Grounded for Love: A Reunion Romance Novella (13 page)

“If you’re interested, they’re about to start a karaoke contest. Part of the Snow Festival. We host it here every year. It’s pretty entertaining.” She laughed. In a whisper she said, “Some of the people are really terrible.”

“Might as well. Can’t dance.”

“Huh?”

“Something my dad always said when I was growing up. It means I don’t have anything else to do and nowhere else to go. At least not now.”

“Well, I’ll be back by to take your order.” She set down a glass of water.

“Thanks.”

If this karaoke contest was anything like past ones he’d seen, it might be entertaining enough to take his mind off Serena. He pocketed his phone and looked over the menu again.

“What’s going on?” Serena’s mom said as she walked out into the living room.

Serena whirled around. “I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”

“It’s okay,” her mom said with bleary eyes. “What time is it?”

“Almost nine o’clock.”

“I didn’t mean to sleep this long.” She yawned. “Guess I’m exhausted.”

“What can I do to help?” Serena wanted to be a good daughter, but she hoped her mom wouldn’t ask her to do anything, so she could figure out what to do about Graham being in Durango.
Because I have to do something
.

“I don’t think we need anything right now.”

Serena mentally let out a sigh of relief. “How’s Daddy?”

“He’s resting.” Her mom studied her. “What are you doing?”

Serena licked her lips. “I need to leave, if that’s okay.”

“Sure, but where are you going?”

“To set things right. I hope.”

Serena kissed her mom on the cheek then rushed out the door. She drove back over to Jake’s and sat in the car attempting to calm her raging nerves. She hoped Graham was still in the restaurant. Even more, she hoped he’d come to Durango to see
her
.

For the first time in a long time, Serena felt like her life might get back on track. Maybe she’d have the man she loved in her life again—if he could forgive her. She needed to do something that would tell him how she felt.

Nothing came to her, so she practiced a speech in her head.
I was stupid to think you were cheating. I was wrong and I am so sorry. I love you. You are the only one I want.
It needed some work, but she had the basic idea.

As she walked toward the restaurant in the icy air, a brightly colored poster in a shop window caught her eye. She studied it and an idea sparked. It was crazy and would be so embarrassing—probably humiliating—but it might be what she needed to grab his attention.

If
he was still there.

She crossed her fingers then slowly went into Jake’s. It didn’t take long to spot Graham. For this to work, though, he couldn’t see her, so she stealthily made her way to the back of the restaurant.

Graham listened to a few of the karaoke contestants. They were bad. Even worse than bad. One of the women sounded like a wounded cow.
Put her out of her misery. Please!
When the waitress was near his table, he said, “I think I’d like Jake’s Special Burger.”

“With the works?’

“Yeah. And the steak fries to go with it.” He’d need a full stomach if he was going to drive back home tonight. He’d lose money on his hotel room, but there was no reason to stay in town. Obviously, Serena wasn’t even thinking about him anymore. He’d finish his burger then get on the road. That way he could spend more time with his family before he flew back to Phoenix.

He pulled out his phone again. This time he dialed Dana’s number. He was sure he could talk her into dating again. She didn’t answer, so he ended the call before leaving a message.

The waitress brought his burger and he took a juicy bite as the music started to play for another wanna-be singer.
I hope this one isn’t as bad as the last one
.

With a few more bars, Graham recognized the Lady Antebellum song. He remembered it all too well. It had been playing on the radio the night he first kissed Serena.
Figures someone would choose that song.
Fate was certainly laughing at him tonight.

When the woman started to sing, Graham swallowed hard—almost choking on the burger. It couldn’t be? Could it? He quickly turned then sat there stunned.

It was.

Serena gripped the microphone with trembling fingers. She could barely hear the music over her thundering heartbeat. Singing in her high school choir was nothing like this. And knowing that Graham was out in the audience only made it that much more terrifying.

She hoped that singing this song would make Graham remember how they’d danced to it, how they’d had their first kiss to it, and how they’d felt about each other before she’d been such an idiot. It was a long shot, but she was willing to take the chance. Publicly.

A couple of bright stage lights shone in her eyes, making it hard to see anyone in the audience, but she kept singing, lamely trying to communicate the emotion churning inside her.

She made it through most of the song when she felt someone behind her. She turned and stood face-to-face with Graham. Her nerves ignited throughout her body making her feel like she was on fire. She finished the last of the words, and Graham stepped closer to her. Close enough that she could smell his familiar cologne.

He brushed away a stray hair from her cheek then cradled her face in his hands, sending a torrent of heat up the back of her neck. He tentatively pressed his warm lips against hers, and she dropped the microphone to her side. Graham’s lips searched hers and she melted into him. Someone grabbed the microphone from her as Graham enfolded her in his strong arms. Every inch of her buzzed with energy while her lips tingled from his touch. As the kiss became more passionate, she released all the feelings she’d tried so hard to bury. Serena didn’t want to be anywhere but right here, kissing Graham, letting every molecule of her body experience the thrill of being in his arms and tasting his kiss.

Applause erupted as the music ended, and Serena realized she was still on stage, kissing Graham in front of an entire audience. They rested their foreheads together and a nervous laugh fell out of her mouth. Even amidst all the whistling and clapping, Serena still felt like they were the only two people in the world.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you. About us,” she said.

“Me too.”

“Can you forgive me?” she asked, her heart beating wildly. “Can we try this again?”

Graham peered deeply into her eyes and nodded.

“And if I ever see you kissing another woman, I promise to ask why.”

He put his finger to her lips. “You’ll never have to ask, because the only woman I’ll be kissing from now on is you.” He leaned in and kissed her. This time there was nothing tentative about it. The kiss was certain. It was strong. It said he cared about her and together they’d make this work. Somehow, some way, they would be together.

A guy started speaking into the microphone “Who needs
The Bachelor
when we can see this right here in Durango?”

The audience started clapping again.

“What’s the story here?” he asked.

Serena wiped at her hot cheeks. She thought she’d be embarrassed singing tonight, but that was nothing compared to being on display kissing Graham in front of so many people.

“I let this woman get away from me once,” Graham said. “But I’m not going to let her get away again.” Graham looked at Serena. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Let’s hear it for the happy couple,” the announcer said. The crowd clapped in response. “We have a definite love connection here. I’ve never had this happen before at a karaoke contest, but I declare you the winner.” The energy in the room exploded.

Graham wrapped his arms around Serena and guided her down from the stage.

“Can we go outside?” she asked over the noise.

Graham took her hand, and she followed him out a side door. A light snow gently fell around them.

“I can’t believe you sang that song,” he said with a jovial tone.

“I know.” Serena let out a long breath. “I can’t believe it, either.”

“For me.” He pulled her closer to him, and she lost herself in the depths of his eyes.

“For you.”

“I meant what I said in there. I’m not going to let you get away this time, even if that means moving to California.”

“You would do that?”

He nodded, tracing the outline of her jaw with his finger, sending a shiver through her. “Yeah, I would do that.”

“And I promise not to jump to conclusions.”

He embraced her and a three-year long ache was finally and completely satisfied. She belonged in his arms and he belonged in hers.

“We
will
make this work,” he said. “This time it’s forever.” He stepped back, still keeping her hands in his.

Forever.
That was exactly what she wanted to hear.

The snow began falling faster, big flakes landing on them and piling up at their feet. They both looked up at the swollen clouds above them. Serena blinked the snowflakes away.

“I wonder if this storm—” he started.

“Will ground us?” she added with a laugh. “I guess fate might have her own ideas about us after all.”

Shivering, Serena snuggled closer to Graham, content in his arms. She’d never been so grateful for a snowstorm.

Thank you so much for reading this novella. I hope you enjoyed it! It would be awesome if you would consider posting a review on Amazon. Reviews are very important to help other readers discover new books.

The best form of advertising is word-of-mouth, so please share with your friends!

Thank you,