So, thanks for all the good wishes. Here's the deal. I think there is one more short chapter and then the rating will go up. (You're welcome!) That chapter should be longer. Are we all ok with that?
DISCLAIMER: I need a day at a spa with a massage by Wayne. But I have neither!
INVITATION - CHAPTER 15
Who knew the pampering she had allowed herself would relax her enough to really think? Grace had put money aside for a day like that for the wedding. When she got to the spa, she quickly told them this was not for her wedding so she wouldn't have to hear congratulations and questions about it. Thankfully, they understood what she meant and she was not forced to make idle conversation with the staff.
It was the manicure that brought the revelation. She generally didn't wear bright polish because it looked unprofessional. They took off the pink she had been wearing for the last week or so for the wedding When her hands appeared as normal, she could feel herself relaxing. The ring was gone. They trimmed back the nails and gave her a clear coat, much to the woman's horror. Suddenly, they were her hands again. She was herself.
All the pretense, being the bride, acting like it was all right when she was picturing another man, it was all gone. She saw it and herself clearly. She looked and felt like Grace, not Craig's Fiancé or "the bride".
She suddenly wanted to see Wayne stroking these hands the way he had done in the alley that night. She remembered how that ring had scraped along his big hands and he had flinched. She knew it wasn't the pain of the minor scratch. Wayne had handled larger injuries than that. It was that ring on her finger cutting him. It was a perfect metaphor for what she had done to him.
She had spent enough time undoing her relationship with Craig. It was over and the cut there was made. She had sent back via overnight mail, the final cashier's check for his share of the money that was returned to them. It wasn't much. Cancelling a wedding this close to the date had financial repercussions. She had wondered at the time why she had paid for that insurance. It must have been her doubts telling her even then. So, there was some money left. He had his and they never needed to speak again. In her typically efficient way, all the gifts had been returned. Those who told her to keep things were asked if they minded them being donated to charity. She wanted no reminders.
She was suddenly ready to face the next chapter of her life. Grace knew that chapter had to include Wayne Rigsby. She had tried everything and it always came back to him. She had ignored his obvious crush, hoping it would diminish as they worked together. It had been her experience that guys began to think of you as a sister after time. She had been horrified and secretly aroused by that hypnotized kiss. She tried to throw up a shell after that. Then she found herself responding to his gentle, shy flirting. He hadn't tried to overpower her. Instead, he slowly won her over. When he vowed his love in the middle of a case, she pulled back away out of instinct. Protecting her professional self had become second nature.
When she finally allowed herself to let go, it had been the best and worst time for her. Being with Wayne, letting him in had been wonderful. He was sweet, attentive and a passionate lover. But the secrecy and rule breaking had torn at her. She knew he would sacrifice it all for her and them. But she wasn't sure of herself enough to let him. There had to be a man like him who she could love. Enter Craig. Like Wayne, he was handsome, smart, sweet, strong and understood her job. He should have been perfect. He damned near was. His only flaw? He wasn't Wayne Rigsby.
She had learned a lot about herself lately. She had learned that she could overcome gut-wrenching heartbreak, even if it had been of her own making. She could heal. She could love. She could still be a cop and love where and who she wanted. She understood that until things in the CBI had calmed down, and the traitor working with RED JOHN had been found, a romance, any romance would have to take a back burner.
But she could still love. She would just take it slow. She didn't have to be involved with Wayne. They would be careful and not throw themselves into it this time. Slow would be good. It would help them both keep their wits.
With her nails back to normal, and her body scrubbed, waxed and rejuvenated, she knew she could handle a real conversation with Wayne now. They would just talk. She would explain how they were going to keep it friendly for now. It was time to face all of this.
Please review and let me know that you are all ok with the rating change upcoming?