Love Walked In Page 8

  “I should go and see Nathan. He seemed upset about something and went back to the office.”

  “Now?” ask Michael sharply.

  “I should be back shortly after dinner.”

  “But Jemma, can’t this wait until later?”

  “I’ll be back soon, I promise,” replied Jemma reassuringly. “I’ll let Cynthia know.”

  As she walked away, Michael reached into his pocket for his cellphone. Nathan wouldn’t be expecting Jemma at his office, so he wanted to find out if Raquel was there too. Nathan was annoyed at finding out that he knew about the indiscretion and had selfishly decided to leave Jemma at her big event. It would make sense that he would go and see Raquel to resolve some of his frustration.

  “Is he at the office?”

  “Yeah. Pulled up about fifteen minutes ago.

  “And his accountant?”

  “She just arrived.”

  That could only mean one thing. Jemma would be walking in on Nathan screwing Raquel on his desk and finally she would know what a creep he really was. Perfect timing thought Michael. He watched Jemma walking across the floor to see Cynthia. He’d never seen her looking more beautiful. She was radiant. As she left the room, Michael contemplated the effect it would have on her and felt a burst of panic thinking about the devastation she would feel walking in on Nathan and Raquel. Jemma needed to know the truth, but did it have to be tonight, like that? Michael debated back and forth in his mind on what to do and then scrambled out of the door after her.

  “Jemma,” he shouted from across the parking lot, relieved that she was still there.

  Jemma looked at Michael as he came walking briskly towards her.

  “Michael, is everything okay?”

  “No Jemma. It’s not. Look, we’ve worked too damn hard for you to walk away now. You put this event together and we need you here to see it through. Nathan can wait till later.” Jemma felt torn but Michael was right. She had always been there for Nathan whenever he needed a partner on his arm to make a good impression. She needed him tonight and he’d bailed on her. Jemma slammed the car door shut.

  “You know what. You’re absolutely right.” She took Michael’s arm and they headed back in.

  “Thank you for being here for me,” she said as they entered through the doors.

  “No problem. Now let’s work on emptying some wallets.”

  Dinner was served. The guests seemed to respond well to the youth who gave presentations throughout the evening, detailing the dangers of life on the streets and how Youth Organizations had helped them to set out and rebuild their lives. Donors wrote out checks and handed them in at the donation tables. Once the last goodbyes were said and the cleaning crew came in, the board started tallying up the funds.

  “What an amazing night,” said Jemma kicking off her shoes and taking a seat at one of the tables.

  “It certainly was. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a fundraiser this much. You planned everything perfectly, Jemma.”

  “Well Cynthia was a big help.”

  “But it was your vision.”

  “What can I say Michael. You inspired me to step up and do this and for that I thank you.”

  Jemma stood up to leave.

  “Jemma, the last few months have been incredible, and I want to thank you for everything.”

  Michael held his hand out towards Jemma. As she looked into his deep brown eyes, a wave of sadness washed over her at the prospect of this being their final goodbye. It had been quite the turn of events since Michael Locke had walked through her door and had brought new meaning into her life. She reached for him and as their hands met, they fell into one final embrace. Jemma’s heart started to beat wildly as Michael’s strong body enveloped her, and as she stood there, wrapped in his arms, for just a moment she felt like she was home.

  Jemma returned to the house feeling tired but elated from the day. The fundraiser had been a success and they had done phenomenally well. Jemma walked around the lonely house turning the lights on and when she reached the bedroom she looked around.

  She felt empty. Was it the high of the fundraiser that was wearing off, as she stepped back into the reality of her world or was it something more? What was she doing here, she thought, thinking about the man who had abandoned her when she needed him by her side. She had chosen to stay with Nathan, but he seemed aloof and had been that way for some time.

  Michael had given her an ultimatum, and in her heart, she knew that the decision she had made to stay with Nathan was the wrong one, for it was a decision made out of fear and obligation. It was clear to her now, that any love she felt for Nathan was gone, yet the realization was weeks too late and any hope that she could fix things with Michael had petered out.

  Jemma removed the engagement ring from her finger and placed it on the bedside table. It didn’t matter she thought. She had been alone before and she would rather be alone, than stay in a relationship that had sailed its’ course. Now that the fundraiser was over, she didn’t have to see Michael Locke again and Daphne could deliver the flowers on Monday mornings until Michael decided to cancel the contract. Jemma pulled a suitcase out from under the bed and started packing.

  Chapter Seventeen

  With the fundraiser behind him, Michael had a lot to catch up on and arrived early at the office on Monday morning. His day was scheduled with meetings and with new projects on the horizon, Michael planned to immerse himself in his work. The buzzing of his intercom alerted him to the arrival of his assistant.

  “What is it Christine?”

  “It’s Daphne with the floral delivery Mr. Locke.”

  “Send her in.”

  “Good morning Michael.”

  “Daphne. Good morning.”

  “I heard the event went well.”

  “It was a great success. Jemma pulled off quite the show,” Michael replied, returning his gaze to his laptop as Daphne placed the flowers on the coffee table.

  “Well I’m all done here, so I’ll see you next week.”

  Daphne headed towards the open door and as she walked through it, clutching the handle to pull the door shut, she appeared again as if having an afterthought.

  “Michael, I just thought you should know. Jemma left Nathan.”

  Michael sat up. “Oh,” he responded with surprise. Nathan must have come clean about Raquel, he thought to himself.

  “Is she okay?”

  “Yeah. She seems fine.”

  “Good. I’ll see you next week.”

  Michael hoped Jemma was okay. He had tried to spare her the worst of it by ensuring she didn’t walk in on Nathan and Raquel in the office, but obviously Nathan had chosen to do the right thing and tell her the truth. Nathan had to know she wouldn’t stick around. Jemma was loyal and trusting and he was sure the betrayal would be a real upheaval for her.

  As the day passed, Michael couldn’t help but worry about Jemma, but the last thing he wanted to do was to run to her when she was upset. He refused to be second choice and although he loved Jemma and was ready to give her the world, she made her decision and chose Nathan. Michael had made peace with that.

  Marcus and Nathan arrived at four o’ clock for their meeting. They had a proposal for Phase Three which was due to begin in the fall and although Michael didn’t care for Nathan, he liked Marcus. Marcus seemed down to earth and a genuinely good person, which was the predominant reason that Cross got the contract in the first place.

  As they went over the figures, Michael was surprised that Nathan appeared disaffected by the turn of events and showed no hint of disappointment at his new-found status as a single man. Did he even care, wondered Michael and the fact that he seemed so calm and together made Michael dislike him even more. The meeting ended just after five thirty and as the two men prepared to leave, Nathan motioned for Marcus to go ahead.

  “Well played Locke,” said Nathan, striding towards Michael’s desk.

  “You just had to go and tell her.”

  “Tell he
r what? What are you talking about Cross?”

  “Jemma. I arrived home on Saturday night and she was gone. Left her engagement ring on the bedside table.”

  “I didn’t say anything to Jemma.”

  “What?” asked Nathan looking puzzled.

  “I didn’t tell Jemma about you and Raquel.”

  Michael stood up and looked out of the window. The sun was beginning to make its’ descent and a hue of indigo and peach streaked the evening sky. It was going to be a beautiful sunset. Michael took a deep breath and contemplated his next move. Jemma had decided. She left Nathan, not because of Raquel as he originally thought, but because she simply didn’t want to be with him.

  When he parted ways with Jemma at the fundraiser, Michael was certain that he saw a hint of regret in her face, yet he didn’t realize the depth of that emotion. Every time he touched her, the feeling was electric and he had no doubt that she felt the very same thing. His intentions were clear and watching her at the event that night, he knew that Jemma was the woman who should forever be by his side.

  As Michael pulled up outside Florentyna, he saw Jemma through the large windows. She was wearing her yellow dress, the one she wore the very first night he met her. As he opened the door she looked up and a smile radiated across her face.

  “Hi,”

  “Hi,” Jemma replied, setting down a bucket of roses on the counter beside her.

  “You wore that dress the very first time I saw you.”

  “I did, didn’t I?” Jemma replied looking down at the dress and walking towards Michael. “I figured it was my lucky dress.” She stopped only inches away from him and looked up into his deep brown eyes.

  “I’m glad you’re here Michael. You gave me choice a few weeks ago, and although at the time, I thought I had made the right decision, I couldn’t have been more wrong. My decision was one made out of fear of the unknown, fear of my feelings for you, but, if it’s not too late, then I choose you Michael, if you’ll still have me.”

  “If” he thought. Jemma really had no idea how he felt about her.

  “Jemma, I’m going to ask you something I wanted to ask the very first night I set eyes on you.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “Can I take you home with me tonight?”

  Jemma laughed playfully and putting her arms around Michael, replied teasingly, “Yes, you may Mr. Locke.” Michael leant his head toward hers and as their lips met, Jemma felt the room spinning around her. She tightened her embrace on him and kissed him with a hungry passion. It wasn’t like before, thought Michael. She felt different, more open and confident, like she was his, ready for the taking. He felt himself harden so pulled back. Not here, he thought. She was too special for that. Jemma grabbed her bag and coat, turned off the lights and locked the door. As the sun hid beneath the colourful horizon, Michael and Jemma headed out, hand in hand into the night.

  Afterword

  I hope you enjoyed the romance between Michael and Jemma. I guess it goes to show that we have no idea when true love will come walking through our door. Let's keep our fingers crossed and keep dreaming!

  I always love to hear what you, the reader has to say, so please leave an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads.

  If you liked this book, you might also enjoy reading the romance between Sienna and Lorenzo in my debut novella,

  'Second Chances.

  The third book will be out at the end of July.

  Keep Reading and Start Dreaming!

  Jennifer Halsbury

  Books By This Author

  Second Chances

  Meet Sienna. After her husband passed away unexpectedly, Sienna is left struggling to provide for her two children. A new job as a server at a local strip club sets off a series of events that pushes her into the arms of its’ handsome wealthy owner. Will Sienna be willing to overcome the demons of her past and give true love a chance?

  Meet Lorenzo. A handsome, wealthy business tycoon, Lorenzo has it all, fame fortune and a beautiful fashion model girlfriend on his arm. But beyond the glamour of his lifestyle, Lorenzo is searching for something deeper. As their paths cross unexpectedly, Lorenzo finds him falling for Sienna in a way he never thought possible.

  Second Chances is a Short Story Romance