Chapter 32
SHELBY
Shelby hadn’t anticipated that Lacy would be this into Pete. It was a good thing for Voyager, but why did she feel every muscle in her body seize each time Lacy squeezed Pete’s arm, kissed his cheek, or batted her fake eyelashes at him?
There was only one way to stomach this dinner—the content.
You’re here for the content.
Just the content.
She tried to make that her mantra as she forced a smile while Lacy yanked Pete from his seat to go dance during a break between courses.
The setting was picture-perfect; at least that was a win.
The dance floor was backlit by a thousand twinkling stars, the rising harvest moon, and strings of lights.
She used the chance to huddle with Jim. Should she ask him to swap places? Would that be too obvious?
Yes.
You’re a professional, Shelby.
Act like it.
“Hey, Jim, can I steal you for a minute?” she asked, heading for the other side of the table where servers cleared plates to make room for the next course. She wasn’t even sure what she wanted from him. She just needed to talk to him.
“Of course. Excuse me for a moment,” Jim said to Miranda, kissing her palm and pushing back his chair. He and Shelby moved away from the tables and dance floor toward an old tractor that had been decked out with twinkle lights and flowers for the night.
“How’s it going so far?” Shelby asked, feeling oddly emotional. She found herself trying to hold in tears. A cool, salt-tinged breeze had kicked in as Elise and Pete had promised. She wrapped her arms around herself tightly and shivered.
What was wrong with her tonight?
“Good.” Jim beamed, his eyes briefly traveling to Miranda. “It’s lovely. Did you see the post?”
She blinked hard and nodded. “Yeah, it was good.”
Jim’s face changed. He paused and pressed his hands together, staring at her gently as if he could read her mind. “Shelby, are you okay?”
Her bottom lip started to quiver. Hot tears spilled down her cheeks. She sniffled and bit her lip, trying to hold it in.
“Shelby, what is it?” Jim sounded genuinely concerned and so fatherly. His tenderness made her break even more.
She couldn’t contain her sobs or manage to get a single word out. Not here. Not with Jim. For all she knew, he was out for the promotion, too. But at this moment, apparently, that didn’t matter, because the tears came fast and furious. Hot. Stinging her cheeks and burning her eyes.
Crap.
No.
Not now.
“Is it the post?” Jim asked, reaching an arm out to console her. “I can take it down.”
She laughed in spite of herself, which made her snort.
“No. It’s not the post.” She brushed her eyes with the back of her hand, feeling silly.
She never broke down like this. It was completely unprofessional.
And he was likely her competition. But there was something about his soft aura that made her feel like maybe she could trust him.
The sadness and shame tore at her chest and settled in deep like it was going to crush her for good.
“I’m here for you.” Jim’s kind eyes crinkled as he studied her. “You also look like you could use a hug. Would you like a hug?”
His kindness broke the dam. More tears rushed out.
Her shoulders heaved as she ugly cried, nodding.
Jim wrapped her in his arms, letting Shelby cry, and not asking for an explanation.
She wasn’t sure how long she stayed there, but when she finally felt a bit more in control, she pulled away and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “I’m sorry about that.”
“Nothing to be sorry for.” Jim shook his head. “I’m honored you trusted me with your tears.”
Again, his sweetness made her wobbly.
Why was this getting to her?
It couldn’t be Pete, could it?
“Is there anything you want to talk about?” Jim asked softly. “I’m always here to listen.”
Shelby gulped, trying to put words to the churn of emotions rumbling inside her like a runaway freight train that was about to crash.
It felt like it had come out of nowhere, and yet she also knew she’d been teetering on the ledge for a while.
It was bound to happen eventually. She just wished it didn’t have to be now.
“You’re being so nice to me, and I know I’ve been super uptight lately. I’m sorry.”
“Shelby, you don’t need to apologize.” Jim shook his head and pressed his lips together like he didn’t want her to even consider it. “I have a thick skin. I’ve been in this business long enough to know that if you’re not gentle and careful with yourself, it can break you.”
She nodded. But that wasn’t it. This was so much bigger than work.
“Do you want to call it a night?” Jim asked, glancing toward the stage, where the chef was introducing the next course. “I can handle it. Our food pic is already getting tons of engagement, as I expected it would.”
“Yeah, good job on that,” Shelby said, glad to be talking about work again. “That was genius and on brand for Miranda.”
“I know I’m a dinosaur, but I’ve still got a few more roars left in me.
” Jim turned his fingers into claws as he winked.
“I’m serious, though, I can take over for the remainder of the evening.
Pete and Lacy seem to be hitting it off.
I don’t think it will be a challenge to get a few snippets of them dancing or enjoying dessert together. ”
She hated that he was confirming her suspicions about Pete and Lacy.
“No, it’s okay. I’m a professional. I can finish the dinner.
I don’t know what came over me. It’s been a lot lately, and maybe it’s being here in Half Moon Bay where everyone seems to really care about each other.
There’s such a sense of connection, and then watching Miranda and Pete’s relationship.
I don’t know, I guess it’s just brought up some family stuff for me…
” She trailed off. “I’ve been dealing with some personal issues, and I’ve tried to separate work and my family life.
I thought I had been doing a decent job until tonight, and then suddenly it all bubbled over.
I’m really sorry for dumping this on you. ”
Jim squeezed her arm again. “Please don’t apologize for being human, Shelby. I understand if you don’t want to talk about it now, but I do want you to know that I’m always here to lend a listening ear. Anytime, day or night.”
Her lips quivered.
No.
Don’t do it.
No more tears tonight.
“I appreciate it. I really do, but we should get back to the table,” she said, wiping her eyes and squaring her shoulders. “It looks like they’re getting ready to serve the main course, and I don’t want you to miss it.”
Jim firmed his lips together like he was trying to decide if he wanted to say more, but instead, he patted her shoulder and led her back to the table. “If you change your mind, text me, okay. We need a secret sign or emoji. Just give me the signal, and I’ve got you covered.”
Shelby laughed. “Right. I’ll think of something subtle, like the sobbing emoji. Nothing screams ‘emotional wreck over here’ like that.”
When they got back to her seat, Pete and Lacy were still dancing. She took a minute to compose herself. Her eyes were red and puffy. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, and her hair was messy.
Perfect.
You really are a wreck, Shelby.
She did her best to cover the streaks by dabbing her cheeks with powder and reapplying her lip gloss. There wasn’t much she could do about the red and puffy eyes, but she doubted Pete would notice anyway. He had been caught up in Lacy’s orbit and only had eyes for her.