Jenna nodded. “What about you?”
Sophie grabbed her coat of the rack. “Leo and I will get a bite to eat and that’s about it.”
Jenna whistled and arched a brow. “A hot date night?”
Sophie laughed while pulling her hair out from a messy bun. “Wild for us married thirty-somethings. We can’t hang out as late as we once did.”
Jenna was in her early twenties, yet she rarely stayed out past midnight herself. Having married young, she hadn’t partied much, but didn’t think she’d missed out. The lifestyle seemed to be accompanied by hangovers and regrets.
“Enjoy. See you Monday.”
Sophie said goodbye and left the clinic.
Jenna put on her coat, grabbed her bag, and walked out the exit. A wind swirled around her and she hunched her shoulders. March in Rhode Island was as finicky as any place in New England.
As she locked up, she exhaled. She was lucky to have been able to start over again in Newport. She’d moved out of the luxury apartment that she’d shared with her ex-husband on the waterfront, but at least she had her freedom. Her cozy one-bedroom apartment within walking distance of work had much more breathing space than living with her controlling ex.
Jenna slung her bag over her shoulder and headed home. When a man fell into step beside her, she gasped. “Roberto!”
His designer cologne choked the air. She’d loved the scent when they’d started dating, but now it reminded her of everything that had turned sour with their marriage.
“Someone’s excited to see me.” He leered. His dark hair was styled as always, and he was clean-shaven. Wearing one of his tailored suits and expensive watches, he carried off the stylish image he wanted to project. Once she’d been swept up in his portrayal of himself—a handsome, successful, powerful man. She woke up from that slumber a long time ago.
Jenna picked up her pace walking down the sidewalk, rushing by the stores and restaurants in the commercial strip. “You need to stop this. I’ve told you already.”
As he stepped on a grate, she pictured him falling in it. Their marriage had ended badly last year, and the ink on the divorce papers was only dry for a few months. He’d refused to let her leave at first, he’d changed his mind when she’d agreed to a quick settlement in which she didn’t go after the apartment. Typical Roberto—money came first. Unfortunately, he’d had a change of heart the past few weeks and had been trying to convince her to give him another chance.
“Come on, babe. It’s Saturday night.” He walked beside her, undeterred. “Let’s go out for a nice dinner on the wharf, like the old times. The good times.”
Right, those times before she caught up with his betrayals, before his domineering personality attempted to smother her. They’d go to an expensive restaurant where he’d pay minimal attention to her while he scanned the room searching for any connections he deemed important, either business or personal. He’d wanted to see and be seen. She’d simply been an ornament on his arm in his quest for power and money.
“Those days are over, Roberto. We’re done.”
“Come on.” He reached for her arm.
Jenna pulled it from his reach. “Don’t touch me.”
“Enough of this cold shoulder business. One dinner is all I’m asking.”
“No,” she declared.
“Why not?”
She sighed through the exhaustion of this never ending merry-go-round. “I shouldn’t have to explain this over and over. Saying I don’t want to is enough.”
“All right, babe. I know your game. You want me to work hard to win you back.” He raised his hands. “Fine, we’ll play it your way.”
She turned to him and her eyes bulged. “It’s not a game, Roberto. We’re divorced.”
Roberto nodded with a self-assured smirk. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
He turned and headed in the opposite direction. She stared at his retreating form and sighed. When would he get it and leave her alone?
Jenna rushed back to her apartment. While in the shower, she tried to wash off the icky feeling after that interaction, like a slug had slithered over her skin.
After she dressed in a pair of jeans and a dark pink shirt, her phone rang. It was Derek.
“Hey Jenna, what are you up to tonight?”
“No plans. Probably just watch a movie.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged, even though he couldn’t see. “Why do you ask?”
“You know why.”
Right. Derek wasn’t happy about Roberto’s renewed affections toward her. “Well, not exactly. Roberto came by when I left work.”
“What did he want?” The clipped tone in Derek’s voice was clear. He’d never liked Roberto.
“He wanted to go out to dinner.”
“I hope you said no.”
She sighed. “Of course I said no.”
“Did he give you a hard time?”
“Not really.” She shook her head. “But he doesn’t get it. He thinks I’m playing hard to get, and he needs to win me back.”
“Jenna…”
“What’s with the wariness? Of course that’s not going to happen.”
“I hate how he creeps around you.” Derek exhaled and was then silent for a few seconds. “Can you meet me for a drink at Bowen’s Wharf later?”
“Sure, what’s up? You sound like you’re up to something.”
“Well, I already have plans to meet someone, but I just thought of something.”
“Who? And what?”
“You’ll find out soon, Jenna. See you tonight. ”
Chapter 2
Matty
A faint echo of throbbing lingered in his leg as Matty walked down to Bowen’s Wharf that evening, but it wasn’t enough to keep him home. The bright lights of the restaurants, shops, and galleries projected a lively atmosphere and the scent of seafood mingled with that of the sea.
He arrived fifteen minutes early to the pub and found a high top table with a view of the bay. There wasn’t much to see by night aside from the twinkle of the moon on the waves, but being near the water was soothing. He ordered a pint and kept an eye out for Derek’s arrival.
Promptly at seven, Derek entered wearing a blue button-down shirt and black pants. His sandy brown hair was cut short and neat. Derek scanned the pub, and Matty stood to make himself more conspicuous. When Derek made eye contact, he grinned and strode over.
“Hey Matty, good to see you.” Derek initiated a bro hug. “It’s been too long.”
“Sure has.” After they pulled away, Matty caught the sparkle from the expensive watch on Derek’s wrist. “Business must be treating you good.”
“The perks are good.” Derek shrugged. “Always a price to pay, though.”
“How so?”
“Oh, you know. Living overseas on another continent for an extended period. Being far from everyone. It’s nothing like what you’ve gone through, so I shouldn’t even mention it. Besides, I like living in Tokyo.”
Matty nodded and drank his beer while the server took Derek’s drink order. Their experiences overseas—Derek as an American businessman in Japan and Matty as a SEAL deployed to wherever he was sent—couldn’t have been more different.
“How long are you back for?” Matty asked.
“Just until Monday. And I have one of those long flights crossing too many time zones so that I don’t know who or what I am by the time I land.”
“Ah, I’ve experienced those myself. Jet lag can be a bitch. Worse than a hangover.”
“How’s everyone?” Derek asked. “Your parents, your brothers?”
“They’re good,” Matty replied. “Pop retired and keeps himself busy with his projects. Ma still works at the medical center. Angelo is out of the Navy and living in Providence. Got married and is working as a paramedic. And Vince is still an EOD tech in the Marines. Also married. Right now they’re over in Okinawa.”
“Nice. I’ve visited there. Great beaches.”
<
br /> The server arrived with Derek’s beer. After she left, he raised his chin at Matty. “How’s the love life? Are you seeing anyone?”
“Nope, and I intend to keep it that way.” Matty raised his glass and drank. “What about you?”
“Nothing serious. I work a lot, so don’t date often. Besides, you know, it’s like we said when we were younger—it’s crazy to settle down in your twenties. Why put an end to all the fun before you have to?”
“Thirty isn’t that far away. And I can’t say that the first half of my twenties has been a party. You?”
Derek shook his head and laughed. “Not really. Not as tough as what you’ve faced, I’m sure.” He cocked his head. “What made you decide to come home?”
“The Navy didn’t need my services anymore.” When Derek furrowed his brows, Matty pointed at his leg. “Medical discharge. I didn’t realize we were playing hide-and-seek with an IED.” He forced a one-sided smile.
“Shit, man.” Derek ran his hand over his face. “Sorry.”
Matty shrugged. He gave his usual response, refusing to let the emotions rise. “Could’ve been worse.”
“I’m glad you’re okay, and that you’re safe back home.” Derek eyed him with a speculative look. “What’s next in your playbook?”
Matty shook his head and then shrugged. “Taking it easy for a few weeks while I explore my options.”
“I know we both left Newport, but you can’t beat living here by the sea.”
“Right. Maybe now that I’ve been gone for a while, I’ll appreciate it more.” Matty leaned back in his chair, eager to shift the conversation off him. “What about your family? They must be happy to have you home to visit.”
The grin on Derek’s face vanished. “My dad and stepmom are fine. They’re snowbirds down in Florida now. I’m worried about Jenna, though.”
An image of Derek’s younger sister flashed in his mind. Jenna was sweet and petite with long brown hair and dark blue eyes. She was three years younger than they were and a pain in the ass—a cute, loveable one. Since Matty didn’t have any sisters, he often thought of her as his annoying little sister too.
Except that didn’t explain that one time they’d kissed before he’d left for the Navy. Matty had never told Derek, rationalizing that it was only for a few seconds and didn’t go anywhere. Every guy knew it was wrong to move in on your best friend’s little sister.
Matty adjusted in his seat. “What’s going on?”
“She married some dick, and it didn’t work out. They got divorced, but he’s been bothering her lately.”
Matty’s muscles tensed. “Bothering her how?”
“Trying to get back together with her, but she wants no part of it. He cheated on her multiple times. Like I said, total dick.”
“Sounds like one.”
Derek furrowed his brows. “I’m leaving on Monday and am worried about not being here for her.” His gaze scanned the bar before returning to Matty. “Will you do me a favor?”
“What?”
“While you’re here in Newport, will you keep an eye out for her?”
Surprise caught him off-guard, but he didn’t let it show. “Of course.”
“Even though it’s been a long time, there’s no one I trust to watch out for her more than you.”
“Thanks, bro. Appreciate the confidence and I’m happy to help out.” Since he was now unemployed and had zero prospects, at least it gave him something to do besides dwell on the big question of what to do next with his life.
“It’s been what, seven or eight years? I wonder if I’ll even recognize her.”
Derek leaned back in the booth. “I asked her to stop by tonight.”
Matty nodded and took a bigger gulp.
Over the next half hour, they caught up with stories about their lives over another round of beer.
When the front door of the pub opened and a woman entered wearing a pink pea coat, Matty’s quick appraisal turned into a longer one. She had long, shiny brown hair that framed her pretty face, with large eyes and pouty lips. She was striking and familiar. Too familiar.
Their gazes caught, and her eyes widened. A tightness spread in his solar plexus and his skin felt hot and taut. He sucked in a breath.
Jenna Coleman wasn’t a kid anymore.
She was all grown and headed in his direction.
Chapter 3
Jenna
Why couldn’t Jenna tear her eyes away?
And what was he doing here?
Matty. Matteo DeMarchis. Her older brother’s best friend who’d gone off and enlisted in the Navy after they’d graduated.
He and Derek must have run into each other here. Newport was a small town once the tourists left for the season.
His dark hair was longer than the close-cut in high school and he now had a beard, which somehow made him a thousand times sexier. How did he look even better now?
She took a deep breath and tried to keep a steady pace as she approached them. Her pulse hammered. How on earth was she supposed to swing her arms in conjunction with her legs again?
Ugh, she’d only seen him for three seconds and all her teen awkwardness returned. She’d had a massive crush on him growing up. He’d teased her, messing up her hair and calling her “buggie” because she was petite and often bugged him and Derek. Despite all his joking, she knew he was a good guy. He’d stick up for her in little ways. If Derek and Matty were watching a movie and Derek shooed her off, Matty would say, “What’s the big deal if she’s in the same room? It’s just a movie.” Derek would relent.
When Matty moved away, it had broken her heart. She’d told no one about her feelings. What for? She’d been nothing to him besides Derek’s little sister.
He stood before she reached the table, looming over her. He had to be close to six feet now, and she’d barely reached five-three.
His warm, chocolate-brown eyes fixed on hers. “Hey, Buggie. Long time.”
His voice had deepened to a sexy baritone, one that upped her temperature despite the old nickname.
“It’s Jenna.” She arched her brows in challenge.
“All right, Jenna,” he conceded.
“How are you, Matty, err—” she stammered. “Or do you now go by Matteo?”
His mouth spread into that teasing smile that left her as molten as it had back in high school. “My oldest friends still call me Matty.”
“What about your new ones?”
“In the Navy, it was DeMarchis or Demon.”
“Demon?” she repeated.
“One of my instructors thought I grinned like a demon, so he called me that. There are few things the military likes more than warping names.”
His lips spread into a devilish grin worthy of the nickname. It was a struggle to pull her gaze away, like swimming through sludge. She turned to Derek. Why wouldn’t he tell her earlier that he was meeting Matty?
As she removed her peacoat, Matty helped her and hung it on the back of the chair beside him. He smelled so good, all clean and manly. Her pulse quickened. He pulled out the chair, the one next to his. Since when had he become so chivalrous?
“Thanks.” She sat down.
“Nice coat. I have one myself, but not in pink.” He cocked a brow and sat beside her.
He was so close, she could sense his body heat.
“I’m guessing you each got yours from different places,” Derek pointed out.
“Right,” Matty agreed. “Mine was government issued.”
She glanced at her coat—ah, yes, a Navy peacoat. A flush rose in her cheek. She hadn’t thought of that when she’d bought this coat, but it had been the third she’d owned. When she’d purchased the first one in high school, she’d definitely made the decision with Matty in mind after he’d enlisted in the Navy. She spent much of senior year daydreaming about him, wondering where he was and how he was doing. And if he ever thought of her.
Not likely.
The server arrived to take Jenna’s order. Yes, s
he sure as hell could use a drink right now, something to offset the jangle of nerves that had invaded her body since spotting Matty at the table.
She quickly scanned the drink options on the menu. Although she typically loved to peruse the different cocktails and try something enticing, she couldn’t focus on the words. Down near the bottom, a picture of a fruity sangria seemed a satisfying choice.
“I’ll have a red sangria, please.” And it couldn’t arrive fast enough.
After she placed the order, she caught Matty watching her profile. She turned and caught his gaze. A flash later, that intense stare was gone and the Matty mask that she’d recognized from when they were younger returned—one that seemed amused by a private joke.
Her skin heated. She feigned interest at the drink menu even after placing her order. He’d never looked at her that way before—the way a man looks at a woman he’s interested in.
Not even during their one moment in high school. She’d been feeling vulnerable when her orange tabby was dehydrated and had been afraid of losing her. Since Matty had been kind when her beloved black cat had died a few years prior, Jenna had turned to him for comfort again. For some insane reason, she’d worked up the courage to kiss him.
He’d kissed her back, but with restraint. His hands remained locked at his sides, not touching her, despite her yearning. Just one caress would have been enough to send her on a high for months. Unfortunately, he’d pulled away and said they shouldn’t be doing that. He didn’t want to take advantage of her.
But, hell, she was the one who’d initiated it!
The trouble was he’d considered her Derek’s little sister. She could see it in his face, a bit of surprise and confusion at her action. One part of her regretted her actions, feeling like an utter fool. The other cherished those few moments when she finally had Matty DeMarchis’s lips on hers.
If she thought her response to him as a teen was overwhelming, the crazed reaction in her body now was indecipherable. That raw masculinity hit her like a fireball of pheromones.
Get a grip!
Right. She was a woman now. She’d been married. This was no big deal.
Matty: A Navy SEAL Romance Page 2
