PARADISE COVE - 3 BOOK SET: PARADISE COVE SERIES

by Patrice Wilton

  She put a finger to his mouth, and traced the lips she loved to kiss. “We both know, we always did, that this was just a short term romance. I’m grateful to you, and I’m going to remember you for a long, long time, but our paths are not linked. We both need to go separate ways.” She said the words she feared most. Why did she want him to deny it, when in her heart she knew it was true? How could she torture herself like this? And him? He deserved better, a clean break.

  “I have a plan,” he said in a husky whisper.

  She pushed away from him and cocked her head on her arm. “What kind of plan?” Her eyes searched his, hoping there might be a solution after all.

  “One that might interest you, I hope.”

  “Is this your secret? Your surprise?” Her heart raced. His surprises always made her happy. Could he give her what she wanted most? A lifetime with him?

  “It’s part of it.” He sat up and pumped a pillow behind his back. “Are you ready?” He gave her a teasing smile. “Keep your mind open, and just go with it.”

  “What? You are such an enigma.” She gave a fleeting thought to the theater in Miami, but knew she’d rather be with him. “You know I have plans of my own.” She wouldn’t cling to him. She wanted him to know she was self-reliant, capable of looking after herself.

  “Yes, I know, but I’m hoping for a better outcome. One that can mutually benefit both of us. And allow us to do this.” He traced a finger down her breast. “All the time.”

  “Okay. I’m listening.”

  “Well, it starts with the play. It may be awhile before I hear back, but I pitched the second play and told the producer about you. He was interested.”

  “Why would he be interested in me?” She sat up. Her stomach clenched, as if waiting for a punch to be delivered. Her gut instincts were usually dead on and she didn’t like what they were telling her.

  “Because the play I wrote is your story really. With creative license, of course.” He smiled, his green eyes fixed on hers. “I found your story fascinating—everything about you fascinates me. Your passion. Your strength. Your beauty, both inside and out. What you endured in your short life should have hardened you, but didn’t. The most amazing thing about you is the pleasure and joy that shines within. Just being around you is like catching a ride on a star.”

  “I don’t understand.” She shifted away from him, and battled back tears. “You wrote my life story? That’s your second play?” Her voice rose and she found it difficult to breathe. The air was too still. He was too close. This man she’d thought she was halfway in love with had betrayed her. She’d told him her deepest, most private secrets. Exposed a part of her that no one, not even her sisters, had been allowed to see. “But I trusted you,” she said, her hand on her chest, feeling the beat of her broken heart.

  “Did you listen to a word I said?” His smile faded, and he tried to pull her back into his arms but she wasn’t having it.

  “Every damn word. How dare you!” Grabbing hold of the sheet, she pulled it with her as she stumbled out of bed. Her fingers were shaking, but she held it tight around her, hiding herself from him. The idea of people watching his play, seeing her as a weak, vulnerable, fool-hearty person—it was too much to bear.

  “I did it to help you,” Chase answered hotly, running his fingers through his hair. “To help us. You would be the star, of course. I wouldn’t sell the rights to the play unless you had the lead role. This would be your ticket to Broadway, and New York.” His eyes were sad, the glimmer gone. “I hoped to make you happy and keep you with me. I don’t want to lose you.”

  She grabbed her clothes, and keeping her back to him, hurriedly dressed. When she had her tee and shorts on, she flung her bikini at him. “You already did.”

  Jose’s betrayal had been cruel, and a terrible shock, but no way did it compare to the damage Chase had done. She’d told him things that she’d never shared with anyone. She had exposed herself to him with her insecurities, her most sacred, private thoughts. Never had she expected him to use them and make a profit from her pain. What kind of man did that?

  Head held high, she marched out of the room, and didn’t look back.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Chase watched Brittany leave his bedroom, but didn’t try to stop her. He was struck dumb, not understanding her at all. He’d imagined this moment many times. She would jump into his arms, or hop up and down like a kid, a huge smile on her face, and emotions that had no name would make his heart swell. He had many images of how it would play out, but never had he envisioned this.

  Not for one damn moment. She had gutted him through and through. The play would have been a tribute to her and her strength. It would have shown the world the lioness pride and heart hidden behind her fragile beauty. But now the world would never know her, and neither would he.

  Unless…unless he could convince her somehow. Let her read the play and see how he and everyone else viewed her. Not as she did—because his beautiful Brittany had low self-esteem. But as someone remarkably brave and strong, with an inner beauty that made her exceptional looks dim in comparison. She would know that he loved her, and that he hoped they could have a life together.

  She would know all the things he couldn’t tell her, that he was almost afraid to admit to himself. He’d only known her for such a ridiculously short time, but his heart belonged to her.

  And she had stomped on it.

  He got out of bed and walked to the window, glancing at her cabin down the lane. What if he went over there now and confessed his love? Tell her he’d rip up the damn play, give up his stupid dream to be a playwright, if only she would forgive him and give him a second chance.

  Hell, he was an ad executive, and a darn good one. He could go to Miami and work there. If she was hell-bent on buying a theater with her lady friends and going into huge debt, he could loan her the money. She wouldn’t need a hefty bank loan, or to borrow against her interest in Paradise Cove. But he couldn’t go to her now. His emotions were too raw.

  He would win her back. After all, tomorrow was another day, and he wasn’t named Ashley for nothing.

  * * *

  Anna looked up from changing Shauna’s diaper when she heard Brittany enter. She pulled down the baby dress and lifted her granddaughter into her arms. “The party’s over? How did it go?” Then she turned and caught sight of Brittany’s face. “Oh, dear. That bad?”

  Brittany sniffed. “Party was wonderful. Couldn’t have been better. It’s Chase. He’s not the man I thought he was. He…he…” She burst into tears.

  “Now, now,” Anna patted her back, still holding Shauna in her arms. “I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding. He’s a lovely man. Such good manners. And he adores you, it’s clear to see.”

  “He adores me so much that he wrote a play about me. About my life! Isn’t that the most despicable thing you’ve ever heard?” She closed her eyes, remembering what she’d told him. How after the twin towers went down she hid under her bed, afraid to come out. The drugs she’d taken for no better reason that to win the respect of her manager, and get him to like her. She’d wanted to be a star. At what cost?

  “It doesn’t sound that bad to me,” her mother replied. “Quite nice in fact.”

  “Nice? It’s a total betrayal. I don’t even know what he wrote, but I can imagine.” She shuddered. “Probably about my wild days, my mad existence…”

  “That’s been done before,” Anna said. “Evita.”

  “Oh, Mom! Don’t mock me. My heart is breaking. Whatever he wrote, it sure isn’t about me waiting tables at Paradise Cove.”

  “No.” Her mom smiled. “I’m afraid that would empty the theater and get people demanding their money back.” She plopped Shauna in a swing and turned the music on.

  “Mom, don’t take his side. He betrayed me. The least he could have done was ask permission—I would have told him no. Instead he wrote and pitched it to a producer on Broadway.”

  “How exciting!” Anna beamed.
“My daughter, a Broadway star.”

  “It is not! It’s deplorable.” She began to pace, her fists clenched by her side. “And I won’t allow it. I’ll sue, that’s what I’ll do.”

  “Oh, Brittany, you are adorable. But please, take a little time and get used to the idea. Besides, you don’t even know what the play’s about, so why be upset? I bet it’s fabulous. I would be thrilled if someone wrote a play about me.” She patted her thick, still lustrous hair, striking a pose as if she were a photographer’s dream. “I did have an exciting life you know.”

  “Oh, Mom.” Brit sighed. “Really? This breaks my heart. It really does. I feel sick inside, like he sliced me in two.”

  “Now who’s the drama queen?” Anna asked, going into the kitchen and pouring them both a glass of chilled wine. “Here. Drink this. You’ll feel better.”

  Brittany accepted the glass and sank into a comfy chair in the family room, her eyes still on her mom. How in the world could her mother not see her pain, or the fact that this so called “gentleman” was really a cad! She had an uncanny knack to turn lemons into lemonade, just by thinking it was.

  Anna came around the island, bringing the bottle of wine with her. “It might end up being a good thing for you.”

  “It might have been had he discussed it with me, and if I had a say in what he wrote. But the way he did it was so underhanded, and cruel. Exposing my deepest pain, my failures, and my losses, just to make money from it.”

  “I’m sure he didn’t. I think he would have been very sensitive when it came to things that have hurt you.”

  “I’m no Pollyanna, Mother. Even you know that.” Brittany shook her head, and took a sip of the wine before saying, “He probably exploited the fact that I’ve lost two fathers, slept around, did some bad things, and had an affair with a married man. Awful things that are personal and private. Not for the whole world to know.” Losing her fathers had not been her fault, but she had made some bad choices in her life. Choices that she regretted and was ashamed of. But they were her mistakes, and she had to live with them, and learn to forgive herself too.

  “They are not so bad.” Anna came up behind her, and kissed the top of her head. “You are an amazing woman, stronger than most. I’m sure he played up the beautiful things about you, romanticized it the way he should. Anything else would only be for drama and to show how much you endured, and how nothing could ever bring you down.”

  She took Brittany by the chin, forcing eye contact. “You are resilient. A role model. Someone I’m so very proud to call my daughter, and the kind of woman I would want to be.”

  Brittany blinked back tears. “Thank you. That means a lot to me, but I’m still never going to speak to that lying, deceitful, horrible man again.”

  “Give it some time dear, and I’ll bet you change your mind.”

  “I hope he’s gone in the morning and I never have to see him again.”

  Anna didn’t answer that. Her voice gentle, she said, “You must be hungry. How about if I run down to the Cafe and grab us something for dinner? I don’t feel like fixing anything and I’m sure there is plenty of food left from the party.”

  “Sure, Mom, but I’m not very hungry. I’ll take care of Shauna until Kayla gets here. I’m surprised she hasn’t already picked her up.” She glanced over to see Shauna slumped in the swing, her tiny eyes closed, cheeks flushed in sleep.

  “She’s probably helping Taylor clean the place up. With all those kids, it’s likely quite a mess.”

  “I should be helping too, but I’m not in the mood. Please don’t say anything to them—they’ll probably side with him as well.”

  Anna was at the door, but turned back. Her darks eyes flashed. “Brittany Holmes, you know very well that we are always on your side. Don’t you ever forget it. We’re a team, and if anyone hurts one of us, well, they will suffer the consequences.”

  “Good!” Brittany raised her glass and swirled the amber liquid around. “As far as I’m concerned, Chase is dead to me.” She took a big slug of wine. “So all of you have to ignore him too.”

  Her mother smiled and waved her hand with a dramatic flourish. “Then he’s dead to us all. I’ll tell your sisters.”

  She watched her mother leave, feeling slightly better. She stood, put the wine down and picked up her niece, who had let out a cry. “Don’t ever let a man do you wrong, sweetheart. I never will again. A man has to play right by me—and by you.” She kissed Shauna’s cheek and tickled her tummy. “You understand, baby? You call the shots. Don’t let anyone call them for you.”

  The baby gooed in agreement and wrapped her tiny fist around Brittany’s finger. “Ga, ga,” she said with a smile.

  “That’s right baby. He’s going ga-ga, soon.”

  “Who are you talking about?”

  She whirled around and bumped into Kayla. “How long have you been standing there?”

  “Long enough to hear the good advice you’re giving my daughter.”

  “Oh!” She handed her squirming niece to Kayla. “How did the party go?”

  “Great. Kids had a wonderful time. And Taylor baked the most delicious dolphin-shaped cake. I have no idea how she does it.” Kayla kissed her baby’s fingers one by one, sucking each gently, which made Shauna giggle and drool.

  “Taylor’s amazing in everything she does.”

  “And so are you.” Kayla gave her a long, hard look. “So what happened with you and Chase? Last time I saw you, you were so hot for each other I thought the kitchen would catch fire.”

  Brittany’s cheeks warmed. “Nothing. Not really. We just decided it’s best if we go our separate ways.”

  “You did no such thing.” Kayla shifted Shauna in her arms, and put a finger under Brittany’s chin, searching her eyes. “I know you, and there is no way that you just went and had super sex then broke up with the guy. Didn’t happen.”

  “We were going to break up anyway. So it happened sooner rather than later.” Brittany pulled her chin free and shrugged, pretending the idea of losing Chase didn’t just rip her heart out.

  “I don’t believe that. You two are perfect together. I was already thinking about sending out invitations.”

  Brittany snorted, catching herself laughing. “Don’t be ridiculous. He lives in New York, and my life is here, or Miami. I might get involved in that theater project after all.” She put some enthusiasm in her voice, hoping she was deceiving at least one of them. “It’s an amazing opportunity.”

  “I’m sure it is, but it does come with some pretty big risks. How well do you know these girls? And how will you finance this together? What if a year or two down the road, one of you wants out? What then?”

  “I have no idea. The details haven’t been sorted out. Don’t even know how I’ll come up with the money, or how much I’d need.” She strode back and forth across the small space, unable to remain still. “Maybe we can get a grant since it’s either in a historical district, or that it’s a performing arts theater. Lots of things to work out.”

  “Yes. I can see that.” Her sister’s brow furrowed. “Mom said something about a play.”

  “She did? Why that little traitor!” Brittany whirled around, her hands on her hips. “Couldn’t trust her to keep it to herself for all of five minutes.”

  “So, give me the details, little sister.” Kayla settled Shauna on her side and walked over to the bottle of wine. “Better pour us both a drink.”

  Once they each had a full glass, they sat on the sofa with the baby between them, and Brittany gave her the full story. The retelling of the story didn’t hurt quite so much this time. She stated the facts, keeping her emotions intact.

  “I agree that he should have asked your permission first, but I’m also pretty sure that he did it for the best possible reasons. If he’s able to get it produced, imagine what it would do for your career.”

  “I’ve never done Broadway, and I’m not even sure if I could. Besides, if it meant that I’d have to work with him, well, I
wouldn’t do it.”

  “Oh, Brit. He’s a really great guy.”

  “He’s a traitor, just like Mom.”

  They both took a sip of their wine, and looked at each other over the glass. Kayla crossed her eyes, making a silly face, and Brittany had to laugh.

  “Thanks for making me feel better. Doesn’t change my mind, but it stops the bleeding a bit.” Unexpectedly, her eyes welled with tears, and she wiped them away angrily, hating to show weakness, even in front of her sister. When she could speak in a normal voice, she added, “Our sex was sensational. Best ever. And I trusted him. Completely. I think that’s what hurts the worst.”

  “I still think he’s one of the good guys. But the jury is out. If he produces this play without your permission, then you have a right to sue his ass.”

  “Amen, sister.”

  “I brought dinner,” Anna called out as she entered the door. “Quiche and wraps and salads. Cake too.”

  “Why don’t you deliver them to your good buddy, Chase?” Brittany replied, giving her mother the evil eye. “So much for you keeping your mouth shut.”

  “I will do no such thing. When one of my girls is hurting, it’s a family affair. That’s the way it’s always been, and I aim to keep it that way.” Anna placed the food on the counter top, took down some plates and set them on the table. “And now that we have plenty to eat, I’ll have another glass of that wine.”

  No point in arguing. Brittany knew that her family was rock solid, and her pain would be dissected, inspected, and shared by all.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Chase walked down to Birds of Paradise, the cabin Brittany shared with her mother. The door was open, and through the screen he could see the three women drinking wine, and talking over each other, as most women do when excited.

  Hearing his name, he listened for a minute, but when Brittany called him a rat he quickly retreated back to his cabin. He’d been called many things in life, but rat was a new low. Undeserved—in his opinion—which was the only opinion that mattered.