Gigi reached over and patted her hand. “Do what you have to do, honey, to protect those babies of yours.”
“Thanks for your help. You don’t know how much it means to me.” Tears shimmered in her eyes and she blinked them away, determined not to break down. There’d been enough emotion already today.
Chapter 10
“April.” Drew walked out from the house and stood next to his aunt. “I thought I was bringing the children back with Gigi.”
She stood up and ran her hands over her windswept hair. “I couldn’t be apart from them any longer. I appreciate what you did, taking them away from the fuss.”
He watched the emotions flicker in her eyes. “Come and see what I’ve done with the house. Its changed a lot since you left the island.” He slipped a hand under her elbow and tried not to react to the grin on his aunt’s face.
“Oh, but the children…
“Off you go, April. The children are fine. I’ll keep an eye on them.” Gigi winked as he took her away.
The walked up the grassy bank and onto the front deck. Drew turned her around and stared out over the ocean. “Looks a little bit different from up here, doesn’t it?”
The pink tinge on her cheeks made him think she was thinking the same thing he was. The way they parked up here when they were younger. A blanket and each other was all they’d needed back then. Life had been uncomplicated.
“It’s still gorgeous. You’re very lucky being able to make this your home, Drew.”
“I know, but I don’t have everything I want yet. I’m working on it.” Before she could protest, he guided her inside and stopped in the open living area. “What do you think?”
April turned around the room, taking it all in. “Wow.” She stepped over to the kitchen area and touched the countertops. “Are these recycled timbers?”
“Yes. They’re from the old wharf.” He could see where her mind was going. They’d planned their house down to the smallest detail when they lay snuggled under their blanket under the stars. “Billy made them for me. Remember how he was always whittling at a piece of driftwood? Well, now he has his own business using recycled timbers and making one off pieces. He’s always busy and you can see the workmanship that’s gone into the kitchen. I had to wait months for them, but it was worth it.”
“That’s amazing. I can’t believe you did what we talked about.” April checked out the walk in pantry and appliances, making all the right noises before coming back to where he stood. “Why, Drew?”
“Because no matter what happened, I couldn’t forget you and what we had.” He put out his hand to stop her as she stepped away from him. “Please listen, April. I loved you, you know I did.”
“I think I was more than a little bit convenient, Drew. When your studies took over, I barely rated a weekly phone call. I don’t call that love.”
“It wasn’t like that, honestly. I got overwhelmed with study and work. Being an intern was a killer. The hours were terrible and I could have told you that instead of ignoring you. It was my own fault. I get that now. I should never have neglected you. In hindsight, I should have at least discussed it with you. In my mind, if I didn’t say I was too busy for you it wouldn’t be true.”
“And look what happened. I missed you, Drew but I couldn’t stand to be ignored.” She moved back to the front of the house and stared over the water. “You have no idea how much it hurt me to move on, but you weren’t there for me like I was for you.”
“It’s all my fault. I freely admit I screwed up. Things happened. Life got so busy I didn’t know what to do first some days. I doubt I can ever make it up to you, April. I wonder if you’d be prepared to give me the chance to try again.” He walked over and put his hands on her shoulders, hoping she would lean back against him. She didn’t. “We had something good together, you know we did.”
“It’s too late. I have the children to think about now. They need me to make a new life for us here on the island. After what they’ve been through, I have to focus on them. Besides, you were the one who said we should move on, remember?”
“That was my ego talking. I thought I’d be able to let you go, but seeing you again, I can’t do it. I have to make you see how I feel about you.”
“Things have changed, Drew.”
“Yes, they have, and here we are again, April. I’m only asking for a chance to see if we can rekindle the spark between us.”
“No, you don’t know me anymore. The things I’ve done since I’ve been away. I’m not the same person.” She looked up when the children ran around the corner of the house, stepped away from him.
“Nor am I. We’ve both grown up. Neither of us are children anymore. I know it sounds crazy but that doesn’t mean we have to ignore the spark that’s still there. Does it? I never fell out of love with you.” Drew stepped forward so they were side by side. “I’m pathetic, I know. You were always the one for me and that hasn’t changed. Perhaps when you’re ready we can explore that spark together?”
April turned her head towards him. The breeze whipped strands of dark hair across her cheeks. Pain shimmered in her eyes and his stomach lurched, hoping he wasn’t the cause of her grief. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, especially after this morning. I have more things to deal with and that’s not fair
