A Love Stolen Read Online Free Page B

only thing I regret was not coming after you when you left. I was stubborn and full of pride. When you left me that letter basically telling me to fuck off, I was pissed."
    "I was young and hurt. If I had to do it again, I never would've said those things to you. I get now what you were going through, but back then, I couldn't see anything but betrayal."
    "You didn't mean the things you said?" He'd never forgotten the venomous words she'd said in her goodbye letter. They'd stung even more, because he'd just gotten back from telling the preacher that he wasn't going to marry his daughter because his heart belonged to Lila.
    She shook her head. "I may have meant some of them, like the part about you being an ass for not using a condom and then sleeping with me a few weeks later. That was pretty disgusting."
    "That was one of the things you didn't let me explain. I did use protection, but I figured it broke or something." He'd made so many mistakes.
    "Oh, well, then, I'm sorry I said that. I was angry, and I didn't mean the things I said. I wrote that letter so you wouldn't follow me. I wanted you to have a clear conscience and take care of your responsibilities without worrying about me. I knew if I made you hate me, you would let me go."
    "I never hated you." He was hurt and devastated when she'd left. He'd allowed his pride to get in the way, but he'd never stopped loving her. He and Mary Grace never had a chance. Even if his wife's betrayal hadn't come out, they never would've made it. He'd always be there for Jeremy, but no matter how hard he'd tried, Lila held his heart.
    She squeezed his hand, and he felt comfort in her touch. "You should have, because I didn't do a very good job of standing by you. Maturity has taught me a few things."
    "We both made some mistakes." The conversation had gone much better than he'd anticipated. "But now you're here, maybe we can see what happens?"
    "With what?" She let go of his hand.
    "With us." Couldn't she see there was a reason she'd come back to Steeple just as he had gotten divorced? It had to be fate's way of bringing them back together.
    "Um, no, Trevor, it's too late for us."
    "Why would you say that?" He felt an ache in the pit of his stomach. The one he felt when she'd left him the first time. "This could be a second chance."
    "How many second chances are we supposed to have?" She shook her head and got up from the table.
    "We were young back then. Those break-ups were nonsense. Let's give the
    people we are today a chance to get to know one another." He stood up, then moved toward her.
    "No, I can't." She backed away before he could touch her. "Not again. I spent too many years trying to forget you."
    "Lila, I want another chance."
    "I can't." She ran out of the coffee shop and down the street.
    He kicked his chair as he watched her go. "Shit!"
    A few customers stared at him on his way out. He couldn't believe she'd run out on him again. How was he going to make her see they were meant to be?

Chapter Five
    "So, you just left him standing in the coffee shop?" Jenson asked. "Why didn't you hear him out?"
    "Serves him right." Cali placed another raspberry martini in front of Lila. "Who does he think he is, asking for a second chance? The ink is barely dry on his divorce papers, and Lila isn't even in town five minutes."
    "Exactly." Lila gulped her drink. The vodka rushed right to her head, but she didn't care. It had been years since she'd let go. "Why does he even think I'd want him?"
    "Cali, stop making her drinks. It won't solve anything." Jenson didn't approve, but they'd already taken Lila's keys.
    "She needs to let loose. She's not hurting anyone." Cali smiled at Lila. "You'll have a hell of a hangover in the morning, but tonight will be worth it. Let it all out, sweetie. You deserve it."
    "Damn right I do. How much more can I take? Who does he think he is? A
    second chance." She finished her drink. "It's more like his fifth chance."
    "Lila, do you think you're this upset