Chapter Two
N ick stood on the beach watching his friend—who was in full flight mode—scramble across the beach like that perfect ass of hers was on fire.
Nick cursed under his breath, their conversation replaying in his head as he considered the dozen ways he could’ve better handled the painfully awkward situation.
He’d botched things with Em, and he wasn’t sure how to fix it. Em was upset and embarrassed, and he hated that he’d been the one to hurt her.
Nick’s first impulse was to go after Em and assure her this was no big deal and it wouldn’t affect their friendship. But that would be thoughtless, not to mention absolute bullshit.
If overthinking was a sport, his best friend would be an Olympic gold medalist. There was no way Emerie Roberts had admitted to having feelings for him without thinking through the consequences more times than she could count. Therefore, her confession was a big fucking deal. And they both knew it.
It had taken guts for Em to make that admission.
It would be disingenuous of him to pretend it hadn’t already changed the dynamic between them. But Em was his closest friend. They’d find a way to work through it. Because they’d always been honest with each other.
So why had he lied to Em, saying he’d never thought of them together?
Nick squeezed his eyes shut and tried to calmly think through the best way to handle this. He felt like shit for hurting Em and for lying to her for the first time in his memory.
Of course he was attracted to Em. There was something incredibly sexy about the woman, despite the fact that she went out of her way to not look sexy in a traditional sense.
Em lived in either shorts or a series of comfy leggings—all of them black or a bold print with a black background. She wore the things until they damn near disintegrated. The inner thighs were threadbare, and the fabric over the knees was thin. On a “special occasion,” like tonight, she’d wear a pair of jeans. A well-worn T-shirt and a pair of Converses completed her look. The majority of her fashion budget was spent on kicks. Em was a first-class sneaker head.
Still, anything Emerie wore clung to her toned, athletic body, highlighting each of its assets. Lean, strong arms and shoulders. Firm, perky breasts that weren’t especially small or particularly large. Just the perfect mouthful. Strong, toned thighs. A firm, curvy ass honed over two decades of track, tennis, and beach volleyball. And she was infinitely confident in her body regardless of what she was wearing.
When Nick moved back home, he’d quickly learned to employ a series of Jedi mind tricks to avoid thinking of Em in a sexual way. Because despite his physical attraction to her, there were too many variables at play.
What if she was less adventurous in bed than he was? What if one or both of them got bored with the relationship? What if they were simply better as friends? What would happen to their friendship then?
So despite the fact that he’d imagined taking his friend to bed more than he’d care to admit, gambling with their friendship would be too big a risk. One that could destroy the relationship that was most important to him.
Instead, Nick forced himself to look past the incredibly enticing wrapper and focus on the core of who Em was and all the reasons she was and would always be his best friend. As long as he didn’t fuck things up. And there was no quicker way to torpedo a perfectly good friendship than by trying to add love into the mix. He should know; he’d tried it twice.
He’d dated a friend in college, and it had ended badly. They made great friends but terrible lovers. There was the sexual incompatibility, the sudden clinginess, and the jealousy of his friends—male and female. When he suggested they go back to being friends, she’d been devastated, and he’d felt like a jerk. Needless to say, the friendship hadn’t survived.
Years later, he was the drummer for the house band at a club in LA. His friendship with the lead vocalist progressed into a romantic relationship, and he’d fallen hard for the woman who was ten years older. She got her dream gig with an emerging rock band and abruptly ended the relationship before moving to New York. Nick had been gutted. He’d honestly never known heartbreak like that.
He’d promised himself that he would never date another close friend. He was supposed to be older and wiser now. So he wouldn’t repeat the same mistake. He couldn’t afford to this time. His friendship with Em and their circle of friends—which included much of her family—meant the world to him.
They’d met when he was struggling with his parents being busy and away so much. He’d been grumpy and withdrawn. Sometimes, he’d acted out, getting in trouble in school. And he’d been determined not to enjoy the theater outing Dakota had taken him on. But then his surrogate big sister had introduced him to Emerie Roberts.
There had been something so sweet and compassionate about her—even as a little girl. He’d practically scowled at her when they’d been introduced. But while they were standing in the concession line, Em had given him the biggest smile and hugged him tight, taking him by surprise. Before he could pull out of the hug, she’d whispered that she’d be sad, too, if she ever had to leave all her friends and family behind.
There was something cathartic… almost enchanting… about that hug. He felt seen—his pain acknowledged in a way that wasn’t condescending. The suffocating anger and resentment he’d held on to for so long had slowly dissipated… like a deflated balloon. He could breathe again for the first time since they’d moved to the island.
When she’d finally released him from the hug, Em had said she was sorry he’d lost all his friends back home, but that she’d like to be his friend. Still stunned, he’d accepted her offer. They’d been best friends ever since.
Nick rubbed his forehead and sighed.
Em needed some time and space. He couldn’t bear the thought of her at the bar, crying in her beer while she chatted up some random tourist. But he definitely wasn’t the person she’d want to see right now.
“Hey, Nick. Have you seen, Em?” Kassandra Montgomery asked. The shy, sweet program director of Holly Grove Island’s aquarium and arboretum approached. Her singsong voice always made it sound like she was apologizing for one thing or another.
Kassie was Em’s closest female friend. The two women had known each other since middle school but became close while Nick was living in LA.
He’d once teased Kass about trying to steal his best friend, and the woman had actually apologized. Maybe humor wasn’t Kass’s strong suit, but she’d been a good friend to Em, and she was the perfect person for this situation. If he asked Sinclair or Dakota to check on Em, they’d ply him with forty questions about what he’d done to upset her.
“Em just headed inside the bar. She’s a bit… upset,” he said. “Would you mind going to check on her?”
“Oh no!” Kassie pushed her glasses up her nose. “I mean… yes, of course, I’ll check on Em. I’ll go look for her now.”
“Thank you.” Nick breathed a sigh of relief as he gazed toward Blaze of Glory. Several people were seated at the tables on the restaurant’s back deck or going in or out of the place. Em wasn’t among them.
“Wait… why can’t you check on Em?” Kass folded her arms. “What did you do?”
Nick groaned quietly and lowered his head. “I didn’t do anything… exactly . But I’m probably not the person she wants to see right now. Could you just do me a solid and check on Em?”
“Of course.” Kassie gave him a suspicious stare.
“Great. Could you text me and let me know that she’s okay? Please ?” Nick cleared his throat, realizing that his voice had taken on a pleading tone.
Kassie pulled out her phone and added a new contact before handing it to him. “Fine. Type your number in there. I’ll let you know when I’ve found her and if she’s okay. I won’t provide any details beyond that unless Em asks me to.”
Sweet little Kassie wasn’t a pushover after all. Good for her.
“Thanks, Kass. I appreciate this.” Nick typed his number and name into Kassie’s phone, then handed it back to her.
“I’m doing this for Em.” Kassie shoved her phone into her back pocket. “But you’re welcome.” She headed toward Blaze of Glory. “I’ll text you when I’ve found our girl.”
Nick shoved a hand through his short curls and sighed. He wanted to believe that one day soon what happened tonight would feel like the distant past, and they’d joke about it over a beer while watching a game.
But the growing uneasiness in the pit of his stomach indicated otherwise.
Em sat at a wobbly table in a dark corner of the bar and wolfed down a mound of fries drowned in cheese, bacon, pulled pork, and jalape?os. She grabbed the table just as a couple was leaving to join the bonfire. She’d hardly eaten tonight, and now she was making up for it.
“Emerie! Nick sent me in here to check on you. Are you all right?” Kassie stood over her table, her dark hair pulled back into a low ponytail.
“I thought you said you weren’t in the mood to go out tonight,” Em mumbled through a mouthful of fries.
“I thought about what you said.” Kassie shrugged, plopping onto the seat across from Em. “You’re right. I need to get out more and live a little. Even my parents went out tonight. They’re at that pricey New Year’s Eve party hosted by the resort. But you didn’t answer my question. What did Nick say to send you face-first into a tower of fries, and how badly do I need to hurt him?”
They both laughed. Sweet, mild-mannered Kassie Montgomery wouldn’t hurt a fly. But Emerie appreciated the support. Em’s laughter gave way to tears. She brushed them from her cheeks, which were stinging with the heat of embarrassment.
“Oh, sweetie.” Kassie placed a gentle hand on Em’s arm. “Seriously, hon, what’s wrong?”
“Not really in the mood to talk about it.” Em stuffed a few more fries in her mouth.
“Prefer to eat your feelings instead?” Kassie raised an eyebrow and stole a few fries from Em’s plate. “Hmm… feelings are delicious.”
Em’s mouth curved in a half smile at her friend’s attempt to cheer her up. She huffed, wiping her hands on a napkin. “I should just go home.”
“Before the countdown begins in”—Kassie looked down at her fitness wearable—“twenty minutes?” Kassie looked alarmed. “You look forward to the countdown every year.”
Em considered her friend’s words. She hadn’t missed a New Year’s Eve countdown on Holly Grove Island Beach since she was a kid. Was she really going to break her streak because she was behaving like a temperamental child who hadn’t gotten what she wanted?
“You’re right. I can’t leave before midnight.” Em sniffled, then forced a smile. “I’m being silly about this.”
God bless her sweet friend. Kassie didn’t ask what this was—even though the question burned behind her big, brown, soulful eyes.
“Can I get you two anything else?” Blaze, the owner of Blaze of Glory, asked as he loaded plates from another table onto a tray. The older man was handsome with his freckles and the head of coppery-red hair that had earned him the nickname Blaze.
“Two Long Island iced teas, please?” Em said before Kassie could say no thanks.
“Sure thing, Cupcake.” Blaze winked, then made his way through the crowd.
He’d been calling her that since she was about fourteen and had accidentally walked directly into him one day when he was in town on leave from the Marines. She’d been holding one of the most delicious cupcakes she’d ever eaten, and it got smashed all over his fatigues.
Blaze had been calling her Cupcake ever since. More so whenever they’d found themselves in competition. Like when they ended up on opposing teams at one town event or another.
“I need to text Nick.” Kass pulled her cell phone from her back pocket.
“Why?” Panic gripped Em’s chest.
“He’s the one who sent me looking for you.” Kassie typed out a message. “I’ll let him know you’re okay…” She glanced up from her phone. “Unless there’s something else you’d prefer that I say.”
“No. That’s good.” Why had it sent her into a panic thinking there might be something between her friend and Nick? He clearly didn’t have feelings for her. “I just didn’t realize that you and Nick had each other’s cell numbers.”
“Relax, bestie .” Kassie could barely hide her amusement. “Nick and I exchanged numbers just now so I could let him know you’re okay. Once I send the message, I’ll delete his number, if you’d like.”
“No. I don’t… I mean… why would I care?”
“Maybe because you’re clearly in love with the man,” Kassie said.
“Shh!” Em shushed one of her friends for the second time that night. “Can we please not broadcast it to the entire town?”
Gossip rolled through Holly Grove Island quicker than a forest fire could consume a stand of trees during a drought. Em preferred being a consumer of town gossip to being the subject of it. The last thing she needed was for Nick’s rejection to become the first headline of the new year.
“Here you go, Cupcake. Two Long Island iced teas.” Blaze set them on the table and waved Em off when she reached for her credit card. “This round is on the house.”
He tapped the table and gave her what she was pretty sure was a look of pity.
Emerie glared at her friend.
“Sorry.” Kassie sipped her Long Island iced tea. “But at least we scored free drinks.”
“Well, there is that.” Em sipped her drink, too. Blaze had been generous with the vodka, rum, gin, and tequila. So maybe the humiliation of him knowing she had a thing for her best friend was a fair trade-off.
“Is that what this is about? Did you finally tell Nick how you feel about him?”
“Seriously, did everyone in town know except for Nick?” Em asked.
Kassie shrugged and sipped more of her drink, then nibbled on a few fries.
“It’s a quarter till midnight, folks!” Blaze barked, tapping his watch. “Last call before we close the bar down until after the fireworks.”
Blaze could be a grumpy smart-ass, but he was good to his employees. Every year, he closed the bar down during the countdown and fireworks so his staff could enjoy the town traditions, too.
“C’mon. We don’t want to miss the fireworks.” Emerie stood, slipping her arm through Kassie’s when her friend stood, too. They made their way toward the bonfire. “We’ll talk about my disastrous night over brunch tomorrow.”
“Another chance to eat and drink our feelings?” Kassie teased. “I’m here for it.”
“Perfect.”
“Emerie! Kassie!” Em’s cousin Isabel—Garrett’s younger sister—hugged each of them excitedly. “The countdown is starting soon.”
“Then we should get out there before it begins.” Em widened her smile, hoping Izzy wouldn’t notice her red-rimmed eyes.
The three of them laughed and chatted, warming themselves around the bonfire. They joined everyone in counting down to the new year, then celebrated with hugs and a sip of their drinks.
Em’s gaze was drawn to where Dexter, Dakota, Rett, and Sinclair stood. The high school friends—one couple married with a young daughter, the other engaged—were among the many couples who greeted the new year by sharing a kiss. Both couples had gotten their well-deserved happy endings, and Em was thrilled for them.
So why did her joy for them evoke a deep, gnawing sadness for herself?
Maybe because she was heading into another new year with no prospect of finding the kind of bliss Dex and Rett had.
It wasn’t that she felt incomplete without a partner. But watching her friends and family find happiness in relationships and start families made Em realize she wanted that, too. And she wanted it with Nick.
Em glanced over to where her lifelong best friend stood. Nick stared in her direction, his eyes filled with concern. His mouth curved in a soft smile, and he mouthed the words “Happy New Year.”
“Happy New…” Before Em could finish the words, Miss Ohio stepped in front of Nick and kissed him as she presumably wished him a Happy New Year.
Em’s face was hot, and her heart ached. She shifted her gaze to where Sin and Rett stood together. Rett’s arms were wrapped around Sin’s waist from behind as he nuzzled her neck and Sin giggled, looking happier than Emerie had ever seen her.
Maybe taking Sin’s advice to talk to Nick had backfired. But her admonition to get it together and go for what she wanted was solid advice.
Em wanted love and meaningful companionship. A soulmate. Someone she could plan a life and start a family with. If Nick wasn’t her soulmate, she would find the man who was.
The perfect guy wouldn’t just land in her lap. She had to be proactive about finding him and about creating the life she wanted for herself.
Emerie stared at the raging bonfire and made a promise to herself. This time next year, she’d be standing here with the man she could see having a future with.
That was the objective. Now she needed a plan to make it happen.