Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Aria
I t was the first time in a month that I had enough energy for a bike ride after work. I got back home just as the sun was setting, a beautiful concoction of smeared pastel colors mixed with wispy clouds. I was feeling refreshed and cursing myself for not taking more time for self-care, like a brisk bike ride. My nose was cold, my fingers numb and my eyes were watering from the ride, but I felt exhilarated. I had glorious visions of a long shower, a cup of hot cider and a good book, but all those visions were obliterated when I found Kellan standing on my front stoop looking as if he’d been sucking on a sour lemon.
I sighed in exasperation as I pushed my bike into the garage. Kellan waited for me on the porch, his expression growing more sullen with each passing minute.
I stood in the garage and took a few deep breaths before going out to meet him. “You didn’t tell me you were coming. I was on a bike ride.”
“I saw the bike,” he said curtly.
For a brief second, I considered that he was there to apologize and tell me how much he needed me in his life and how I should always make my own decisions because I was a strong, independent woman. But that didn’t seem to be the case.
“Come on in. I was going to make myself some hot cider.”
Kellan followed me inside. He rarely came to my small house. His aftershave immediately filled the front room. “I’m not a fan of cider but you go ahead.”
“Kellan, if this is about hiring Dex?—”
“I obviously wasn’t making my point well over the phone. You don’t want to tangle yourself up with my brother. You’ve put far too much work into that café.” It was the first time he’d ever mentioned how hard I had to work to keep the café going.
“Specifics,” I said.
His brows bunched in irritation. “What do you mean?”
Kellan was coming at me like a freight train. He even drove a half hour to make sure I saw how angry he was. He’d already made that crystal clear when he shouted at me through the phone. I was feeling a chill in my bones from the ride, and all I wanted was that hot shower, but it seemed that we were going to do this here and now. Kellan liked to control things like that. I was starting to see that more all the time.
I crossed my arms defensively. “I need specifics, because I’ll tell you all I know so far. You and your brother have a strained relationship.”
“Understatement of the year,” he muttered.
“And see, that really doesn’t have anything to do with my business. Dex walked into the café this morning, cold turkey, so to speak. He knew nothing about the menu or the kitchen layout or the customers, but he put on an apron and an hour later he was serving up delicious food. And here’s the most important part about it all—the customers couldn’t stop raving about his cooking. I got to serve coffee, chat with customers and make sure the front of the restaurant was running smoothly. It was such a relief to have someone capable in the back that I almost had to pinch myself. Now, tell me something specific, something that is a dealbreaker, and I’ll consider your advice.”
“I’ve already told you. He’s trouble.”
“Again. Something specific, please.”
“Have you asked him why he’s here in Whisper Cove?” Kellan’s face was tight and serious. Not a good look for him.
“Not sure if it’s my business.” Of course, I’d wondered it more than once, but I wasn’t going to let Kellan know that.
“He’s here because he’s trying to help his friend Quinn skip his prison sentence. I don’t know much else except that Quinn is in the hospital in bad shape.”
I stared at him and wondered if this really was it for us. “Excuse me, but isn’t that a noble thing? Trying to help a friend who’s been hospitalized?”
“Oh, I assure you, there’s some much shadier stuff happening in the background of it all. But I can tell you this, my brother will do what he can for Quinn and then he’ll be on his way. And he won’t bother with a notice or warning. You’ll just open the café one morning, and he won’t show up. That’s how he’s been his whole life. No responsibility to anyone but himself.”
His words were having their desired effect, but I didn’t want him to see it. “Not anyone but himself? You just told me he was here for his friend.”
“You’re twisting my words,” he said angrily.
“Uh, nope, I don’t think I am.”
“I’m done here.” He started toward the door, and I didn’t stop him, which told me all I needed to know about my feelings for Kellan. He looked back at me. “I thought you were more level-headed than this. Just don’t get too drawn in by my brother. He has a tendency to do that—to attract people to him, catch them off guard with his charm—but you can’t trust him. That’s my final warning. If you come to your senses, let me know.” He stared hard at me, but I had a tough time looking at him. “I thought we had something good. I can give you the world, Aria. All you have to do is ask for it.”
“That and make sure to follow your orders.” It slipped out before I could stop it.
He slammed the door so hard, my coat fell off the hook.
I stared out the window, waiting for his car to turn the corner and disappear, then I sat down with a big release of breath. All the benefits of the brisk, late afternoon bike ride had been obliterated. Even the hot cider didn’t sound good anymore. But I wasn’t as upset about the obvious end to our relationship as I was about something Kellan had said. I needed to find out if he was telling the truth.
I pushed to my feet, grabbed my coat, scarf and keys and headed out to the car. There were only a few lights on at the marina, including several of the boats with occupants like Oscar. The coastal fog was just starting to make its way across the harbor, and wisps of it floated around the boats like spectral beings. I got out of the car and realized then that Dex’s motorcycle wasn’t in the lot. I’d made the trip for nothing. I was about to get back in the car and restart my evening plans of a hot shower and a book when a single headlight glowed through the haze. The motorcycle pulled into the lot. He looked almost too big for the bike.
Dex parked and pulled a pair of gloves off his hands as he got off the bike. A backpack bounced behind him as he walked toward me. His white smile broke through the clammy mist. “I thought that was you.” He reached me, and his smile disappeared. “What’s wrong?” He nodded. “You’ve changed your mind. I guess I was expecting it.” I could feel the disappointment rolling off him.
“I haven’t changed my mind, but I need to know something. I don’t need to know your business. I don’t need to know what you’re up to here, but are you planning to leave once it’s done? Are you just going to up and leave without a word?”
Dex nodded as he shoved his gloves in his coat pocket. “I guess Kellan has continued his campaign against me.”
“Just answer the question. I’m cold and I want to be at home with a cup of hot cider.”
He closed his eyes for a second. “Hmm, spiced or plain?”
“I usually put in a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg to make it zippier.”
“Haven’t had hot cider in ages.”
I tilted my head at him. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were looking for an invite back to my place for hot cider.”
“Really? What gave it away?”
“You closed your eyes and moaned,” I said.
“Not sure if it was a moan.”
I blew out an exasperated puff of air that turned white and mingled with the rest of the haze. “Dex, would you like to come back to my place for a cup of hot cider? But I need an answer.” Kellan’s warning about not getting drawn in by Dex’s charm danced lightly through my head.
“I think I can explain myself better over a cup of hot cider.”
“Fine. Follow me back to my place.” I had no idea what I was doing, but I hoped to break through that layer of charm and find out exactly what his plans were once we were cradling cups of cider.
The flutters that had been bothering me for the past few days returned. It had been hours since my last cup of coffee, so I couldn’t blame it on caffeine. Then it hit me—like a ton of bricks. It was Dex. It was nerves or giddiness or something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Had I already fallen victim to his charm? I considered myself smarter and more practical than that.
I glanced up in the rearview. His headlight wasn’t there, and I felt profound disappointment that he’d decided not to follow. There was immediate relief when the light came into view behind me. Oh my gosh—I was giddy. Dex had turned me into Layla.
“This is ridiculous, Aria,” I said to my brown eyes in the mirror. “You are, or were, dating his brother, and everything about the man spells heartbreak. Stop, stop, stop. And stop talking to yourself. You’re making the windshield foggy.”
I pulled into my short driveway, and Dex parked the bike on the street. A breath caught in my throat as he unfolded his massive physique from the bike. It seemed my little pep talk hadn’t helped those chest flutters. I wasn’t too worried. I was sure the shine would wear off quickly with a man like Dex. The question was—should I keep him on as a cook? I couldn’t very well wander around with stars in my eyes while I ran a restaurant.
Dex shoved his gloves in his pocket. “Nice little place, but it doesn’t have a view of the cove.”
“No, that was the tradeoff for some privacy and a break from my sisters.”
Dex stopped at the front steps and looked down. “I’ve got sand on my boots. Can I wipe them on the grass?”
“Of course.” I watched as he stomped a few clumps of wet sand from his boots. “Were you on the beach earlier?”
“I was on the north end of the cove, near the tide pools.”
“In the dark? Or were you out exploring with a flashlight again?”
He smiled weakly. “Both.” His eyes were jewel green in the porchlight. “Do the words ‘lyin’ talk’ mean anything to you?”
“Well, there’s the obvious meaning,” I said, utterly confused.
“Yeah, not looking for the literal interpretation.” He shook his head. “Never mind. Every time I say it, it sounds crazier.” He rubbed his hands together. “I think I’m sand-free. How about that cider?”
We walked inside and I motioned for him to hang his coat on the hook. He was wearing a black T-shirt that was stretched across his shoulders and back. Suddenly, I was more aware than ever of his presence. He practically filled my front room with his size, making my house look like a dollhouse. He looked even bigger when he pulled out a chair from my small kitchen table and sat. His long legs had no place to go in the cramped kitchen corner. I couldn’t stop a laugh.
“Story of my life, I’m afraid,” he said as he finally settled his feet to the side of the table.
“I guess my postage stamp kitchen isn’t helping matters.” I poured the cider into a pot and added the spices. I gave the liquid a stir. I was about to join him at the table to wait for the cider but decided to stay standing, leaning against the stove. It seemed safer on that side of the kitchen after my shocking revelations in the driveway. I was sure it was just a temporary thing. Dex was, after all, incredible to look at, and, as his brother had angrily pointed out, he was charming. But I certainly didn’t need to mix myself up with someone like Dex. Which brought me back to my original concern and my motive for driving down to the marina. (Or was that my real motive? Did I drive down there because I wanted to see Dex?) I pushed that notion from my head.
“Kellan showed up here. He rarely comes to my place,” I added. “I don’t think he likes this tiny house much. He prefers his roomy apartment.”
Dex nodded. “That lines up with what I know about my brother. So, he came here to make sure you understood just how vital it was that you heed his warnings about me. He was probably pacing the floor of his spacious, overpriced apartment after that phone call. Kellan doesn’t like to lose control of things.”
The cider had started to simmer, and a cinnamon fragrance filled the kitchen. “Yes, I’ve noticed.” I pulled down two mugs. I turned back to the stove, poured the cider and carried them to the table. Even my nicely sized mug looked small in his hand. The sight of him sipping cider from the mug made me snicker.
He looked up from his drink. “Not a sight you see every day. King Kong sipping a hot drink from a cup.” He lifted his pinky. “There, just to finish the whole look.”
I tried to blow on my cider but couldn’t stop a giggle. We drank for a few seconds, then he set his mug down. His green gaze was always so unsettling, and now I’d confirmed it—unsettling, but not in a bad way.
“Aria, I know Kellan filled your head with the long laundry list of Declan problems. He’s the only person who ever called me Declan. Never Dex. That was a control thing, too. I would love to say that he’s exaggerating and not to believe a word he says about me, but I can’t say that … because a lot of what he says is true. I’ve never settled in one place for long, mostly because I’ve never found a place where I felt I belonged. And it’s true, I’m here now because my friend needs help, and I’ll do anything for Quinn.”
I felt my posture deflating with each word. It felt as if he was leading up to letting me know that Kellan was right, that he’d take off just as soon as he could and leave me, once again, without a cook.
“But Aria, if I find that place, the place where I feel I can put down roots and make a life, then it’ll take wild horses to drag me away. I’m not entirely sure if Whisper Cove is that place, but I can tell you this—I haven’t been as relaxed or as happy in a long time as I was working in your restaurant this morning. That’s all I can give you for now. No other promises. I’ll understand completely if you don’t hire me.”
I couldn’t believe how profoundly his non-promise affected me. I wanted a promise. I wanted him to say yes, I’ll stay. This is the place for me. I can’t imagine living anywhere else other than Whisper Cove.
“Can you work until I find someone else, or is that too much commitment?” I couldn’t keep the bitterness out of my tone. That was how hurt I felt about the whole thing.
“I would love that.” He finished his cider. “Better get to bed. Got an early start tomorrow.”
He got up and I followed him to the door. He stopped short and turned around without warning. I’d been steeped in disappointment and reacted too late. I smacked right into his hard chest. It was so tight, I bounced off like a rubber ball. He caught me before I stumbled backward.
For a long, electricity filled moment he held onto my arms, and the two of us were just inches from each other. His long lashes shaded his eyes as he stared down at me. I peered up at him. His gaze dropped to my lips, and for the briefest second, I imagined being wrapped in his arms while he kissed me. I sensed some hesitation on his part to lower his arms. Or maybe I was imagining it. After all, why on earth would he be reluctant to release me?
He was the one to finally break the magnetic force between us. “Uh, thanks for the cider, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” He dashed out the door and never looked back.
I walked straight to my phone. On the way, I flipped through my sister list to see who I should speak to in this instance. My first choice would have been Isla because she was generally more grounded than the rest of the bunch, but I knew she and Luke had taken his grandmother, Hazel, out to dinner tonight. I tapped Ella’s name, and she answered on the first ring.
“Something’s up. I knew it. I just got this crazy rush of nerves. It went straight through me.”
“I think I just had a moment with Dex,” I blurted before I could stop myself
“All right, let’s unpack this,” she said calmly, and it was so forced I covered my mouth to stifle a laugh. “I want to get all my facts straight first.” She sounded like a lawyer questioning a client. “Now, by Dex, you mean Mr. Super Hot and Hunky. Correct?”
“Yes, your honor,” I said facetiously.
“Hey, I’m taking this seriously because it seems I have been unwittingly thrust into the big sister role, and I don’t want to make a misstep. Especially because I’m providing guidance to my actual big sister, who will, no doubt, evaluate and dissect all my advice.”
I grunted in frustration. “El.”
“Right. Sorry. Just got carried away with all the power handed to me. So, describe this moment. Was it static-filled and charged with so much energy the incident could not be misconstrued as something more banal—like, let’s say, an unexpected bout of gas?”
“It was somewhere between a bout of gas and a static-filled explosion.”
“Explosion,” she repeated. “Interesting choice of word, and let me just say—it’s about time you noticed that electricity between you two. There was a glowing arc shooting back and forth between you when he sat down to eat with us.”
“I don’t need the author Ella right now. I need my sister. There were no arcs. If anything, there were flaming arrows going back and forth.”
“Well, from your side anyway, or at least that was what you were trying for, but in the words of the great bard, William Shakespeare ‘methinks the lady doth protest too much.’”
I grunted again. “I knew I should have just waited for Isla.”
“All right, all right. No more Shakespeare. To put it in twenty-first century terms: You hated him because you liked him, and you were mad at yourself for feeling that spark, so it came out as anger.”
“No, I don’t think that’s right. Our first meeting was pretty bad. His gull chased me off the dock, and I fell in the cold water. Yes, he jumped in after me?—”
“Wait. What? You never told me. You fell in the water? He jumped in after you? How romantic.”
“Trust me. There was nothing romantic about flailing around and snorting in gross seawater. It was all super embarrassing.”
“Well, that explains it then. You were grumpy with him because you were still embarrassed about your humiliating plunge into the water.”
I picked up the mugs to put in the sink. “I’m not sure if this conversation is helping my state of mind.”
“Oh man, my first genuine moment as the big sister, and I’m blowing it. Look, just let things happen, and see where it all goes.” She paused and I had no response. “I guess that’s a little too lax.” She sighed. “That’s it. I’m officially retiring my big sister shoes. Hold on. We’ve been going on about Dex. What about Kellan? You know? The man who is supposedly your boyfriend.”
“That’s where this gets a little—how should I put it—toothy. Kellan and Dex are brothers.”
“Get out,” she said with a gasp. “They can’t be. They’re nothing alike.”
“You mean like all of us? Nope, I wish it wasn’t true, but it is. And they are not on friendly terms. In fact, I’d categorize them as enemies.” I realized I was hungry from the ride, so I grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl. “And that brings me to the supposed boyfriend part of the night. I think Kellan and I might be through.”
“You’re kidding.” She seemed to be giving the notion some thought. “Actually, that makes sense. I never saw you two ending up together. Two bosses do not a match in heaven make. Oh, that’s a good one. Hold on, I need to grab my notebook and write that down.”
“Uh, are you sure about that?” I asked.
“No? Jeez, everyone’s a critic these days. So, Kellan is out, and Dex is in. Is that what you’re telling me?”
“No,” I said sharply. “That’s a big jump from what we’ve been talking about, and I’m not entirely sure it’s over with Kellan. I guess I thought there’d be a little more—I don’t know—heartbreak if we split up.”
“There’s only heartbreak if your heart was actually in it in the first place, Ar.”
I sat down with a plunk on the kitchen chair. “You’re right.”
“I am?” She squealed. “Guess I’m not as bad as I thought at this big sister role. From now on when one of the sisters needs some advice or a problem solved, do not hesitate to send them my way.”
“Whoa there, crown usurper, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But you’re right about Kellan. I’m not feeling like it’s a breakup because I wasn’t all that invested in the whole thing. Maybe he wasn’t either. He basically called it off because I hired Dex to work in the café, and I let him know that was my decision to make.”
“Except—can’t you at least see his side of things?” Ella asked. “Kellan might have been jealous or worried that his absolute dreamboat of a brother might sweep you off your feet. And it seems he wasn’t too far off about that because judging by this conversation, the sweeping has already begun.”
“You know me, El. My feet are like cement blocks. I’m not easily swept off my feet.”
“Perhaps you just haven’t met a worthy opponent yet. Someone with super strength to lift those cement blocks right up and off the ground.” She laughed. “Okay we’re getting silly with the metaphors. Please tell me this chat has helped. That way I can hang up satisfied that I rose to the occasion of being the sister advisor this round.”
“Yes, this chat has helped, so thank you. What are you girls up to tonight?”
“Ava went out with Layla. They were going to have a few beers and meet up with some friends. Isla is with Luke, so it’s just me. If you want to come by, we could continue this chat.”
I yawned as she asked it. “Nah, I need to shower and get in bed. It’s been a long day, and tomorrow will be just as long. Sleep tight.”
“You too, and I want a full debriefing tomorrow after work. I’m owed that for services rendered.”
“All right, but there won’t be much to tell. It’ll just be another day at the café, and my new cook will be busy cooking up delicious meals. Night, El.”
“Nightie-night.”
I shuffled with tired feet down the hallway. Finally, that long, hot shower I’d been waiting for.