The Southern Charmer (Blossom Branch #3)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Gabby Nolan seldom left her office for an official lunch break, but with the holidays in view—even at a distance—she couldn’t resist the pull of the local coffee shop just minutes away from her desk. The aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and gingerbread—plus beautiful decorations overhead and in the windows—made the small family-owned business a popular destination, even with its large corporate rival only two blocks away.

She loved this time of year. Despite the lack of snow, a December Monday in Atlanta was festive. With daytime temps in the low fifties and nights that seldom hit freezing, many people had already gone all out with colorful exterior lighting, attractive garland-wrapped columns, and everything else that went along with decking the halls.

The city was ablaze with symbols of love, peace, and joy.

Unfortunately, all of life’s problems still existed, even if momentarily obscured by warm, fuzzy feelings.

She ordered her usual black coffee with a shot of cream, waited for her steaming cup, and grabbed her favorite table in the back corner. The fat book in her leather tote was a new treat, compliments of the library. She’d been on the waiting list for it at least six weeks and was looking forward to cracking it open.

Her cozy spot was a comfortable distance from the drafty front door, and with her back to the wall, she had security. Like the hero in a cowboy movie.

Nothing could surprise her.

Until someone did.

“Gabby?”

The low voice was instantly familiar. The blood froze in her veins. Her entire body tensed. When she looked up from her book, her stomach pitched and tightened painfully.

“Jason?”

He nodded, his smile guarded as he ran one hand through his wind-rumpled blond hair. “May I join you?”

He looked older, less upbeat perhaps. There was absolutely no acceptable response to that query except a muttered, “Yes, of course.”

Jason Brightman removed his leather jacket, hung it on the back of his chair, laid his phone on the table, and took a sip of what appeared to be a caramel-laced hot herbal tea. “Thanks,” he said. “I’m glad to see you, Gabriella. It’s been a long time.”

They both knew how long. Eighteen months. Tomorrow would be exactly a year and a half since that infamous June 7. The day Jason had stood at the altar and changed his mind about marrying Gabby’s best friend, Cate Penland.

For the first time in their acquaintance, Gabby challenged him. “Why do you call me that?” she asked, the words barely concealing her confusion and impatience.

He lifted his chin, his blue-eyed gaze sharp. “It’s your name, isn’t it?”

She huffed, her finger tapping the page of the book. “On paper, yes. But you know very well everyone calls me Gabby.”

“That’s just it.” He sipped his drink, apparently finding it cool enough to swallow. “You’re the least gabby person I’ve ever met. You’re quiet and intense and watchful. Much more a Gabriella than a Gabby.”

“I prefer Gabby,” she said firmly, ignoring the way her heart skipped when she heard him say the longer version of her name.

He smiled at her. “I’ll try. But don’t shoot me if I slip up sometimes.”

This line of conversation was not going to end well. It was far too personal, for one thing. She didn’t want Jason peering into her soul. He had a gift for noticing details and seeing beauty in the unremarkable. That skill served him well in his photography. But she couldn’t have it focused on her. She wouldn’t.

After taking a slow breath, she exhaled. “How are things with you?” she asked. “Did you pick up the tea habit in London?” She knew he’d been there recently. Leah had mentioned it. Leah, who was her and Cate’s other best friend.

“No.” His expression turned moody as he drained half his cup. “After everything that happened last year, I developed a bad case of insomnia. The doctor took me off caffeine entirely. It’s been a bitch, to tell you the truth. But at least I’m sleeping at night.”

“Things are settled now, aren’t they? Couldn’t you ease back into the coffee habit? It’s the only thing that gets me through the day.”

“Settled? Why would you say that?”

She sputtered. “Well, you’ve gotten the life you wanted.”

He stared at her. Her comment had come out sharp and accusatory. Even she heard the note of heat. And regretted it. But she couldn’t take the words back, though a nicer person might want to unsay them.

Jason rubbed his forehead with the heel of his hand. In his posture she saw exhaustion and grief. She had resurrected those emotions. Regret tightened her throat.

Despite his turbulent mood, he was as handsome as ever. Tall, lanky, powerful. His sleekly muscled body had the build of either a baseball player or a football quarterback. In truth, he played both sports and played them well, in high school and in college. Jason had always been the consummate “great” guy. Men loved hanging out with him. Women flocked to him. Though to be fair, Jason hadn’t dated indiscriminately at the University of Georgia. That was where Gabby had first come to know him.

Though they both hailed from the small town of Blossom Branch, Georgia, their worlds never collided as kids. Jason’s family had been wealthy and privileged. Gabby’s had been...well...neither of those.

His pain made her feel petty and small. “I’m sorry,” she said stiffly. “I didn’t mean to sound so judgmental.”

He stared at her. “You’re angry with me.”

She grimaced. “I shouldn’t be. Cate is deliriously happy with Harry. And they’re married.”

“But I hurt her badly.” His gaze was opaque now, his feelings hidden.

“Yes, you did,” Gabby said. “You waited far too long to call off the wedding. It was a terrible day.”

His expression was bleak. “You think I don’t know that? I’ll have to live with those memories the rest of my life. I suppose I owe you an apology?”

She shifted restlessly in her chair, glancing at her watch. “Of course not. You didn’t do anything to me.”

“I’m sorry anyway. You love Cate.”

His attempt at understanding her feelings only made her feel worse about her personal guilt. After quickly stuffing the unread library book in her tote and slipping her arms into a lightweight hip-length jacket, she jumped to her feet. “I have to get back to work,” she said. Then—swallowing inwardly to prep the lie—she managed to look at him with a cool glance. “It was nice to see you.”

He stood as well. “Liar.”

The word held no heat, but her face got hot. “That’s mean and rude.”

“You didn’t even finish your coffee.”

She glanced at the table. He was right. Her cup was still two thirds full. The proprietors were big on saving the planet, so they offered heavy earthenware mugs to anyone who wanted to drink on-site. She’d barely touched hers. Jason’s cup was not empty either.

“Work,” she muttered.

He stared at her. His lips finally lifted in a semblance of a smile. “Cate told me a long time ago that you’d had four promotions in five years. I doubt you’re in any danger of a reprimand.” His gaze softened. “Sit back down. Please. It’s the season of forgiveness. Will you give me another chance?”

She gaped, startled by the oddly personal nature of his request. “Another chance to do what?”

He shrugged. “To be a decent human being. To reenter polite society. My friends abandoned me en masse when I did the unthinkable. No one wanted to be accused of taking my side against Cate.”

“Everyone loves her,” Gabby said.

“I know that. I love her, too, but I’m not in love with her. That’s what I realized months before the wedding, though I was afraid to call it off. The whole thing was a giant tsunami. Beyond my control. Her parents had spent a ridiculous amount of money. Over a thousand people had RSVP’d. I was a coward, Gabby. To be honest, I don’t know if I’ll ever get over what I did.”

She couldn’t think of a response.

He grimaced. “Sit down. Please.”

The look of vulnerability did her in. She had never seen Jason vulnerable. Guys like him always seemed impervious to the emotions that plagued lesser humans.

Against her better judgment, she sat.

Picking up her coffee mug occupied her hands and gave her a reason not to look into his eyes. She was afraid of what he might see in hers.

One minute ticked by. Then two.

Finally, Gabby sighed. “I know Cate forgave you a long time ago. There’s no reason for me to hold a grudge.”

“But it seems like you do,” he said quietly.

There was no way to express her feelings about the wedding that never happened, so she decided to lighten the mood. “When I was a kid,” she said, “one of my favorite books Mom read to me was all about goofing up. The reason I liked hearing it over and over was because Big Bird insisted everyone makes mistakes. I’m neither judge nor jury, Jason. I think you’ve probably punished yourself enough.”

He tapped his spoon on the table, his hand restless. “So will you forgive me?”

“I don’t think it’s necessary, but sure.”

“I appreciate that.” He sighed and leaned back in his chair, causing two of its legs to leave the ground. “Thank you, Gabby.”

It was incredible to her that he seemed genuinely moved by her words. It wasn’t her place to forgive him. Only Cate could do that. And she had.

Gabby was in a far different relationship with the unwilling groom. They were friends...barely. Their interactions with each other over the years had most always been in the presence of other friends, with one memorable exception. Her people appeared in the Venn diagram of his people. She and Jason moved along the same plane...in the same universe. But most of their lives were separate.

Because he was so clearly lonely, though, something inside her cracked and softened. She knew what it felt like to be on the outside looking in. Her smile this time was more genuine. “How have you been these last months?” she asked. “What have you done with yourself? I know you went on the Machu Picchu honeymoon because Cate said she didn’t want to bump into you here in Atlanta.”

He winced. “Yeah. She insisted.”

“And how was it?”

His smile was brilliant. “Peru is amazing. If I hadn’t been so low, I’m sure it would have been even better. But I took pictures like mad. Some of them turned out far more beautiful than I expected. I’ve sold several. And I’ve spent a good part of the last year and a half traveling the globe.”

“That’s awesome.”

“My parents are disgusted. They still want me to do the doctor or lawyer thing. Like their friends’ sons. They won’t let it go.”

“Parents can be difficult.”

“Yep.”

She glanced at her watch. “I really do have to get back to the office, Jason. But I’m glad we had a chance to clear the air. I wish you all the best.”

As he had been before, Jason was on his feet in seconds, his innate manners part of his upbringing. “Have dinner with me,” he said. “Soon.”

Her hesitation was visceral. “Why?”

The bald question didn’t faze him. He cocked his head, shoving his hands in his back pockets. “Why not?”

“Cate was the only thing you and I had in common. That connection is broken.”

He frowned. “We’ve been friends since I first met you at UGA. You were quiet and serious, but I always enjoyed talking to you.”

“Don’t do this. Please.” Inside, she was a bundle of nerves. Her own secrets threatened to choke her.

“Is having dinner with an old friend such a burden? It’s the holidays, Gabby. I would enjoy spending time with you. No agenda, I swear.”

She wanted so badly to say yes. The strength of that wanting gave her pause. “I work fifty-and sixty-hour weeks sometimes,” she said, the words flat. “You have a much more lenient schedule.”

He chuckled softly. “That sounded a lot like an insult. My mother would like you.”

“No insult. Just the facts.”

“Give me your phone. Unlock it.”

Like a sheep on her way to a bad outcome, she handed it over. Jason added his info in her contacts. Then he used her phone to text himself. “There,” he said. “I’ll keep in touch with you. When you have a free evening, let me know.”

All her evenings were free. Except for laundry and meal prep. But she wasn’t about to tell him that. “We’ll see.”

“Ouch,” he said. “You’re tough.” Then he studied her face more carefully. “But maybe you’ve had to be. Don’t you work with a lot of men?”

She nodded slowly. “When I started, only six percent of the staff was female. We’re up to ten percent now, but it’s still a good ole boy network for the most part.”

“Do you like your job?”

“Does it matter?” She laughed softly. “Poor deluded rich boy. That’s not a valid question. Most people in the world work to earn money to live. Food. Shelter. Wi-Fi. I have a solid job with good pay and good benefits. I need to support my mother. Grimes & Hancock makes all that possible. So, do I like my job? Depends on the day. But I don’t want to lose it, so I’ll say goodbye now. End of story. Take care, Jason.”

Before she could do more than suck in a startled breath, he leaned forward and hugged her briefly. “Goodbye, Gabby.”

The clean, masculine smell of him scrambled her brain. He was big and warm and impossible to dismiss.

She eased past him and fled.

Through the window, Jason watched as Gabby scooted across the street and hurried down the block. She was slender and tall, at least five-ten. Beneath that black winter trench coat, her ivory silk blouse and gray pencil skirt were professional and sexy at the same time. At the table, he had seen the way her top clung to her breasts.

He had forgotten that her eyes were gray. With her finely drawn features and the silky, raven-black hair that curved at her jawline, Gabby could have been a model. He had a hunch, though, that being subjected to personal scrutiny in the fashion world would have been a nightmare for her.

The prestigious accounting firm where she worked was just out of sight around the corner. It had an extensive history in Atlanta as well as an enviable client base. People like NFL stars, film legends, and even Elton John, who owned a posh condo nearby.

Jason wasn’t at all surprised that Grimes & Hancock recognized Gabby’s worth. She was more than smart. She was brilliant. He remembered being slightly intimidated by her in college. Though she wasn’t shy, her innate reserve and phenomenal intellect kept people at a distance.

Did she realize that? Most of what he knew about her had come via Cate. The two women, along with Leah Marks, were close friends.

When she was gone at last, he ordered another drink and sat down again at the small table. As he had done time and again in the past few months, he tapped the note function on his phone and pondered his next steps. Once upon a time, he and his ex-fiancée, Cate, had planned to establish a combination gift shop and art gallery here in Buckhead—a melding of their two skill sets. Now Cate had married Harry. She had also opened a cute gift shop in Blossom Branch a year ago.

From what Jason heard, Just Peachy took off immediately. Cate’s sister was working as manager. Both locals and tourists flocked there, drawn by the prime location on the town quad and the wide assortment of curated merchandise.

He was happy for Cate. And relieved. Despite the fact they had cautiously mended fences, he didn’t feel comfortable accepting the occasional polite invitations that came his way from the newlyweds. Harry Harrington was his distant cousin. Though Harry was a decade older, he and Jason had been the closest of friends for many years. Harry had mentored him in all sorts of ways, both business and personal. Their tenuous family connection was less important than the relationship they had built.

Now Jason had lost both of his best friends, at least in the way they had once related. Would the time ever come when things would be comfortable between the three of them? He hoped so, but he had his doubts.

As he eventually walked to his car, he thought about Gabby. In fact, he had never really stopped thinking about her since he saw her sitting and reading. The unexpected encounter had jolted him.

Even in a crowded public shop, there was a stillness about her—an air of peace and tranquility. God, he envied that. When he sat with her, he felt an almost physical pull. Surely his response was a combination of factors.

One thing was embarrassingly clear. He needed to get laid. He was in his late twenties, healthy and physically active. But the feel of a woman’s body had become a distant memory. In the last year and a half, he’d had opportunities for any number of one-night stands in countries around the world. He’d given in once. Early on. In Peru. To see if connecting sexually with another woman would take his mind off his and Cate’s dreadful wedding day.

It hadn’t worked. The momentary release left him feeling even more guilty than before. After that miserable night, he had consciously chosen to stay away from the female sex. Celibacy never killed anybody. Besides, military men down through the ages had faced months or sometimes years of involuntary abstinence.

Jason could do the same.

But today... Gabby... Damn, she was tempting.

He ran through his list of errands, battling the traffic across town. As he loaded up his car with various items for his in-progress remodel, he wondered if Gabby would ever call him. Likely not. So he had a decision to make. Leave her alone? Or see if the small thread of friendship between them could be strengthened?

He liked her. Always had. The idea of spending time with her was tantalizing.

His life had survived the disaster of his aborted wedding. Cate had forgiven him. Her world was rolling along in positive ways. Perhaps now it was time for Jason to get serious about reinventing his future. Perhaps that new day could include Gabby Nolan. Probably not, but perhaps.

Time would tell...

Gabby was familiar with regret. She’d experienced dozens of missed opportunities over the years. And tasted at least as many bitter regrets in the aftermath.

Why had she treated Jason with such indifference?

The whole time he sat across the small table from her in the coffee shop, she had felt her heart knocking against her ribs. Turns out, her old crush on him was dormant, not dead. Seeing Jason in the flesh had thawed all those inappropriate feelings and fantasies.

Was she scared? Did she even know what she wanted? Jason had made a simple overture. Nothing alarming or out of line. He had invited her to dinner.

But Gabby had panicked. A year and a half ago, this man had been on the verge of marrying her best friend. And to be clear, Cate was a literal beauty queen. Multiple crowns, to be exact. Classically enchanting looks. Stunning, really. A strong woman with a beautiful heart and a warm personality.

Gabby was none of that. She was guarded. Didn’t trust easily. Kept to herself at work. No one would ever describe her as charming.

She’d tried socializing over the years but wasn’t a fan of strange men groping her boobs on a first date. She lived a simple lifestyle. Though her salary was increasingly generous, she didn’t come close to the financial resources of Jason Brightman.

They had nothing in common.

Even as she told herself that, she realized it wasn’t exactly fair or true. Jason had suffered. He had been the butt of gossip. Perhaps even scorn. He’d become a pariah, at least temporarily.

Now he had reached out to an old friend. An old acquaintance, at the very least. Didn’t she owe it to him to offer kindness? It was the holiday season. A time when the Scrooges of the world were supposed to find love in their hearts.

She didn’t want to love Jason.

But maybe she could be nice to him.

Maybe...

The hours passed slowly after Gabby’s impromptu coffee date with Jason. Work was heavy. Not as bad as tax season, but still laden with end-of-the-year chores. Tuesday and Wednesday came and went. Every night at home, she pulled up Jason’s contact info and wondered if she had the guts to call him.

At the end of the day Thursday, she shut down her computer and stretched her arms toward the ceiling. Her usual chosen mode of exercise was to jog around the neighborhood after work. Running made her feel strong and free. But now that it was December, dark fell early. Gabby wasn’t a fan of being out alone at night. Her apartment was in a nice location, but bad things happened everywhere.

Maybe she should join a gym for the winter. It seemed like an extravagant use of her hard-earned money. Still, she needed the exercise. Without it, she was wound too tightly. Her body and her mind needed endorphins to stay on an even keel.

Because she had come into the office extra early that morning, she planned to leave at five on the dot. Not that her boss would care. He knew how hard she worked.

There was only one ladies’ restroom on this floor. Down the hall and around the corner. Gabby made her way there and back in fifteen minutes. Looking in the mirror had been a mistake. The dark circles under her eyes were the result of sleepless nights. She’d spent far too much time thinking about Jason.

When she came in sight of her office, her steps faltered. A tall, familiar man stood in her doorway with one hip propped against the frame.

It was as if her imaginings had conjured him up out of thin air.

“Jason? What are you doing here?”