Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 51

31 Ma Gult

51 No Guilt

Clarice POV

I’m just finishing my tenth chapter in my new book when my stomach growls. Instead of making myself something, I decide to head to the Inn. What I really want is one of the huge cinnamon rolls that Lacey has been making the last few days. I find myself craving them. I pack my computer away and throw on my jacket. I step through the back entrance just in time to hear Chrissy telling someone to get lost. As I step further into the lobby, I realize that someone is Trevor.

“What don’t you understand? She doesn’t wa

to talk to you. She wants nothing to do with your cheating a**” Chrissy says. “I promise I’m not here to make trouble. I know I’ve lost her and it’s my fault. She agreed to talk to me, I swear. I tried to call, but Clarice still has me blocked. I have to head back to California. I just want to talk before leave,” he says.

I

Chrissy notices me first and immediately comes off behind the counter. I smile when she comes to stand in front of me like a shield. “I’m getting rid of him, Clarice. Just head back to the apartment. I’ll call you when he is gone,” she says. I place my hand on her shoulder. “It’s alright, Chrissy. Alexia asked me if I was willing to talk to him before he headed back to California and I agreed. I forgot I still had him blocked.” She whirls on me. She looks at me like I’ve grown another

head.

“I am not leaving you alone with him. I don’t believe for one second he isn’t intereste

19 to

he isn’t

convince you to forgive him and take him back. Where the hell is Nick,” she asks. “Ch… back yet from his meeting. Besides, Trevor isn’t going to hurt me or convince me of anything.” Trevor offers me a sad smile, but I don’t return it. Just because I know he wouldn’t hurt me physically doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven him.

It’s going to take time for that to happen. “Fine, but I’ll be watching you and if she sheds one tear it won’t be my brother that you have to worry about. The dining room is empty if you want to talk in there,” Chrissy says, giving Trevor one last glare. I pull her in for a hug before I make my way toward the dining room. Trevor follows behind me. I take a seat at the first table we come to, and

he sits across from me.

“You look good, happy Clarice,” he says. “I am happy. Coming home was the best decision I could have made after everything that happened.” “I know you aren’t going to forgive me for what I did, and I’m not asking you to, but I just want you to know I really am sorry. If I could go back I would have kicked my own a** for letting Loretta get into my head,” he says. I go to open my mouth, and

he raises his hand to silence me.

“I’m not blaming her because I f**ked up. I made the choice that destroyed our marriage. I was selfish. You really were the best thing to ever happen to me, Clarice. I want you to know that you

ATUE

|||

O

1/4

were the most amazing wife. I didn’t deserve you,” he says. “I’m not really sure what to say that Trevor. If I was such an amazing wife, then why? Why with her of all people? You know what,

never mind. Nothing you say is going to make it better. I think the beat thing we can do now is

find a way to move forward and co–parent our daughter.”

His eyes immediately fill with tears as he absorbs what I just said. “We are having a little girl,” he asks. “I don’t know for sure. I just have a feeling. We won’t know for sure until my next scan. It’s not like I can tell him Nick’s mother is the reason I know for sure I’m having a girl. A throat clearing has me looking up into Nick’s handsome face where he is standing near the open door. Trevor looks toward him and something silent passes between them. Nick walks in and takes the seat

next to me.

There is a moment of awkward silence before Trevor finally speaks. “Do you have any pictures from your ultrasound that I could see Clarice?” Nick reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet. I can’t stop the smile that crosses my face as he pulls out the picture he took from the doctor. He hands it to Trevor, who grips the picture like it’s the most precious thing he has ever held. “You keep that picture, Trevor,” Nick says. Trevor looks toward me like he’s asking permission.

“Trevor, no matter what happened between us, this baby is as much a part of you as it is a part of me. I’ll never use this baby to punish you. I’ll never keep her from you. We won’t be a couple anymore, but we will still be this baby’s parents.” A sob rips from his throat as he pulls the picture to his chest. A part of me that once loved this man understands his pain and reli seconds, he gets himself under control.

a few

“I’m sorry. I knew in my heart you wouldn’t do any of those things, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t believe I deserved them. I don’t deserve any of your grace, Clarice,” he says. “That isn’t up to you, Trevor. I’m not saying that we will be friends anytime soon, but for our child I will get past the hurt so she can be surrounded by as many people that love her as she can. She deserves parents that care more about her well–being than their own pain.” “Thank you, Clarice. Thank you, Nick,” he says, holding up the picture.

“You’re welcome, Trevor,” Nick says. “Clarice, I know I’m asking a lot, but do you think I could come to the next scan? I’ll make arrangements to stay in the hotel in the next town and get a flight the day before, but only if you will allow it,” he says. “I have no problem with you being there for any of my appointments, but Loretta is not welcome.” I see disgust flash in his eyes. “You have nothing to worry about. I want nothing to do with her. I made a huge mistake that I take full responsibility for, but she was the catalyst. She cost me everything,” he says.

I simply nod. Not really sure if I believe him after what he proposed or after hearing him say he loved her. What he does is no longer my concern, but I don’t have to be around her. “I guess I

2/4

should get going. I have a flight to catch. Thank you for talking to me, Carice, and for the picture he says to Nick. “No problem and, honestly, as long as we have the room you are welcome to stay here at the Inn when you come for Clarice’s appointments, Nick says.

Trevor nods and heads for the door, leaving Nick and me alone. “You didn’t have to do that. He

pulls me into his arms and presses a kiss on my lips. “Yes, I did. He isn’t the same man that came

here just a few days ago. I can see not only the sadness and regret in his eyes, but acceptance. Don’t get me wrong, he wouldn’t have given up if he thought there was a chance, because he

knows what he’s lost. He’s right about not deserving your grace, but it’s a testament to your strength that you gave it to him anyway. Besides your right about what our daughter deserves,” he

says.

I push up on my toes and press another kiss to his lips. I really love this man. “Well enough about me and Trevor. How did your meeting with the king and queen go?” “Did you eat? Why don’t we get you something to eat before,” he starts to say, but I cut him off. “I can tell you are stalling. Tell me what they wanted.”

Loretta POV

I slouch down in the rental car. I followed at safe distance behind Trevor after he checked out of the hotel. I knew he was going to see Clarice. Does he really think she will forgive him? He f**ked me over and over and now he wants to act like he regrets it. He didn’t regret it when he was moaning my name. Telling how amazing I felt. She’ll never take him back.

ed

I had no choice but to follow him here since he refused to answer my calls after rooms. I wanted to follow him inside, but I knew one of those Kringles a**holes would have stopped me. I plan to make sure I get on the same flight home, so I’ll follow him to the airport. He will have no choice but to talk to me if we are trapped on the plane together.

My anger ratchets up the longer I sit staring at the front door of the Inn waiting for him to come out. What the f**k is going on? Is she actually considering taking him back? I won’t f**king allow it. I will give her every dirty detail of what he did to my body. Hell, I’ll lie and tell her it happened in her bed even though he refused me every time I asked.

By the time he walks out forty minutes later with a smile on his face and a piece of paper in his hand, I’ve long since passed angry. How f**king dare he do this to me? Before I can even get out of my car to confront him, he jogs over to his rental. As soon as he pulls out, I pull out behind him. He seems oblivious to me following him. I dial my phone, and he picks up on the second ring.

“Loretta, don’t speak, just listen. This is the last time I’m taking your call. I will be blocking you immediately when I hang up. I don’t want you and I never really did. You were a mistake. I can’t say that enough. The only thing that is important right now is my family. Leave me and Clarice alone,”

3/4

he says, and the call ends before I can say a word. My hard tightens on the wheel aftur I drop my phone on the seat next to me. How dare he treat me like this? I’m the one that lover him. She didn’t deserve him, and now he wants to cast me aside because she realized she still wants him. No, I won’t let that happen.

Before I realize what I’m doing, I push down on the accelerator. As soon as my bumper bangs his, the car starts to spin. I slam on the brakes and watch as his car hits the guard rail. My heart stafts to race as I stare at the car. Stare at what I just did. I expect to feel guilty but I don’t. This is his fault. He did this to us. I look around before I drive as fast as I can toward the airport.

26

Comments

LUCK DRAW