Chapter Fourteen
Jameson walked.
In New York, when he needed to calm down after a stressful night at the restaurant, he’d walk the streets for hours. Sometimes, he’d be early enough to watch the bakeries open and smell the fresh bread. Sometimes, he’d head to the river by the fish market and watch the organized chaos as vendors bought supplies, himself included. He’d become an expert in recognizing the freshest seafood for the best prices. It was a cutthroat and ruthless industry, but he’d become a part of it and flourished.
He never imagined himself anywhere else, but after a month in Cape May, doubts were beginning to creep in. He loved being by the ocean, even in winter. He’d begun to love watching the familiar customers at Vintage, even when they complained, and learning about their lives. He enjoyed Mac’s large house with plenty of space and a yard, even though the décor was awful.
And he’d begun to love Bear, even though he wasn’t a dog person.
Things had changed. But once he returned to his life, would he miss this, or forget? Was this like living in a bubble of Camelot, yet destined to remain almost a dream?
His instincts roared no. Devon was more. She was his Guinevere, and he was…
Well, not Lancelot. Probably more like the King. Too invested in his knights at the round table to give enough romance to Guinevere.
Ah, hell, he was losing his mind. Why was he suddenly casting them as roles in a tragic romance story?
Not caring about his shoes, he walked onto the beach and stood by the ocean. The salt air rose to his nostrils. The sky was gray and wintry. The water looked cold and dark and depressing. But the pull of the waves and the endless stretch of sand around him settled his mind and his heart. There was magic here, in this little beach town. It called to him.
Like Devon.
But he couldn’t change his life after a few weeks with someone. Plus, the first half had begun with them disliking each other. He needed to be rational, even though his heart throbbed with the simple knowledge he’d found his person.
He stood on the sand and thought for a while. The thing with Mac had completely thrown him off. He kept going over all the things he’d done and couldn’t understand why Mac was so upset. Because he felt embarrassed Jameson had done better? No, that wasn’t like his cousin. Did he feel like Jameson was trying to take over and felt threatened? Again, not like Mac. Something didn’t fit.
The memory of his words stung.
You made Vintage into your own restaurant.
You did it for you.
Bullshit. He’d never do that.
Right?
He didn’t want his own restaurant. At least, he never had before. Sure, being at Vintage gave him a different perspective and the idea had tickled his brain a bit. But Mac was being unfair with is accusations.
Jameson walked to the boardwalk and passed the vacant store space. He stopped and took his time examining the inside. His mind spun with possibilities and questions. Taking out his phone, he typed in the number for the realtor. Wouldn’t hurt to see what the rent was like around here. Maybe he’d research the competition. Get an idea of what places succeeded, what didn’t, and why.
Maybe.
When his thoughts calmed, he texted Dev that he’d meet her at the shop.
It was time to talk.
* * * *
They lay in the bed, wrapped up in each other. Devon tried to focus on the present instead of the future. Soon, he’d be gone, and she needed to adjust to life without him here. She wasn’t about to ruin her happiness with what-ifs and unknown tomorrows. Sometimes, the moment needed to be enough.
“You’re leaving Sunday?”
“Yeah. I’ll have to pack up my stuff early morning. I need time to get re-settled and into work on Monday.”
She hooked her leg over his ankle, rubbing her calf over his hair-roughened skin. “Are you looking forward to getting back to your kingdom?”
He chuckled, absently stroking her hair. “Sure. I think I’m still off about the Mac thing. I need to talk to him.”
“I’m sure you’ll work it out.”
He turned his head and held her gaze. “You knew the whole time, didn’t you? That he’d hate it.”
She pressed her lips together. “I did tell you.”
“Yeah, you did. I guess I thought the bigger vision of Vintage was what he wanted..”
“There’s nothing wrong with trying to help family, Jameson. I just think you got tangled up with your own dreams without realizing it.”
He didn’t speak for a while, and his soothing motions lulled her into relaxation. “Maybe you’re right, flower girl. I do know since I met you, everything I believed is suddenly in question.”
“I won’t apologize for that, restaurant boy.”
“Don’t want you to.”
“So, we agree to take this long distance and see what happens?”
He cupped her chin and pressed his forehead to hers. “Yes. Because I—” he cut himself off, swallowing his next words. She searched his gaze for the truth but the raw flicker of emotion had been firmly banked. “I care about you.”
She took what he gave her and pushed down her own confession. “I care about you, too.”
Then he kissed her and they were silent for a long time.
Two days later, he’d be gone.
* * * *
Jameson got dressed and left Devon sleeping. Bear perked up and trotted after him, squeezing into the small kitchen while he made coffee. “Don’t shake your head, beast. You’ll get hair in my mug.”
Bear pulled back his drooly lips and grinned.
He laughed, patting him on his giant head that had crashed through Mac’s screen door last week. Guess he’d believed it was open, so Jameson would take the blame on that one. He fed him breakfast and fresh water, which was gobbled up in seconds. “Ready?”
Bear wagged his tail and bounded to the door, wriggling his butt. Jameson clipped on his leash and they headed out.
They walked in companiable silence, content with their morning routine. Jameson liked his time with Bear now. It was as if he was able to connect with another part of himself with the dog that he’d never known existed. But it was time to have the talk so he stopped at a bench to sit and Bear obediently sat beside him.
“I’m leaving Sunday to go back to New York, beast. And you’re going to a new place, too, on Monday. You may get nervous and you may not like it at first. Change is hard, believe me. But I know the people at the shelter—Judith and Devon—they know what’s best. You need space and can’t be cooped up in a New York loft with me gone all the time. And Devon’s apartment is the same, it’s not fair to you.”
Jameson studied the dog’s face. Bear cocked his head, seeming to listen.
“I really didn’t like you at first. I’m not a dog person. But you won me over. You’re a good dog, Bear. And I’m really going to miss you, more than you know.”
Those big, soulful brown eyes stared into his, and Jameson imagined there was understanding there.
And love.
His throat tightened. “That’s it. Wanna take a dump in that weed spot you like?”
Bear jumped up, ready to go.
“Yeah, it’s a good place. Come on.”
Jameson led him to the spot and realized saying goodbye really sucked.
Hours later, he met with Mac. He’d already packed up his things and loaded the car. He faced his cousin in the living room, surrounded by the cheap tacky knickknacks and worn furniture and beach happiness and began to see more of his cousin’s heart and soul than he had before.
“You still pissed?” he asked.
Mac shot him a look. “A little. But it won’t last. Listen, dude, you screwed up. You should’ve called me and told me your plan. I would’ve told you Vintage is perfect the way it is. I like the BYOB and the pancakes and the staff giving me shit. The customers like the vibe. I don’t need fancy or a profit. I need to be exactly what I am--happy.”
Jameson winced. “Yeah, I wasn’t thinking like that. I’m sorry, Mac. I have all this knowledge from years in the business and I saw something really big for you. I just wanted to help.”
“That’s why I forgive you. Devon said the same thing when we spoke.”
“She didn’t tell me.” The thought of Devon defending him threw him off. Pleasure and longing crashed within, dragging him over the sand like the waves. “She was the one warning me not to do it. Said you’d hate it.”
“Devon’s smart. I’m glad you both got together. She’s good for you. And vice versa.”
He tilted his head with curiosity. “Why?”
Mac grinned. “She sees past that stick up your ass surface. Knows your heart. And you obviously treasure her in a way she’s been missing.”
He liked his cousin’s words but it also hurt since he was leaving her behind.
Mac reached out and patted his arm. “Look, Jameson, I gotta tell you something. What you do with it is up to you. I think you’d be perfect to open up your own place. You have all the vision and knowledge and expertise to be a success. And I think you should do it right here, in Cape May, where you can be near Devon, and some family.”
The words jolted him. “I’ve been here a month. You really think I should give up my job, my place, my friends, and my life to chase a woman I’ve known for a few weeks and settle in a small beach town?”
Mac laughed. “Hell, yes, I do. And that’s all I’m going to say. Just…think about it. Your life can be anything you want, dude. You get to make the choices.”
They said goodbye and Jameson left with his cousin’s words echoing in his head.