Chapter 3
Another knock came at the door, and Nolan wondered if Isla finally had come back to speak with him. He hadn’t been prepared to see her. If he had been, he might have gone after her. With a deep breath, he pulled the door open. The tension in his neck eased at Milo’s smiling face.
He’d been meaning to call his friend, but he figured he’d take a day to settle in first. He took Milo’s extended hand and yanked him into a hug. He smacked his back and laughed. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I dropped Harper and Olivia off next door, and considering Harper was wielding a bottle of vodka like she wanted to throw it at your house as we passed… I figured I’d check on you.”
“Does Harper know you’re here? I wouldn’t want to cause a riff in your blossoming relationship.”
Milo smacked him in the chest and shoved him out of the way. “I don’t have to tell her everything I do.”
“You didn’t tell her you were stopping by?”
“No,” he said, and Nolan laughed. “It’s bad enough I didn’t tell her I knew you were coming back. I got an earful on the way over here.”
“You could have told her.”
“And listened to the three of them rant for over a week? Nah. It’s better this way. They’ll drink their vodka, curse the day you were born, and then we can all move on.”
Nolan shook his head and patted Milo on the back. “Come to the kitchen. I have some brownies I managed to salvage.”
Milo’s eyebrow quirked. “Do I want to know?”
“No.”
“Okay then.” It was one of the things Nolan appreciated about Milo. He didn’t press him for more information. Isla always said it was a guy thing, but either way, it was a quality Nolan appreciated in his friend.
In the kitchen, Nolan grabbed the plate of brownies. He managed to get all the pieces of the broken ceramic together and examine the brownies to make sure there were no rogue pieces in the chocolate. He didn’t throw the dish out in case Isla wanted to glue it back together, which seemed silly, but she always had weird attachments to objects. For all he knew, this dish was the one her grandma baked the brownies for Isla’s ninth birthday in. How could he throw out such a momentous piece of history? So, the pieces sat in a Ziploc for when he had the balls to go over there and return it.
Milo took a bite of brownie and lounged in his chair. “Want to tell me why you’re back now?”
Nolan didn’t really want to talk about it. Talking about it made him angry, and he was sick of that emotion, but he also didn’t want to worry Milo if he had no reason to.
“Remember that big promotion I was up for?”
“Of course. You were going to become head of the entire art department.”
He’d been gunning for that promotion ever since he left Morgan’s Bay behind. His boss had promised him in due time, when the current head retired, Nolan was the only candidate. He started off in the art department, creating promotional images that were used in global campaigns, and moved on to product development where he found his real calling. From there he oversaw a small team. He loved being part of the process from start to finish. He threw his entire life into his work, rising through the ranks, and proving to be an important asset to the company by winning countless accolades within the industry. His boss, the CEO of Wallace Enterprises, the leading global provider of housewares, loved him and promised if he stuck around, he wouldn’t be disappointed.
“They gave my promotion to the CEO’s nephew.”
Milo’s eyes shot wide. “What? The bastard promised you. That’s why you turned down that other offer.”
Nolan shoved a brownie in his mouth as if the sweetness would somehow counteract the bitterness in his mind. “Yeah well,” he said around the brownie. “Turns out blood is more important, or in George’s case, avoiding a fight with his wife.”
“Unbelievable.”
“That’s not even the worst part.”
“It gets worse?”
“They expected me to train the guy. No promotion, no raise, but here I was, training the guy who stole the position I earned because he was born into the right family.”
“Please tell me you quit before you taught him anything useful.”
“I made it two days before I snapped.”
“Good!” Milo declared. “Serves them right.”
“The guy didn’t even know basic graphic design. How the hell was he going to oversee an entire department that revolved around that very concept? Taking a couple graphic design and business classes in college was not enough. He had no experience in the field. Department budgets, which he was so keen on, aren’t even a tenth of what his role entails. How was he going to answer one of the designer’s questions, or offer any input in meetings about new products, or promotional artwork? I wasn’t going to sit around and watch that ship sink.”
“You made the right choice, but it still sucks. You gave them so much of your time.”
“First and only internship when I was nineteen.”
“They offered you a full-time job shortly after that and paid for half your schooling.”
Nolan deepened his voice to mimic George. “They were investing in my future at the company.” He crumpled up a napkin and tossed it onto the table. “If I’d known they were going to screw me, I might not have been so excited for the opportunity.”
“Don’t waste your time on regrets. It’s a dark road that’ll get you nowhere. Time to look forward. Figure out your next moves. Any ideas?”
“Not a single one. I quit out of anger and frustration. You know me, I always have a damn plan, and for the first time in my life, I have no idea what the hell I’m going to do.”
“With your resume and qualifications, I’m sure you’ll find something in no time.”
“I have enough money in the bank to keep me afloat for a while. I think… I don’t want to think. I want to have a real summer, something I haven’t done in a very long time. No work, no stress, just me and the beach. Maybe a few barbeques.”
“I think I can help with that.”
“If Harper lets me on the property.”
“I told you, one night of bitchfest, and all will be forgotten.”
Nolan raised his eyebrow. “You and I both know that is a damn lie.”
Milo looked down at his phone. “Sorry to cut this short, but duty calls,” he said. “Have to go pick up a group of four at McConnell’s.” Milo owned his own rideshare company, and the summer was his busiest time.
“I need to stop in and see Connor, grab a burger.”
“If you’re free tomorrow at noon, I’ll be in there for lunch. We can catch up some more.”
“I’ll be there.”
“In the meantime, why don’t you head over next door and face the firing squad all at once?”
Nolan would rather be fed to a pit of crocodiles. It would be less painful. “I don’t think so.”
“It’s like ripping off a Band-Aid. Better to get it done with fast and quick.”
“I’ll take my chances with slow.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Hey, before you go… How are you doing?” It wasn’t that long ago when Milo was held at gunpoint and robbed.
“Better,” he said, but his eyes said something different. But just like Milo gave him the courtesy of not pushing, Nolan extended the same courtesy.
“Happy to hear that.”
“All right, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Milo headed out, and Nolan returned to the brownies, eating one more before covering the plate.
His gaze drifted to the window, and he stared out at the old Victorian next door, standing regal in the setting sun. Going over there would be a mistake, regardless of what Milo said. Then again, he couldn’t get Isla’s face out of his mind.
Her blue eyes were still the prettiest he’d ever seen. He’d spent a lot of time trying to hate her, but it was an impossible feat. The truth was, despite all of her imperfections, she’d always own a part of his heart. He’d reluctantly accepted it, which was why he’d thrown himself into work and avoided dating in general.
He was the one who left her, but his heart broke just as harshly as if she was the one to leave first. It was for the best, or at least that’s what he’d told himself over the last couple of years. Seeing her earlier had made him question that very notion. He needed to see her again, even if it was just to satisfy the growing desire inside him.
Nolan made his way across the lawn that separated the two houses and knocked on the door of the Victorian, knowing he would probably regret it. The door flung open, and Olivia stood there with a cocked eyebrow. She looked good. The years treated her well. “If it isn’t the man of the hour,” she said, her words slurring slightly. She leaned toward him, her hand cupping her mouth as if she was about to tell him a secret. “I’d hug you, but I think that’d be against girl code right now.”
“It’s okay, I get it.” Olivia had been his friend, but she was loyal to Isla. “It’s good to see you, Liv. It’s been a long time.”
Harper popped up behind Olivia. “Look who came to crash the party. You’re allowed in as long as you don’t hurt our girl.”
“I’m glad to see some things never change.”
Harper and Olivia looked at each other, and Olivia laughed before turning back to him. “Except we’re hotter.”
“I won’t argue with that.”
“Who is it?” Isla’s voice floated over the music and she appeared in the doorway. Her eyes locked on his and widened; her pretty pink lips parted. “Oh. It’s you.”
“It’s me.”
“Nice to see you with a shirt on.” Her eyes stayed on his, but he noticed the quick glance down, and he flashed her a knowing smirk.
“We’re just going to…” Harper pointed toward the inside of the house and tugged Olivia’s arm.
“Yup, I need something. I forgot what. But I’ll remember when I find it.”
The two girls hurried away, giggling like the schoolgirls he remembered. The girls disappeared, and he was left face to face with Isla. It was exactly what he had wanted, but now, being here with her, he was unsure. There was so much that could be said, but he didn’t even know where to start or if it was even worth it.
“Is there something I can help you with?” Isla said, her voice far too proper for his liking.
“I wanted to say thank you for the brownies.”
“I dropped them.”
“They were still good.”
“You ate floor brownies?”
“They pretty much stayed in the dish. Just had to pick out the broken ceramic, which I have the pieces. I can glue it together for you if you’d like.”
She took a deep breath as if she was coming to terms with something in her mind. “You can throw it out.”
“Are you sure? I’m pretty sure I can salvage it.”
She shook her head with gusto. “No, really, just throw it out. I have to start going through everything and getting rid of stuff anyway. It’s kind of a good thing I dropped it; it’s one less thing I have to decide if I can throw out or not.”
Nolan reached out, touching her elbow. Her eyes widened in shock as her gaze drifted to his hold. He couldn’t help himself. He knew how much she was hurting. She’d been so close to her grandmother and to lose her… “I know how hard this is for you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I know you’d like to think that, but I’m fine. We dated however many years ago, you took my virginity, and all is good. I’m not pining over you as much as you want me to be. I’ve moved on. Dated a bunch of other guys.”
He ignored the pain that statement caused. “I was referring to your grandmother and the house, but I can take a hint when I see one.” He turned from the door and stopped. “It was good seeing you, Isla.” Nolan walked away, leaving Isla wide-eyed in the doorway.