Chapter 5
Key West, Florida
Charli peeked to her left as they walked down the sidewalk, and mentally sighed.
Jack was masculine perfection—all long lines, broad shoulders, muscles, and dark hair that made her want to run her fingers through it.
..sigh. Her conscience twinged a bit from Art’s less-than-subtle arm-twisting that Jack give her a tour of the island.
“Jack, we can do this some other time if you’re busy,” she offered, hoping he’d say no. There was something soothing and magnetic about this man that drew her in, and she wanted to spend more time with him.
He shot her a quick side glance and gave her his easy dimpled grin that she was beginning to think was his trademark look. “I’m not busy today and I’d love to show you around the island. I can imagine that the area is a bit different than the last time you were here.”
Charli released a deep, relieved breath and smiled back at him.
As they approached a busy cross-walk, he pressed the crossing button and they waited quietly for the light to turn.
A chill shot through her when the pedestrian light lit up and Jack placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her across the intersection.
The warmth of his hand seeped through her sundress and her body tingled.
They made a left on Duval Street and he asked, “Is there anything in particular you’d like to see?”
Charli pursed her lips in thought for a moment. “You know, the last time I was here, I was underage. So, I could certainly use a drink, and I’d really love to try out a bar.” She paused for a moment. “A good one that the locals go to,” she clarified.
Jack chuckled. “I know just the place.” He motioned to his left. “Come on. We’re gonna take a left here.”
There was a slight jam on the corner as a large group of people waited for the light to cross the street and Charli leaned back as someone stepped in front of her. Her breath froze in her throat as Jack’s hand closed over hers and pulled her to the side. She glanced up and met his smiling gaze.
“Careful,” he admonished with a gleam in his eye. “You’ll have to learn how to hold your own with the tourist traffic around here.”
A shy grin tugged at her lips as she followed him through the crowd. She breathed a sigh of relief when the sidewalk opened up. “Is it always this crazy around here?”
“Usually only when a cruise ship docks or anytime during Fantasy Fest.”
“Fantasy Fest?” Charli asked. “What is that?”
Jack laughed. “It’s a crazy free-for-all in October that everyone should experience at least once in their life. Think of it as Mardi Gras with fewer inhibitions. After that experience, you’ll probably never want to be around it again.”
“Huh,” Charli grunted as she took in the surroundings. Art had been right—a lot had changed since she’d last been here. She looked down at their still-clasped hands and the corner of her lips twitched up. Jack hadn’t released her hand and it surprised her that she didn’t want him to.
As they approached the intersection at Whitehead Street, Jack led her under the eaves and through the doorway of a disreputable-looking building on the corner.
He grinned at her over his shoulder as he led her into the bar.
“This is the oldest bar on the island and it’s where you’ll find the locals hanging out. ”
Charli stared up at the colorful sign on the wall inside the entry for a moment, her head tilted. “The Spent Pickle?” she asked, her nose crinkling.
Jack chuckled. “Just trust me. You’ll be a regular in no time.
” He dropped her hand and stepped to the side so she could make her way to the bar, pressing his hand to her lower back again as he guided her to a stool.
She shivered—his hands on her sent pulses of energy through her body.
She took a deep, steadying breath as he settled onto the stool next to her.
“Jack!” the bartender bellowed. “It’s been a while, buddy.” He walked over and shook Jack’s hand.
“How’re you doing, Steve?” Jack replied. He motioned to his side. “This is Charli, Dottie’s niece. She’s new to the island.”
The old bartender’s face lit up. “Yeah, I’ve heard all the latest gossip. I’m Steve Zimber. I own this place,” he said as he shot his hand toward Charli. “I’m sorry about your aunt. She was a great lady and talked about you every chance she got. You’re from up north, right?”
Charli smiled and clasped his hand. “Boston,” she answered, then gestured around them. “This is quite a place you have here.”
Steve puffed his chest up and grinned, showing off a thousand-watt smile. “Best bar on the island,” he bragged. “What can I get you?”
“Well, based on the name of the bar, I’m guessing you make a killer Bloody Mary.” At Steve’s enthusiastic nod, she continued, “Well, that sounds a little too spicy for me right now. What else do you recommend?” Charli asked.
Jack leaned toward her. “Steve’s mojitos are legendary if you want something light.”
“Oh, that sounds good!” Charli looked to Steve. “I’ll have one of those, please.”
“Sure thing.” Steve gave her a firm nod and turned to Jack. “How about you? The usual?”
“Yep,” Jack said with a grin. Steve grunted and moved across the bar to get the order ready.
Charli gave him a questioning glance. “What’s your usual?”
“Tequila on the rocks with a twist of lime.” Jack turned a bit toward her. “They have a house tequila that’s famous on the island.”
“I’ll remember that,” Charli said with a grin. She set her phone and wristlet on the bar in front of her and put her hand on his arm. “Mmmmm...I really need to use the bathroom. Would you keep an eye on these for me?”
“Sure,” Jack answered, staring absently at her hand on his arm.
“Thanks!” She gave his arm a light squeeze. “If it rings, will you answer for me?”
Jack’s eyes shot to hers with a wary expression. “Okaaaay.”
Charli released a throaty laugh. “Don’t look so worried, Jack. No one will be calling me.”
Jack grunted and grabbed the drink that Steve had just delivered.
Charli hurried to the restroom. As she washed her hands, she studied herself closely in the mirror, noticing that the dark circles under her eyes that had been her constant companion for over three years, had practically disappeared overnight.
Funny what a full night’s sleep and a relative lack of stress could do for you.
As she was drying her hands, she heard her phone go off—the ring tone was very distinct and Charli immediately knew who was calling her.
She rushed out the door but knew she wouldn’t make it before it went to voicemail.
“Jack, would you answer that? I don’t want to miss her call,” she shouted from across the bar.
With that trademark carefree grin, Jack picked up the phone. “This is Charli’s phone. How can I help you?” He was quiet as he listened on the other end—his dimples deepened and his grin grew into a full, breathtaking smile that made Charli’s heart pound.
“Well, hi there, Annette. I’m Jack. What can I do for you?”
Charli rolled her eyes when Jack laughed at the reaction. She could only imagine her assistant’s response when Jack’s voice had come through the speaker.
“Really? Well, that’s good information. I’ll keep that in mind, so thanks for the tip.” Jack’s eyes danced. “Speaking of Charli, she’s back from the bathroom now and eyeing me pretty hard, so I’ll hand the phone over to her. It was nice talking to you, Annette.”
Charli plucked the phone from his hands. “Hey, Annette.”
“Oh! My! Gawwwwwd!” Annette’s immediate words made Charli snicker. “Who was that?”
“That was Jack. He’s my new partner in Key West. Long story short, we inherited my aunt’s old resort together and have to renovate it,” Charli replied lightly, knowing it would be information overload.
Annette gasped. “You’re shitting me. Wow...wow, that’s incredible, Charli! This really changes things for you.”
Charli scrunched her nose. “How would it change things?”
“Well, the firm just handed you a massive shit sandwich and then you fly down there and inherit an estate. It sounds to me like you can tell the firm’s board to jump off a cliff now,” Annette remarked, a decided edge to her voice.
Charli’s lips twisted to the side. “You know, I hadn’t thought about it like that. Everything is still a little fresh. But the fact is that I still have to make a living. I’ll be down here for a while, but my job and life is in Boston.”
Annette scoffed. “You mean it was...as in, the past tense. Your job and your life could be in Key West now...permanently.”
Charli sighed. “Annette, please. I can’t think about that right now.”
“Okay, okay. Just tell me that mister hottypants is even sexier than his voice.”
Charli glanced up and nearly choked when she met Jack’s curious, dark gaze. A hot blush moved up her chest and into her cheeks. “Totally is.”
“I knew it!” Annette crowed, and Charli could imagine her fist pumping the air victoriously.
Charli cleared her throat. “As much as I love to hear from you, was there something you needed?”
“Oh, yeah,” Annette answered, absently. “In all the excitement, I almost forgot to tell you.” She paused for a moment. “So, you know that two-week Caribbean cruise my sister and I have wanted to take for years?” Annette continued, her voice impish.
“Yeah.”
“Well, we board tomorrow!” Annette squealed and Charli could hear her clapping her hands on the other end. “And guess what?”
“It’s full of hot, eligible men who are dying to meet you and let you take advantage of them?” Charli answered, knowing exactly where Annette’s priorities were.
“Well, there will be that,” she answered confidently. “But that’s not the best part.” Annette was quiet for a moment. “One of our stops next week is Key West.” She enunciated the last two words as if she were dropping a bomb.