Fountain of Wishes, Part 4 ~ Tuesday Tale

~ Thanks to Bing.com

The dreamy look that had stolen into Chloe’s eyes as she sat reminiscing took Troy’s breath away.

She shrugged and tipped her lips in a smile. “I was just remembering the late night cram parties we used to have.” She giggled a little self-consciously and took a bite of her scone.

Troy’s heart thudded. “Oh?”

She nodded, but didn’t look up.

Maybe he shouldn’t press her, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. “What about them?”

She shrugged and another soft giggle escaped her pretty lips. “You never wanted to admit to needing my help.” She raised twinkling eyes and pinned him with a knowing look. She scrunched her brows. “You’d always have this big scowl on your face when I’d walk in the room. ‘Chloe. Go home. Nobody else is here and I don’t want to give people something to talk about.’ And I’d plunk the food on the table and say, ‘Well, if nobody else is here, then there’s nobody to talk about it, is there?’ As soon as I pulled out your favorite burger, Chinese, or pizza pie the scowl would disappear. ‘Well. I guess a guys has to eat.’” A very feminine laugh escaped through her lips and a surge of adrenaline raced through him.

He chuckled. “Those were good times.” He sobered. Swallowing past a sudden lump in his throat, he lowered his voice to just above a whisper. “You didn’t say good bye.”

All humor vanished from her beautiful face and eyes. Troy felt like kicking himself. Yet, he wasn’t totally sorry he’d said it either. She hadn’t said good bye and the pain still knifed through his heart.

Her eyes glistened. “I’m sorry. I should have. Everything just happened so fast.”

“What did happen? I never got the story. Everyone seemed so hush-hush about it.”

“I begged Cassandra to keep quiet about it. I knew gossip would fly and the real truth would never be known anyway.” She shrugged. “Abuela` needed a full-time caretaker for an undetermined amount of time. I was the best candidate, so I came back.”

He studied her face and knew there was more to it. “Was that the real reason or an excuse?”

She flinched and pinned him with a glare. “There were other personal reasons, yes. If I wanted you to know, I would have told you.”

“Okay.” Not knowing what else to say, he tucked in to his blackberry cobbler and finished off his coffee. The silence that grew between them became painful and he was ready to see her home.

They stood without a word and stepped out onto the sidewalk. “Where to now?”

She shrugged. “I go this way. I believe your car is that way.”

Not a very subtle hint, but he chose to ignore it anyway. “Okay. Let’s go.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her up the street. She stiffened at first, but he didn’t pull away. She eventually relaxed and tossed him a sideways glance.

“I’m sorry. It’s a touchy subject with me. Please forgive me.”

The water glistening in her eyes stopped him in his tracks. He took gentle hold of her arm and turned her toward him. He tipped her chin up with the curve of his finger to see what emotion lurked in her eyes.

“Did it have anything to do with me?”

Her lips quivered and she tried to look away, but he took her face in his hands and wouldn't let her. “Just tell me.”

“Yes.” Her voice came out in a tortured whisper and his heart clenched.

“I’m sorry, Chloe.” He swallowed hard. “We don’t have to talk about this now, but I do want to talk about it. Soon. I came here…” He swallowed again. “I came here looking for you. I want to make things right between us. Whatever that means. Will you give me a chance to make things right?”

A single tear trailed down her cheek. She searched his eyes, the fear and vulnerability in them crushing his lungs. He swiped at the tear with the pad of his thumb and waited for her to speak.

She shrugged. “I guess. Maybe. I’m not sure I can.” Her lips trembled and all he wanted to do was taste their sweetness. Should he? He shouldn’t. But, maybe if he did, she would know he was sincere.

She pulled away before he could and started back up the side walk. He walked her to her door in silence. Before she escaped inside, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Cupping her face, he bore his gaze into hers. When she didn’t pull away, he dipped his head and captured her lips in a slow, tender kiss. He wanted to deepen it, but he gently pulled away instead.

“Good night, Chloe.”

She looked at him with half lidded eyes and he wanted to kiss her again, but he pulled away and she entered the house. She turned back just before closing the door.

“When will I see you again?”

She doubted him? The vulnerability in her eyes told him she did.

          "Soon, Chloe. Very soon."

          A smile trembled on her lips just before she closed the door.