Tegan’s ears perked up. “Uncle Jett?” She picked up her paintbrush and went back to painting the windowsill.
“He spoils Hadley rotten,” Daphne explained. “When he comes into town, he brings her gifts, and he sends her presents every holiday. She was totally into monkeys last Thanksgiving, and he sent her an enormous stuffed monkey. I swear it’s two feet tall. That man would make an amazing father if he ever wanted to be one.”
Tegan was taking mental notes, incredibly curious about this new information. “Did you guys ever go out?”
“No, no, no,” Daphne said, waving her hands like she was warding off a villain. “He’s way too much man for a girl like me. He gets me all flustered. He’s so well put together and in charge. But he brings out the best in my daughter, who isn’t impressed by anyone. She acts like he’s the cat’s meow.”
More like the lion’s growl.
“I don’t think he’ll ever settle down or get married, much less have a family,” Emery said as she painted. “At least not here. He can barely stand to be in the same state as his father. He’s owned waterfront property here forever and has never done anything with it.”
“Why would anyone buy property and not do anything with it?” Tegan asked.
“He is an investor,” Serena pointed out as she dipped her paintbrush in the paint tray. “It makes sense if he wants to flip it one day. But, Em, people change. Rick came back for good when he met Desiree.”
“What do you mean, came back?” Tegan asked.
Everyone looked at Serena. She set down her paintbrush and said, “Rick was living in DC when he met Desiree. When he was a teenager, he and his family were out on their boat, and they ran into a storm that hit fast. Rick and Drake were on deck with their father when their father went overboard. There was nothing they could do. They never found his body, and Rick blamed himself.”
“Oh my gosh. That’s awful,” Tegan said.
“It is, and it took a toll on Rick and Drake’s relationship,” Serena said. “Drake held down the fort at home when Rick left the Cape.”
“Like Dean,” Emery interjected. “He always tries to make up for Jett’s absence from events and family get-togethers. They’re working on things, but I know Dean wishes Jett would get his butt back here and just make things better once and for all.”
Tegan understood how missing family gatherings could be difficult, but she wondered what steps his family had taken to try to mend that broken bridge. “Does anyone ever go see Jett?”
“I don’t think so,” Emery said. “He travels a lot, so maybe it’s too hard to nail him down.”
“Well, I think Jett is trying as best he can,” Tegan said, feeling protective of him. “He put off work Monday and we spent the day with his parents helping in the community, and then we all had dinner together. There was tension between him and his father, but it wasn’t oppressive. It kind of waxed and waned. And Jett is going to the fundraiser in June. He has a business to run, and his business requires a boatload of travel. He’s in LA now, and he’ll be in Louisiana Thursday. It’s not like he can just give it all up and move here.” She didn’t tell them about their calls, or that with all that Jett had going on, he still found time to call Rob Wicked and arrange for him to fix the pothole that had swallowed Berta and the others on the private road, which Rob had completed yesterday.
“I didn’t mean he wasn’t trying,” Emery said softly. “I just meant that it’s been a couple of years, and everyone misses him. I know Dean wants his brother back as much as he wants things to be better between Jett and their dad.”
“I think Jett would like that, too, but things are complicated between him and his father,” Tegan said as her phone vibrated with a text. She set down her paintbrush and pulled her phone from her pocket, smiling at Jett’s name in the text bubble.
“Is that from the cat’s meow?” Serena asked as she went back to painting the trim by the door.
“Who else makes her smile like that?” Chloe chimed in.
Tegan opened the text, turning her back to the girls, and was surprised to see a picture of a plate of Mexican food, with the caption Lunch, Tegan style. Another text bubble popped up. I have no idea why you put up with a prick friend like me, but thanks. You’re expanding my horizons in many ways. I especially liked last night’s eye-opening experience.
She thumbed out a response. You’re not a prick. You’re like a porcupine, prickly on the outside. But for those of us who are lucky enough to be allowed to peek beneath that armor, you’re as enticing and wonderful as hot apple pie on a cold winter’s day.
“Oh my God,” Chloe said over Tegan’s shoulder as she sent the text.
“Chloe!” Tegan shoved her phone in her back pocket.
Chloe pointed her paintbrush at Tegan and said, “Don’t Chloe me. You’re spouting poetry. You’ve totally fallen for him.”
“I have not fallen for him! And it’s not poetry.”
Chloe scoffed. “It might as well be. It’s all lovey-dovey and squishy. I warned you not to fall for him, Teg.” Her expression softened. “You heard what Emery said. He’s never moving back. He won’t ever settle down.”
“I said I don’t think he will,” Emery clarified.
“It’s okay, Em,” Tegan said. “I know where Jett stands, and I know where I stand. He’s funny and sexy and I like getting to know him. It’s not like I’m hoping he’ll marry me.”
Chloe set down her paintbrush and said, “Are you sure? Because I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Do you think I want to get hurt? Harper is counting on me. I’m counting on me. I don’t have time to be hurt. But I do have time to get to know a man I’m attracted to. Do you know how long it’s been since I met a guy I wanted to get to know and who wanted to get to know the real me? Who I am and what made me the person I am today? A guy who asks about the places I’ve been and the places I want to go? Someone who respects the weird way I do things, and my business sense? Someone who wants to know me beyond being a great fuck?”
The girls exchanged surprised glances.
“This is Jett Masters we’re talking about, right?” Emery asked.
Tegan rolled her eyes.
“She didn’t mean that how it sounded,” Serena said. “It’s just that Jett’s not really like that. Chloe and I grew up with him. He’s never been interested in anyone like that as far as I know.”
Tegan sighed and sank down to the couch. The tarp crinkled beneath her. “Well, he is interested in all those things about me.”
Daphne sat beside her and said, “He always takes the time to ask how I’m doing. I think there’s a great guy beneath all that cold-shoulder stuff. I wouldn’t blame you if you fell for him.”
Tegan nudged Daphne and said, “Thanks. I haven’t fallen for him. But I could. I really like him.”
The girls gathered around her, kneeling and offering advice all at once.
“That’s okay,” Harper said. “Let fate play its hand.”
Chloe looked at Harper like she was crazy. “You’re setting yourself up to get hurt, Teg. I don’t think it’s a good idea. Guys like Jett don’t care about the hurt they leave in their wake.”
“I don’t believe that,” Tegan said. “He has a big heart, even if he doesn’t show it all the time.” She wanted to ask them if they would show their hearts if they’d been hurt like he had, if they’d witnessed two important men in their lives—their father and grandfather—turning mean and selfish. She sure wouldn’t risk being hurt again.
“Some guys don’t care,” Serena said. “Jett’s a great guy, and while I think Chloe might be right about you getting hurt, I think he would care if he hurt you. He’s still mad at his father, and his dad has been trying to make things better for a long time. That says something about him.”
“There’s a lot of water under that bridge,” Tegan said. “Stuff that you guys probably don’t know and that I can’t share, because it’s not my story to tell. I’m glad you care about me, but I know the risks i
nvolved with being close to Jett. My entire life has been about taking risks. I’ve worked three jobs to stay afloat. I’ve traveled by myself to foreign countries. Moving here and taking over my uncle’s business was a huge risk, and who knows how it’ll end up. But I’m here. If the theater fails, it’ll hurt me way worse than any man ever could. And saying all this is a big risk, too. I know that being honest with you guys about this and going against your advice could cost me our friendship.”
“Teg, that’s not true. You’re our friend, but we don’t judge your decisions. We just want to watch out for you,” Chloe said earnestly.
“Maybe not, but it feels like a risk—and a freaking scary one because I love you like sisters already. But if I ran from everything that could potentially hurt me, I’d be going backward.” Her gaze moved over the concerned faces of her friends, and she said, “I am so lucky to have friends like you. And you’re right. I might get hurt, and I don’t think Jett will ever move back here. But that doesn’t really matter because I’m moving back to Maryland in October anyway.” She drew in a deep breath and said, “I lost my favorite uncle, and he left this big gaping hole inside me. But he taught me to take life by the horns and enjoy the hell out of it. What matters is that I’m happy now. And I’m going to let fate stick her hand into my life and wave her magic wand, because being with Jett, talking to him, getting to know him feels better than anything has for a very long time.”
“I’m going to cry,” Daphne said as she threw her arms around Tegan. “Be happy, Tegan. Just be happy.”
Before Tegan could catch her breath, the others converged on her with hugs, apologies, and emphatic encouragement.
“I want to be you when I grow up,” Daphne said. “You’re so confident.”
“Not always,” Tegan choked out. “I just hope you all will be here for me if it turns out that I’m making the biggest mistake of my life.”
“We’ve got your back,” Harper said.
Chloe touched Tegan’s hand and said, “I’m sorry. Maybe it’s the big sister in me. I just worry about you.”
“I worry about me, too. But I meant what I said. I’m happy, and I’m not afraid of what happens next. Especially since I know you guys will be here to catch me if I fall.”
Chapter Eighteen
JETT WAS FRONT and center in Tegan’s mind as she drove to the Sundial Café Wednesday morning to deliver Joni’s costume. She and Jett had stayed up far too late talking again last night, but a little fatigue was nothing compared to how close they’d become. She’d filled him in on the progress she’d made with the marketing plans for the theater and told him she’d been seriously thinking about moving into the cottage. He was glad she was considering it, and when she told him that she and Harper had received, and ratified, the partnership agreement from the attorney, he’d praised both of them for protecting their friendship. She’d shown him the logo she’d chosen for the amphitheater, and just as she and Harper had, he’d loved the logo Brandon had created for Bayside Productions. Her friends and family cheered her on, but Jett had really taken an interest, querying her process and decisions, guiding and looking out for her in ways others hadn’t, and that felt better than anything. They’d also talked about her uncle, and she’d shed a few tears. Jett was so compassionate and easy to talk to, she’d confessed that she wasn’t looking forward to going through his things. Jett had said he wished he could be there to help, and the look in his eyes had told her he’d meant it. She wished he could, too, but knew it was impossible. He’d said he couldn’t stop thinking about Mitchell and the others who had been affected by the storm. He hadn’t elaborated, but after everything he’d said to her the other night, she thought it was good that they were still on his mind. Right before they had ended their video chat at nearly three in the morning, Jett had said, One of these days maybe we’ll catch a sunrise. Then his whole face had brightened, and he’d said, The morning after the wedding, before I leave town, let’s make a point of catching that sunrise. In that moment, she’d realized several things all at once—he was making future plans for them, even if only for a sunrise, she didn’t know where he was going the morning after the wedding, and most surprising of all, she realized it didn’t matter where he went. It seemed like he would always be traveling.
What mattered was whether he made plans to come back.
Tegan parked her uncle’s car in front of the café, still wishing she had Berta. She gathered her things and headed for the café. She’d been there a few times over the last two weeks for breakfast, and she still got a little thrill remembering that first encounter with Jett. That wasn’t the only thing tugging at her as she walked into the nearly empty café. She still expected to be greeted by Joni’s cheery voice, but the energetic little girl was back in school.
“Hey there, sugar,” Rowan said from behind the counter.
“Hi. I finished Joni’s costume.” She handed him the gift bag and said, “I hope she likes it. I gift wrapped it and put a note inside with a little story about how the costume was made by animals in the park. I love her imagination.”
“You’re really something else. Thank you. Carlo would have loved you.” He set the bag on the counter behind him and said, “This costume is all Joni’s been talking about. I know she’ll love it.”
“Let’s hope so.”
“What are you hungry for today?”
“No breakfast for me. I can’t stay. I have to go through my uncle’s things. I’ve been putting it off for long enough.” She’d told Rowan all about inheriting the theater and her big plans over breakfast the other day.
He leaned his forearms on the counter, so they were eye to eye. His shaggy hair fell forward. He pushed a hand through it, bringing it all to one side, and said, “I know a thing or two about how difficult it can be to go through a loved one’s belongings. Can I give you some advice?”
“Yes, please. Every time I try to go through them, it’s too sad.”
“Take your time with every little thing. I know you feel like once you sort through it or put it away, you’ll feel better. But for me, the sorting was the part that made me feel the best. It was hard at first, and I cried a lot, but then I allowed myself to relive the memories one at a time. That really helped. Sometimes we have to give ourselves permission to cry in order to heal. For me, it was giving away and putting away Carlo’s things that did me in. But once I had soaked up every good memory, and even some of the bad ones, it became easier.”
“I have been trying to just push through it.”
“I think most people do, but like I said, it was easier for me not to. Do you want me to come by and help? Having a friend with you might make it easier.”
“No, but it’s nice of you to offer.” Cici had offered to help, as had several of the girls. But Cici had enough on her plate with her own family, and Tegan didn’t want to burden her friends with something that might bring her to tears.
“Okay.” He stood up to his full height and said, “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
“Thank you.” She looked at a couple sitting by the window holding hands across the table, and it made her miss Jett even more. It also made her think of her uncle and Adele. She knew her love of love had come from her uncle, and just seeing that couple made her want to do something to encourage it. “Have they paid for their meal yet?”
“Yeah, when they ordered. Why?”
She dug out two twenties from her wallet and put them on the counter. “They look so in love, they inspired me. This is to pay for a meal for the next couple that comes in.”
“Paying it forward. I like it.” He opened the cash register and put the money in. “Love is a wonderful thing.”
“Can I ask you something personal?”
He shrugged. “Sure.”
“You’ve brought up Carlo a couple of times, and when you do, you get the same look my uncle used to get when he talked about his wife, Adele, who he lost eight years after they were married. How did you know whe
n you were first falling for Carlo?”
“I didn’t. There was no falling involved. I’m convinced we fell in love in another life and found each other again in this one, because the second I met her, I was a goner.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yes, and I know how it sounds. Most people fall for each other over time. But with Carlo, it was like a meteor crashed into me. Bam!” His face lit up. “I totally dug everything about her from the get-go. My friends thought I was crazy, but man, she was my world. She was stubborn as a mule, and she’d argue just for the sake of proving that nobody could make her do a damn thing. But I even dug that about her. Sometimes she’d take off, needing her own space for a day or two, but I knew she’d always come back.” His brows knitted. “I guess the way I knew I was in love with her was that I would have done anything for her, no questions asked. Why? What’s on your mind?”
“I don’t know. Just curious, I guess.”
“Does it have something to do with Inspector Gadget?”
Tegan felt herself blushing. “Maybe a little.”
“He was definitely into you when we saw you the day after the storm and he helped me make sandwiches. He asked a lot of questions, came across as protective. He seemed like a nice guy, too.”
“I know he’s into me,” she said, but it sure felt good hearing it from Rowan.
“You think you’re falling for him, then?”
She shrugged noncommittally, but her quickening pulse was anything but noncommittal.
“I’m taking that as a waffling yes. There’s one way to know for sure. Stop seeing him.”
“What? No!”
“Yup, you’re on the downhill slide.”
She shook her head, laughing. “You are…”
“Right?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve got to go.”
Tegan drove home waffling between happy thoughts of a downhill slide and dreading going through her uncle’s things. By the time she got home, the dread overshadowed her happier thoughts. She was surprised to see an Edible Arrangements truck in her driveway and the driver heading for her door.
Bayside Fantasies (Bayside Summers Book 6) Page 24
