The Resolution - The Reveal
Chapter 25
In Gregg’s SUV, they fasten their seatbelts.
“How about we swing by the chalet first,” Gregg suggests, grinning as he wiggles his eyebrows, “so you can grab anything you need? Then we can head back to mine for a shower.”
Caro’s eyes twinkle. She grins and nods as his hand reaches across the centre console to take hers.
“I’ve been looking forward to this evening all day, Caro. Tonight, we get to be completely selfish. No obligations. Just… us.”
“Me too,” she says, smiling. As they pull up to the chalet, she adds, “Come in—it’ll only take a few minutes.”
He follows her inside. Upstairs, Caro silently thanks Lucy for their recent shopping trip. From her wardrobe, she pulls out frilly lingerie and a low-cut, body-skimming dress—definitely not one meant for polite company. She drops them into an overnight bag along with toiletries and a few essentials.
That dress is absolutely not suitable for public, her inner self scolds.
Exactly, Caro thinks with a smirk. That’s why it’s perfect for a romantic night at his place. Maybe I’m psychic and knew this would happen.
Please. If you were psychic, you wouldn’t have ended up with Brian, her inner voice retorts.
Caro sinks onto the edge of the bed, the smile slipping from her face as doubt creeps in. Her thoughts drift to the past. Am I making another mistake?
“Knock, knock,” Gregg calls softly, nudging the door open. He finds her sitting there, looking small and uncertain.
“Hey,” he says gently, stepping in. “What’s wrong?”
She doesn’t answer. Her hands are clasped in her lap; gaze fixed on them.
He crouches in front of her, fingers lifting her chin until their eyes meet. “It’s okay if you’ve changed your mind. We don’t have to do this.”
Her hands shoot up to grab his. “No—it’s not that. I want to spend the night with you. And maybe… the rest of the week.” A smirk curves her lips, trying to lighten the moment.
He exhales sharply, the relief visible in his shoulders. “Then what is it? You looked worried—maybe even scared.”
She stands abruptly and hoists her bag over her shoulder. “I’ll explain in the car. Come on—we’re wasting time.”
Gregg doesn’t let it go. “Tell me, Caro. Please. I don’t like seeing you upset.”
She pauses at the doorway. “I will. Promise. Just… not here.”
He nods and pulls her into a long, tight hug. After a deep, grounding kiss, they leave the chalet and head for the SUV.
As they pull out of the driveway, they spot the others walking up the path. Caro lowers her window.
“Have a great night!” she calls out.
The group answers with wolf whistles and cheeky remarks. Laughing, Caro closes the window, her cheeks flushed.
The air between her and Gregg is thick with anticipation. The promise of the night ahead crackles between them.
“Okay, Caro,” he says as they hit the road. “Talk to me.”
She shifts in her seat to face him—or at least his profile—and takes a deep breath. Crossing her fingers under her thigh, she begins. Starting with her New Year’s resolution, she glosses over Gus and the bowling incident, but she tells the full truth about Brian.
Had she not been watching him so closely, she might have missed the way his hands clench the steering wheel—so tight his knuckles turn white.
When she finishes, silence fills the SUV. Gregg keeps his eyes on the road, jaw tight, hands locked on the wheel.
Just as she’s about to speak and break the tension, he says quietly, “That bastard. I hope your friends took care of him?”
Caro shakes her head slowly. “Vivien did. But only Sally and Nick know. I was too embarrassed to tell anyone else. Sally figured it out the next night when I had dinner at their place. She asked me straight out what was wrong.”
“What did Vivien do?” he asks, still tense.
As she recounts the story, his grip on the wheel begins to ease. By the time they reach his house, his body has relaxed, though his mind still seems full.
You’re too involved, he warns himself. It’s only been three days.
Too late now, he thinks with a shrug.
He pulls into the garage and cuts the engine, but neither of them moves to get out.
Is he having second thoughts? her inner voice frets.
He turns to face her, takes her hand, and locks eyes with her.
“You mean more to me than you should after only three days,” he says softly. “And we both know we only have until Saturday. So, let’s not waste another minute.”
She squeezes his hand. Leaning in, she kisses him—gently, with intent.
They pull back, gazing at each other for a long moment, the space between them filled with something new. Something deep.
And then, finally, they step out of the car—ready for what comes next.