Resisting the urge to look behind her, Tanya waited. She had to do this. Caroline and Jay were only the first of many who would surely ask why she was back and for how long. Her mother had warned her how hard it would be to convince people she wanted so much more now than just a high-flying banking career. Her previous hunger for money and power had bruised a few egos and broken some dreams. She had a lot of making up to do.
Somehow, she would find a way to prove to the people who remembered her that she no longer bulldozed through everything and everyone who got in the way of her ambition. She’d changed. Her mistakes and their consequences had altered her beyond anything anyone might assume they saw on the surface.
Tanya cleared her throat. “Look, I’m back for good if my plans for my new business work out, so—”
“New business?” Caroline raised her eyebrows as she met Tanya’s gaze. “In Templeton?”
Tanya frowned. “Yes. What’s going on, Caroline? Do you really have that much of a problem with me being here? I know I upset a few people in town, but I thought you and I—”
“We’re fine.”
“Then why—”
“Is it just a drink you want? Or shall I grab you a table when one becomes free?” Caroline shot yet another anxious look toward the door. “Unless you want to try somewhere else? I think it’ll be a while before I can seat you.”
Something wasn’t right. Tanya remembered Caroline greeting friends and strangers with the exact same warmth. The Caroline Tanya knew broke her back seating anyone and everyone who came into the restaurant.
“I’ll wait.” Tanya turned to see what was constantly snagging Caroline’s attention and making her jumpier than a cat being stared down by a hungry canine.
Her heart stopped.
Liam Browne’s unwavering gaze locked on hers and Tanya’s heart turned over. Slowly, he stood but made no move toward her. Her stomach knotted, even as instantaneous attraction stole into her blood. If possible, he looked stronger, more handsome and even more quietly capable than he had eight years ago. Age had enhanced, rather than diminished, his dark, serious looks. The addition of his dark-rimmed glasses, longer hair and clean-shaven jaw made her fingers itch to touch him.
This was bad. Really bad.
She snapped her gaze from his and slid from the stool. “I think I’ll try another restaurant, after all.”
Caroline nodded, her gaze soft. “Might be for the best.”
The hint of sympathy in Caroline’s voice brought the smallest hope of a lifeline that forgiveness might not be the impossibility Tanya feared. She forced a smile. “Well, I hope to see you again soon.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Hitching her bag onto her shoulder, Tanya approached Liam, trepidation ricocheting through her. What choice did she have but to talk to him? If she walked out without a word, things would only be harder the next time they met—and there would most definitely be a next time in a place as small as Templeton.
His shoulders straightened beneath his crisp white shirt as she neared. The music seemed to grow in volume, the beat matching her footsteps and the banging of her heart. When she was a safe distance away from him, Tanya stopped. “Hi.”
His crystal-blue gaze bored into hers, his jaw tight and his mouth a thin line. The burning stares of the other patrons pricked at her skin, making her want to turn and face each of them down.
When it was clear Liam had nothing to say to her, Tanya inhaled. “Right, well, I guess I’ll see you around, then.”
“Wait.”
She halted with her back to him. Let me go, Liam. Please. She briefly closed her eyes, before opening them and facing him. “What?”
“Why don’t you join me?” He waved toward the empty seat at his table. “It’s...good to see you.”
Tanya glanced at the seat, at him and then around the restaurant. Familiar faces swam in front of her. Faces she remembered from a different life, a different time. Kevin and Nick. Bianca and Ella. All people she should’ve known would still be here. People who thought they knew her and her mother but never really did.
She snatched her gaze back to Liam. “Maybe another time. I’ve got to go. I’ll see you soon.”
“Where are you staying?”
“Sasha’s. Look, I’m sorry.” She raised her hands, warding him off. “I can’t do this now.”
She moved to walk away and he gripped her wrist. Tanya’s pulse quickened beneath his fingers. He stared deep into her eyes, and her mind went blank as her body turned from hard to soft.
She swallowed. “Please, Liam. Not now. We’ll talk soon, I promise.”
His jaw tightened for a second before he nodded and released her. “Okay.”
Tension simmered as she tried and failed to drag her gaze from his. “You look good. Happy.”
He nodded.
His continued silence inched its warning over her skin. She knew him well enough to know he had a lot to say. Whatever that might be, it wouldn’t be said here with everyone watching them. “Okay, well, I’ll see you soon.”
Tanya left the restaurant, each assessing gaze of the diners branding her skin like tattoos. Weakness threatened and she pushed it away. She had to be strong if she stood any chance of turning her life around. She had to keep smiling, no matter how hard that might be; she had to focus on taking each new step toward a different life. She had to be willing to do whatever it took to get back into the warm fold of Templeton, no matter how difficult that might be.
She’d returned with the hope of creating a quieter life once she’d done everything in her power to find her sister’s molester. Until Matt Davidson was behind bars, she had no choice but to throw herself into the fray. She was done with the backstabbing and stress of her city job—she longed for a softer, happier life and would ensure she got it, no matter how long that might take.
Pulling out her phone, Tanya headed for the beach. She dialed her sister’s number and Sasha picked up on the third ring. “Hey, how’s it going?”
Tanya sighed. “Not great.”
“You’ve got this. You can get through a bit of gossiping.”
“It’s not even the talk.”
“Then what?”
“They’re cold, Sasha. Ice bloody cold.”
“You knew this wouldn’t be easy. You’re going to have to expect some curiosity and detachment for a while. Templeton doesn’t have great memories of you, that’s all. It’s going to take time to make new ones.”
Tanya leaned down and took off her high-heeled sandals. “I saw Liam.”
“Oh.”
“Exactly.” She descended the stone steps onto the beach. “I thought I might have at least twenty-four hours before that dreaded meeting, but no, less than one.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
Tanya walked along the warm sand, her gaze drawn to the evening sky that was purely Templeton. Shades of pink and peach hovered above the ocean, and the sun glowed brightly even as it slowly lowered toward the waves. She breathed deep. “He just stared and then asked me to join him for something to eat.”
“And you didn’t?”
“No. I’m not ready for his questions. At least, I’m not ready yet. Things weren’t right between us when I left, and most