Page 3 of Anchor (First to Fight)

I hated to be late.

As a rule, I arrived at scheduled places ten minutes prior to being ten minutes early. My father always said, “If you’re on time, you’re late.”

Well, according to his philosophy, I wasvery, verylate.

“Shit, shit, shit,” I hiss, as I whirl like a dervish around my apartment, tossing clothes pell-mell into suitcases. Most of them tumble to the floor in a heap guaranteed to cause me endless irritation when I get home and see it, but I don’t have time to obsess about the disorganized mess.

The ferry scheduled to transport tourist down the St. John’s River and then fifteen miles off the east coast to Rockaway Island is scheduled to leave in half an hour.

With a frustrated curse, I scrub my hands through my hair and glance around my apartment for anything I may have left behind. My eyes skip over random stacks of my belongings, not taking anything in. I have to force myself to slow my breathing to focus.

Camera.Check.

Chargers.Check.

Extra SD cards.Check.

Phone, cash, suitcase.Check, check and check.

The essentials are tucked into Ziploc bags and then into their respective cases. I’m a natural klutz, and when given the opportunity, have ruined any electronic gadget in the vicinity. During college, I murdered countless phones, multiple laptops, and more cords, chargers, and small appliances than I can count. I take extra care with any work-related tech. It’s become a running joke at work and I don’t need to see the look on Sienna’s face if I ruin yet another phone or tablet.

As I walk out the door with my camera case slung over my shoulder and suitcase in hand, I shoot off a quick text to my neighbor to feed my goldfish while I’m gone. Those, I haven’t killed. Yet.

This is why I don’t see my ex standing outside my door and run right into him.

See? Klutz.

“Jesus, Chloe,” he says and, like he had a million times while we were together, he throws up his arms to steady me. “What’s the rush?”

My heart, the traitorous thing, hammers in my chest and I hope it’s from being startled rather than from the man himself. “I’m late for a work thing.”

I re-shoulder my camera bag and study him. He’s too handsome, with dark blonde hair, a firm jaw and straight nose. All-American. Clean cut. The man I always pictured I’d be with.

Thomas rocks back on his heels. “You look good.”

Nodding is the only response I can seem to come up with and when I realize how foolish I must look, I clear my throat. “Um, thanks. Look, I really—”

When I try to maneuver around him, he blocks my path. “I wanted to talk to you. It’ll just take a second.”

He has his hands in his jeans pockets and I know it means he’s feeling extra vulnerable. I have to clench my hands around my suitcase handle to keep from comforting him.Comforting him!He shouldn’t get to be vulnerable. He shouldn’t get to be the damaged one in this scenario. I was the one who lost everything. I lost my best friend and my fiancé all in one go.

If anyone deserves to be pissed or comforted, it’s me.

But I know it’ll be faster for me to just listen to what he has to say. Arguing will cost me precious minutes, and the clock is ticking. “What is it?”

“I don’t know how to say this, except for me to just come out with it.”

Now I’m wishing I had just walked right by him. My fingers clutch around the handle to my suitcase and I take an extra breath to stem any emotional reaction at all.

“I’m getting married.” He whispers it, like if he’s gentle enough, the words won’t feel like bullets aimed straight at my heart.

My grip on the suitcase keeps me from stumbling backward. “I—,” I clear my throat and then try again. “That’s great, Thomas. Wonderful. Congratulations.”

He leans forward like he wants to comfort me and I find myself taking an automatic step in retreat. His lips part in shock, then he checks himself, schooling his features.

I’d always been a demonstrative girlfriend, and then fiancé, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I doled out affection without a thought as to keeping it all to myself. Thomas was always a guy who never got enough and took everything I had to give without much in return. My mouth drops open and I shake my head.

I can’t believe it took me learning about his impending nuptials to realize I deserve so much better.