for?” I asked.

He let out a long sigh. “I’m not sure. I’m, uh…I’m kind of afraid to go back, so I took a leave of absence. I’m thinking maybe another two months. I love the lifestyle down here. I just need…time. Does that make sense?”

I caught my breath because I felt the same way. I slowly nodded as I bit down on my lower lip. He reached up and pulled it out of my teeth.

There goes those butterflies again. I smiled and felt my face blush.

“Trey, I’m not looking to…you know.” I peeked up at him.

When my eyes caught his, I swore his eyes twinkled.

He gave me the cutest crooked smile and let out a small laugh. “Believe me, love, I’m not interested in a relationship either…but since we’re both here, we might as well enjoy each other’s company. How about I show you around tomorrow?”

I smiled and nodded. “I’d like that.”

He took a step backward and gave me a thumbs-up. “It’s a planned event then—not a date but a planned event.”

I let out a giggle. “Sounds great. What time should I expect you?”

“Eight thirty. We have a ton to see.”

We said our good-byes, and then I walked into my empty cabana. I leaned back against the door and smiled. There was something about Trey that just made me feel comfortable. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but he made me feel…happy.

I’m not going to feel guilty. If being friends with Trey will make me feel better and forget about the hurt for a few hours, then so be it.

I started stripping out of my clothes, and then I put on a T-shirt. After I sat on the bed, I pulled my knees up and set my chin on them as I listened to the sound of the ocean. I couldn’t help but think of Scott. God, I miss his touch already. I missed his breath on my neck as he would whisper how much he loved me and only wanted me. I put my hand up to my neck and could almost feel the warmth. I took a deep breath and let it out as I lay down.

After four hours of just lying there, I finally fell asleep. I dreamed of Scott walking along the beach with me. We were holding hands…and then someone came up behind us and pulled our hands apart. When I turned around to see who it was, I saw deep green eyes looking into mine.