by Tara Randel
“The restaurant inventory is more formal than the café so we’ll use it. We also have a choice of glassware you can look over.”
She nodded. “Teacups?”
“We have them. But just to warn you, they’re plain white ceramic. Like our coffee mugs.”
“Hmm. Not...great. Are the ladies bringing their own cups?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
She glanced at her watch. “Hmm.” Too late to call any rental places or antiques stores around town to find vintage teacups and saucers. Tomorrow would have to do.
“What’s with all the hmming?”
She glanced up. “Oh. Nothing. Just thinking.”
“Why do I get the feeling this is going to cost me?”
“Because it is. I’ll call around to find some pretty teacups.” She flipped the page to read the next one on the clipboard. “Menu?”
“Traditional. Finger sandwiches, fruits and desserts.”
She smiled at him. “Hey, you got one thing right.”
“Yay for me.”
She chuckled. “Trust me, it takes time and imagination to nail the ambiance of certain events.”
“Seems you do.”
“I’ve been at this awhile.”
He met her gaze with just enough heat that her skin tingled.
“I do appreciate you doing this,” he said.
“Just like I appreciate what you’re doing at the coffee shop. We’re even.”
“I was kind of hoping for more.”
Uh-oh. “More than being even?”
He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. “I know you’ve forgiven me for the annulment, but I’d still like to explain why I did it.”
Oh, boy. Guess she couldn’t hide from the past no matter how much she wanted to. “Is this necessary?”
“Yes.”
Nealy realized part of being an adult meant dealing with unpleasant conversations. Like the one they were going to have if the determined expression on Dane’s face was any indication.
“What is there to say?”
“I’m sorry.”
Oh. Her heart squeezed at his admission, throwing her emotional equilibrium off.
“Um, thank you. Now, about the flowers—”
“Not so fast.” He stared at her hard, as if searching her expression. “I know I tried to explain at the time, but you never got the entire story.”
She sighed. “What story?”
“After we got married, I went home to hear my parents in the middle of one of their worst fights. Not unusual, but the weight of what we’d done settled on my shoulders. We were kids, Nealy. How was I going to take care of you? Where and how would we live? How would we survive?”
She remembered him expressing those concerns then, but she’d been too shocked to think rationally.
His voice went flat. “Listening to my parents gave me a glimpse of what our future might be like and I didn’t want that for us. Filing for an annulment at least gave us a chance.”
“But not together.”
“No.” Regret made his expression somber. “I don’t know what I expected you to do, but walking away afterward didn’t occur to me.”
“You’d just broken my heart.”
“I understand now. At the time, I thought we’d talk it out. Make plans to get remarried after we both finished college.”
She reflected on her conversation with Hank Peterson. “Your uncle seems to be under the impression you took our breakup badly.”
His brow creased. “When did you speak to my uncle?”
“Doesn’t matter. Please answer the question.”
He pushed away from the wall and paced the room. “Yes, I was upset. I thought we loved each other enough to figure out our next move. Didn’t think you’d move away for good.”
“Is that why you never called or looked for me?”
“You made it clear you were done with me. After a while, total separation seemed the best option for us. We both moved on with our lives.”
At last, the bottom line. Yes, they’d both moved on.
Seeing how successful Dane had become made her heart hurt, because he’d indeed gone on with his life. Without her. She’d taken her broken heart and moved far away, making a good life for herself in California. Time had separated the bond they’d forged, but maybe now they could have some kind of friendship, as they’d had as kids. Friendship only, because falling in love again would be too dangerous for her.
“As much as I hated it then, you probably did us both a favor,” she admitted. “The only thing worse than breaking up after a few hours would have been calling it quits after a few years.”
He stopped pacing and stood before her, much too close for comfort. A strange look crossed his face, as if he wanted to confess something to her, but it quickly disappeared. “So we act like adults now. Work together without any problems, right?”
“It’s the only alternative.”
Nealy had no doubt she could be professional around Dane. After all, she wouldn’t be in town forever. Soon she’d be back to her job. Back to her life, with the reminder of how much Dane had changed. How much she was still attracted to him.
For now, trying to ignore the fact that he’d turned into a caring, responsible man made the present difficult. His smile held the same hint of mischief that drew her to him in the beginning. The same tightness in her chest she always experienced around Dane had grown more intense. Her reaction to him had not waned with time and past hurt. If anything, seeing him again made her reaction stronger.
He came forward, moved into her space. She did everything in her power not to lean into him and yet she failed.
His gaze fell to her lips and she nervously licked them. A flame lit in the depths of his eyes. Nealy’s heart rate was pounding as she waited for his next move. She felt spellbound, unable to move.
The spark between them developed into a full-blown flame. He lifted his hand, hesitating for a mere second before brushing calloused fingers over her cheek with a soft stroke. His familiar touch was like an awakening to her. He seemed to have every intention of moving this new relationship back to a place she had kept locked in her heart. As much as her body longed to be held in his arms again, as much as she reveled in anticipation of his kiss, reason lingered on the edges of her mind. She grabbed hold of it and took a step back.
“This isn’t right.”
“Sure feels right to me.”
“Dane, you didn’t want to stay married to me all those years ago. Why would I want to start something with you now?”
“Because there is an undeniable connection between us.”
“Was. Was a connection. The only thing between us now are memories. Regrets.” She frowned. “Besides, I don’t think Sam would approve of me kissing another man.”
His eyes shadowed.
Nealy moved farther away from temptation. The urge to kiss Dane was calling to her but she couldn’t go there. They had no future together. She couldn’t trust her heart with him again. “You said no problems. I think kissing would constitute a problem between us. Not to mention ruining our working relationship.”
He made space between them, his eyes dark and brooding. He might try to hide his emotions from her, but she knew he was trying to come up with a new angle.
“Fine. At least say you’ll come cheer for me Friday night.”
“Cheer for you?”
“At softball. I’m on a city league and we have a tough game this weekend.”
“You’re still playing?”
“Yeah. I might not have been good enough for the big leagues after my injury, but I play whenever I’m in town. Could never give it up completely.”
Baseball had been Dane’s passio
n and when he’d lost his scholarship and a shot at becoming a pro, he was down on himself. But Nealy had been there to pick up the pieces and their bond had grown even stronger.
“We used to play catch, remember?”
How could she forget? The memories had been seared into her mind, never fully exorcised. He’d seemed larger than life on the field, at command with a ball and glove in his hand. Not even the loss of a scholarship could take away his drive for the game.
“So, you’ll come out Friday night?”
Why not? While she was home she might as well hang out with the locals. See if Dane was still as top-notch as he used to be. Besides, she never could resist a challenge involving Dane and he knew it.
“We’ll see.”
CHAPTER NINE
FRIDAY EVENING, NEALY climbed the sun-warmed metal bleachers to take a seat beside Lanie. She’d debated showing up, but curiosity had gotten the better of her. Small-town Friday night meant a softball game and besides, she didn’t have anything else to do. Why not join in? She should catch up with the good folks of Cypress Pointe. And oh yeah, Dane would be in action again.
The past two days had been productive. She’d decided on an espresso machine her grandmother could operate without much fuss and placed the order, receiving a quick delivery date of Monday. To get ready for the new machine, she’d ordered additional bags of coffee beans, a new grinder and a variety of flavored syrups to accompany the new drink menu. With the new drink selections in mind, she also rented a small ice machine and a blender to make cold drinks. Caught up in the excitement, she’d stayed up late one night to design new coffee cups with the Cuppa Joe logo. Now all she had to do was recruit help to paint the inside of the shop on Sunday, make up the new menu board to hang on the wall, call the local cable company to connect Wi-Fi, and next week she’d be ready to unveil the new shop.
Just in time for Grandmother’s return.
In between making all these plans, she’d learned from the regulars at the coffee shop about the importance of tonight’s game. A strong rivalry between Cypress Pointe and the other team, the city of Clearwater, had gained momentum. Clearwater had trounced Cypress Pointe for two years running and held the number one spot in the league. The boys from Cypress Pointe had recruited as many stellar players as they could find, maintained a strict practice schedule and swore tonight would be the night they regained victory. Competition had stirred up this town and, as indicated by the crowded stands, folks had shown up in large numbers to support their boys.
The late-evening sun shined brightly. The scent of hot dogs and greasy French fries wafted from the concession stand. At another game happening a few fields over, the clang of a ball hitting the metal fence echoed her way. The excited crowd milled about, waiting for the opening pitch.
Nealy shaded her eyes with her hand to peer at the field. Dane stood on the pitcher’s mound, working out the kinks in his shoulder. She recognized a few of his teammates. “Where’s David?”
Lanie pointed to home base. “Catcher.”
“Since when?”
“Since Marty Fellows tore up his knees in a motorcycle accident.”
“Ouch.”
“So now I sit here worried the ball will give David a concussion.”
“Not with all the gear he’s wearing. He’s safe.”
Lanie cocked her head. “Although, a good hit to the head might wake him up enough to realize where our marriage is headed.”
Nealy glanced around and lowered her voice. “Are you sure you want to discuss your marital problems here?”
Lanie shrugged. “At this point I’ve given up.”
“Hey, don’t be like that. I have faith you two will work things out.”
“Like you and Dane?”
Nealy jerked sideways to look at her sister. “What?”
“You two are spending time together. I just thought...”
“Well, you thought wrong. We’re two old friends helping each other while I’m in town.”
“Right. Tell that to your face. Every time you see him you get all mushy.”
“Mushy? No way. I’m a professional.”
“Professionally lovesick.”
“Lanie, I have a boyfriend. Remember?”
“Oh, yes. Whom you haven’t talked about since you came home. What’s his name again?”
“Ha-ha, you’re such a comedian. His name is Sam.”
“Have you talked to Sam lately?”
“We keep missing each other.” True. But why hadn’t she called him more? Or vice versa. She disliked being put off, as he had a habit of doing, but she could have found the time if she wanted to. “He’s got a case and I’m busy at Cuppa Joe.”
“Davey told me you’re serious about upgrading the shop.”
“I am.” She leaned back, enjoying the last warm rays of sun on her face. “He’s a good worker.”
Lanie sighed. “He knows something is up between David and me. Finds excuses to stay out late.”
“Kids aren’t dumb. They know when things aren’t right at home.”
“I don’t know what to tell him.”
“Nothing. There’s nothing to say right now.”
A commotion stole Nealy’s attention away from her sister as her old friend Lilli climbed through the throngs to make her way up the bleachers to take a seat next to Nealy.
“Hey, girls. Am I late?”
“The game is about to start,” Nealy informed her.
“Good.” Lilli looked out at the field. “There’s Max on first base.” She waved with wild abandon at her boyfriend. He nodded his head in response.
“You two make a cute couple.”
She sighed dreamily. “I know.”
Nealy and Lanie exchanged amused glances.
“What?”
“The first stages of love,” Lanie stated. “I’m jealous and revolted at the same time.”
“The beginning stages are fun,” Nealy agreed. She and Dane had been intense from day one, and after he ended the marriage, the strength of her love for him had taken years to fade.
Lilli teased, “Hold on to your jealousy, girls, because Max and I plan on a long, happy, nauseatingly in love relationship.”
Lanie threw her a “you’ll see” look, which Lilli ignored.
The game started. For the next few hours Nealy sat back and watched Dane play. He still filled out a uniform with his athlete’s physique, which she tried not to notice. Okay, she was human. He looked good. He hadn’t lost his graceful moves. The ball still flew from his fingers with precision and speed. In the first five innings he’d kept the batters from scoring, while Cypress Pointe had scored two runs.
The next time he went up to bat, Nealy admired how focused he was on the ball, as if his life depended on it. Just as he’d focused on her once.
“Hit a home run, Dane,” a woman a few rows down yelled.
“Show us what you’ve got,” shouted another.
Nealy looked over the crowd to see who cheered for Dane. “Candy Thomas? Isn’t she married?”
“Nope,” Lanie informed her. “Second divorce six months ago. On the prowl. Has Dane in her sights.”
Nealy shuddered.
“And the other woman?”
“Callie Simmons,” Lilli said.
Nealy’s brows rose. “No way.” She remembered Callie from high school as a mousy, timid girl. Not the bombshell in the tight T-shirt with eyes on Dane.
“Yup. Slow bloomer.”
“Let me guess. She’s after Dane, too?”
“Well, they aren’t technically after him,” Lanie told her, humor lacing her tone, “but they show a lot of interest whenever he’s around.”
Nealy shouldn’t ask the next question, but wasn’t able to stop hers
elf. “Has he shown an interest in anyone in particular?”
Lanie smirked and nudged her elbow. “Why, thinking of dumping Sam?”
“Funny. No, just curious.”
“Who’s Sam?” Lilli asked.
“My boyfriend.”
“Back in L.A?”
“Yes, back In L.A.”
Lilli pressed in close, her shoulder touching Nealy’s. “Do you miss him?”
“Of course.”
“Then why didn’t he come with you?”
“He’s busy on a case. He’s an attorney.”
Lilli’s brow furrowed.
“What? We both have demanding careers. We date when we can.”
“Doesn’t sound very romantic.”
Lanie chuckled and held out her palm to high-five Lilli in front of Nealy’s face.
“What is this, pick-on-Nealy’s-relationship night?”
Lilli nodded toward Dane. “When he’s around, you bet.”
Nealy rolled her eyes. “Okay. Fine. My dating life is sad. But you didn’t answer my question about Dane’s dating life.”
“He dates here and there.” Lanie looked over at Lilli. “I’ve never heard of any serious relationship, have you?”
“No,” Lilli replied. “Doesn’t mean he’s never had one. Well, besides Nealy.”
Nealy shifted on the suddenly uncomfortable bleacher.
“He travels a lot. Maybe he has a girlfriend in another town,” Lanie suggested.
“If he does he hasn’t brought her around Cypress Pointe,” Lilli said. “Trust me, the rumor mill would be all over it in no time.”
True. Cypress Pointe had a very healthy, active gossip system.
So a couple women had a thing for Dane. Why not? He was available. Successful. More handsome than a man had a right to be. He could date whomever he wanted. They’d broken up a long time ago. Moved on. So why did the idea of another woman loving Dane bother Nealy so much?
She tried desperately to put thoughts of Dane with another woman out of her mind. She had no claim on the man. She’d walked away. Left with a broken heart. A teenager’s heart. What about her adult heart right now? Okay, she still harbored feelings for Dane but she’d be crazy to imagine them being together. She’d always be waiting for the day he would betray her trust in him. Not a great foundation on which to build a relationship.
