Persuaded (25 page)

I glanced over at Collin, who shrugged. “Yeah, I guess if you want to,” I said, surprised at how comfortable I felt in their home. Maybe that was because it had always been my home, or maybe because I knew the Wentworths were just normal, nice people. Whatever the reason, I was more than happy to play for them. Gregory came in with his laptop and sat down on the sofa closest to the piano.

“What are you working on, dear?” his mom asked.

“What? Oh yeah. Just answering some emails for Dad. I’m playing his secretary the next few weeks until Barbara comes back from her daughter’s house.”

“That’s right. I forgot Barbara hasn’t been in. So, Dad finagled you into working for him, huh?”

“Something like that.” Gregory laughed. “I asked him if he needed any help, and this is what I got stuck with.”

“I’m going to get your father—maybe he can lend a hand.”

“No, it’s fine. I don’t mind doing it. In fact, it’s kind of relaxing. But go get him anyway—he has to hear Amanda play.”

Collin walked over and distracted me enough with his new song and ideas for its melody that I had almost forgotten anyone was there with us. It wasn’t until Collin left the room to revamp the second verse that I overheard Mrs. Wentworth talking again.

“Well, I still think it’s a good thing they’re getting married, Charles. Remember us? We couldn’t keep our hands off each other! We needed to get married or we were going to be in trouble.”

After Mr. Wentworth’s chuckle, I tried to zone them out but couldn’t. Suzanne’s whisper was just loud enough to make it hard to think of anything else.

“Besides, nothing annoys me more than two people who are in love with each other and do nothing about it. It’s pure stupidity, if you ask me. When someone is in love, they need to just get it off their chest and say it. I can’t stand when people brood about it and never do anything. I say ‘yay’ for Collin. I don’t care what the Ellises say about it, either. If Collin loves her and knows she’s the one, then who are we to judge him? Who does Veronica think she is, anyway, calling up Katie Russell like that? That woman needs to mind her own business. She has no idea what has happened to that girl—none.”

“Shh! Amanda is sitting right there. What if she heard you?”

“Oh no! Do you think she did?”

I promptly began to flip through a couple of music books.

Gregory’s mom nervously added, “Well, Charles, I’m going to head into the kitchen and clean up a bit. Let me know when they start playing again.”

“Sure, sure, I will.”

I waited until Mrs. Wentworth left before I turned to lift the lid of the bench and pull out more music sheets. When I glanced up I saw Gregory hard at work on the laptop and wondered what he thought of his mother’s outburst.

“Gregory, how’s my email coming? Are you almost through?” his dad asked, interrupting my thoughts.

“What?” Gregory glanced up at me and then at his dad. “Oh yeah, just a minute. I have one more to finish and I’ll be done.”

“Well, when you’re through I have something I need you to look at. A couple of my pay statements are off, and I was wondering . . . ”

Gregory didn’t even glance up when he answered, “Yeah, no problem. I’ll look at them.”

“So, Amanda, are you coming to the party for Kylie?”

“Of course.”

“Gregory’s thinking he needs to head back to Phoenix soon, so he may not be there, but that won’t stop us from having a party.”

I willed myself not to look over at Gregory.
He’s leaving?

Mr. Wentworth stood and walked over to me. “I have some news for you, Amanda. I hear a certain someone will be coming, too. That oughta make you want to come, eh? To see Sean?”

Gregory’s laptop dropped to the floor. He didn’t even glance at me when he picked it up.

Oh no.
“No! I mean, no,” I said. “It wouldn’t matter to me if Sean was there or not. I would go because of Kylie.”

“Oh? Not because of Sean? Are you sure about that?” Mr. Wentworth winked.

“Yes. Very sure.”

“Well, I’m done now,” Gregory said in a rush. “Where’s that problem you were having in the office, Dad?”

“Yep. Let me show you which one I mean.” Mr. Wentworth patted my shoulder. “Excuse us, Amanda.”

I looked over at Gregory but he was gone. He hadn’t even said goodbye! I watched his dad walk out of the room. Then, just as quickly as he’d left, Gregory came back in again.

“Just a sec, Dad, I think I left something in here.” He walked over to the couch where the laptop was sitting and looked pointedly at me. “Amanda, would you like to check your email? You can use my laptop if you want.”

“My email?”

“Yeah. If you want.” He motioned toward the computer and then left the room.

Twenty-Three: You’ve Got Mail!

Hesitantly I walked over to Gregory’s laptop and looked down at it.
Did he write me?
I wondered.
Was that last email he was writing for me?

Thankfully the room was empty as I sat on the couch and placed the open laptop on my lap. It was already on the home page of my email program. Taking a deep breath, I entered my address and password, my fingers shaking. With another click I was in my mailbox—and there was Gregory’s email waiting for me.
He did write!
I opened it quickly.

To: Amanda Ellis

From: Gregory Wentworth

Subject: (None)

I can’t hold it back anymore. I have to say this, and email is the easiest for me right now. I know that you’re seeing Sean, but tell me I’m not too late—that I haven’t lost you. You can have me. I’m yours. I love you more than I did three years ago. There has never been anyone but you. Yes, I’ve been stupid and angry, but I’ve never stopped loving you. You were the only reason I came to Farmington. I could’ve stayed in Phoenix and continued working the summer for our company, but I had to see you. I had to see what would happen if I came, if there was even a chance for us. Couldn’t you see right through me? Didn’t you know what I really felt? I thought for sure you must’ve realized what I was doing all along. I love you! Say, you’ll be mine.

Greg

I have to leave now, but I will be back. I’ll follow you home if I have to. All I’ll have to do is look at you and then I’ll know if I’ll be here for Kylie’s party or not.

“Amanda?”

Startled, I looked up to see Collin staring down at me. I could see his mouth moving, but my heart was pounding too loud for me to hear what he was saying.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I was wondering if you’d mind postponing this for a bit. I’m tired, I can’t think straight, and this verse isn’t working the way I had hoped.”

“Verse?” I stared at him stupidly.

Collin smiled. “Yeah, the verse for Kylie’s song.”

“Oh yes. Sorry—I was somewhere else for a moment. Um . . .
okay, sure. When do you want to meet again?”

“Is tomorrow good?”

“Yeah, maybe. Call me first, okay?”
I might be here already. At least I hope so.
“You have my cell number, right?”

“I think so. If not, I’m sure I can get it.”

“Okay.”

“Thanks for your help. Sorry I can’t concentrate,” Collin said. “I’m going to head over to check on Kylie again before I go home. Maybe it’ll come to me then.”

“Oh, maybe. Have a good night.”

“Bye.”

As soon as he left I reread Gregory’s wonderful email. It was so unbelievably romantic! I giggled and then read it again and again. I was extraordinarily happy in that moment—so much so that I don’t think anyone could’ve made me think of anything else.

After my eyes were exhausted from reading the email so many times, I skipped over to the piano and poured my delight and joy into a melody that filled the room and whole house with my answer.

Not long after that, I felt strong, warm arms wrap around my waist from behind and heard a deep voice whisper in my ear, “Can I hold you while you play?”

My fingers stopped and I leaned back and laid my head gently on his shoulder.

“No, don’t stop.” In an instant, Gregory slid next to me on the small bench.

I smiled. “What do you want me to play?”

“Hmm . . . that song just now—the happy one.”

“This one?” I tried out a few chords and giggled as I felt his arm wrap around my shoulder. I snuggled closer.

“Yes, that one. I love that one. I could listen to it all day.”

I giggled again and willed my heart to find a steadier beat as we stayed like that for a moment. Of course, it had an even more difficult time beating steadily when he whispered, “I can’t believe you’re here. I half expected you to be gone.”

“Are you kidding, after that email?” My hands stilled again, but this time Gregory didn’t seem to notice.

“You liked that, did you?”

His breath on my cheek caused a million tiny shivers to dance their way down my spine. I was having a hard time concentrating. “I . . . yes. I liked it very much.”

“Andy, I’m not going to let you go. I can’t. I’ve already lost you twice. Once because of your stupid pride.” He touched my chin with his hand and turned me to see him. The look in his eyes nearly caused my chest to burst. “And once because of mine. I don’t think I could handle losing you a third time.”

“You? Do you have any idea what I’ve been through, knowing I turned you away all those years ago when I loved you more than I’d ever loved anyone before?”

He drew me closer to him. “I never, ever want to let you go. Let’s stay like this forever, okay?”

I smiled. “Forever? Like this?”

“Yeah, forever on a piano bench—just like this, listening to your music—sounds like heaven to me. Why? What’s wrong with it?”

“What’s wrong with it?” I looked up at him and grinned playfully. “I couldn’t do this.” I looked at his mouth and leaned toward him.

“Wait.” Gregory placed his hand on my lips. “I . . . just wait.”

With two fingers, he tenderly caressed my lips, and my eyes unconsciously fluttered shut at the sweet sensation of his touch. Ever so slowly his fingers created a path to my jaw and then came round my neck to cup my head. It was then that I felt the palm of his other hand hold my face. That thumb leisurely traced my eyebrow and followed the curve of my cheek, skimming past my nose and lower lip to settle beneath my chin. “Andy?”

“Hmm?” I grinned and opened my eyes. I was captured by a glow I had never seen before in his.

“I love you, Andy.” Gregory gently kissed my forehead.

The musky aroma of his cologne surrounded me, and I closed my eyes again.

“I really, really love you. I always have.”

I gasped softly as I felt his lips hovering above mine. And then he kissed one corner of my mouth and brushed lightly across it to kiss the other corner. It made me grin at first, until he did it again—kissed one corner and then brushed his lips across mine as he moved to the other side to plant a kiss there. And then he did it again! I thought I would go mad.
Kiss me!
Instinctively I tried to pull his head down to my own, but he remained firm. With my eyes still closed I whispered, “Gregory, I swear if you don’t k—” His lips captured mine in a soft, full, wonderfully heart-melting kiss.

When he finally released me, he said, “Sorry. I’ve waited a long time to do that. I wanted to make sure it was done right.”

I blushed and lowered my gaze to his T-shirt.

He chuckled. “I like it when you’re shy. You’re cute, you know.” He kissed my forehead again and then gave my mouth a swift kiss, too.

Ah!
It was so dizzying to be this close to him, and then to have him kissing me, was—well, it was wonderful, but it made me so I couldn’t think straight. I wanted—needed—to know some things. “Gregory?”