Chapter 3

AJ stepped forward wanting to offer some kind of comfort to this amazing woman. He could see the distress on Sarah's face and could tell she was holding back tears. What could he say to make her feel any better? Maybe if he could assure her that it wasn't just her, but that no other woman would do for him either.

He'd felt her stiffen when he'd pulled her into his arms for a hug. She struggled to be free, trying her best to get away from him, but he held on firmly. "Sarah, you have to understand that it isn't because he doesn't find you attractive, but that he wouldn't look at ANY other woman."

'Why would AJ refer to himself in the third person this way?' she wondered, and then thought that maybe it was easier to make what he had to tell her impersonal. She had to know who this other woman was! Her rival for his love! "Other woman?"

"Yes, he took one look at Harriett and was lost."

Shocked Mac's heart bled for the man she loved. How had she not known? She had been aware that Harriett was always a favorite of his by the way he treated her, but she'd always thought those feelings extended to Bud too! How awful it must have been to watch the woman he loved live such a happy life with another man! Oh God, and then he even had to deliver her first child! How it must have nearly killed him when they named the baby after him!'

Mac stopped trying to pull out of his arms and instead fiercely hugged him back, "Oh AJ, I guess we're more alike than I thought. Both of us in love with someone we can't have!"

"Both of us? I was just talking about you!" AJ exclaimed pulling away a bit to look at her.

"No, you spoke of yourself in the third person…didn't you?"

"I was telling you that Bud loves Harriett."

"I know that! And Harriett loves Bud."

The two of them started at each other for a heartbeat and then spoke at the same time…

"And you love Bud," he said.

"And you love Harriett," she said.

"No I don't!" both insisted in unison.

"But you just said…" they started and trailed off.

Staring at each other in frustration at the misunderstandings, they traded glares until AJ demanded, "Sarah, if you love this guy go after him! He'll be the luckiest devil alive to have you!"

"I CAN'T!" she snapped.

"Damn it, Sarah! Do it!" he snarled, hating himself for telling her to go and confess her love to another man, but on the other hand, wanting her happy. With a slump to his shoulders, he turned away and started back towards the Escalade.

Mac stood there, rooted to the spot, watching him walk away. She knew that this would be the last chance she ever had to grasp at the dream of having him, but she just couldn't move. She was afraid! Where was the brave Marine AJ had talked about? He had even encouraged her to tell the man she loved of her feelings. Encouraged? Hell, he'd demanded that she tell him. What the hell, AJ was right. If it didn't work out she would be able to hide away from her shame in London. She was pretty sure that Harm wouldn't like being used as a back up plan, but there was really no need for him to ever know.

Racing after AJ, she grabbed his arm just as he got to the front of her Vette. Using more force than she intended, she spun him around to face her. Because her action was so quick, AJ didn't have time to conceal the devastating sadness lining his face. "Wait!" she commanded.

"What do you want, Sarah?" he asked finally able to school his features.

"You didn't tell me what to say to him!"

Closing his eyes at this new torture, he asked, "Haven't you ever told a man you loved him before?"

She waited until he looked at her again and then replied, "Not when it was this important."

Heaving a sigh, he said, "Just tell him straight out, Sarah," and turned away once again.

Taking a deep breath, she uttered loudly and clearly, "I love you, AJ Chegwidden."

To be continued….