Chapter Eleven JACKIE
Chapter Eleven
JACKIE
Leaning on my elbows at the narrow service window, I scan the menus taped onto the bubble-gum pink boards.
“I feel adventurous today,” I tell the freckled teenager behind the counter. “Let’s test the Maine Moose Tracks.”
Katie, as her name tag says, gives me an indulgent smile. I wonder how many terrible jokes she’s had to endure from the adults stopping by.
“Take a seat, I’ll be right out with it.”
The terrace of the Harbor Goose ice cream stand is barely more than a porch, with mismatched chairs and benches, surrounded by a mint-colored fence with hot pink trims. It matches the shop that you can’t possibly miss while walking down to the harbor through downtown.
If the color combo doesn’t lift your mood, because you’re dead inside and need to reassess your life, the flowers that spill from their baskets over the edges of the porch posts, reds and purples and yellows, would soften anyone into a smile.
It’s postcard perfect. I had to stop and send Blanca and Lilly a picture before deciding that I actually do deserve an ice cream instead of lunch.
The storm that cut off the power at the house last night has moved on, leaving behind a clear blue sky. I still don’t know what rattled me more. The cracks of thunder that jolted me awake, or the tenderness in Adam’s voice when I shrieked.
He still looks rough around the edges. Not as bad as the night he convinced me it was best if I left New York for a while, but enough to worry me.
I hope he’s not sick.
The thought makes me falter mid-step.
The striped yellow-and-white awning on the side casts the perfect shade over a small green table, and I take a seat, waving at the guard posted across the narrow street by the weathered blue side of the marine-themed B&B.
I throw a thumb over my shoulder, silently offering a cone, but he shakes his head and sadly pats his stomach.
His loss.
When Katie sets the tall glass in front of me, with pale vanilla veined with ribbons of fudge, and peanut butter cups buried just beneath the surface, my mouth waters instantly.
“Oh, look, there she is!”
The voice stops the final scoop of ice cream halfway to my lips.
Coming up the steep road that spills into the marina is the last person I ever expected to set foot in Silver Lake Falls.
Ivory fitted silk dress, heels clicking on the uneven pavement, and oversized sunglasses.
Blanca looks like she took a wrong turn out of Manhattan, clashing hard with the sunny, unpretentious background.
It takes me a moment to notice Will, a few steps behind her, smiling broadly, dressed more appropriately in linen pants and a shirt.
My chair scrapes loudly as I jump to my feet. “What are you doing here?”
“Your mom told me where you’ve been hiding. We got here this morning,” Blanca says breezily. “I was about to call when you sent the picture. Recognized the ghastly shop immediately.”
Will leans in, brushing a kiss against my cheek, his smile warm but careful. “I hope you’re pleased to see us.”
“I—” I glance between them, the tangled ache behind my sternum unraveling.
I hug Blanca fiercely first. When Will wraps his arms around me, I let myself sink into the familiar shape of him.
“I was worried you’d be bored out of your mind,” Blanca says, sweeping a hand around at the harbor.
“We bumped into each other at the Waldorf reopening.” She squeezes my arm.
“A shame you couldn’t be there. Anyway. One martini later, we knew we had to come.
For a few days at least…Not exactly my idea of a vacation spot. ”
“Oh,” I manage, taken aback. “And you’re staying here?” I nod to the B&B.
“It’s not as though we had a better option,” she replies airily.
“Right. Want to stroll around?” I offer. “The town’s small.”
Will clears his throat politely. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to eat first. Any recommendations?”
I scramble around my brain for the restaurant Carter took Eliza after he proposed. “Sure, I know just the spot.”
“You go ahead and text me the location,” Blanca says. “I have an appointment at the gallery on Main Street. My mom reserved a sculpture weeks ago, and she must have it now.” She hoists her designer bag onto the crook of her elbow. “Who knew this town had such…hidden gems?”
The restaurant, tucked into the far curve of the bay, is still quiet. Eliza said the real summer crowd won’t arrive for another two weeks.
The hostess shows us to a table that has a perfect view of the water, with the endless blue of the ocean and a handful of early-season yachts.
“What do you suggest?” Will’s eyes crinkle over the menu.
“Believe it or not, I haven’t gone out to eat too much. But I guess the seafood should be good,” I say. “Everything’s fresh around here.”
He lowers the menu and reaches across the table, covering my hand with his. “I wish I could take it all away.”
“Seeing you is helping already.”
We order and fall into our usual easy conversation.
“Father is considering a new branch in Sydney,” he says. “Which means I’d be there quite a bit.”
“Maybe you’ll finally manage a tan,” I say, a laugh bubbling up. “Sport some flip flops, hit the waves.”
The deadpan expression is so him, it only makes me laugh harder.
But then his gaze shifts, and Will decides to burst the surface of ease by bringing up the last time we saw each other.
“I feel we’ve left things…unresolved after that dinner.”
“Well, not long after, things went from bad to worse.” A shudder runs through my limbs at the memory of the break-in.
“I wish you’d called me. I was still in town. I can’t imagine how frightened you were.” His thumb moves in gentle circles on the back of my hand.
“Everything escalated so quickly. I was pretty much packed up and shipped straight here.” I don’t want to talk about my home. That feeling of violation to have your sanctuary ransacked. The message. The public doesn’t know about that.
“I understand,” he says comfortingly. “Your brother acts decisively. I’ve always admired that about him.”
I want to point out I’m not a prop, solely depending on Carter. But I know Will’s words come from a good place.
“I’m lucky he’s got my back.”
“I was wondering if I could meet you where you are,” Will says playfully. “Literally and otherwise,” he chuckles. “Perhaps spend a bit of time together while you’re marooned here.”
My chest thrums with a flutter I could mistake for excitement.
“Don’t upend your life for me.”
“I have a few days before Australia,” he replies, a flicker of hope in his eyes. “A pause won’t hurt. Would you mind having me here?”
“Of course not. It’ll be fun,” I say cheerfully. “All three of us. Speaking of. What’s taking Blanca so long?”
Will sips his elderflower tonic. “She probably lost track of time shopping.”
I hum. “Does your father know you’re here?”
He lifts a brow. “Is there anything Father doesn’t know?”
I laugh, genuinely this time. “How’s Cecil?”
“Persistent,” Will says, gazing over the rail at the calm waves. “He’s been urging me to convince you to return to London.”
There were moments after I left my home, the site wrapped in yellow tape, when my resolve wavered. When Cecil’s offer tugged at me, tempting. But they were fleeting thoughts.
Until Adam showed up at my brother’s door.
Now, if he stays any longer, I’m not sure I won’t break.
“I don’t mind a backyard wedding,” Carter says, sitting on the edge of the dock. “Maybe we can do a wedding and a christening at the same time.”
The late June sun sits high in the sky, unbothered by clouds, warming up the pines framing the mirror-still lake. It brings out the sweet smell of resin and fresh-cut grass drifting from the lawn.
I’ve practically melted into the sun lounger, pretending I don’t hear the buzzing of dragonflies skimming the water line. A stray breeze cools my shoulders, enough to make me forget I’m exposed to all of nature’s little biting critters.
“I’m not even pregnant,” Eliza tuts, swinging her feet over the clear lake, soaking up the golden rays.
The boards creak as Carter scoots closer, whispering in her ear. “We can fix that,” he murmurs softly, but it carries to where I’m sitting. “Right now.”
Alright. That’s my cue.
“I’m getting more lemonade.” I spring up, feeling like I’m invading a private moment. “Whatever this is…wrap it up before I return.”
“That would defeat the purpose,” my brother fires back, grinning.
Eliza shrieks, half-horrified, half-laughing, “Carter!”
I shoot him an exasperated glance. “When did you turn into such a jokester? Don’t worry, Eliza, I know how babies are made. No need to sit me down for the birds-bees-and-condom talk.”
I pull a flimsy beach cover-up over my swimsuit and head up the path, grateful for the cool shadows cast by the old trees peppering the property.
My mind can’t stop noticing the contrast between mine and my brother’s love life. I shouldn’t. It’s not fair to him. After all he went through to get his happily ever after.
But, inevitably, his bliss forces me to admit I’ve been … lonely. Since I’ve been back from London, I’ve tried. But the specter of a certain someone keeps casting its net over me, dragging me back. Every time I strain to break free, it only tugs harder.
And being stuck in this house with him doesn’t help. At all.
Having Will in Silver Lake Falls, strolling the boardwalk, ticking off the places on the list Eliza gave me, is so easy. Like taking a peek through a window at sharing a normal life with someone that didn’t come with baggage.
But the ease only lasted until he had to leave. I can’t help feeling it was just a Band-Aid stretched thin over a deeper loneliness. One I’ve been carrying far longer than I care to admit.
By the time I reach the back door, I reconsider my timing. Probably better for everyone, and extra beneficial for my mental health, if I give them an extra ten minutes.
Inside, my skin prickles with the sudden change of temperature.
My tablet is upstairs. I could grab it, go over Michelle’s summary for yesterday’s—
“Jesus!” I yelp, colliding with the freaking ghost of loves past. Can’t I just have a moment of peace?! “Are you doing this on purpose?”
I press my palm over my racing heart to steady my breath.
“I wasn’t the one mumbling to themself like a maniac,” he says, but his voice lacks the usual teasing undertone. It’s heavier, threaded with heat, landing low.
I make the mistake of meeting his eyes. Darker green than usual in the dim light, tracking down my throat, catching on the edge of my exposed bikini top, lingering on what the too-short cover-up doesn’t hide.
His throat bobs, jaw flexing, and I feel like I might as well be naked.
“You could’ve given me a heart attack,” I croak between short, uneven breaths, leaning against the wooden wall.
Adam bends closer, enough to smell the minty scent of his toothpaste. I freeze.
Then the absolute worst thing in the world happens.
He lifts his hand. Slowly. And cups my cheek with unbearable tenderness. It’s scorching, like he’s branding my very being.
He caresses my skin, thumb swiping gently under my lip, sending a shudder through me.
His gaze is locked on my mouth. “That would imply you had a heart.”