Chapter 23Stella
Chapter Twenty-Three
Stella
“As a trained professional, I declare this mango cake divine.” I tried to hold back a moan, but I might not have been successful given the side-eye Aiden shot me. At Sweet Dreams, the outdoor tables lining the sidewalk were prime real estate for indulging in culinary and sensory delights. The perfectly tropical weather we’d had for the pool party continued as I found myself next to Aiden, with Hunter across from us. Inside, Liv’s employees did an admirable job holding down the fort without her.
We sat under the covered canopy of pink and white. Ornamental streetlamps added to the charm, their antique design reminiscent of a time when life moved slower, more deliberately. Next to us, hanging flower baskets spilled over with vibrant colors, swaying gently in the breeze.
My eyes lingered on Bookshop in Paradise across the street, owned and run by Ben Coleridge’s younger sister, Brenna. Frowning, I sipped my iced coffee, not wanting to ruin my last minutes with Hunter by thinking about our family adversaries .
And despite his warning about grilling Aiden, Hunter hadn’t loomed over him during their first meeting in over fifteen years. At first, Aiden had gaped at the man my little brother had become. I hadn’t been able to hide a grin at his reaction, even though I’d warned him that my brother had filled out quite a bit. Hunter had started out polite, though somewhat cool, and he eyed Aiden levelly. As our little get-together progressed, he relaxed.
I was pleased, and a little proud too. As much as Hunter had changed over the years, I still knew my brother. And he wasn’t finding anything to complain about where Aiden was concerned.
I turned to my… man? I was not going to use the word boyfriend. Partner? No, too committed. And when I beheld his neat, professional appearance after dashing here straight from his clinic, warmth filled my chest. Of course Hunter couldn’t find fault with him. Hunter wasn’t the only one who had changed since leaving our little islands.
“Try this.” Aiden’s fork was poised with a generous bite of carrot cake, the cream cheese frosting perfectly finished. He held it out to me, his eyes dancing.
I obliged, savoring the spicy sweetness of the cake on my tongue, the crunch of walnuts adding depth to every mouthful. “Mmm, that’s incredible.” I glanced at my mango cake, trying to decide which was better, and decided on a draw.
“Liv knows her stuff,” he said with a grin, turning to ask Hunter something.
But Hunter wasn’t paying any attention.
Across the street, Brenna Coleridge unlocked the door to her literary sanctuary. She paused, adjusting a sign by the entrance, her tall, willowy silhouette framed against the soft light within. Her sheet of long, light-brown hair hung down, and I had to admit she was attractive, even if she was a Coleridge. Hunter’s gaze fixated on her and his whole body froze. He became utterly still, watching her every move as she opened the door and disappeared inside.
“Careful, Hunter,” I teased, bumping him with my elbow and bringing him back to the land of baked goods and friendly banter. “What’s that look all about? She’s a Coleridge, remember? I hope you’re not thinking about sleeping with the enemy.”
Hunter’s lips fell into a frown. “Enemy is a strong word, Stella. We haven’t spoken in years.” His voice was carefully even and guarded, but his eyes darted across the street again.
“Weren’t you two in the same grade through school?” Aiden asked him. “Maybe Stella and I weren’t the only teen lovers…”
“It was nothing like that,” Hunter shot back, his eyes glinting with that familiar hint of defiance. “We were only friends. But we were close… once.” Then, in typical Hunter fashion, he took a large bite of his carrot cake slice, staring at his dessert like it could induce a subject change.
“Hey, you okay?” I asked.
He exhaled, long and slow as his eyes took a slow pan around Main Street. “Yeah, it’s just that this place stirs up so many memories. I left here under awful circumstances, and I can’t just turn back the clock.” After another quick glance toward the bookshop, he cut another bite of cake. He seemed a million miles away, lost in a sea of memories that were apparently anything but sunshine and sandcastles.
I caught Aiden’s glance and gave him a subtle head shake. Hunter had dark moments, parts of his past he kept locked away like forbidden treasure. It wasn’t the right time to dredge up whatever history lay buried between Hunter and Brenna Coleridge. Not after he’d already dug through the painful past he shared with Evan. Today, both had appeared on the other side, unscathed.
Instead, I shifted the conversation back to something more enticing for him. “Did you uncover anything during your little resort tour?”
Hunter’s eyes cleared, a spark of interest reigniting within them as he leaned forward. “Right, the thefts. When I looked around, Ben was there with a couple of other landscapers. They were all working on the other side of the resort today.” He snorted. “I’m pretty sure Ben didn’t even recognize me.”
“I hardly did either,” Aiden said softly. “And not just because of the tattoos.”
Intricate designs covered Hunter’s upper chest visible in the V of his shirt, and points of more ink reached from his massive upper arms toward his elbows. He’d kept his shirt on during the party, forgoing any swimming. And now that I thought about it, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him without a shirt.
Hunter just rolled a shoulder uncomfortably. “I’ve been gone a long time. A lot has changed. Getting back to the thefts, all the items stolen have been outside. So it could be one of the landscaping crew, but it could also be damn near anyone.”
“Anything we can do to help?” Aiden offered, and I smiled at his support.
“Keep your eyes open,” Hunter said, staring at me. “If you notice anything that seems off, let me know. Or if anything else goes missing.”
“Of course,” I said.
Aiden leaned back in his chair, the soft light catching the thoughtful furrow in his brow. “Do you suspect someone is stealing for financial gain, or are we talking about someone with a grudge?”
“It could be either,” I chimed in. “We’ve got staff who’ve been here for years, no blips on their records. Then there’s lots of new hires. And of course, the obvious. Ben.”
“But you’ve said none of the resort employees raise any red flags,” Aiden said as he put his fork down on his empty plate.
I shook my head. “Nothing glaring.”
“There often isn’t,” Hunter replied, folding his arms across his chest. “And the items that have been stolen aren’t expensive, big-ticket items, so I doubt we’re dealing with a pro. But it’s still pretty concerning.”
Aiden reached across the table to cover my hand with his. His touch sent a ripple of warmth up my arm. “I really don’t like the idea of you confronting anyone else about this.”
“I’m not a fainting maiden, dammit,” I muttered but couldn’t help soaking in the comfort of his concern. All the while, I was aware of Hunter’s silent observation. Their eyes met briefly, and I caught the micro-exchange—a nod so subtle I almost missed it.
“I agree one hundred percent,” Hunter added, acknowledging Aiden’s comment. There was respect there, and I got a sense that Aiden had passed a silent test.
I knew two brick walls when confronted with them. “All right. I’ll back off Ben. But I’m going to keep an eye on things.” I turned to my brother. “Do you have a plan if anything else turns up missing?”
“I’m hoping nothing else will,” Hunter said, rubbing a hand over his short, neat beard. “Since the last theft, I’ve been thinking about baiting a trap of some sort.”
“Like what?” I asked.
“I’m not sure yet. I need to think about it some more.”
“I’m glad to have your help in this, Hunter. And to have you back.” My words hung between us, charged with an unspoken acknowledgment of the bond that still tethered us.
“Of course. It’s what I do.” Hunter offered me a brief smile before pushing back his chair. “I should get going. I got in my boss’s face, and he gave me a shitty assignment as a result. I start at oh-four-hundred tomorrow. Asshole.”
“Yuck,” I said. “I could never do that. I won’t have been asleep long.”
I stood so we could embrace. Goodbye for now. Then he was gone, his tall frame disappearing into the growing shadows.
Aiden tossed his napkin on his plate. “You look very happy about how today went. I’m sorry I missed it.”
I smiled and reached for his hand, interlacing our fingers. “I was almost afraid to breathe at times. It wasn’t like old times, but they’re really making progress.” I looked at the canopy above our heads. “ Thank God Evan met Liv. She’s made such a huge difference for him.”
He lifted my hand to brush a kiss over the back of it. “Kind of like the difference you’ve made for me. We’ve still got several hours of daylight left. Want to head back to the boat?”
I laughed, imagining life aboard Aiden’s cherished vessel. “Your boat is nice, but how can you live in such a confined space all the time?”
“Cramped?” Aiden grinned and leaned close. “I never even notice when you’re around.”
“Smooth talker.” Warmth bloomed in my chest at his words.
“Of course,” he added with a mock-serious tone. “I have to tread carefully. If I step out of line, your hulking brother might rip me apart.”
I laughed, knowing full well the fierce protectiveness my brother wielded like a shield. And I still glimpsed the man he kept deep within, the sweet, shy one. The one I’d been afraid was gone forever when he’d gotten out of the Marines. “Hunter is a man of contradictions. But it sounds like he’s got bigger fish to fry right now.”
“Good.” Aiden glanced briefly in the direction Hunter had gone. Then he turned to me with a smile that warmed me even further. “Come on. There’s a can of varnish with your name on it. Let’s go, missy.”
As we strolled down the sidewalk, the salty breeze tugged at my hair. Aiden’s presence was comforting and sexier than hell, yet a part of me held back. Despite our easy banter and the undeniable chemistry, I wasn’t ready to dive in headfirst.
Inside me, the battle raged—a longing to give in to the feelings swirling within me, warring with a stubborn streak that urged caution. My heart was a compass spinning wildly. I needed time, time that Aiden seemed willing to give. For now, I’d enjoy the gentle sway of the boat beneath my feet, his laughter mingling with mine under a pale blue sky.
But commitment? That was something else entirely.