Wishing on the Water (Water Series Book 1) by Elizabeth York Page A

took my bags and handed them to the cab driver who took them out and placed them in the trunk. I put on my coat and grabbed my clutch. I went to the front door and Jax followed with his fresh cup of coffee.
    I got down the steps when the sky opened up. I closed my eyes to the invigorating feeling of rain cascading down my face. I decided to make a wish on the water: to keep Jax safe from harm. I didn’t make a wish for me this time, as his needs were greater than mine.
    I knew standing out in the rain I must have looked like a fool, but I needed him to stay safe. I needed the peace of mind to know that even though I threw away a twenty year friendship that he would grow old and gray while happy.
    “ What are you wishing for now?” Jax called out behind me, as the cab waited to leave.
    “ I wished you a long, happy, and healthy life.” I yelled, as the sky roared to life. “Despite what you may think, I do love you. It just took a long time to figure it out.” I called out, as I went to the cab. As I got to the door, I threw my clutch inside. Drenched to the bone, I ran back up to the porch and wrapped my wet arms around Jax’s neck and hugged him to me. He wrapped his one free arm around me and hugged me back.
    As I pulled back, I placed my lips on his. He resisted at first, but then kissed me back with one hand in my hair. That same spark of electricity came to life and my skin ran hot. When we pulled away, we were breathless, but full of goodbye.
    “ I needed the good to go with the bad.” I muttered, and ran for the cab.≈
     

     
    When I got to the hotel, Andrew was in the lobby pacing with the concierge. He looked frazzled and Mark was with both of them, looking like he was annoyed.
    “ Where the hell have you been?” Andrew shouted above the people mingling as I walked over to them. I handed my luggage to the concierge and he sent the luggage upstairs.
    “ What is the problem?” I was mortified as people stared at us from Andrew’s shouting. Andrew looked furious; it was an expression I had never seen on him before.
    “ You bailed on us at dinner and then you didn’t answer your phone. You need to always answer your phone when I call. What is wrong with you? Where have you been? Why didn’t you tell us where you were going?” Andrew glared at me.
    “ What the hell is with everyone today?” I retorted and went toward the elevator. I was so angry with him that I didn’t even notice that Mark was climbing in the elevator with me. I stared at the walls as my back faced the doors. I put my hands on my hips and tried to breathe in slow, deep breaths.
    I didn’t know what was with the game of twenty questions when I entered the hotel, but I knew I was not going to stand there and be yelled at like some child. The worst part was I didn’t know if my friend, Andrew, was angry or if this was my boss, Andrew that was angry. Either way, I am not hearing it tonight.
    I exited on my floor and walked quickly to my room. I walked in so fast I didn’t notice that Mark had caught the door with his shoe. I grabbed my luggage from the entrance and drug it to the bedroom while Mark made himself at home in the living room.
    “ Why are you here?” I shouted from the bedroom, and a few moments later Mark walked in the doorway.
    “ You and I both know why I am here.” Mark responded in a lowered tone.
    “ If you are looking to get laid, I am not your girl.” I retorted, as I pushed the luggage into the closet.
    “ I think Brooklyn might murder me if I did, and since she is a prosecutor, she would know how to get away with it,” Mark replied with a smile.
    I turned and looked at him. I couldn’t return his smile and everything inside me was holding together by fractured tape.
    “ Why are you here?” I asked again, as my voice quivered.
    “ I am here because you need me to be here.” Mark responded and walked over to me. He enveloped me in his arms and I immediately broke.
    “ He’s gone.” I murmured