Chapter 8 #2
I had to smile at the familiarity of it, even though just a short while ago his taking over had pissed me off. I supposed a hot kiss could make anyone’s mood sweeter.
The pop and crunch of gravel behind me slowed my gait.
A black BMW carefully navigated the potholes and broken pavement. The tinted window lowered. A man with silvered blond hair and a golf tan—and matching outfit—was behind the wheel. “Miss Ramos?”
“Who’s asking?”
“May we speak?”
I crossed my arms. “Whatever you’re selling, I’m not interested.”
“I’m here for a face-to-face meeting. Our lawyers have spoken, but I wanted to see if we could talk business owner to business owner. I’m Arthur Maitland.”
The construction noise seemed to get sucked into a vacuum for a moment before my heartbeat thundered in my ears.
I was still off balance from Jake and his kisses. From the heavy dose of reality about what it would mean to allow myself to love Jake.
My throat went tight.
For a split second, I wanted to listen to Arthur’s every word. I could walk away from all these problems. I could take the easy money and go back to the city and my safe life.
I wouldn’t have to face the feelings I had for Jake, or deal with my loud, invasive family. All the inconveniences of a small town where everyone was in your business.
The laundry list of pros was long.
I glanced at the porch where my brother stood. The two guys who had been helping to stack lumbar out of the way and tarp the half-done stairs were already getting in their trucks to leave.
The narrow-eyed glance I received as they drove by was as much of a wake-up call as skinny-dipping in the lake this time of year.
“I’m not interested in selling.”
Did that actually come out of my mouth?
I sucked in a breath. I was almost certain it had. My heart knew what to say even before my mouth.
Actually, I’d been holding down what my heart wanted for so long it was like being set free for the first time in too many years to count.
Danny holding me down.
My job as a marketing manager at the finance company—which I only had because it was smart to work for them. Because Danny and I had been the golden couple for a short while.
Now my ex-husband was an executive at the Manhattan branch, and it literally felt like being with him had been another life.
One I’d never really loved.
“You’ll be putting far more money into this establishment than it’s worth. I can take it off your hands. We can even discuss a little incentive.”
I lifted my chin. What Maitland wanted was the access to the lake. It was prime real estate on this side of the Cove. “Sharkey’s isn’t for sale. And neither is Crescent Cove, Mr. Maitland.”
He put his car into park.
“No. Don’t park. Don’t get out of your car. It’ll be a waste of time.”
He took off his sunglasses. “You’re making a mistake.”
I nodded. “Maybe. But this is a neighborhood spot for our firefighters and police. When I’m done with it, this will be a great community place for the Cove.”
“Are you sure the bank will feel the same way? It could be all that and more when I tear it down and put up a restaurant.”
No, I wasn’t sure. But I’d bet I could get a lot of amazing references in this town, thanks to my family and friends.
Sometimes, asking for help could be a good thing.
I tipped my head to the side and stared Maitland down. “That a firefighter who makes an average salary could afford?”
His jaw tightened.
I hadn’t even been aware that I’d been looking at Sharkey’s like that. But my creative marketing background that had been wasted on corporate brochures and bland campaigns finally clicked into gear.
Ideas started filling my head. Like expanding the parking lot into a large eating area that could bring families to this part of the lake once more. Becoming a place that would be more than just a bar.
So much flooded my brain. Things I never knew I wanted. A home and a place to raise a family had been right here all this time. I’d just been too stubborn to see it.
“Remember this moment in a year when your business fails, and you’re forced to sell to me for a fraction of what I’m offering you now.”
My mouth was as dry as dust, but I gave him a confident smile. “We’ll see, won’t we?”
Maitland’s charming smile dissolved as he rolled up his window and backed out of the parking lot. The rims of his stupidly expensive tires scraped over a pothole before he peeled out into the road.
“My sister, the badass.”
I whirled toward my brother’s voice. “Rude. Were you listening?”
He draped his arm over my shoulders. “Here I am complimenting you, and I get nothing but shit.”
I dug my knuckles into his ribs.
“Ow.”
“You’re hovering.”
“I had to make sure that dick wasn’t going to hassle you.”
“I had it under control.”
“Of course, you did. I was just here as backup. Just because I worry about you and want to make sure nothing happens to you doesn’t mean I don’t think you can handle yourself.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s the definition, actually.”
“It would have been if I’d interrupted and told him to shove his golf clubs up his ass and get off our property. But I let you handle it.”
I peered up at my brother. Somehow, the word our didn’t get my hackles up. “I guess you’re right.”
“No guessing. Facts. Being able to handle yourself doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.”
“I’ve had to do a lot of stuff on my own, Damien.”
“Only because you pushed us all away for your fancy husband.”
“That wasn’t why. I left because I needed to know I could stand on my own.”
“How’d that work out for you?”
For a moment, I rested my cheek on my brother’s shoulder. “I thought it was great. Until I inherited this stupid bar. Now I want to make it amazing.”
“And make babies with Jake Mills.”
I shoved my knuckles into my brother’s ribs again. “No.”
“Gina told me she caught you guys half-naked.”
I shoved his arm off me. “Gina needs to shut her mouth.”
“Mills is a good guy. I always thought you should have dated him in school instead of that punk Danny.”
“Yeah, I’m beginning to think so too.”
“I always knew you were smart, piccola. Sometimes, it just takes you awhile.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Come on. You can see what it’s like to not have help.”
“How much of a mess did they leave?”
“A Gina, Frankie, and Papa in the kitchen kind of mess.”
I groaned. “Great.”
He nudged my shoulder with his. “I’m really glad you’re back.”
“Who says I’m back?”
“You’re back.” He lifted me onto the porch.
I didn’t disabuse him of that notion. Instead, I held out a hand to help him up the extra-large stairs. He surprised me by taking my hand.
We headed back inside. My mother and Gina both had paintbrushes in their hands.
My sister hopped off the stepstool and held out a paintbrush. “Tell me you’re better at trim than I am?”
I took the brush. “I guess we’re going to find out.” I stopped in front of my mother. “Sorry, Mami.”
“Pride is a good thing. I taught all my children to have it. But when you start sounding like a spoiled brat, it’s my job to call you out. These people came here to help you.”
“I know. I just didn’t like Jake taking over.”
“He’s been spending all his spare time talking to your brother about the cheapest and best way to fix up the bar enough for you to get it open and money coming in. That boy loves you. He always has.”
I stared down at my feet. “We were kids.”
“I met your father when I was eighteen. Not so different.” She glanced over at my father working with Damien. “Some things you just know.”
I’d never doubted that my parents were anything other than perfect for one another. While plenty of my friends went through divorces and dealing with stepparents, my parents had grown together, accepting the people they had become with the passage of years. They had been meant for each other.
Maybe Jake and I were too. We’d just taken the long route.
I rubbed my chest. That was for later.
Right now, I had to focus on the goal ahead.
I picked up the little paint can and climbed up the small ladder to paint the trim around the doorway. My sister was right—she was terrible at it.
An hour passed, then another. Still, there wasn’t any word from Jake.
Anxiety buzzed in my stomach like a swarm of angry bees.
We heard reports about the fire on the local radio station, and I found myself checking the news apps on my phone.
My brother’s phone went off, followed by Gina’s and my mother’s.
My heart stopped when my mother turned off the radio and walked over to me. “Mami?”
She tucked one of my curls around my ear. “We should go to the hospital, mija.”
“Why?”
“Just get your things.”
“He’s okay, right?”
“I don’t know a lot of information. Your cousin is an EMT, and he saw Jake get taken away in an ambulance.”
My knees buckled, and my sister and my mother grabbed me. “I’m okay.” My voice was little more than a whisper. I swallowed a lump in my throat as my eyes burned. “Can you drive me?”
My mother curled her arm around my back. “Yes. We’ll all go.”
I gripped her hand. “Please tell me he’s going to be fine. Lie if you have to.”
Her smile was gentle, but deep lines of worry creased around her eyes. “He just got you back. Trust me, he’ll be just fine.”