Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
J eremy reached for Jade’s empty glass and made a great show of turning it upside down before shaking his head and tutting.
The man was at his most mischievous this evening, no doubt aided by the three cocktails he’d already downed.
‘What sort of guy are you, Boss Man, if you allow your date’s cocktail to dry up?’
Liam, looking especially gorgeous tonight in a black open-collared shirt and charcoal grey jacket which made his eyes pop, sighed. ‘I’m working.’
It was Saturday night and Jeremy had asked her and Liam to join him and Leroy in a wedding-planning session. Liam had immediately pulled the I’m on duty excuse, which Jeremy had just as immediately dismissed. You’re the boss man. You can work from the bar.
‘In which case, be a good best man and order another round of cocktails for us. And a water for yourself,’ Jeremy added generously, causing another heavy sigh from Liam.
The man she’d spent every night with this last week, ever since the trip to see his grandma, slowly rose to his feet. ‘Fine. But only if it gets me out of picking menus. And flowers. And cake. And fucking seating plans,’ he added over his shoulder. Hands shoved into his trouser pockets, he ambled towards the bar.
‘We won’t be seeing him again for a while,’ Leroy noted dryly.
Jeremy nodded and turned to her with a sly grin. ‘Hopefully just enough time for us to interrogate our bookstore manager, starting with the most burning question. What did Operation Double BJ entail?’
She gawked at him. ‘Sorry?’
‘Ah, I’m not supposed to use that name. Such a shame, but he wasn’t as impressed with it as I was.’
Leroy let out a low chuckle. ‘I’m not sure which I find hardest to believe, that you asked him to be your best man, or that he accepted.’
Jeremy shrugged. ‘He doesn’t see it yet, but we’re peas in a pod.’ It was easy to laugh at the comparison yet Jade knew that beneath the light words was a serious acknowledgement that they’d both, in their different ways, been treated as outcasts. ‘Speaking of vegetables, come on, spill the beans. How did he win you back?’
God, it was good to have friends. She’d only known these two for six weeks, yet Jeremy with his warmth and humour, and Leroy with his quiet interest, his steadiness, had rapidly become important to her. People she could talk to about anything, without judgement. ‘He took me to meet his grandma.’
‘Ah, the famous Pat Haven. Got to admire a woman who single-handedly brings up her grandson.’ Jeremy studied her. ‘So you’re together now? Officially dating or just hooking up?’
Leroy groaned. ‘Damn, my fiancé is a nosey son of a bitch. You don’t have to answer, Jade.’
She laughed. ‘I’m used to him by now. And yes, you could say we’re officially dating, but…’
‘You’re only out here for three months.’
‘Yep, and six weeks have gone already.’ Her heart lurched. How was time racing away so quickly?
‘Ever thought of staying longer?’ Jeremy’s question earned another groan from Leroy but Jeremy just grinned. ‘Hey, you don’t ask, you don’t get to find out. And Jade’s perfectly capable of telling me to mind my own business.’
‘I am, but you’ve got the kind of adorable puppy expression that it’s impossible to say no to, so to answer the question, yes, I have. Liam told me I could stay on and run the bookstore after the contract finishes, if I want.’
‘He did?’ Jeremy’s face lit up. ‘Well I’ll be damned, sounds like the man is finally softening up a bit. So does that mean he’s decided to keep the bookstore on?’ He gave her a sly smile. ‘Or does it mean he wants to keep you on?’
The squirmy feeling she’d had in her stomach ever since Liam had mentioned it, returned with a vengeance. ‘I don’t know.’ She’d tried to talk to him again about what he meant, but he’d just repeated what he’d said that morning to Lauren, that if she wanted to stay and run the place, she could.
A warm hand settled on her shoulder. ‘What don’t you know?’
A few beats of silence met his question, and Jade’s stomach fell. She didn’t want to lie, but she did not want to discuss this now.
‘She was telling me you said she could stay on at the bookstore after the contract is up,’ Jeremy answered for her, correctly interpreting her bunny-in-the-headlights expression. ‘I asked her if she wanted to.’
A muscle jumped in Liam’s jaw. ‘I thought we were here to discuss your wedding.’
‘We are, but you disappeared and we knew you’d be upset if we made any plans without you.’ Jeremy smiled sweetly and Jade smothered a laugh. But just when she thought they’d successfully navigated the subject that had never been far from her mind, Jeremy spoke again. ‘Out of interest, have you made a decision to keep the bookstore, then?’ Liam stared back at him, face impassive, and Jeremy winced. ‘Ah, I can see it’s not a subject up for discussion. It’s just, as a founding member of the SOB group and also your deputy, I have a vested interest.’
‘No decision has been made.’ Liam exhaled heavily. ‘I never thought I’d say this, but can we please now discuss your goddamn wedding?’
‘No more talk about the bookstore, got it.’ Jeremy reached into the bag by his feet and plonked a folder onto the table. ‘Now, what do we think about a flamingo theme?’
Jade stifled her laughter.
‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ Liam stared across at Leroy. ‘Tell me you’re more sensible.’
Leroy smiled and looked adoringly at his fiancé. ‘Whatever Jeremy wants is fine by me.’
Jade felt a squeeze on her heart as Jeremy reached across the table and planted a smacker of a kiss on his husband-to-be’s mouth. ‘And that’s one of the reasons why I love you. I’d go into all of the other reasons, but Liam might get even tetchier than he is now, so let’s save it for later.’ He glanced across at Jade. ‘So, flamingo?’
‘Of course. A perfect theme for a beach wedding.’
‘Whales.’ Liam levelled them both a look. ‘Nantucket is all about whales.’
‘But flamingos are pink.’ She grinned back at Jeremy. ‘Three votes for flamingos, motion carried. What’s next?’
Beside her, Liam sighed. ‘Fuck, this is going to be a long evening.’
‘But you’re here with your besties, and your…’ She faltered, regretting opening her big mouth. They’d not given each other labels. ‘With me.’
‘My girlfriend.’ His expression softened and he reached for her hand, raising it to his lips. The gentle kiss on her knuckles sent all the butterflies in her stomach into a spin.
Sex was easy between them– incredible, without doubt the best she’d ever had, but it didn’t require anything more than acting on a primal, basic attraction. Affection, though, that was earned and very new. A simple look, a brush of fingers across her skin, the press of his palm on her back, holding her hand… the public gestures were every bit as heady as the passion that took place behind closed doors.
‘Notice he didn’t deny we’re his besties.’
Jeremy’s delighted voice cut through the moment, yet as Liam turned to reply, his hand curled around hers, resting them both on his thigh.
She tried not to read too much into his gestures, to live in the moment and not think into the future. As the days ticked down, though, as the time she had left on the island became less than the time she’d already spent, it became harder and harder not to panic.
Harder and harder not to think about postponing her flight home. Or even cancelling it altogether.
* * *
Liam sipped at his beer– he’d handed over to the night manager an hour ago– and gazed around the crowded bar as Jade continued to argue with Jeremy and Leroy about the way to make a cup of tea.
As if when the milk was added made the insipid drink any more appealing.
It was the first time in years he’d been to a bar in Nantucket outside the resort and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched. Scrutinised. Maybe it was paranoia.
Nope. The guy strolling up to their table was definitely staring him down.
‘Liam Haven.’ Grey hair, clothes that spoke of inconspicuous wealth, which was the Nantucket way. Anywhere else, people were impressed by labels, visible signs of wealth. On Nantucket, it was considered flashy. Gauche.
Liam nodded in greeting. ‘Stuart Johnson.’ He recognised Adam’s father because he’d made it his mission to put a name and face to everyone on the island who’d deemed the Haven brand one they could dismiss, or ridicule.
If Stuart was surprised Liam recognised him, he gave no outward indication. ‘What gives you the right to stop people using the wharf to dock their boats?’ He looked towards Jade. ‘And putting this young woman out of a job by knocking down the Little Bay Book Shack? Never mind whatever hideous plans you’ve got for the waterfront.’
He felt Jade stiffen and slid a hand onto her thigh, squeezing gently. I’ve got this . ‘You own the Westside Club, yes?’
Stuart frowned. ‘So?’
‘How would you react if I told you what to do with it?’
‘It’s my damn club, I can do what I want with it.’
Liam inclined his head. ‘And I own the wharf.’
Stuart grunted. ‘You might have conned Flo into selling the bookstore to you, but it’s been used by locals for years, and it’s one of only two on the island. When are you going to stop destroying things we islanders hold dear?’
‘With respect,’ Jeremy interrupted. ‘One of the things we islanders hold dear is our privacy and right now you’re intruding on ours. You’re also disrespecting a man in front of his friends, which doesn’t seem like a sensible idea.’
Friends. Liam felt a burn at the back of his eyelids. It was like Jeremy had just thrown a protective wall around him.
Stuart looked incredulous. ‘You’re on his side now?’ He nodded towards Jade. ‘Aren’t you two part of a group that campaigned to keep the bookstore?’
‘Hi, Stuart. I’m Jade, good to meet you.’ She gave him a sweet smile. ‘You’re right, I did set up a group to save the Little Bay Book Shack.’
‘So what are you doing drinking with Haven?’
‘Do you always see eye to eye with all of your friends?’ She waved down at Stuart’s wedding ring. ‘Your wife?’
His expression faltered. ‘Not always, no.’
‘Then you’ll understand that people can be friends, lovers, husband and wife, and still disagree on some things.’
‘Yeah, but not when one of them is a jackass,’ Stuart asserted.
Liam felt the anger vibrate through Jade’s body. Anger on his behalf. ‘Liam is quietly enjoying a night out with his friends. And his girlfriend,’ she added loudly– and damn if his heart didn’t cartwheel. ‘You’re the one who’s stomped over here and thrown insults at him. Who’s the jackarse?’
Liam found his lips twitching. ‘Jackass,’ he whispered under his breath.
She shrugged. ‘He sounds like an arse to me.’
Stuart gave a disparaging shake of his head and sloped off. Liam could almost see a tail between his legs.
‘Well.’ Jeremy spoke into the silence. ‘Never a dull moment when you’re around, Boss Man.’
‘Liam.’ He felt some of the tension begin to leave his body. ‘For God’s sake, call me Liam.’
‘Will do, Boss Liam. No, Liam Boss, that’s better. Way more dignified.’ Jeremy sprang to his feet. ‘Right, more alcohol is called for.’ He slid Liam a look. ‘And as I know you generously put your card behind the bar, I’ll get you one of those overpriced Macallans you’re so fond of.’
Leroy slowly rose from the table. ‘I’ll come with you. Make sure you get it right.’
The moment they were out of earshot, Jade groaned. ‘I’m so sorry.’
He was shocked to see tears brimming in her eyes. ‘Why?’
‘When I started that campaign, I didn’t realise what a hornet’s nest I was stirring up. Oh, sure, I knew at the first meeting that the group were there for more than the bookstore, but it was only later that some of them made it clear they didn’t just want to stop you closing it, they wanted to stop you.’
‘Shhh, it’s okay.’ He drew a hand down her cheek, feeling his body settle as she leaned into his touch. ‘I deserve some of the hatred. Stopping people using the wharf to moor their boats was petty. You were right. I’ve been so focused on making Haven Resort the biggest and best resort on the island, I’ve been blind to who or what I’m trampling on in the process.’
‘Are you saying you’re going to keep Little Bay Book Shack?’
He gazed at her gorgeous face and felt his heart swell. Blonde and impossibly cute, but able to cut a rich bully down to size with an ease that left him humbled. ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen between us, but I do know you fit here. If you choose to stay, the island would be lucky to have you. And if you can do for others what you did for Grandma, then the bookstore should stay.’
‘And if I choose to go home, what happens to it then?’
It felt like a vice was crushing his chest. ‘I don’t know. I can’t imagine anyone else running it.’
But he didn’t want her to stay for the shop, he wanted her to stay for him.
‘It would be good to keep it on, if you can,’ she told him quietly. ‘For the island, for the resort but also for you. Might make people like Stuart stay in their corner and not come out swinging.’
‘I don’t give a fuck about people like Stuart.’ He swallowed. ‘But I give a whole lot of fucks about you.’ More than he’d planned, far more than was healthy for him. ‘If you want the bookstore to stay, it stays, whatever you decide to do.’
Her smile melted his already embarrassingly mushed-up heart. ‘Thank you.’
‘Well, look who we found at the bar,’ Jeremy interrupted, giving him a considering look before settling the drinks on the table– one beer, two pink coloured cocktails, one whisky.
He stepped aside to reveal Mary and Philip… and behind them, Adam. This was why he didn’t go out in Nantucket. Too many reminders of his past. Too many people he didn’t want to talk to.
‘I’ve invited them to our wedding,’ Jeremy continued, either oblivious to the tension currently zipping through the air, or uncaring. ‘I told them to tell Emma and Claire to come, too. Thought we could have a little unofficial SOB gathering.’
Liam didn’t need Jade’s whispered, can I? She was almost bouncing with the need to announce it. He nodded and was rewarded with a radiant smile.
‘Maybe we could turn the gathering into a celebration. Not to take away from your wedding, obviously,’ she added, glancing at Jeremy and Leroy.
‘Are you’re going to say what I think you’re going to say?’ Jeremy cut in.
‘You won’t know if you keep interrupting her,’ Leroy said dryly.
‘Little Bay Book Shack is going to stay.’ She squealed then, leaping to her feet and doing a silly dance, delight written across her face.
Jeremy let out a whoop and threw his arms around her. Mary, who Liam would never have had down as a hugger, followed suit. Philip gave Jade a handshake, though even his smile was warm.
Adam bent to kiss Jade’s cheek, and Liam felt the tension roll through him, every muscle tight and poised to fight. For her.
He expected them to ignore him but Mary caught his eye and inclined her head, raising her glass in salute.
Shocked, he acknowledged her gesture with a nod of his own.
‘Jade got you to change your mind, did she?’ Adam smirked over at him.
‘Yes,’ he retorted bluntly, earning him a rueful smile.
‘Can’t say I blame you for wanting to keep her sweet.’ Adam took a sip of his wine and then, like Mary, raised his glass. ‘Credit where credit’s due. You made the right decision in the end.’ He shrugged. ‘Dad’s still got beef with you, but from my side, we’re quits. I was a shit to you when we were kids, you were a shit to me when you stopped me mooring my boat.’ He glanced down at the glass of whisky. ‘Why don’t I buy you a drink and we’ll bury the hatchet?’
‘Fine. And you should know I’m shifting the private mooring sign on the wharf to the first two moorings on the left. Rest of it can be used by anyone. Johnsons included.’
Adam laughed and saluted him, too.
As the man walked to the bar to buy him a drink, Liam’s gaze fell on Jade. She’d stuck up for him even when she’d not liked him, even when he’d been a prick to her. She’d also stood up to him, made him see the man he was turning into. ‘Thank you,’ he whispered.
The smile she shot him slipped right under his defences and wrapped tightly round his heart.
Fuck, he was sunk. How had he let her in so readily, in such a short space of time? He was either in massive denial, or the dumbest guy on the planet if he thought things would end any differently than they had with the other women he’d let into his heart.
His mom, April, Sabrina… they’d all left in the end. Hell, Jade even had one foot already on the plane.
And if I choose to go home. She’d not exactly leapt up and down with joy when he’d asked her to stay on and run the bookstore. Not like she had when he’d agreed to keep it on, regardless of what she did.
She loved the shop. Her feelings for him were much less clear.