Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

J ade glanced around the small group gathered in the bookstore. It was Saturday afternoon and day one of Operation SOB (Save Our Bookstore– she had to think of a better name for it). As they’d promised the other night, Jeremy and Leroy had invited a few locals to help.

‘We’re fed up with property developers swooping in like vultures and turning large parts of our charming town, rich with historic heritage, into a sprawling resort full of vulgar modern buildings.’ Henry, who Jade guessed was in his early thirties, steepled his hands, the gold signet ring on his left pinkie catching the light. With his elegant, sharp cheekbones, carefully styled hair and faded red chinos, which according to Jeremy were a Nantucket status symbol, the guy oozed wealth and privilege. He’d also taken over the meeting, droning on for the last fifteen minutes about everything that was wrong with the Haven Resort. ‘We already have sufficient accommodation on this island for every type of holiday maker,’ Henry continued. ‘The Chase Resort has been serving wealthy tourists for over a hundred years.’ He glanced at Jeremy. ‘Why you turned down the chance to work there, I don’t know.’

Jeremy shrugged. ‘I’m happy where I am.’

‘Happy working for a soulless, modern resort that wants to rip the guts out of our shoreline?’ He snorted and turned back to Jade. ‘Whatever you can do to stop that son of a bitch getting his way, has the full support of me and my family.’

‘Um, that’s great, thanks.’ Nerves fluttered in her belly. Enlisting some people with clout had seemed like a great idea the other night, after a few drinks, but today, facing this group of angry residents out for blood, her little stand against closing the bookstore felt like it had morphed into something bigger. Nastier.

‘Here, here.’ This was from Adam, who’d once owned a business on the waterfront near the bookstore, before, in his words, being forced to sell up. ‘I realise Haven has already bought the wharf, and the whole bloody frontage either side of it now, but in highlighting the plight of the bookstore we can rally the rest of the town– hell, the island– into realising it’s time to take a stand against these developers and stop any further desecration of our precious shoreline.’

‘Absolutely.’ Mary, who Jade guessed was in her early fifties, was one of the town librarians, and judging by the way she’d kept looking crossly at Henry as he’d droned on, also had an awful lot to say. ‘We don’t want the likes of Haven taking over any more of our island. I know my Sarah is employed by him, but after all that business with Ashley, my opinion of him has gone even further downhill. Sarah says rumour at the resort is that Haven made Ashley pregnant then pushed her out. Poor girl didn’t even feel she could stay on the island. She’s in Australia now.’

‘I’m not sure we know all the details,’ Emma murmured. On the board of the Heritage Society, she was quieter than the others and, Jade had found to her delight, was the wife of George, the water taxi man. ‘But it was a shame to lose Ashley. She was always ready to help the community.’

‘Unlike her boss,’ Philip chimed in. In his sixties, according to Jeremy, Philip was one of those people who like to get involved in anything and everything. ‘I remember Liam Haven’s grandma, Pat. She was a hard worker, kept herself to herself. Difficult to believe they share the same DNA.’

As she listened to the collective murmur of agreement, Jade looked pleadingly over at Jeremy. She was on a mission to keep her job for three months and hopefully stop the bookstore from being knocked down. Not declare a public war on Liam Haven.

Jeremy caught her eye and nodded. ‘I know emotions are running high regarding the amount of real estate being bought up by developers, but can we park any personal vendettas for a moment.’ He turned to Jade and smiled. ‘We’re here to help our new Little Bay Book Shack manager promote the store, not carry out a character assassination of the man both she and I happen to work for.’

All eyes turned to Jade and her heart began to thump. ‘If I’m honest, I’ve never managed a shop before, never mind tried to save one, so I kind of need as much advice as I can get.’

Adam gave her a slow smile and leant back against his chair. ‘No worries. Use us however you see fit.’

He winked, and Jade felt a flush of embarrassment. She didn’t want to be flirted with– she’d already made one colossal mistake with the opposite sex in the not even a week since she’d arrived.

Then again, if she wanted to be taken seriously, she had to earn that right. Pushing down the jittery feeling in her stomach, she started talking. ‘So, as I was telling Jeremy and Leroy.’ Her gaze drifted over to Jeremy and she took some comfort from the reassuring smile he gave her. ‘To generate interest in the shop I thought we could have a themed book week where we focus on a different genre each day.’ Did it sound trite, coming after Henry and Adam’s big speeches? Liam hadn’t laughed when she’d gone through the details the other night, though that was likely because he wasn’t listening. He’d sipped at his whisky, said a quiet thank you when she’d finished. And left.

Pushing the man out of her mind, she squared her shoulders. ‘Monday could be mystery day and involve a murder trail around this part of the town. Tuesday would be for travel and I could set up stalls in the resort and the town containing books and maps for different destinations. Wednesday could be women’s fiction; Thursday, thrillers; Friday, fantasy; Saturday, um, maybe science fiction…’ She could feel the energy drain from her the further she went through the week. What on earth had she been thinking? She couldn’t pull this off. From the nonplussed look on the faces in front of her, she couldn’t even convince them to help her, either. ‘I’ve not got it all planned out yet,’ she ended lamely.

‘It sounds excellent,’ Mary said finally into the silence. ‘Ambitious, perhaps, but there’s nothing wrong with aiming high.’

Unless you’re biting off way more than you can chew . Jade’s hands began to sweat and she had a strong urge to rush to the loo and puke her guts up.

‘Let us know how we can help,’ Emma added. ‘And if you think of a way to include historical fiction, we could advertise it at the Heritage Society.’

Frigging hell, she’d missed off a major genre. That desire to puke intensified.

‘Well, keep us informed.’ Henry rose to his feet, eyes fixed to his phone. ‘Sorry, got to take this, important call. Catch you later.’

He walked out without even making eye contact, and Jade felt dismissed. Like she wasn’t worth his while. The others drifted out after him, though at least they had the decency to smile at her, and promise to help.

‘I look forward to seeing more of you,’ Adam murmured as he shook her hand.

Yeah, she wasn’t sure about that, either. Had he meant the innuendo?

When only Jeremy remained, Jade slumped onto one of the chairs she’d dragged down from the studio flat upstairs. She felt as if she’d been chewed up and spat out.

‘Sorry, that didn’t go quite as I’d anticipated.’ Jeremy sighed and sat down opposite her. ‘I invited Adam when I met him downtown, but Henry was with him and expressed an interest. I didn’t think it would harm having someone with his wealth and connections on board– his father owns the other big resort on the island– but I didn’t reckon on him being such a gargantuan asshole.’

Relieved, Jade laughed. ‘I’m glad it wasn’t just me thinking that.’

‘Nope. The man clearly wants to get one over on Liam in whatever way he can. Of course, the boss can also be a gargantuan asshole, but…’ He shrugged, as if he knew there was a difference but couldn’t explain it.

‘Liam… Mr Haven, never made me feel small. Angry, yes.’ And cheap, she reminded herself, though he’d been cross when she’d said that. ‘He never made me feel like I was less important than he was.’

Jeremy slid her a speculative glance. ‘You can tell me to mind my own business, but did something happen between the pair of you?’

Heat scorched her skin and she cursed her fair skin. ‘Um, why do you say that?’

His eyes skimmed her face and he gave her a kind smile. ‘Well, if I hadn’t already guessed from the undercurrent between the pair of you that night at the beach bar, those red cheeks have just given it away.’

Crap. She could lie, tell him he had a vivid imagination, but he wouldn’t believe her and besides, there was something about Jeremy that made her want to be honest with him. If she was going to stick out these three months, she badly needed a friend on the island. ‘We hooked up the first night I was here. Before I knew who he was,’ she added hastily.

Jeremy stilled for a moment, then he started to laugh. Real, bend at the waist, belly laughter. ‘Sorry, this probably isn’t the right response to that piece of information,’ he wheezed, clearly trying to rein in his amusement. ‘But holy shit, that’s, er, interesting. And no doubt highly embarrassing, for both of you.’ His expression sobered. ‘Did he know who you were?’

‘Not the first time.’

Jeremy made a choked sound. ‘There was more than one occasion?’

‘Twice.’ More if she counted the orgasms, she added silently. Not that she’d kept a tally. Or was going to think about it ever again. ‘Um, two nights. But that was before I realised he wasn’t nearly as nice as he came across.’

‘Nice isn’t a description I’d ever associate with him.’ He gave her a wry smile. ‘He’s also not as bad as he’s painted, though he makes it hard to see that because he’s not one for joking around. He keeps us all at a distance.’

He let you in. On the boat, staring at the stars, again on the beach, in the glow of the sunset; both times he’d allowed her to see another, more vulnerable side. But then he’d gone on to sleep with her knowing he was about to crush her. Maybe it had all been an act. ‘Now I just want to focus on the reason I came, which is to manage this shop. I know he’s going to stop me at some point, but I’m not going to roll over for him.’

Jeremy cleared his throat. ‘No.’

She saw the twitch of his lips and let out a huff of laughter. ‘Bad choice of words.’ Bending her head, she thumped it onto the table. ‘Bollocks, bollocks, bollocks. Why did I succumb to those ridiculous good looks. I feel so stupid.’

She felt Jeremy’s hand slide across her shoulders and squeeze. ‘Don’t. The boss can be an asshole, as we’ve already concluded, but he’s also an undeniably sexy asshole. Now, let’s have one of those cups of tea you Brits are so certain solves everything, and work out a plan of action.’

* * *

Liam frowned at the poster on the wall behind the activities desk. It had only been a few days since he’d sat and listened to Jade’s earnest plan for how she was going to turn the book shack into a million-dollar empire in a week. From the description on the poster, the transformation would start on Monday.

Why couldn’t she see reason and enjoy a paid three-month vacation on Nantucket like any normal person who found themselves in her situation? He wasn’t so much of a bastard that he wanted to see her fail, yet that was the only possible outcome. No matter how much effort she put in, keeping the bookstore would never be a viable option for him.

He looked up at the sound of whistling and saw Jeremy ambling towards him. ‘Is this your doing?’

‘I agreed she could promote the book week within the resort, yes.’ Jeremy ignored the dark look Liam gave him and smiled at the poster. ‘Looks good, doesn’t it? The guy who runs the art society designed it.’

‘Adam.’

‘That’s the one. Jade managed to persuade him to do it for free.’

He didn’t like the tight feeling in his chest. ‘I’m sure she can be very persuasive.’

‘Oh, I have no doubt you know exactly how persuasive she can be.’ Clearly immune to the death glare Liam gave him, Jeremy carried on talking. ‘You’re aware the sexual chemistry between the pair of you is so hot Leroy and I nearly got burned the other night?’

‘She’s an employee,’ he gritted out.

‘Barely. And according to rumour, that hasn’t stopped you before.’

Anger coiled, like a rattlesnake waiting for a reason to pounce. ‘ You think I was fucking Ashley?’

Jeremy met his stare face on, then let out a slow breath. ‘Actually, no. But I think you have been fucking Jade. And if you hurt her I’m going to be seriously pissed with you because she’s a lovely woman who doesn’t deserve to have her dream crushed by this crazy obsession of yours.’

The anger began to uncoil, humming through his blood. ‘You mean my obsession with making money, which keeps you and your fiancé employed?’

‘It’s more than the money,’ Jeremy countered.

‘Oh?’ Jeremy didn’t know. He couldn’t know. Liam kept his expression impassive and tried to ignore the knots forming in his gut.

‘Fine, I’m guessing it’s more than money. No sane person checks out the competition as often as you do.’ Liam opened his mouth to argue but Jeremy rolled on. ‘I’m not talking about looking at the Chase Resort restaurants, their rooms, their on-site activities, which is what you pay me to do, by the way. I’ve seen your computer screen, boss. You’re checking their financials, their net worth.’

‘What I do is my business,’ he gritted out. ‘I suggest you butt out and stick to yours.’

Most people would take offence, at the very least take the hint, but Jeremy just smiled. ‘Sure, but while you’re going about your business , spare a thought for the woman who’s about to bust a gut working at that shop because she thinks she has a chance of convincing you to keep it.’

He had to work hard not to flinch. ‘It’s her choice to work there. I told her I was happy to pay her to do nothing at all.’

‘Maybe instead of convincing yourself you’ve done the right thing by her, you should find out why it’s so important for her to keep working there.’

With a sharp nod in his direction, Jeremy calmly strolled past him, as if he hadn’t just dropped a stink bomb and then dodged the foul-smelling fallout.

Because he’d planned on doing it, anyway– fuck you, Jeremy– Liam set off towards the bookstore.

The bell jangled as he pushed open the door, and his heart lurched as he saw two blonde heads look up. One gorgeous and distinctly female. The other… his hand clenched and he shoved it into his pocket.

‘Adam.’ He nodded coolly towards the guy whose art shop he’d bought six months ago. The pair of them went way back, and Liam fucking hated the reminder.

Adam looked annoyed, like he’d been interrupted mid chat-up. It made Liam want to take out his clenched fist and shove it in Adam’s smug face. He shouldn’t be jealous. Jade had been a hook-up, nothing more.

‘Hi boss .’

She didn’t look pleased to see him, either. He gave her an ironic smile. ‘I’d like a word, when you’ve finished with this customer .’ Two could play at the emphasis game.

‘Actually, I’ve already got what I came for.’ Adam gave a laconic shrug before turning back to Jade. ‘See you tonight, sweetheart.’

Liam watched the bastard walk out, his insides feeling like he’d swallowed a bag of jumping beans. ‘Tonight?’

Jade’s blonde brows flew up at his barked question. ‘How can I help you?’

‘You can start by telling me what Adam is doing in this shop.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘Technically, I don’t think I have to.’

‘It’s my shop, I have a right to know what goes on inside it.’ He was being a prick but he couldn’t seem to stop. He told himself it wasn’t because she’d been flirting, but because she’d been flirting with Adam.

‘Oh, my God, you really are an arse, or should I say asshole .’

‘Your American accent needs more work.’ He exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. ‘Look, I came here to see how you were getting on. Not to pick a fight.’

He watched her shoulders drop. ‘Well, as long as we’re not fighting, I can tell you Adam was here because he’s helping me promote the book week. He and a few others. He designed the poster for me.’ Her eyes found his. ‘A lot of people want the bookstore to stay. Apparently you’re not liked very much.’

‘I don’t care what they think of me.’ His gaze rested on hers and that pull he’d felt from their first meeting? It was still there. An unwanted guest he couldn’t ignore. ‘I find I do care what you think.’

She looked momentarily surprised. ‘I liked the man who talked to me about the Milky Way on his boat. Who took me to Galley Beach and made love to me as if I was special. But the man who slept with me, and apparently other employees, without giving a fig how much he was about to upset me? Yeah, him, I wished I hadn’t met.’

‘I’ve never slept with an employee.’

‘You slept with me.’ She looked away, and instantly he missed her eyes on him. ‘And anyway, that’s not what I’ve heard.’

‘I didn’t sleep with Ashley. I can’t say what happened, it’s her business, but we had a working relationship, nothing more.’ Those blue eyes found his again, and he experienced a sudden and acute desire to regain her trust. ‘I don’t know what other rumours are going around but I did once, in a moment of weakness brought on by tiredness and alcohol, have a one-night stand with a fitness instructor temporarily employed at the resort.’

‘That sounds familiar.’

He met her accusatory stare head-on. ‘It wasn’t. I bitterly regretted it the next day. I don’t regret you.’

She blinked slowly. ‘Why did you regret her?’

‘She found out who I was and came looking for me, suddenly deciding she wanted more.’ He gave her a level look. ‘You found out who I was and don’t want anything to do with me.’

The door chime sounded and a group of tourists wandered in. It was hard to rein in his disappointment, but became easier when he saw how relieved Jade was. She didn’t want to discuss what had happened between them. She wanted him gone.

He nodded towards her. ‘I’ll see you around.’

She gave him a stony look in return. ‘Not if I see you first.’

He walked out before she could see how much her dislike bothered him.

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