Page 25 of The Summer We Kept Secrets (The Destin Diaries #4)
“Thank God,” he said. “I didn’t have the best upbringing,” he confessed, and she waited for him to elaborate. He just lifted a shoulder. “And I loved my wife, but taking care of her took a toll on me.”
“I bet it did,” she said, thinking again of all Lorna had shared. “There’s a special place for you in heaven.”
“And I hope I don’t get there for a long time,” he said. “I’m fifty-two and…ready to have a different life.”
She smiled at the confession, leaning in. “Tell me about it.”
He met her gaze, and there was a flicker of something real that Tessa felt right down to her toes. Then he picked up the check and tossed a credit card in the folder. “Let’s walk around the harbor and I’ll share everything.”
“I’d love that, and thank you for dinner.”
A few minutes later, they strolled the boardwalk, which had plenty of tourist traffic on a warm June night. The breeze carried a briny scent and felt absolutely delightful on her bare shoulders.
But not nearly as delightful as the charming and attractive man at Tessa’s side. She was pleased that instead of mulling over his past, she’d let the meal, the conversation, and the lovely glass of wine cast a glow over an evening she definitely did not want to end.
“So,” he said, taking her hand in a move that felt natural. “About my new life.”
She looked up at him, vaguely aware that she was holding her breath for what he would say. He certainly wasn’t leaving Destin, was he? With a thriving practice here?
With a start, she realized she didn’t want to hear that or anything, frankly, about this new life that would mean she couldn’t have any place in it. The thought made her breath catch as she slowed her step.
She really liked him.
“As you know, I’m a therapist, and we make the worst patients,” he continued with a laugh. “But I am self-aware enough to know what I need in my life.”
“Tell me,” she said softly, clasping his hand tighter. “I really want to know.”
He walked them to the railing over the water, leaning against it, looking down at her with something she couldn’t quite define in his eyes. Hope? A promise? A secret? Something that made her heart beat faster.
“I spent two years renovating that house,” he started. “And it was quite cathartic. With every room I finished, I felt like a piece of my soul was…better. Cleaner, brighter, newer, less…” He closed his eyes. “Exhausted and sad.”
She let out a groan. “I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to take care of the woman you loved and ultimately lose her.”
“No, you probably can’t, but that’s okay. I don’t really want to talk about it, or any dark parts of my life. I renovated myself, too.”
She felt a smile pull. “How does that work, exactly?”
“I’m changing where I live—if I can sell my house and find something perfect—and how I live. I’m dedicating myself to pleasure, fun, laughter, and life.”
“Those are…good pursuits,” she replied. “It kind of sounds like old Dustin from the beach.”
“Not that much pleasure,” he joked. “But I won’t do serious again. I won’t do a lifelong obligation or spend any time with people who drain me—other than my patients, of course. My personal life…” He lifted his brow. “Light, easy, fun, and filled with” — he inched closer — “someone like you.”
She stared at him, her smile wavering as she tried to understand what he was saying.
“Me?”
“Still the most fun woman I’ve ever met,” he replied.
That’s what she was…fun. For some reason, her heart dropped to the wooden dock below her feet and left a hole of emptiness behind.
“Tessa, I’d love to keep seeing you,” he said. “I like laughing and not being…solemn. I want a friend—maybe more—but I don’t want…”
“A commitment,” she whispered the word, sorry it slipped out, but it did.
He gave a light laugh. “For lack of a better term, yeah. I want to put myself first for a change and spend time with someone like you—easy, breezy Tessa Wylie.”
And she nearly swayed on her wedge-heeled sandals.
What was he saying? That she was a good time girl—the very name of her boat—so he could have all fun and no future?
Well, yeah. That was precisely what he was saying. And up until this point in her life, that’s what she had been.
Searching her face, he brushed some hair away and let his knuckles graze her cheek as he got closer, clearly about to close the space that separated them.
“You would be the first woman I’ve kissed in two years,” he admitted gruffly. “That is, if you let me.”
She sighed. “Let’s wait on that,” she said. “Because the truth is…” She took a deep breath and made a quick decision. She wasn’t going to lie or play along. Not this time.
“The truth is…” he urged.
“Dusty, I’ve spent my life being the girl people fall for when they want to be entertained and amused. Not the woman they want forever.”
Dusty exhaled. Long and slow. “And you want…forever.” It was a statement, not a question.
“That’s as optimistic as a house with a water view,” she said, trying to make the confession lighter. “Let’s just say you’re not the only one looking for a change.” She swallowed and waited a beat before adding, “It just might be that we’ve changed in different ways.”
He looked deep into her eyes, quiet for a minute or so.
“Okay,” he finally said. “But you’re not scaring me off.”
“I’m not trying to. I just want you to know that I’m…serious.”
“Why don’t we just keep it open to see what happens?” he suggested. “I like you, Tessa. One more date or two? Maybe three?”
She smiled, touched by his persistence and candor, but strong in her position. “Well, it seems we’re looking for the same thing in real estate. Maybe we can do some house-hunting together.”
“We’ll start there and see where it goes.”
They took a few steps to walk together, neither one of them able to let go of their clasped hands.
Maybe she hadn’t found forever yet.
But at least she was done pretending she didn’t want it.