Chapter One
Premise: The rape crisis has concluded, and Ryan’s name has been cleared, thanks to Gillian, Hayley and Braden. Ryan have decided to start over like they are strangers in an attempt to find their way back to each other. The first chapter begins with Ryan getting ready for his date with Gillian. Braden is there to give his brother support.
Ryan stood in front of the mirror in the room that Gillian and he once shared at Myrtle’s boarding house. Ryan lived there alone now, and Gillian had temporarily moved back into Wild Wind. He nervously buttoned his shirt.
“Am I crazy to be doing this? Maybe I should just cancel,” he said.
Braden shook his head. “You’re not crazy, Ryan. She’s your wife. You’re doing this because you love her,” he reminded him.
Ryan caught Braden’s eye in the mirror. “Loving Gillian is what got me into this mess in the first place. Maybe I should just leave town quietly while I still can,” he commented.
Braden went to stand beside his brother and patted him on the shoulder. “Face it man, if you leave now, you’ll end up coming right back. Give this thing with Gillian a chance. It can’t hurt,” he pointed out.
Ryan rubbed his hands over his face. “I swore to myself that I would never let anyone in, Braden. If I had just stuck with that, I wouldn’t have to be doing this,” he said.
“If you had stuck to that, you would only wind up miserable,” Braden reminded him. “This is just dinner, Ryan. You don’t have anything to be nervous about. But if you want, I can come with you and hold your hand,” he teased.
Ryan scowled at Braden. “Very funny, big brother. It’s nice to know that you’re supportive of me in my time of need,” he said sarcastically.
Braden smiled. “Loosen up. You’re already married to her, Ryan, so it’s not like you have to impress her. It will be just a normal, quiet dinner,” he said.
Ryan shook his head. “With Gillian, things are never normal.”
* * * * *
Gillian was in her room at Wild Wind, frantically trying to get ready. The entire room was littered with clothes, but nothing was right. Everything had to be perfect for tonight, or she was just going to die. She picked up another dress, and immediately rejected it. Gillian screamed in frustration.
“Why is this happening to me!”
There was a knock on the door, and then Hayley popped her head in. “Gillian, are you all right? I heard a scream,” she said.
“Oh Hayley, thank God you’re here! I’m supposed to meet Ryan and I have nothing to wear. If this doesn’t go right, my life is over!” Gillian cried. She dramatically flung herself down on the bed on top of a pile of clothes.
Hayley rolled her eyes. She wasn’t in the mood for Gillian’s drama queen act. “Gillian, there are clothes all over the room. Just pick something,” she suggested.
“You don’t understand!” Gillian cried. “Tonight must be absolutely perfect, Hayley! I want Ryan to love me again.”
Hayley sighed. “Gillian, Ryan already loves you and he doesn’t care what you wear. He wouldn’t even mind if you wore what you have on,” she said. Hayley took another look at the skimpy negligee that Gillian was wearing. “In fact, that might not be a bad idea,” she teased.
Gillian pushed her hair out of her face. “Ryan said that this was my last chance. I must not blue it,” she said.
Hayley was confused for a second. “Blow it, Gillian, you can’t blow it. I think as long as you don’t sleep with anyone else, you should be okay,” she said.
Gillian frowned. “This is not funny, Hayley,” she said.
“I know Gillian, I am not laughing.” Hayley became serious. “I want you and Ryan to be happy too.” She sorted through the mess of clothes and found a dark blue dress. “Wear this,” she suggested.
“Thank you, Hayley! For everything!” Gillian gave Hayley a huge hug that practically knocked them both over.
“Okay, Gillian, don’t get carried away.” Hayley gently pushed Gillian away. “Let’s get you ready before Ryan thinks that you stood him up,” she said.
* * * * *
Ryan arrived at the Valley Inn five minutes before he was supposed to meet Gillian. Braden had done a good job calming his nerves, but now that he was here, Ryan was anxious all over again. He wished they had decided to meet someplace else. This hotel had too many bad memories. This was where he had been arrested. It was also where he had caught Gillian with David. Ryan scowled at the memory.
What am I doing here? he asked himself. This was a bad idea. Ryan turned to leave, and that was when he spotted Gillian. His mouth went completely dry. She looked incredible in the form fitting blue dress that she was wearing. Ryan had a feeling this was not going to be easy.
Gillian smiled shyly at Ryan. “I’m so sorry that I’m late. I couldn’t decide what to wear.”
“You made a good choice,” Ryan muttered. He forced himself to stop staring at her body, and he looked into her eyes. He could see that she looked about as nervous as he felt.
“Why don’t we get a table?” he suggested.
“Okay,” Gillian agreed. She wished that she could tell what Ryan was thinking.
They were seated at a table, and a waiter brought them some menus. Ryan ordered drinks for them, and they sat in silence. Neither of them knew what to say.
Gillian finally broke the silence. “Hayley told me to tell you hello,” she said.
“How’s Hayley doing?” Ryan asked.
“Good now that Raquel has left town,” Gillian replied.
Ryan nodded. “I think Hayley and Mateo could use a break. They deserve a little happiness,” he said.
“We deserve some happiness too, Ryan,” Gillian said seriously. “We belong together every bite as much as Hayley and Mateo.”
“Bit, Princess,” Ryan corrected her. “Every bit as much.” He sighed. “I’m not sure that we do. We’ve been through too much,” he said.
Gillian panicked. “You told me that you wanted to start over! Please Ryan, don’t leave me again,” she begged. “I’ll do anything you want! Anything!” she offered, pleadingly.
“Gillian, I’m not sure there is anything you can do,” Ryan replied honestly. He ran his hands through his hair. “Look, I promised you that I would give you another chance and I will. But this time we have to take things slowly and not jump in too fast. Do you think you can handle that?” Ryan asked.
“Oh yes, Ryan!” Gillian cried happily. “My darling, I can handle anything for you!” She reached across the table and grabbed Ryan’s hand.
An instant surge of electricity rushed through both of them. Ryan’s eyes locked with Gillian’s. He wanted her so desperately, that he ached. But it couldn’t happen. Not yet.
Gillian finally let go of Ryan’s hand, but she continued to gaze into his eyes. “I promise you, Ryan, things will be different this time,” she said.
“I hope so Gillian,” Ryan replied. “I really do.”
To Be Continued.....
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