Southern Exposure (Southern Desires Series Book 2) (16 page)

They nodded. “She’s making sense, Mark,” Don said. “So why don’t you call her?”

“Why don’t you all mind your business?” Mark’s voice was much sharper than he wanted.

Kevin, Mark’s younger brother, joined them. “What’s got you all riled up?”

Great. Why don’t we get Mom and Dad over here too, and we can all talk about what a fuck-up I am when it comes to women.
He didn’t want to discuss this with any of them because it didn’t matter. What they had was amazing, but calling to fix it was only going to open a door he wanted to stay closed.

“Just a difference of opinions.”

“I can help. Casey is right, and you’re wrong,” Kevin said.

“Do you even know what we’re talking about?” Mark asked.

He shook his head. “Nope, but I’m smart enough to know better than to argue with a woman. Especially on her wedding day.” Kevin raised his eyebrows at him with a
stop this shit
look on his face.

Damn. You’re right.
Mark hated that he needed his kid brother to remind him of that.
I can add insensitive jerk to my list of less-than admirable traits.
He saw the look in Casey’s eyes. She wasn’t going to stop until she heard what she wanted.

“Okay, I’ll call her.”

Casey immediately relaxed as though it was a done deal.
Don’t think this is going to work all the time. Your wedding is one day only.
He had no plan to call Hannah, but the present situation controlled his answer.

Once he agreed, the party was underway, and the rest of the night went smoothly. Hopefully, the rest of the week could work this well.
Finish the construction, get that guy out of that apartment, and Hannah will be safe. She’ll be able to move forward with her life. And I will move forward with mine.

If only that meant he’d be able to forget her. He smelled her scent in his bed last night, and it was sweet torture. Surely once the assignment was over, she’d simply be a memory.
A beautiful, sassy, intelligent memory with the hottest body I’ve ever seen.
She’d somehow burrowed her way into his thoughts, but he would refocus. He would.

Mark looked at his father. He looked tired. Was it from traveling back to the States? He knew what that trip did to him. He could only imagine what it did to his dad in his condition. Even though he tried to hide it, he saw his father’s left leg give a bit, almost as though he was dragging his foot slightly.

Then at the toast to the happy couple, his father dropped his glass of champagne. He’d laughed it off that he’d probably had one too many, but he’d been watching closely all afternoon. His father hadn’t had a sip.

Casey was beaming from her wedding vows and too happy to have noticed anything, but he and Kevin had exchanged glances throughout the day. They knew things were changing. Even though Mark wanted to book it out of Texas and head straight back to Savannah, he needed this time with his father.
A few hours won’t change a thing. Right now, this is where I need to be. I only wish Hannah was here with me. Maybe it’s better she’s not. It would only have given my parents a false sense of hope. And they might as well get it through their heads, I’m never getting married.

M
ark had so much running through his mind. He told his team not to enter the apartment because Don’s workers were on site. That would open a risk they couldn’t afford. But being back in Savannah totally changed things. He could do it himself without having to worry about Hannah getting caught in the crossfire.

As he and Don did their walk through the house, he was amazed at how much the construction crew had accomplished in such a short period of time. He’d seen shows on television where they totally remodeled a home in three days, and he thought it was complete bullshit. Now seeing this, he had to give Don credit. He and his crew were better than he thought possible.
No wonder he’s in such high demand. He pulls off the impossible.
He felt proud for his friend.

They stopped at Hannah’s apartment first, which had been freshly painted throughout. He made his way to the bathroom, which he hoped would be a place she could enjoy now instead of her small tub/shower unit that would’ve been good for washing a baby or a pet. No adult was ever going to soak in that tub. She now had a double-wide Jacuzzi tub.
Damn. Knowing what she looks like naked,
I can picture her right now. And I’d love to join her.

He needed to push those thoughts out of his head. He was going to be gone when she returned. Mark knew she’d be angry with him for lying to her, but eventually, she’d forget all about him. It wouldn’t take long before some other man saw in her what he did. She was a beautiful, sensual woman who was smart and strong. No matter what life threw at her, she’d never quit. Hannah was going to make some lucky guy a wonderful wife someday.
She shouldn’t be alone. She deserves to share her life with someone who appreciates all she has to offer.
This house was no longer a building waiting to be condemned. It was exactly what she’d asked for when they were first texting. He’d made it a home. A place she could share with someone. Raise a family and live happily ever after.

Happy. Just like she deserves.
Unlike me. Not my future.

A happy life is what he wanted for her, so why the hell did it make him angry thinking about it? These last few weeks were all about making her dreams come true. Her happiness was all that should matter.
So why am I so fucking miserable? Am I that shallow that I can’t see past my own desires? This is what’s best for Hannah. Fuck what I want.

He chose what he wanted long ago. The Navy was his life. There was no way a woman, no matter how perfect she was, could enter his life and turn it upside down in a matter of weeks. She might have time to get him out of her system, but he had only a few days. There was no way he could go on a mission in this mental state. At least, not if he wanted to be one hundred percent focused. Even Johnson had questioned him a few days ago. Mark’s head hadn’t cleared any from then. If anything, it was worse.

“What do you think?” Don asked from the spare bedroom where they’d removed the closet to make her bathroom larger.

“I’m impressed. She’ll like it.”

“You think she’ll care that we removed a closet?”

“If you make your visiting company too comfortable they won’t leave.”

Don laughed. “That’s not the sales pitch I’d use when telling her why we had it done.”

Does everyone think I’m an idiot?
“I know how to talk to people.”

“Yes, you do, when you’re looking for information critical to the safety of the good ole USA. But talking to a woman, no. You suck at it.”

“I do fine.”

“I’m not talking about getting them into bed, Mark. This one is special. You know it, but you’re too damn stubborn or afraid to admit it.”

Mark almost lost it. They might be best friends, but no one had ever told him he was afraid of anything without getting knocked on their ass.

“This would be a good time for you to shut your mouth, Don. Consider Hannah off limits for conversation going forward.”

“I’m not one of your team you can tell what to do.”

“You’re right. But the warning stands.”

He valued his friendship too much to stand there any longer. Mark walked out of the room and went to check out the rest of the remodeling. The apartment upstairs was practically complete except for some moldings. There was about a day’s worth of work to do. Once that was completed, there was only one thing left for him to handle.

As he left the apartment, he stopped at the tenant’s door.
You’re next. Be prepared. Tomorrow, I’m coming inside whether or not you let me.

Hannah walked through the small shops in Providence. Many talented local college students had their art displayed for sale, making Providence so beautiful and unique. You could find great paintings, clothing, and jewelry.

Bailey wanted to rest alone for a few hours after her biopsy. Although she didn’t want to leave her side, Hannah understood. There are times you need to have privacy to process, no matter how strong and positive you try to be. For Bailey, this was one of those times.

She figured it was time to head back, though. Hannah wanted to be near her friend. She made her way up the old cobblestone street. She couldn’t believe she used to walk this route several times a day and never felt a thing. Now her thighs felt like they were on fire.
I’m only twenty-eight. Why do I feel like a hundred?

Hannah didn’t understand her lethargy. The last few days she’d been exhausted. She no longer was suffering from the nightmare and the scarred man’s face seemed to have vanished from her thoughts as quickly as it had come. She’d not thought of him since she and Mark had their wild night of passion together. Now she was awake, haunted by the memory of Mark’s touch.
Sweet and tender and the most amazing sex one could imagine, but dreaming of something I can’t have again doesn’t help. It only makes for a restless night. A hot and restless night.

It had been an emotional few days, but mostly for Bailey. For the most part Hannah had been able to put aside her woes and be there to support her friend. It was different from when she’d been her father’s caregiver day in and day out. Yet, she felt like she could sleep forever.
Was my heart tired? Tired of the struggle and tired of the uncertainty? Put that away, Hannah. This is not a time to be thinking of yourself. Bailey needs you. You can go home and sulk later.

When Hannah opened the door, her vibrant and positive friend was crying. She ran right over and wrapped her arms around her.

“I’m here Bailey. I’m here.”

Bailey shook as she continued to cry. Hannah wanted to do something, say something, but the best thing she could do was hold her. When she was ready, Bailey would talk. Patience was something she learned from taking care of her father. If you pushed too hard, they shut down.

After about ten minutes, Bailey wiped the remaining tears and told Hannah what was going on.

“They said the needle biopsy wasn’t successful, and I need to go in for a surgical biopsy.”

Oh no. Not Bailey.

Her heart ached for Bailey. Each test would bring forth a new one. Telling her it was going to be okay wasn’t fair to her. But she’d be there no matter what the results were. She honestly didn’t know anything more than Bailey.

“I’m staying here.”

Bailey pulled away and stood up quickly. “No, you’re not.”

Hannah was shocked. “Why?”

“Hannah. I am afraid of the results.”

“I know that. And that’s why I will be here with you for whatever they are. You can’t ask me to leave you like this.”

“We’re best friends; I need you to go,” Bailey said plainly.

“I don’t understand. Why don’t you want me here?”

Bailey came back to Hannah and held her hand. “You know I always spoke about finding my Mr. Right.”

“Yes. You will, so—”

“Please, I don’t want to think about that right now.”

She understood. Thinking about a future that was filled with uncertainty was difficult, and it was insensitive for her to have said that.

“You’re right. Sorry.”

“Please don’t say sorry to me. That will make me feel there’s bad news coming my way.”

Stop talking, Hannah. You’re only making it worse. She’s hurting.

“I need you to do something very important for me. Will you do it?”

She reached out and covered Bailey’s hand with her own. “God, yes. Anything, Bailey. What do you want me to do?”

“Go back to Savannah. You might not be willing to admit it, but your Mr. Right is waiting for you there.”

“I can’t leave—”

“You have to. If not for you, then for me. I’m angry and sad right now because I don’t know what the future holds. You have a chance at what I want. If you don’t at least try to make it work, then you’re wasting an opportunity I wish I had. So please, pack and go back. My biopsy is scheduled for a week from now. You can go and still be back here by then. But you need to do this.”

Can’t you ask me to donate blood or something?

Do hours and hours of research on biopsies and the possible results and treatment? I have missed having an active mind like I did at vet school. That’s one dream I know I’ll never fulfill.

I’m not ready to face him. What if he doesn’t want me? It hurts already. I’m not sure I can handle any more hurt right now.

“Hannah. Please.”

“I’ll go. But I’ll be back here, do you hear me?”

“Loud and clear.”

“Good.” Hannah reached into her pocket and pulled out the small white box that she had picked up on her shopping adventure earlier. She put it on the table in front of Bailey.

She picked it up. “What’s this for?”

“I thought of you when I saw it.”

Bailey smiled and opened the box slowly. Then she pulled out a delicate silver necklace. There was a small heart and a round flat medallion engraved with the saying,
“I am a better me because of you.”
on it.

“Oh Hannah. That is so lovely. Thank you, and I feel the same about you.”

Once again the tears started flowing, Hannah’s and Bailey’s this time. As they hugged, they shared how much they had learned from each other. Eventually, they conceded it was a draw. But Hannah knew deep down, without a shadow of a doubt, she was the winner the day she met Bailey.
If a person only has one friend in their life, and they are like Bailey, then they have everything they need.

“Love you, girlfriend.”

“Love you too, Hannah.”

Leaving her was going to be hard. Hannah wasn’t close to where she could begin to process the reality of a positive diagnosis. So, for now, she would return to Savannah.
Will Bailey be all alone or will her friends, Whosie and Whatsit from work, be around? She hoped her friend wouldn’t hide from people—not like what I have done. It had made for some very lonely days at home.

Home. Facing Mark was going to be nearly impossible. She was still sorting out her feelings for him. If she sat back and closed her eyes, she felt more for him than simple friendship for the introspective man. Lust.
Was it just lust?
Yes, he was drop-dead gorgeous. The man was ripped. He was so serious most of the time, but when he smiled, his face transformed and there had been times where she’d been dazzled speechless. When he had held her in his arms those two times when everything had felt so overwhelming, she had felt so safe. Less . . . alone. It was easy to see how close he was to Don, even though they were so different in nature. Sissie had liked Mark too. Despite his deception, he was a good man.
I think. Was I attracted to him because I had been alone for so long? Do I even know the real Mark Collins? Is he hiding other things? Other things that will make loving him impossible.

Oh no. No, no. no.

I love him.
How was that possible over such a short period of time?

Loving a man who doesn’t love you back was worse than never finding love in the first place. He hadn’t tried to reach her since their night together. Something was more important to him than her.
I want him to wake thinking of me and go to bed doing the same. And all I feel now is he doesn’t think of me at all.

She wanted to go anywhere but back to Savannah. But she made a promise to Bailey, and she was going to keep it.