Chapter 31
THIRTY-ONE
PRESENT DAY
Ian
Josie and I don’t have another chance to talk this morning because her family hangs around until it’s time for everyone to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.
Since Madeline asked me to run to the jewelry store to pick up the rings and a gift for Josie on the way to the venue, I won’t get another chance to be alone with her until late tonight.
Josie was about to open up to me about what happened when she took off without a word, and her face was so serious that I can’t imagine what she was going to say.
I always assumed that back then, our connection just wasn’t as strong to her as it was to me.
It was a summer fling, and when my dad died and things got too intense, she bailed.
Her family was probably moving all along, and she figured it was easier not to get into a whole discussion about it.
It was easier not to have to say goodbye.
But this week has shown me that what we had was never just a fling. And the reason she left is tearing her apart. This secret—whatever it is—kept us apart for years when we should have been together.
A rush of happiness fills my chest as the events of last night come back to me.
I want that for the rest of our lives. I want her to come home to me every single day.
I want us to talk, to laugh, to make out in the kitchen and tear each other’s clothes off in the hall.
I want her art hanging on my walls and her shoes all over my floor. I want her, today, tomorrow, every day.
I want her to know she can trust me. She can tell me anything, and I’ll be there to support her. We missed out on a decade, and I’ll never let anything come between us again.
After I grab the ring box and Josie’s gift from the jeweler, I park outside the beachfront restaurant where Madeline and Garrett’s wedding will be held tomorrow, and the rehearsal will take place tonight.
When Josie and I were here a few days ago, we confirmed that the chairs and fabric-draped arbor were ready to set up out by the water and the kitchen was ready with the food menu and champagne.
Now all I need to do is read over my speech for after the ceremony tomorrow and be here to support Garrett and Madeline.
I met Garrett only a short time after my dad died and Josie left the island, when I was at the lowest point in my life.
Garrett was going through his own hard times, and it brought us close.
He’s worked for Langley Capital for the past decade, but more than that, he’s become like a brother to me.
And now Madeline is about to become family, too.
It only goes to show how much Josie and I were meant to meet back here again.
I head up the wide wooden steps to the entrance of the restaurant.
Just as I reach the top, the front door opens, and a sandy-haired man maybe a few years older than me strolls out.
When he sees me, he stops walking, and I do the same.
He’s familiar, but I have no idea how I know him.
Is he a guest at the wedding? Someone I’ve worked with at Langley Capital?
I have so many interactions with vendors and suppliers every day that it’s hard to remember everyone, though I do my best.
“Ian Langley, right?” the man says. I study him, searching my memory so I don’t have to admit that I don’t know his name.
He’s wearing a casual pair of shorts and a green surfboard company T-shirt, so I don’t think he’s here for the rehearsal dinner.
Something tells me it’s been a while since I’ve seen him.
Maybe he’s an old friend from school or the sailing club?
I haven’t been to that place since my dad died.
“That’s right,” I say, and then giving up on remembering, I add, “sorry, can you remind me how we know each other?”
“Don’t be sorry.” He waves a hand. “We met a long time ago. I used to work for your parents. I was a security guard at the entrance of your family’s estate. My name’s Sam.”
I hate being the rich guy who doesn’t even know the names of the people who work for him.
Now, running my own company, I try to treat everyone equally, to get to know them, to ask about their families.
But I was a dumb kid back in high school and probably followed my dad’s lead more than I should have, not always thanking the people that worked at the house or the club.
But now that he says it, I have a vague memory of his face from driving by the security booth at the estate.
He must be able to see the embarrassment on my face because he shakes his head. “Don’t worry if you don’t remember me. I only worked there for a short time before…” He trails off.
Before my dad died and we sold the house. A few of the long-time staff from the house came to work for me at the company, but I couldn’t hire everyone.
“I hope you’re doing well now,” I say. “Are you still in security?”
“No, I went back to school after that. Now I work remotely for a tech company in New York.” His face turns serious. “I’m sorry you had to go through all that with your dad. The security agency let me know what happened, and I didn’t get a chance to tell you that.”
I nod. “I appreciate that.”
“I heard you took over the company and have been doing good things with it.”
“Thanks. I hope so. I’m trying anyway.”
He glances back at the building. “I don’t want to hold you up. Are you here for the wedding?”
My brows knit together, and I wonder how he knows that.
But then he hitches his chin at a chalkboard sign with the words Congratulations Madeline and Garrett!
written in fancy lettering. By Sandy Harbor’s laid-back beach casual standards, I’m pretty dressed up in a pair of dark trousers and a button-up shirt, so he obviously put two and two together.
“Yeah, my best friend is getting married. This is the rehearsal tonight.”
Sam nods. “They’re locals, right? She grew up here, and he works with you at the development company?”
I look at him sideways. How would he know that?
“Are you here to speak to Garrett?” I flash back to Madeline talking about the guy she’s been seeing around town, the one who was asking her questions at the bar.
“Or Madeline?” My gaze sweeps over him. I wish I’d asked Madeline more details about his appearance so I could be on the lookout for him.
Is it possible Sam is the guy? Madeline said he’s tall with light-colored hair.
But so are thousands of people on this island.
And why would the same guy who worked for my dad be creeping around Madeline of all people?
“No, nothing like that,” Sam says. “I think I saw their wedding announcement in the Sandy Harbor Gazette. And then when I saw their names here, I figured it was the same couple. Small town.”
I relax my shoulders. Sandy Harbor is a small town, and there was an article about Madeline and Garrett’s engagement, much to Garrett’s chagrin.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, just in case.
“I came by to see Sylvia, the bartender.” He gives me a rueful smile and my shoulders relax even more.
Josie and I met Sylvia the other day. She’s pretty and outgoing with long, shiny hair and a warm smile.
Definitely the kind of woman you’d go out of your way to see.
“Anyway,” Sam continues. “I’ll let you go get ready for the rehearsal.
It’s good to see you. Best wishes to the couple. ”
He takes off down the steps. I turn to head into the restaurant, but a strange suspicion comes over me and I spin back around.
Sam is strolling down the path toward the parking lot.
The restaurant is a public place and it’s broad daylight.
If he were lurking around for some other reason, he’d come at night and wouldn’t stop to chat about my dad.
Madeline and Garrett went through so much last year.
And now with my worries that Josie has secrets she hasn’t shared with me, everything is making me a little paranoid.
I consider texting her, just to check that she’s okay, but she’s getting a ride from Garrett and Madeline, so I know she’ll be fine.
I head inside to make sure the space is set up for the rehearsal.
As I pull open the door, I take one more glance back, but Sam is gone now.
He probably got in his car and took off.
I make a mental note to ask Garrett and Madeline more about the guy they’re worried about, but I’m going to wait until after the wedding.
I don’t want to ruin their big day. Until then, I’ll keep an eye out for anything suspicious.