Something Forever
Page 47

“Thanks.”
With that, he closed the door behind him. After I took a shower and got ready for bed, I opened up my laptop and checked my email and texts. Not wanting to be rude, I had turned it off during dinner since it was beeping like crazy. I had forgotten to turn it back on.
Jenna texted me asking how I was doing and when I was coming home. I hadn’t told her the exact date of my return. Matthew was asking me the same questions.
Becca, I’m home. I’ll be waiting for your return.
I’m staying a couple more days with a friend.
I’m not happy.
I’ll be home soon. We need to talk.
Yes, we do. You should be here right now.
Sorry. Just need to clear my head.
Okay. I’ll be waiting. I love you.
I turned off the phone and went to bed.
Matthew
Three simple words. Three words she could not text back. I had a very bad feeling she wasn’t coming home, and that thought turned my stomach inside out. There were many scenarios I could have taken. One, beg her to come with me to Australia. Two, surprise her in London by showing up. Neither one of them seemed like it was a good idea at the time. Feeling utterly lost, confused, and not knowing what to do, I decided to head to my best source once again.
“Hello, Jenna. My beautiful sister-in-law.” I sat on her desk.
“Matthew.” She looked surprised. Her cheeks flashed some color when she gave me a shy smile. She hadn’t seen me walk into the room. Frankly, I was surprised to see her there at this hour. Everyone had gone home.
“How are you feeling?”
“Much better. I can eat well now.”
“Do you know if I’m going to have a nephew or a niece?”
“We’ll know next appointment.”
“That’s great.” I paused a bit. “So...what’s going on with Becky? Have you heard from her?”
Jenna squinted her eyes and bit her bottom lip. This was a sure sign she was hiding something.
“Haven’t you heard from her?” She looked worried.
“Yes, but I don’t think she’s planning to come home in couple of days like she said she would. I think there is something else going on that you’re both not telling me.”
“Matthew, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I wish I knew what was going on with Becky. I’ve been so sick lately that I hardly had time for her. I feel so bad. And now she’s beyond my reach and all I get is ‘I’ll talk to you about it when I get home.’ The time difference doesn’t help either. And I need to pack up. Max is coming to take me out to dinner. I was waiting for him.”
“Hmm...you, too? She told me the same thing.” I stood up and walked across the room. “Maybe I should go visit her.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Jenna said that way too fast. She grabbed her bag and started to head to the door.
Jenna wasn’t telling me everything. I had to find out what it was. “Does Becky go by a different name?”
Jenna stopped moving and turned to me. “What do you mean? Why would you say that?”
“I called the hotel Becky told me she was staying at.” I took a step toward her. “There is no Becky Miller or Becca Miller or Rebecca Miller. There is no Miller. I thought the receptionist was an idiot, so I called again and spoke to the manager.”
Jenna’s face turned white and it looked like she’d stopped breathing. “Oh.” That is all she said.
“Jenna. Where is she?” I stood in front of her, blocking her way. “Please. I’m in love with her and I know she loves me...or at least I thought she did.”
“She does,” Jenna murmured under her breath. “I think I know where she is, but you’re not going to like it.”
“Where?” I snapped her out of her daze. Her thoughts were running wild. I could tell from her eyes staring straight ahead.
“With Tanner.”
“With whom?” My tone raised a bit and Jenna twitched. I didn’t mean to scare her.
“Tanner was one of Keith’s groomsmen. He lives in Paris.”
My eyes grew wide and my jaw muscles became tight. “That’s not too far from London.” I gave Jenna a quick hug and a kiss on her cheek. Then I started heading out the door.
“Matthew, where are you going?”
“To get Becca back and to kick someone’s ass.”
“Matthew!” The tone of Jenna’s voice stopped me in my tracks. Whoa. This was the first time I’d ever heard her pissed off like that.
I swung back around, and answered her in my sweetest tone to calm her down, “Yes, my sister-in-law?”
She blushed a little, probably not believing she practically yelled my name in anger. “You don’t know where Tanner lives. And please don’t do anything foolish.”
“I have Keith’s contact information, and don’t worry, I’m only going to scare the shit out of Banner for stepping in my territory.”
“I don’t recall saying his name is Banner. It’s Tanner.”
I curled my lips and twitched my brows to show Jenna that I was being playful. “Banner, Manner, Fanner...whatever. I don’t care what his name is.”
“Oh my God! You’re just like Max,” she squealed, laughing.
“Who’s like Max?” Max entered and slapped my back lightly as a show of his affection. “Of course he’s like me. He learned from the best.”