Chapter 12
Jake
The shrill beep of the alarm yanks me from sleep, and I slap it into snooze mode with more force than necessary. It’s just another Monday—except it isn’t. It’s the kind that comes after a weekend that still has my thoughts spinning.
My eyes snap open, and I’m staring at the ceiling fan making lazy circles above me. It’s too damn early, and my head is too full of her— Kelly .
“I still can’t believe it.” I roll onto my side, an image of me fucking her against that tree in the garden flashing in my mind. I was so caught up I didn’t even use protection. And I always use protection these days. I learned my lesson years ago, but God, Kelly just does something to me. Makes me forget everything that isn't her.
But the worst part is, I can’t even dwell on that. All I can think about is the silk of her hair in my hands, the way she looked with her dress around her waist, her breasts peaked and wanting. The feel of her around me.
I’m getting hard all over again.
God, she’s so damn beautiful. Even more beautiful than when we were dating. More beautiful than any woman I’ve ever been with. She’s this storm of quirky and sweet and stubborn, and once upon a time she was actually mine.
I push myself up, letting my feet hit the cool hardwood floor, and rest my elbows on my knees. For a brief, indulgent moment, I let myself imagine a life where I could go after what I wanted without being tied down by responsibilities. A life where I could call her and ask her out on a date without thinking twice.
What I wouldn’t give for one night… one night of no responsibilities, one night with Kelly, back before everything turned to shit. But I don’t live in a fantasy world and I never will.
Still, there’s no denying it. Seeing her again lit something in me I thought I’d buried. I can’t dive in like I would’ve all those years ago, showing up with that cocky grin, hoping we’d get back together. Not after everything.
If I’m going to win her back, it’s going to take time—a hell of a lot of time and patience. I’ve got to go slow, give her reasons to trust me again, show her that I’ve changed.
“Get your head on straight, Tanner.” I scratch at the stubble shadowing my jaw. This day isn’t going to wait for me to sort through the mess of my thoughts. But deep down, one thing is crystal clear: I’ll do whatever it takes to make her believe in me again.
I stand, muscles protesting the early hour, and tug on the same jeans I left crumpled on the floor last night. There’s work to be done, a child to rouse and cajole to school. Splashing water on my face, I shave quickly before showering and getting dressed.
“Up and at ‘em, Adele,” I call out, opening her bedroom door and crossing to the window, where I open the curtains. The morning light illuminates the chaos of teenage life—posters of bands I can’t name, clothes strewn all over the floor, and Tiger curled up at the foot of her bed.
“Five more minutes,” she mumbles, pulling the covers over her head.
“School waits for no man—or teenage girl,” I say, though my voice lacks any real conviction. I’d sell my soul for five more minutes myself.
She emerges, brown hair a mess, eyes sleepy but glaring, looking so much like her younger self it’s a fist around my heart. “Fine.”
I give her space as she takes a long shower and then even longer applying cream and the small amount of make-up we allow her. I hear the hair dryer and then the sound of her walking to her room. The cupboard door opens and then slams closed, before she finally comes downstairs, taking a seat opposite me at the table where I’m already drinking coffee and eating toast.
“Breakfast?” I offer, knowing the answer before she even shrugs it off.
“I’ll grab something at school later,” she says.
“Well, I packed your lunch. It’s on the bench. A PB&J and those yogurt pouches you like, plus some crisps and fruit.”
“I hate PB&J. Peanut butter is so fattening.” She glances down at her phone, her lashes a little spiky under the mascara, and it’s all I can do not to push, not to smother. Instead, I take a deep breath, which Jenny and I agreed we’d do when she refused to take her packed lunch. We’re picking our battles right now, and I slide her a ten-dollar note so she can pick something up from the school cafeteria.
I sip my coffee, her eyes still glued to her phone, the screen casting a bluish glow over her face. “So, I was thinking about your birthday party.”
She glances up, her expression wary, bracing for another lecture. I smile, hoping to reassure her.
“I wanted to check in with you on the plans. You know, make sure I’m not doing anything too embarrassing.”
Adele’s face softens, the slightest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “No, it all sounds good so far. You’ll keep out of our way? I’m only inviting the girls.”
I raise my hands in surrender. “No hovering. I swear. I’ll keep myself and everyone over fourteen out of the way. You guys can take over the living room.”
Her eyes are brighter now. “Good. Chloe’s bringing stuff for manicures and makeovers, and Poppy and I are making playlists. Maybe we can get one of those lights for selfies?”
“Sounds as though you’ve got it all figured out.” I’m relieved to see her actually excited about something. “I’ll get that light for you, the one you keep sending me links to.”
Her smile widens, a real one this time. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. I want it to be everything you want.”
Adele lets her guard down for just a moment. “Thanks, Dad. I mean, it’s just one day, but I don’t know, it’s nice to look forward to something that’s not all messed up.”
“I get that. So, just tell me what else you need, and I’ll make it happen. And don’t worry—I’ll stay out of the way, but if you need anything, I’ll be there.”
She fiddles with the edge of her sleeve, a rare softness in her voice. “It’s gonna be great. I can’t wait.”
For a second, she’s my little girl again, the same one who used to light up at the thought of birthday parties and sleepovers. It’s a brief moment, but I’ll take it.
Soon we’re in my truck driving to school, and I stop out front, the engine still idling. “Have a good day, kiddo.”
She slides out, backpack slung over one shoulder, jacket zipped closed, guarded against the world again. “You too, Dad.”
And just like that, she’s gone, swallowed up by the rush of students. I sit there for a moment, that invisible thread stretching between us, wondering if it’s strong enough to keep her tethered to me.
Shaking off the thought, I head to work, pushing the truck past the familiar sights of Harbor’s Edge, where every turn holds a memory, some sweet, others bitter enough to still taste at the back of my throat. I park in my usual spot and shiver when I step outside, the wind bracing. Winter’s on its way and it’s going to be a cold one.
“Morning,” I say to the crew as I walk into the office.
Joan looks up from her desk, then shuffles through the notes in front of her before passing me one. “Morning, boss. You missed a call from the mayor.”
“Damn.” The weight of what that could mean settles on my shoulders. We both know what that call represents—a real chance to take the business to the next level. “Thanks, Joan. I’ll call her back and let you know what she says.”
“Good luck.”
Dropping into the chair behind my desk, the leather groaning under the sudden weight, I snatch up the phone. My fingers stab the buttons, punching in the number Joan scrawled on the yellow post-it that’s now sticking to the corner of my monitor.
“This is Jake Tanner from Tanner Construction returning a call,” I say, trying to sound more business-like and polished than I really am, even though the mayor has known me for years.
“I’ll put you straight through.”
A moment later, I hear Mayor Elaine Roberts’ voice.
“Jake! Good morning. Thanks for getting back to me so fast. Look, I won’t beat around the bush. I’m happy to inform you that Tanner Construction has been awarded the contract for the Founder’s Day Festival installations.”
The words are a shot of top-shelf bourbon—heating me from the inside out. I lean back, allowing a grin to spread across my face. “That’s fantastic news, Mayor. Thank you.”
It’s a major win—not just for the company, but for me personally. A chance to show the whole town what we’re capable of.
“Your proposal was thorough, price competitive, and your commitment to the town is always appreciated. We believe you’re the best fit for the project.”
“I appreciate the faith. We won’t let you down.” I’m already picturing the crew’s faces when I tell them we’ve got such high-profile work lined up.
“Is there any chance you can get into the office for a kick-off meeting at eleven? I want you to meet our new event planner and sign the contracts.”
“Sounds good. Thank you, Mayor.”
“You’ll love the new event planner. She’s a firecracker. Full of energy with a real focus on sustainability. Kelly Charleston.”
The room spins a little, and suddenly it’s hard to swallow. I close my eyes, the memory of her voice echoing back, soft and breathy, the way she fit so perfectly against me.
“Kelly, huh?”
“You know her? Makes sense. Everyone knows everyone around here—she used to live here with her family. She’s got a lot of fresh ideas, and I’m confident the two of you will make this year’s festival one to remember.”
“Right. One for the books.”
“Great. So we’ll see you at eleven?” The mayor sounds chipper, unaware she’s effectively dropped a grenade in my lap, and skipped off.
“Looking forward to it.”
The phone clicks as she hangs up, a hot coal in my hand as I stare at it. My head’s reeling from the double-whammy— winning the contract is incredible. But Kelly and me being forced to work together after that night at the wedding?
“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath, slamming the phone down on my desk.
I push back my chair and stand, pacing the small confines of my office, the taste of worry sharp in my mouth. Everything’s changed since the last time we were together, since the last time I really knew her. And after she ran out on me after that drunken hook up, there’s no way this can go smoothly. Not a chance.
There’s so much I want to say, to make her see I never stopped caring, never stopped loving her. I wanted a chance to fix this with time and patience. But there’s no going slow this way. No chance to show her how I’ve changed.
Being thrown together? It’s asking for trouble.
I shake my head. We have to make this work, professionally at least. For my crew, for my daughter, for the growth and reputation of a company I’ve fought tooth and nail for.
I sink back on my chair, elbows on the desk, thoughts racing. But then, a flicker of something else sparks deep in my belly. A perverse excitement at the thought of seeing her again so soon, of being close enough to breathe in her scent, see those dark eyes flash with fire.
If fate’s throwing me this chance to be close to her, I’ll take it, even if it’s not exactly what I had planned. She’s the only one I’ve ever felt this way about, and that hasn’t changed. Not in all these years
Part of me, that reckless, zero fucks given part, the part I haven’t seen in more than thirteen years, actually can’t help but look forward to the idea of working side-by-side with her.
I need to tell Joan and the rest of the crew we won, then I’ll have to get ready for that meeting. With the hurricane that is Kelly Charleston.
Kelly’s always been a force, the sea just before a storm, calm one second, surging with life the next. It’s no wonder she got under my skin—she’s exactly the kind of beautiful chaos that can wreck a man. And somehow, I still crave it.
I push back my chair and stand, smoothing down my shirt, catching my reflection in the window before heading out. She probably won’t even notice, but I need to look as though I have my act together, like I’m the man she once thought I could be.
Time to face the music. Or in this case, the storm.