He Planned Her Ocean Trip, I Booked a Different One Chapter 06

He Planned Her Ocean Trip, I Booked a Different One Chapter 06

The Amtrak train pulled into Valcrest.

I dragged my enormous suitcase through the crowd, squeezing past the turnstiles.

Inside it was everything I’d accumulated over the past seven years.

The parking garage air was thick and stuffy, mixed with the sting of exhaust fumes. It made my skin prickle.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling through messages.

A hand reached out-long fingers, sharp knuckles.

Hayes smiled. “Let me.”

He took the heavy suitcase from me like it weighed nothing. My palm, raw from the handle, instantly

relaxed.

“This way. Car’s up ahead.”

His voice was low, steady.

I followed behind him.

Watched him lift the bulky suitcase with ease and slide it into the back of his SUV.

Thud. The trunk closed.

I stood at the back of the car, watching him turn toward me.

Guilt hit me hard.

“Hayes, I really can’t thank you enough.” I chose my words carefully, trying to sound polite and proper.

“Last time, you took me to the ER when I twisted my ankle in the middle of the night.”

“And now you’re driving all the way here just to pick me up. I owe you so much-I don’t even know how to

pay you back.”

Hayes stopped walking.

The dim garage lights caught his profile, sharpening his jawline.

He didn’t answer right away. Just looked at me.

His gaze wasn’t aggressive. But it pinned me in place.

“June.”

My name, quiet and direct.

“Stop being so formal with me.”

“Stop pushing me away.

I froze.

All the polite lines I’d rehearsed died in my throat.

He stepped closer, closing the space between us.

“Since you’re in Valcrest now, I don’t think I need to hide this anymore.

His eyes held mine.

“Last October, when you ran into me at the Aldermere office?”

“That wasn’t a coincidence.”

“I checked your department’s calendar ahead of time. I knew what floor you’d be on, what time your meeting was. I booked the conference room next door on purpose.”

My head snapped up. I stared at him, stunned.

Hayes didn’t flinch. No embarrassment. No regret.

“And that day-”

He paused, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. When I asked for your number and called you right there to save it? I’d already memorized it. I just wanted you to have mine.”

A car rumbled through the garage, engine roaring.

But all I could hear was my own heartbeat, picking up speed.

No games. No push and pull.

None of that exhausting guesswork.

Just a clean, straightforward move-no pressure, no strings.

It made my chest tighten in a way I hadn’t felt in years.

I gripped the strap of my crossbody bag, knuckles going white.

“Hayes…”

I dropped my gaze to the speed bumps on the floor.

“I just got out of something that lasted seven years.”

“My head’s a mess right now.”

“It’s going to take me a while to get myself together.”

I didn’t want to give him false hope.

And I refused to use anyone as a rebound.

Hayes didn’t interrupt. Didn’t look disappointed.

He walked around to the passenger side and opened the door for me.

“I know.”

He rested one hand on the doorframe, smiling gently.

“I can wait.”

Three words. Simple. Solid. They landed in my chest like stones dropping into still water.

I slid into the passenger seat and buckled up.

Hayes circled back to the driver’s side and started the engine.

The SUV rolled smoothly out of the dim garage.

Bright sunlight flooded the cabin.

I squinted against it, letting the warmth hit my face

For the first time in a while, the light felt good.