When I’m With You by Sandi Lynn
Chapter 33
Paisley
“Here’s the key to your cottage, Ms. Logan. You’re in cottage number five like you requested.”
“Thank you.” I gently smiled.
I held the key tightly in my hand and followed the bellhop to the golf cart, where he loaded my luggage and drove me to the cottage. I took in a deep breath as I stepped inside. The room looked exactly the same, right down to the canopy king-size bed and the perfectly polished Brazilian walnut floors. The first thing I did was step out onto the lanai and watched as the waves crashed into the shore. This place. This cottage. Hawaii. They held the happiest memories of us. Our honeymoon and the start of our life together happened here. Little did we know that our time was limited. Tears filled my eyes as I stared at the bed where we made love multiple times a day during our stay. The bed where we discussed our future and our plans. The same bed where he would wrap his arms around me every night and tell me how much he loved me. I could no longer control the flow of tears as they fell down my face. I came here for a reason. A reason that I wasn’t even entirely sure of myself. I missed Ben, but I knew that things would never work out with us unless I figured out how to put closure on the past.
I picked up my phone and looked at the message I sent to Keaton before I left.
“I need you to do something for me. I have to go away for a little while and I need you to stay at my place and take care of Romeo. Don’t ask me where I’m going because I won’t tell you. All you need to know is that this is something I need to do for me. I’ll be back when I finally have my life figured out. Tell the family not to worry about me because I’ll be okay. I promise you, Keaton. I’ll be okay. I love you.”
“I’m pissed off you left without saying goodbye, but I understand. I’ll miss you, Paisley. Do what you have to do and then come home. As soon as you get back, we’re going surfing. Mom and Dad are going to be pissed, but I’ll calm them down. Don’t worry about Romeo. That little man and I have a special bond. I love you too, Paisley. Take care of yourself and be safe.”
I needed to send one more message before I settled in and began my healing process.
“Ben, I had to go away for a while. I want you to know that I’ll miss you and I’m sorry. You’re an amazing man and you deserve so much more. Please don’t respond to this message. I just wanted you to know that I’m away, trying to figure life out.”
I took my laptop out of my bag and set it on the desk. Before I left, I took Kenny out to lunch and explained to him why I had to leave, but that I’d still keep up with the columns every day. He smiled and told me that he wasn’t worried, and he knew that I’d work everything out. I was happy that everyone else had so much faith in me because that was something I didn’t have myself.
* * *
Ben
I sat on the edge of the bed, reading Paisley’s text message over and over again. I wanted to text her back and ask her to please come home and that we could work it out together, but she asked me not to respond, so I was going to respect her request. Leah woke up early and asked me what was wrong.
Paisley went away somewhere to try and figure her life out.
I’m sorry, Ben. I wish there was something I could do to help.
The only thing we can do is wait and pray to God that she figures things out soon. I miss her so much.
Leah walked over and wrapped her arms around me while I tried to fight the tears that stung my eyes. It killed me knowing that in a couple of days it was the anniversary of her husband’s death and I couldn’t be there for her like she had been for me. It angered me, but at the same time, I needed to realize that this was what she needed to do. I went out to the garage and looked at the pile of wood sitting on the floor. I was going to build that sofa table for Paisley and give it to her when she came back.
A few hours later, as I was cutting the wood, I heard the door open and, when I turned around, Keaton was standing there with his hands in his pockets.
“Hey. I thought you should know that Paisley left town for a while.”
“I know. She sent me a text message and then told me not to respond.”
“Sounds like Paisley.” He smiled. “What are you building?”
“A sofa table for her.”
“She’ll love it.”
“If she ever sees it,” I said as I examined the piece of wood I had just cut.
“She’ll be back, Ben. She can’t be away from me for too long.”
I looked at him and smirked. “I hope so because I miss her.”
“If I hear from her, I’ll let you know. Anyway, I came to pick up Leah. We’re going to go to dinner. Would you like to join us?”
“Thanks for the invite, but I have dinner plans already.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. I have my usual Friday night date with some great fish and chips.”
Keaton raised his eyebrow. “Have fun with those fish and chips.”
“I fully intend to.” I smirked.
Keaton and Leah left, and I continued working on the table for another hour. I showered and headed to the Sunset Bar. When I walked through the door, I was surprised that David wasn’t sitting there. I took my usual seat and asked Damian if he’d seen him. He shook his head and grabbed my beer.
“Nope. I haven’t seen him yet. I’m sure he’ll be in.”
I scrolled through my phone, looking at all the past messages from Paisley and staring at her picture. I hadn’t felt this way about anyone since I first laid eyes on Amy. I ate my dinner and David still never showed up. He sure acted strange that day at the pier and the way he just took off was weird. As I sat there, I wondered if I’d ever see him again.
