Ocean Breeze

by Laura Conway

  She’d had a phone call with Clara earlier, letting her know how it was going, but Jenna couldn’t put it off any longer. She had to go to New York and meet up with her to discuss the case. Just the thought of going back made Jenna’s heart beat a little faster. She should be fine. She’d learned how to handle her anxiety in the last six weeks. She hadn’t even had a single panic attack. She could do this.

  Having Hayley with her would make it so much more enjoyable though. She’d ask her about it when she got back from the beach this evening. Maybe Kyle could come over and check on Whiskey? She knew she was getting ahead of herself, but she’d love to have Hayley come to New York with her, see what her life was like there.

  She still hadn’t told Hayley everything, about why she needed this much time off, but mostly, that was because she was embarrassed. Jenna was used to being in control of her life, every aspect of it, and this was the one thing that she couldn’t get a grip on. Yes, she was okay here, at the shore, but going back to the city made her nervous.

  If Hayley came with her, it would be the perfect distraction, and she liked the idea of showing her around, bringing her to some of her favorite restaurants and bars.

  Jenna would have to have that conversation with Hayley, about work. She was ready to go back. This case was giving her a taste of what she’d been missing.

  She also needed the law firm’s resources which is why she was going to stop by the office and see if they’d let her work from here for the next six weeks. That would help her ease back into her old life, too.

  Jenna stood up and padded into the kitchen, ready for another cup of coffee. Thinking about going back to New York always left her feeling uneasy. In a way, she wanted to go back, get to work, wake up in her own apartment again, but she couldn’t see how Hayley was going to fit into that lifestyle.

  Jenna knew she had to change. At the very least, she’d have to reduce her hours. She knew she would want to. She couldn’t imagine not having four or five hours with Hayley every night.

  She’d had a long conversation with Nina yesterday. They joked about how different their lives were from just a few weeks ago, both of them equally smitten, both of them facing challenges. Jenna couldn’t wait for Nina to get back, to get her advice, and talk to her in person, but she knew that meant that Nina would be leaving Maria behind in Spain.

  On one hand, they were both so lucky to have met these women, but on the other, Jenna knew they both had a difficult road ahead. Nina could be booking flights to Spain every three or four months. Jenna could be spending her weekends at the shore. She definitely had it easier, but it meant her priorities would have to change. For the first time in her life, work wouldn’t be the most important thing.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Hayley followed Jenna into her apartment as she flicked on a few lamps, giving her spacious living room a warm glow. It was almost midnight, and Hayley couldn’t wait to fall into Jenna’s king sized bed.

  When Jenna had showed her around her apartment in Chelsea earlier today, Hayley didn’t know why she was so taken aback by it. Jenna was a successful lawyer, living and working in New York City. Of course, she would have a beautiful apartment with a doorman. Walnut hardwood floors, expensive looking art pieces hanging on the walls, and marble counter tops highlighted the fact that this apartment was probably worth millions.

  Hayley gravitated towards the floor to ceiling windows while Jenna was her bedroom. She’d stopped to admire the view that afternoon, but now it was breathtaking. It was an endless sea of lights, and for just a few seconds, Hayley wondered if she could live here, in a city.

  “Hayley, do you want a drink?” Jenna asked as she came into the living room.

  Hayley turned to face her. She’d changed into pajama shorts and a gray tank top. “I’m okay. I’ll just get a glass of water.”

  “I’ll get it.”

  “Thanks.” Tonight had been difficult. They’d had a lovely dinner, going to one of Jenna’s favorite Italian restaurants, but then they went to a gay bar, and that’s when things got weird.

  Hayley knew she shouldn’t have been jealous, but three of Jenna’s exes or one-night stands had been there, each coming over at some point during the night when Hayley had gone to the restroom or to the bar. They were all ready to jump, to pick up where they’d left off.

  Jenna had apologized, and she didn’t need to. If that was what her past looked like, who was Hayley to judge?

  But Hayley couldn’t stop herself from wondering how serious Jenna could possibly be. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they had different expectations. Hayley doubted that Jenna would really change her lifestyle to make things work between them if she was so used to casual relationships.

  Jenna padded into the living room, handing her a glass of water.

  “Thanks.”

  “You tired?” Jenna asked, tucking a lock of Hayley’s blond hair behind her ear.

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m sorry about tonight. That is not what a typical night out looks like for me.”

  “It’s okay,” Hayley said, a half-smile on her lips. “I get it.” She let her eyes trail down Jenna’s body.

  Jenna laughed. “Come on. I could use a good night’s sleep,” she said, reaching for her hand and leading them down the hall to her bedroom. “As nice as Nina’s place is, I miss my own bed.”

  Hayley got undressed, leaving her clothes in a neatly folded stack on the armchair in the corner of the room. She put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and climbed into bed. Jenna’s arm was around her waist, snuggling up against her back as she lightly kissed her shoulder.

  “Goodnight, Hayley,” she whispered.

  “Night,” Hayley said as she got comfortable.

  She couldn’t ever remember being this indecisive, this unsure of herself or her future. Hayley had been so driven, so focused on making surfing her career. Everything she did was to realize that dream, and even though they’d said that they were doing this, that Jenna was her girlfriend, tonight left her wondering how realistic this relationship was.

  Curled up in Jenna’s bed, Hayley was flip-flopping again. Being with Jenna was easy, their chemistry obvious, but that was while Jenna was away from her law firm. When she went back to working full time, Hayley knew things would change. They had to.

  Tomorrow, Hayley was going to explore the city while Jenna met with Clara for lunch. In the afternoon, Jenna said she’d be meeting with the partners at her firm, but that she’d be free after that.

  Hayley was looking forward to wandering around. Even though she was less than two hours away from the city, she’d hardly spent any time here. She had her camera with her, and she had every intention of being a tourist tomorrow.

  Jenna’s breathing had slowed, the arm draped around her heavier, and Hayley wished she could fall asleep that quickly, but her mind was in overdrive, playing out all of these what if scenarios.

  What if Jenna ends things when she moves back here? What if Jenna moves to the shore and regrets it? What if I move here? What about my dream of opening a surf school?

  A thump down the hall stopped all of those thoughts. Hayley tensed as she waited, listening to see if she’d been hearing things. Another thump and then a muted bang.

  Hayley carefully sat up, trying not to wake Jenna as she strained to hear if it was something going on outside Jenna’s apartment or if the noises were coming from the living room.

  Hayley pushed back the sheets and tip-toed over to the bedroom door, her hand hovering above the door handle, listening one last time before she opened it.

  Hayley’s breath caught as a hand covered her mouth, and all she could see was black. The light from the hall outlined the black figure pushing her back into the room.

  A ski mask covered the person’s face, and Hayley dug her fingers into their arms, struggling to gain control, but her back slammed against the wall, and taking a punch to the stomach, she sunk to the floor.

  The intruder’s fist wa
s back again, hitting her across the jaw and that was the last thing she remembered.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Jenna pushed her hair away from her face, her grip still tight on the golf club she’d managed to grab from her hallway closet when she’d gotten that bastard on the ground. One strategically placed kick to the groin and the threat of being hit over the head with a golf club had him scrambling for the door.

  Jenna left the club on the floor as she darted into her bedroom, an image of Hayley slumped against the wall fresh in her mind. She turned on the lights, and Hayley squinted back at her. She was okay. Jenna let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding as she got down on the ground beside her.

  Her hand was on Hayley’s cheek, but she flinched against it, and it was only then that Jenna noticed the slight swelling.

  “Are you okay?” Jenna whispered, blinking back tears. This was all her fault. She didn’t need that jackass to take off his black ski mask. She knew exactly who it was.

  “Yeah,” Hayley said, her hand moving to her stomach. “What happened? Did you call the police?”

  “I fought him off with a golf club. Are you sure you’re okay?” Jenna tilted Hayley’s head to get a better look at her face.

  “I think so. Will you help me up?”

  Jenna got up first, holding out both her hands to pull Hayley up, her hand immediately going to her stomach, and Jenna’s jaw clenched.

  “He hit you?”

  Hayley nodded. “My stomach, and then here,” she said, pointing to her cheek. “That one knocked me out for a few minutes, I guess. I don’t remember what happened.”

  Jenna guided her over to the bed, sitting down beside her. Jenna wiped her hand across her face. She never thought it would come to this. Jenna slid her arm around her waist, and Hayley rested her head on Jenna’s shoulder.

  “Are the cops on their way over?” Hayley asked. “Not that I can tell them much. I didn’t see his face. I’m assuming it was a ‘he.’”

  “It was,” Jenna said with a sigh. “I didn’t call the police though.”

  Hayley lifted her head to meet her eyes. “Why not?”

  “I know who it was.”

  “What?” Hayley stared at her. “Who was it?”

  “He was married to a client of mine.”

  “So, he wasn’t happy with the settlement?” Hayley guessed.

  “No. He wasn’t, but there’s more to it than that.” Jenna ran a hand through her hair. “I’m not proud of it. I was... Things got a bit out of hand with that case.”

  “What do you mean? Has this happened before?”

  “Only phone calls. He used to threaten me at least once a day, but nothing ever came of it. I never thought he’d actually come here.”

  “Why aren’t you calling the cops though? I don’t get it.”

  Jenna bit her lip. There was no way that Hayley was going to take this well. Who would? “I uh... I had an affair with his wife, Denise. She hired me to handle her divorce. He wanted to go to counseling. She didn’t, and it kind of just happened.”

  “What?”

  “I’m not proud of that time. They were a messy few weeks.”

  “When was this?”

  Jenna cleared her throat. “Last year.”

  “Oh.”

  “Not a lifetime ago, but this is what started my downfall. Anyway, we were having an affair, and he found out. Not only was he not happy about the divorce in general, but now his wife was cheating on him. From his perspective anyway.”

  “Why do I get the feeling there’s more to this story?” Hayley asked, suddenly looking drained.

  “There is. It gets worse... I set him up with an escort. We knew he’d been drinking a lot since she asked for a divorce, so it wasn’t that hard. I also hired a private investigator who photographed the two of them together. It’s what tipped the case. His lawyers couldn’t prove that she was having an affair, but we could prove that he was, even though he wasn’t,” Jenna said with a sigh. “It was completely unethical. Obviously.”

  Hayley’s mouth was open, probably trying to process everything Jenna had just said. “Wow.”

  “All the phone calls started to get to me. I wasn’t comfortable going to the police because of everything I’d done, so I stuck it out. Blocking his number, changing my own number several times. He just kept calling, but this... Tonight,” she said, shaking her head. “I never thought that could happen. I don’t even know how he knew I was here, after all these weeks. I’m sorry,” Jenna said, taking Hayley’s hand.

  “It’s okay. I’m so tired. And sore. I don’t think… Well, I don’t know what to think.”

  “Why don’t you go back to sleep?” Jenna asked. “I’m going to call security. Let them know to keep an eye out, although I doubt he’ll come back.”

  Hayley gingerly stood up, and Jenna pulled back the covers, letting Hayley slide under them before covering her. She left Hayley to get some sleep while she padded into the kitchen, taking her phone with her. There was no way she was going to sleep tonight.

  Jenna picked up the golf club, leaving it beside the couch. She poured herself a glass of Malbec and got comfortable in the living room. She brought over her folder with all her notes from Clara’s case. She didn’t think she’d be able to concentrate, but she needed to take her mind off what just happened.

  If it had just been her here, Jenna would have felt better. She’d dealt with that asshole before. She’d do it again. But Hayley was here, and it could have been so much worse.

  How did he know that she was back in New York? Did he have someone following her? She’d never seen him as a serious threat, and because she hadn’t heard from him in the last six weeks, she’d thought it was over.

  She couldn’t even tell anyone, because that would involve explaining the circumstances and why this guy was so mad with her. She wasn’t going to risk her career. If it came to it, she’d hire her own security.

  The self-defense classes she’d taken had come in handy. After those first few phone calls, Jenna found a class a three blocks away and spent several nights there, going through all the moves that she hoped she’d never have to use. She should have done it years ago, but at least they were fresh in her mind. She swallowed, thinking about what might have happened if she hadn’t been able to scare him off, if she hadn’t picked up that golf club.

  Jenna turned on her laptop, trying to immerse herself in the case, but her mind kept drifting back to Hayley and what she must think of her now. She’d played dirty, and it was finally catching up with her.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Hayley stopped to take a few pictures of Battery Park, zooming in on the line of people waiting to board a ferry to Ellis Island. That was something she wanted to do, spend a few hours out there, trying to imagine what it must have been like for all of those brave immigrants who came here.

  She followed the path towards the water, picking up one of the brochures for the ferry, reading about the history of the island.

  “Wow,” Hayley murmured as she continued to read. Forty percent of current United States citizens have a least one ancestor who came through Ellis Island.

  She took out her phone and set a reminder to order one of those DNA ancestry kits. She had no idea where her family came from. She was born and raised in New Jersey, just like her parents, but beyond that, she had no idea.

  Hayley kept walking and taking photos. She was glad to get out of Jenna’s apartment. She knew that security had been alerted, and Jenna had shown the photo of this guy to them, but Hayley still didn’t want to be there on her own.

  She was also thinking about going home. She didn’t know what was happening tonight. She thought they’d be going out for dinner, but that was before everything had happened last night.

  Hayley’s stomach and cheek were tender, but the bruising was minor, and the makeup she’d put on this morning hid the marks on her face. She should have been more upset, but it was what Jenna had told her that
left her feeling uneasy.

  Hayley played back their conversation as she followed the path through the park. She tried to picture Jenna as a ruthless divorce attorney who would go to any lengths to win a case. It was just so far from the Jenna that she’d gotten to know. Hayley tried to shake off that doubt that kept creeping in.

  Not only did Jenna lack scruples, she was also a womanizer. Hayley already thought that after spending a few hours at that gay bar. She’d reasoned that they were all from Jenna’s past, but after hearing about this guy and how Jenna had started an affair with his wife while she was handling their case... It was too much for Hayley to take in.

  Maybe I should just go home.

  She could go back to Jenna’s and get her things, get the train home. Hayley sighed as she made her way towards the busy streets of Lower Manhattan and flagged down a taxi a few minutes later, spending the entire journey weighing up her options.

  When she got to Jenna’s apartment, Hayley used the key Jenna had given her to let herself in. Jenna was stretched out on the couch, still in her work clothes, fast asleep. Her auburn hair was splayed across the gray cushions, her black blazer draped over the back of the couch, leaving her in a white sleeveless top and black slacks. Her black heels were a few feet away, on the other side of the coffee table.

  Hayley just stared at her for a few seconds, wondering how someone could be that beautiful. Hayley shook her head as she made her way, as quietly as possible, down to her bedroom to gather her things. It was never going to work with someone like Jenna, and Hayley wished she could have seen it sooner.

  In less than ten minutes, Hayley had all of her things in her overnight bag. She was coming back into the living room as Jenna’s phone rang, waking her up.

  Jenna sat up, picking up her phone, but she put it down again when she saw Hayley’s bag in her hand.

  “Are you leaving?” Jenna asked, running a hand through her hair.