Only in Time

  “Abigail?” Ally asked, pushing away from the counter.

  Twila nodded. “Yes. And she was wearing the same watch. A watch that disappeared when Miss Hamilton did.”

  What Twila insinuated couldn’t be possible. Not logically. Yet something about the story had Ally questioning its authenticity. Not that the story couldn’t be true, but that it was true.

  If Twila didn’t find anything wrong with the watch, Ally would be stuck keeping it. She didn’t know if she wanted it anymore. Not with its creepy history.

  A band of keys jingled against the clerk’s wrist as she grabbed her glasses from the top of her head. They sat on the bridge of her nose while her eyes peered through them, bringing the watch closer to her face.

  “I see what the problem is.” A twinge of hope beat through Ally’s heart. Maybe she would get a refund. As Twila stretched her arms toward Ally, she pointed toward the side of the watch. “This is mechanical, darlin’. Have you been winding it?”

  Closing her eyes, Ally released a sigh. Darn it. She hadn’t thought about that. Now she looked like an idiot. “No, ma’am. I have not.”

  Guess that meant she had to keep the watch. Oh well. It would make for a good conversation piece at office parties.

  Yippie.

  Twila raised her hand a little, offering the watch to Ally. “You should do so everyday. Mornings are best.”

  Slipping the watch over her wrist, she clasped it shut, trying to avoid Twila’s eyes. Thank God she hadn’t decided to be rude to the woman, like she wanted. Now she had a working birthday gift and a historical piece to show off. Her mother would be pleased, too. Ally hadn’t missed the crack in her voice when they first spoke, this morning.

  “I appreciate all the help. And the history lesson. I should probably get going. Do I owe you anything for fixing the watch?”

  “You can’t fix something that isn’t broken. There’s no charge. You weren’t aware of the history. True mechanical watches aren’t common anymore. Now that you know more about the watch, you’ll enjoy your gift.”

  Perfect. The watch wasn’t broken. Ally wished she could say that about more things in her life. Like her relationship with her mother. Or her friendship with Jonah. Too bad Twila couldn’t fix those things.

  Nothing could. Not even time.

  * * *

  Yanking her cell phone from her purse, Ally gazed down at the device, reading Cassie’s latest text.

  I think we should do it. What would it hurt? We can behave.

  She twisted the handle on Mystique Antique’s door, hesitating in the doorway when the sweltering heat swarmed every inch of her skin. She brought up her keypad, trying to come up with a witty response for Cassie.

  Her friend had lost her mind. No way would she go on a double date with her and Theo. Especially knowing who would be her date. She hadn’t accepted the fact that Cassie wanted to go out with Theo. Then again, she used to love teasing him when they were younger. Theo didn’t mind. Would have gone to hell and back if Cassie had asked.

  Why couldn’t Jonah have felt the—

  Ally’s feet shifted beneath her as she slammed into a hard surface. Dazed by the abrupt stop, her legs teetered before they gave out, sending her toward the ground. Then the blurry scene around her wavered. She hadn’t hit the ground. Had made it back to her feet. Warmth caressed her arms as words filled her ears.

  “I’m so sorry!” The man apologized. “I was sending a text and didn’t see—Ally? Shit! Ally, are you okay?”

  Struggling to focus her eyes, Ally found comfort in the voice speaking to her. Jonah. It had to be. While his voice had deepened over the years, the roughness hadn’t left. And God did it sound sexy as hell.

  She blinked a couple of times, clearing the fogginess from her eyes. Then she found Jonah’s. A gasp left her mouth when she saw the crease in his forehead deepen. His eyes danced over her face as he reached for her head.

  Before he could make contact, she stepped back, waving him away. “I’m fine. You just caught me off guard. What are you doing here?” Had he followed her? Why else would they be on the same street in a city this big, on a Tuesday afternoon?

  “I had to go shopping.” He pointed to the bags near his feet. Ally noticed a navy blue shirt in one bag. Jeans hid in another. “I hate shopping for clothes, but I didn’t pack enough stuff for my trip. Didn’t think I’d be here this long.” Their eyes met again as his lips spread in a smile. “But I’m glad I came to town. I would have missed the chance to see you, if I hadn’t.”

  God, he knew all the right words to say to leave a woman wanting more. Needing more. Then, when she was ready to give her everything to him, he left her hanging to pursue his own dreams.

  At least he had with her. Who knows how many others since they’d parted ways.

  Damn him. She couldn’t fall for his games again.

  “You sure are a smooth talker, Jonah. You haven’t lost your touch with that.”

  Humor lit up his eyes. Guess he didn’t realize she’d just insulted him.

  “Yeah? Well, it’s not intentional. I assure you. When I first saw you the other night, I couldn’t have talked to you even if I weren’t performing. Not without stuttering. You blew me away.”

  “You shouldn’t say things like that,” she grumbled, gazing down at the sidewalk. She scraped her shoe against the concrete, wishing he would leave her alone. “I’m sure your girlfriend wouldn’t appreciate you giving your number to a woman from your past.”

  “You’re right.” He sighed. She snapped her head in his direction, confused by the ache that played in her heart. She should be glad she’d busted him. Now he would stop with the flirting and leave her alone. “If I had a girlfriend, she wouldn’t like me giving my number out to a woman from my past. Even though you’re not just any woman. You were my friend. My best friend.”

  Biting the inside of her lip, she fought back the tears forming in her eyes. No way would she allow him to keep screwing with her. This ended, now.

  Wisps of hair brushed her neck as she shook her head. Then she stepped around him, making her way down the street. She’d bypassed a couple shops before he’d caught up with her. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going back to work, Jonah.”

  “Why? What did I say?”

  “I’m not taking this trip down memory lane with you,” she snapped picking up the pace. The new speed didn’t faze Jonah. He kept at her side, dodging a newspaper stand as they continued down the street. Each step she took, he matched. Shooting him a glance, she hated seeing his scrunched up face. A mixture of confusion and pain filled each crease.

  “What did I ever do to you?”

  A sudden halt had Jonah putting a few feet of distance between them. Good. She needed the space. Needed to get as far away from him as she could. How could he even ask her that question?

  “Forget it, Jonah, it’s nothing. I don’t have time to stand around and reminisce. I have a meeting in an hour. One I can’t be late for.”

  She turned to walk away again, but Jonah’s fingers wrapped around her waist at the same time she moved. Stumbling back into him, he wrapped her in his arm. A surge of fire filled Ally’s face. It moved down her chest, sending a tingle across her breasts, then around her belly before making its final plunge toward her thighs.

  Sucking in a deep breath, she stared into the sexiest pair of eyes she’d ever seen. A soft moan slipped from her mouth when he squeezed her closer. Her eyes fell lower, to his lips. The heat of his breath caressed her cheek, sending a fruity scent with it. If she leaned back another inch, their lips would meet. Then she’d be in trouble. Would be nothing but a big pile of mush in Jonah’s arms.

  He must have sensed her tension. Helping her right herself, he took a step back, putting distance between their bodies. But he hadn’t released her from his grip.

  “Look, I know the last time we saw each other, we didn’t end things well. I can’t take back what happened, Ally, but I’d like for us to
be friends, again. That’s why I told you to call me. All I want to do is catch up.”

  Guilt wavered in Ally’s heart. Maybe she’d been wrong about him. That he hadn’t stayed in Savannah to mess with her. That he honestly wanted to make amends and be her friend, just like he had been years ago. But could she do it? Things had changed between them. Even before they’d moved away. She’d fallen for him. Wanted to take the next step with him and start a relationship, but he didn’t. Even if she agreed to be his friend, he’d eventually want to settle down. She couldn’t handle seeing him with another woman.

  “We’re different people now, Jonah. We can’t pick up where we left off.”

  “I know and I’m not asking you to.” He hesitated as a group of people passed. When the last person went by, he reached down to her hands, cupping them in his. “Our friendship built over time. I think it could again.”

  Yeah, they’d work real hard at it each time he came in from L.A. How could they rebuild their friendship with him gone all the time? Friends grew closer because they hung out. Shared hopes, dreams, even their fears. She couldn’t reconnect with him if he was never around.

  “Whatever you’re telling yourself, don’t.” His voice sounded shaky. He even cleared it before speaking again. “Please, just hear me out. I’d like to take you to dinner on Saturday. Not on a date, but just to hang out. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

  Ally parted her lips to refuse him, then snapped them shut. There was no point in arguing. Jonah had given her the puppy eyes. Her greatest weakness.

  Damn him.

  She exhaled, slumping her shoulders as she offered him a smile. “Okay, I’ll go. What time should I meet you?”

  “I can pick you up.”

  Which is exactly what she wanted to avoid. Screw it. She’d agreed to go to dinner with him. What would it hurt for him to know where she lived? If they were going to be friends again, he’d find out anyway.

  Scratch that. As soon as he visited his parents, he’d know.

  “I’ll be ready at seven. Is that okay?”

  The spark in his eyes had returned. Giving her a smile that had her heart racing, he nodded his head and then released her hands. “Sounds great. Oh, you didn’t tell me where you live.”

  “I live in the second house on the right…over on White Oak.”

  Jonah’s eyes widened. “You live near my parents?”

  Ally gave him a smile before walking away. “See you Saturday, at seven, Jonah. Don’t be late.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Ally adjusted the hem of her skirt, worrying that she’d picked the shortest one. Each time she crossed her legs, the material crept up a little further. Thank goodness the white tablecloth billowed around her from the waist down.

  Moving her eyes across the table, she found Jonah replacing his beer on a coaster. He’d been nursing the drink ever since the server brought it. Must have been his attempt at being a gentleman. She knew how much he could drink. Had spent many nights sneaking out of her house with a bottle for him and Cassie. In fact, both her friends would be dead if she hadn’t been their designated driver.

  My how their roles had changed.

  Grasping the stem of her wine glass, she placed it to her lips, pouring the last of the contents into her mouth. The soft cherry taste teased her tongue. Guess it was too late to drink in moderation, but she’d try to go slower with the next glass. And there would definitely be another glass.

  She had hoped this dinner wouldn’t be awkward like the last two times she ran into Jonah. Maybe it wouldn’t be if she’d kept their relationship on a friendship level. But she didn’t do that. Went and fell for him instead.

  What an idiot.

  Not realizing how loudly she groaned, she met Jonah’s gaze. Though a smile tugged at his mouth, he didn’t fully give in to the urge. “I hope that’s for the lack of flavor in this food, not because you’re here with me.”

  “You don’t like the food?”

  One brow arched as his smile finally won the tug-o-war with his lips. “I bet road kill tastes better than this.”

  “Eww!” she squealed, covering her mouth at the thought. “That’s so gross, Jonah.”

  A hearty laugh shook his chest, tossing his dark curls about his face. She didn’t realize how much she’d missed that sound. How it still made her insides shake.

  “I’d rather have a cheeseburger,” he grinned.

  “Oooh. That sounds good. I haven’t eaten a cheeseburger in years.”

  Jonah’s brow creased. “What? That’s a crime. You need a cheeseburger.”

  Pressing her back against her chair, she stroked the tablecloth, making sure her legs remained hidden. “When I was in New York, I barely had time to eat once a day. I busted my butt to get the promotion that brought me here. So when I did eat, I tried to be healthy.”

  “You’ve taken care of yourself, Ally. That’s good.” His eyes fell from her face as he tossed his napkin onto his plate. Then he laughed again. “But you know how much I always corrupted you. So guess what we’re doing?”

  Drawing in a breath, a twinge of uncertainty pulsed in her heart. “I’m not sure I want to know. Because you’re right. You were a bad influence.”

  His eyes sparkled with humor, making her belly roll. Just like old times.

  “We’re leaving this dump,” he said, motioning for their server to bring the check. “Then we’re going to find the closest burger joint so I can buy you a cheeseburger. We’re going to live on the edge, tonight.”

  It was Ally’s laughter that filled the air this time. Not just because of what he said, but because for the first time since seeing him, she had hope. Maybe their friendship could be repaired. She’d give it a shot. What was life without taking chances?

  * * *

  A bell chimed as the elevator doors opened. Ally gazed at the green carpet, debating on taking another step. She couldn’t believe she’d agreed to this. Swinging by Jonah’s hotel suite so that he could change.

  Yeah. Not her best decision.

  She must have stimulated too many endorphins after eating. Lord knows she’d enjoyed every single bite of her food. The conversation had been good, too. Like they hadn’t missed the last six years of each other’s life. The only thing missing was Cassie. Ally knew Cassie would have enjoyed a good burger.

  Moving through the hallway, Ally followed Jonah as they passed several doors. She couldn’t avoid gazing at his body. He still towered over her by a good eight inches. Had the same confidence to his step that she remembered from high school. Still filled his jeans in all the right places.

  Her eyes made their way to his bottom, admiring the firmness of it. Yeah. Definitely all the right places.

  Heat filled her cheeks at the thought. And before she could look away, Jonah cast his gaze over his shoulder, catching her in the act.

  A volcanic eruption couldn’t describe the sensation engulfing her face. It was as if she’d stepped off the elevator and into the pits of hell.

  “You doing okay? You got quiet on me.”

  Nodding her head as fast as she could, her stomach tightened as he waited for her to step beside him. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about dinner. That was the best cheeseburger I’ve ever eaten. I swear, I don’t remember a big ball of meat and grease tasting so good.”

  “Nice analogy,” he winked, bumping his shoulder into hers. “But I agree. It was pretty good. That place has the best food.” His hand brushed the front of his shirt where mustard stained it. “And messy.”

  “Well, if you wouldn’t have inhaled your burger…”

  “Touché.” He stopped at the last door on the right of the hallway, swiping his key in the door. “I appreciate you coming up with me. It won’t take me long to change.”

  “Well, I couldn’t be seen in a dark movie theater with a guy who has a mustard stain on his shirt. I have a reputation to keep, you know.” She couldn’t help but razz him after he did the same to her at the restaurant.


  He didn’t seem to mind. Even flashed her a smile before pushing the door open. “After you.”

  Sweeping past him, she entered the suite, noting the bar setting on the right. Rooms spread in different directions, the kitchenette being the closest. Coming to a stop near the recliner, she studied the layout until the door clicked shut behind her. Jonah brushed past her on his way toward one of the other rooms.

  “Do you want something to drink?” he asked, jabbing his finger over his shoulder.

  “No, I’m fine. I’ll grab something at the theater.”

  One shrug later, he disappeared down a hall.

  As a doorknob clicked in the distance, she debated on whether to sit on the sofa or make her way to the window. Sitting down would involve patience. Something she didn’t have at the moment.

  Pacing near the couch, she wished she’d taken Jonah up on the drink he’d offered. Anticipation burned in her belly with thoughts of him, shirtless, just a few feet down the hall. No way could she sit still and wait for his return.

  It didn’t take her long to reach the window. She parted the curtains, letting her eyes fall to the cobblestone that made up River Street. While many years had passed, she still remembered walking on that same street with her father right after they arrived in Savannah. She’d been too young to appreciate the history of the area, but the stone road fascinated her. And any memory of her father warmed her heart.

  “See anything interesting outside?” Jonah’s voice buzzed in her ear. She didn’t realize he’d reentered the room, or that he stood less than a foot behind her. When she gazed over her shoulder, she came eye level with his lips.

  Her heart took an extra beat.

  Trailing her eyes up to his, she watched a spark of humor play inside them. Then his lips curled upward. “What is it, Ally?”

  “Nothing.” She offered him a smile, turning her eyes back toward the road. “I was thinking about how much fun I’ve had, tonight.”

  A low rumble of laughter worked past his lips. “You didn’t think you would?”