You Can't Go Home Again Read online

  “Nope, I cleared the entire afternoon. We’re going to meet everyone tonight at the bar—you remember Hooligan’s, right? Well, we’re meeting everyone there tonight at seven p.m. That gives us…,” she glanced down at her watch, “over six hours of freedom before I deposit you into the fray.”

  Dani mentally breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t quite ready for what a five-year absence would bring. Questions, hugs, stories of what she’d missed as well as filling everyone in on her life. She knew she should have come back sooner, but it had been so much easier to just stay away. Now, she would suffer the consequences.

  But not for another six hours. “So, other than coffee, obviously, what do you want to do to fill those hours?” She knew Jenn had a plan already in place. It was almost a guarantee. Jenn planned everything.

  She squinched up her face, which in Jenn language meant there was something Dani wasn’t going to like. “Well, would you mind if we stopped and tried on your dress? I know you just got here, and we can come back tomorrow or the next day, but since we’re here, I was thinking maybe…”

  Dani was smiling before she’d even finished. “Absolutely! Let’s go.”

  They loaded the luggage into the car and hopped in. “So, you’re really a creature of habit, aren’t you? Or was this just your way of bringing a little bit of L.A. with you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “A Land Rover? The same car you drive at home. I would have rented a Mustang, or one of those new Camaros. Something different.” Jenn shrugged, pressing buttons on the dash while she spoke.

  “And you’re still the same as you were as a kid. Pushing all the buttons before you have any idea what they do. What if one of those was a missile launcher or something?”

  Jenn just laughed. “That would make things more interesting.” Dani saw Jenn glancing over at her, saw her staring at her fingers on the steering wheel. When she realized just how tight her grip was, she made an effort to relax her muscles. At Jenn’s next comment, she knew it was too little, too late.

  “So, do you want to tell me what’s got you so tied in knots? Or, we could just get to the bar early and drink it out.”

  Dani laughed, a little jittery, but at least it was a real laugh. Jenn knew her too well for her to blatantly lie, so she decided on a half truth. “I’m just nervous.” That was true enough. “I haven’t seen any of these people since the graduation party. Sara and Beth are going to give me crap, I’m sure.” These were the other two bridesmaids and friends of Jenn’s from college. “Not to mention Brian and the guys. I guess I’m just wondering how they’re going to react.”

  Brian’s groomsmen were all friends from college as well. Sean and Zack, Dani had known only a little. But she and Jenn, Brian and Jason had spent a lot of time together. In fact, they’d been their own little Mickey Mouse Club for the last three years of college. Where you found one, you found the other three.

  As they parked in front of the local Starbucks, she looked over at Jenn, silently asking what she should expect.

  Jenn caught the look, seeing the question behind the nerves. “Dani, they’ll all be thrilled to see you. No one has any hurt feelings over you staying away. We all understand. You’ve been busy. You’ve made a life for yourself in L.A.”

  Dani cringed inwardly, knowing that was only partially true.

  “Plus, everyone knows it was hard for you to be here after your parents died. I know my family loves you, but it’s not the same thing, and we all understand that. Besides, you’re here now. It’ll be fine tonight.”

  They ordered their coffees, making idle chitchat while they waited. One of the best things about their friendship was that it was always solid. When they saw each other, no matter how long it had been, they fell right back into their normal patterns. There was never any awkwardness. Dani sincerely hoped Jenn was right and tonight went even half as well.

  They grabbed their drinks, walking back outside. “So, the shop is right around the corner. We can just walk. Let’s go try on your dress. I can’t wait to see it on you! It’s going to look great! I didn’t even make it horrible or anything.”

  Dani laughed as Jenn bounced down the street a couple of steps ahead of her. Her energy and zest for life were contagious, as always. Before they reached the dress shop, they were running down the street like kids, racing to see who would get there first. Tears touched down in Dani’s eyes, and for the first time in a long time she wondered if she’d made a mistake. Maybe she should have come home sooner. Maybe it wouldn’t be like she feared. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be as awkward as she expected.

  The afternoon flew by, and before she knew it they were back at Dani’s house unpacking her bags. She’d had the house cleaned a couple days ago, so there was no dust or anything. The house still looked almost the same as it had when her parents had lived here, minus all the personal touches that made it a home. When they first walked in, Dani had felt much like she was walking into the past. She had a quick urge to run to the kitchen to see if her mom had baked cookies, but it passed almost immediately.

  She knew Jenn thought her parents were the reason she had stayed away for so long, but really that wasn’t the case. Dani knew a little something about psychics and spirits, and her parents were long gone. They had left a daughter behind, yes, but their death had been nothing more than a tragic accident, and Dani had always known how loved she was. There was nothing here to hold them, and they had already moved on.

  Dani was an only child, but not by choice. Her mother had had a difficult pregnancy, and the delivery was even worse. Her father had been asked to make a decision no person should ever have to make. If they could only save one, did he want his wife or his baby girl? When the doctor had managed to save them both, her parents had recognized it for the miracle it was. After that, her mother had undergone a hysterectomy so she could never have any more children. Her father had never wanted to be put in that position again.

  Dani knew she had been spoiled. Not so much with material things, a fact for which she was immensely grateful, but in that she had been the center of her mother’s universe. And because her mother was the center of her father’s world, she had been lavished with love her entire life. Even when their daughter had behaved…oddly…they had never questioned, only supported. No one could ask for more than that. Being in this house brought back only good memories. Memories of love and warmth. She thought, not for the first time, that maybe she should sell it. Let some other family live here. Raise their children surrounded by the happy times these walls had seen. Maybe it was time…

  * * * * *

  When Jenn saw the smile on Dani’s face, she knew at once she was okay being here. Jenn had really been worried for her friend. She knew Dani hadn’t wanted to come here, was only here because Jenn had all but demanded it, and she’d wondered if it would be too much. Now, as she saw the peace settle across her face, Jenn walked in to her own happy memories in this house. They grabbed the bags and went upstairs, both heading into Dani’s old room out of habit. Until Dani finally renovated a little, the master bedroom was still her parent’s room, regardless of how many tenants had been through here. They quickly unpacked the bags, plunking clothes back into the old dresser, the same place they would have been years six years ago. They hung everything up, including Dani’s newly altered bridesmaid dress, and headed into the bathroom.

  They laughed and joked while they unpacked her makeup, hair stuff, shampoos and soaps. They took turns touching up their makeup and hair, giving little tips like they had all through high school and even college. It felt natural, comfortable. So when, after Dani changed clothes, Jenn casually asked, “You ready?” Dani fell right into her old answer.

  “Yep. Ready for trouble.”

  Jenn laughed, responding with her dad’s nickname for them, just as she always had. “Double Trouble.”

  Chapter 5

  Jason looked up from the bar just in time to see Brian walk in with Sean and Zack, the other two groomsmen.
They’d all been on the football team in college, becoming friends their freshman year. After his time in the Marines, Jason had felt somewhat out of place with Sean, but they’d still remained on friendly terms. It was kind of a reunion of sorts, all of them being in the wedding together. Zack he saw all the time at the gym.

  Jason finished helping the two customers he was already taking orders from, then headed over to Dave, his weekday bartender, and told him he would be out on the floor with friends, but to have one of the waitresses grab him if it got too busy back there. As he pulled off his apron, he turned to see Jenn walking in the door, with Dani right on her heels.

  She wore tight, low-slung jeans that fit every curve like they’d been custom made. Her long legs seemed to go on forever. Her silky red blouse was loose fitting, but seemed to accentuate the soft fullness of her breasts. When he finally made it past the lean, tan arms accentuated with jangly silver bracelets, up the sexy slope of shoulders, the view got even better. Her lips were full and red, glossy without looking made up. Her cheekbones were sharper, leaner than they had been. Her eyes were just the same. Wide, deep and dark blue. Her hair was longer, but still that dark brown, almost black, falling heavy and straight around her shoulders.

  Jason felt the air leave his lungs in a whoosh. He felt like he’d been sucker-punched. If he could have pulled his eyes away from her, he would have looked around for the bastard who’d hit him. Instead he stared, feeling his body responding against his will. She was curvier, lusher, more beautiful than she’d ever been.

  He’d wondered how he’d feel when he saw her again. He’d expected to feel some shock, hadn’t really believed she would come home, even for Jenn. She hadn’t come home for anything else. He had even been prepared for mild resentment, considering. But he hadn’t expected the instantaneous rage that rushed through him. Nor the desire. He fought to tamp down his response before he walked out from the bar, his hands fisting at his sides.

  He slowly schooled his expression back into something more neutral, more reasonable. He glanced into the mirror behind the bar. It would fool anyone who didn’t look too closely at his eyes. There was nothing he could do about that. He forced a smile onto his face, determined to have fun tonight. Determined to simply ignore her presence.

  * * * * *

  Dani saw the group sitting at the table. Brian, Sean and Zack had been joined by Sara and Beth just as Jenn and Dani had walked in. The gang was all here, with one noticeable absence. Before she had a chance to look around for him, Jenn and Brian exchanged a quick kiss just before Brian swooped her up into a giant bear hug.

  By the time he set her down, Dani was laughing, trying to catch her breath. “I’d forgotten how strong you are. You just squeezed the life out of me.” She patted his shoulder, looking into his smiling eyes. Jenn was so incredibly lucky.

  He gently squeezed her shoulder. “Nah, you’re just too skinny.” He ruffled her hair, then comfortably settled his arm back around Jenn’s waist.

  Sara and Beth stood up, coming around the table for their own hugs and hellos, and the guys followed suit. Zack was last, making sure to tease loudly enough for everyone to hear. “I don’t care what Brian says, you’re definitely not too skinny. I think I would go more for sexy as hell.”

  Everyone laughed, which would have caused Dani to redden in the past. Now she decided to play back. “Aww, too bad I’m not blonde, Zack. Maybe we could have had something meaningful…for the next three days.” She winked at him with a little smile. “That’s your standard relationship, isn’t it?”

  Everyone chuckled again, even louder as Zack put his hand over his heart, making a wounded expression. “For you, I might make an exception, darlin’.”

  She didn’t see him approaching the table. There was no way she could hear him over the noise in the bar, so she had no warning whatsoever. No way to prepare herself for the sound of his voice. Or her own response to it.

  “Well, look what the cat dragged in.”

  She knew his voice immediately. How could she ever forget it? At his first word, tension shot through her body, raising the hair on her arms and neck. Now, his voice was calm, friendly even. As she made her way up his face, finally settling on his deep green eyes, she knew he felt anything but. His voice may be serene, but his eyes were shooting sparks at her. He was furious. And his anger was aimed directly at her.

  She felt the tension and nerves settling in to fear. This was what she had been afraid of, what she had been trying to avoid.

  “What, Danielle… Everyone gets a welcome-back hug except me?”

  Again he seemed pleasant, unless you looked directly at him. There was a sardonic smirk on his lips, hate burning in his eyes. Hate and something more… He was daring her!

  As Dani started to rise from her seat, she felt the fear slowly giving way to anger. Why was he angry? She was the one who had the right to be angry! How dare he try to make her feel guilty for staying out of his way!

  She stepped forward to meet him, expecting a brief, perfunctory squeeze, knowing this was only a show for his friends and a challenge for her. She’d been shyer in college, but she’d never backed down from a challenge.

  She leaned in, smirking with just as much anger as he had. “Of course, Jace…you need only ask.”

  * * * * *

  Jace hadn’t expected the sly grin. He had actually figured she would simply shake his hand, if not ignore him completely. He remembered too late just how feisty she really was. When he saw the answering spark of anger flash across her eyes, he realized that time may have changed her, as well. This could be an interesting visit. He wondered just how much she could take before she caved and ran back to L.A.

  He pulled her close for a full-body hug, resting his head on her far shoulder, away from their friends’ view. He wasn’t sure why, but after his very physical response to her arrival, he felt the need to prove something. To himself or to her, he didn’t know. Within the first second of contact, Jace realized this had been a supremely bad idea. As soon as her body pressed against his, he felt the heat race across his skin. He couldn’t tell if it was anger or desire driving him, maybe both. But something made him press a soft kiss against her neck.

  At the touch of his lips, he felt her shiver. He stepped back as soon as the pressure rose in his groin, knowing that six pairs of eyes were watching their every move. He smiled at her, cruelly, letting her know that he’d felt her response. He was grateful he had tucked his erection into the waistband of his pants before he’d ever walked to the table. Otherwise, everyone would know just how screwed up he was.

  * * * * *

  She saw the smile, saw the little knowing glint. Right then and there, she knew he was playing with her. This was some sort of game. She didn’t know the rules, was sure he wouldn’t bother to explain them, but damn it, she was not going to lose.

  She sat back down in her seat next to Jenn, knowing the only open spot was on the other side of her. She also knew that if he looked closely, he would see that her nipples were tight, pressing against her bra simply from that one hug. She gave thought to trying to hide it, then decided it would be more fun if he did happen to glance her way.

  Chapter 6

  Most of the evening passed relatively uneventfully. They all told stories, catching up on what they’d been doing since college. They asked about Dani’s life, questioning her relentlessly about how many movie stars she knew. She told them repeatedly that it wasn’t like that. She explained that she worked on low-budget films, no big stars, and really it was more grunt work than glamour. Jenn even stepped in to back her up, having been on set with her a few times. It didn’t seem to matter. They had an image of Hollywood that wouldn’t be shaken.

  She found out that Sean was a CPA, with his own small firm. Zack was a cop, working for the Austin Police Department. No major surprise there. Zack had always been the cop or fireman type. Sara was a manager at Starbucks, having been with the company all through college. She was hoping to get into their co
rporate structure soon. And Beth was a paralegal, oddly enough with the same law firm Brian had started with a little over a year ago. She knew that was part of what had finally brought on the proposal. Brian had finished law school and was settled into his job as a corporate lawyer. When Sean mentioned his girlfriend, Joanna, Dani asked why she wasn’t here this evening.

  “Oh,” Jenn said, “that was my idea. I thought it would be fun to spend some time with just the old friends.” She glanced over at Dani. “You know, catch up with everyone’s lives before adding new people into the mix. I’m quite sure Joanna and Nicole don’t want to hear any more about our college days. Not to mention Colonel. But they’ll all be there for the dinner at my house tomorrow night.”

  “Tomorrow night?” Jace asked.

  “Oh, didn’t Brian tell you?” Jenn looked over at Bri, who grimaced and hung his head. “Aaahh, apparently not. Hmm, well, tomorrow night we’re having dinner at my house. It’s for everyone, not just the wedding party. It’s kind of a celebration, just dinner and wine, though. Nothing fancy. Anyway, make sure you bring Nicole.”

  Dani glanced over at Jace for the first time in over an hour, surprise evident in her look. If he had a girlfriend, then why was he kissing her neck?

  The smirk she remembered slid across his lips, this time with a slightly menacing quality to it.

  “Don’t look so surprised, Dani. Our lives continued without your presence. And apparently you had no interest in anyone, since you didn’t know even the most basic information. Tell me, what kept you away so long? Were you really that busy, or was it just pure selfishness?”

  At the spite evident in his tone, a hush fell over the table. No one said anything, too shocked by Jace’s attitude to have any ready reply.