Ryan smiled. “Thank you.” He was proud his parents had celebrated thirty-five years of marriage and were still going strong. He wanted to emulate them and have the same kind of solid foundation they had one day. “Speaking of my family... My mom’s birthday is coming up this weekend. I know we said we’d keep our relationship between us, but I’d really like it if you could make it.”
Jessie’s brow quirked questioningly. “Are you sure I should come to a family gathering? I mean... I haven’t spent time with your mother in years. Won’t she suspect something?”
“You’re still my friend. There’s no reason you can’t join us, if you ‘happen’ to be in town.”
“I don’t know.”
“C’mon, it’ll be fun. And I’d really like to have you there.”
“If I go, I’ll have to stay at my parents’,” Jessie said. “There’s no way I could come home and not make an appearance. My mother would roast me over the coals.”
“Of course.”
They continued boxing and bagging up groceries for the school, but in the back of his mind Ryan knew that any day now, when his second Black Crescent interview was called, their relationship could come tumbling down.
* * *
Jessie didn’t know why she was nervous as she sat in the passenger seat of Ryan’s Porsche 911 Carrera as he drove them to Falling Brook for the weekend. It wasn’t like he hadn’t given her a lift before, but this time was different. They were an unofficial couple and hadn’t yet shared this detail with any of their friends or family, except Becca and Adam.
This weekend would be the first time she accompanied him to a public outing where his family and anyone else in the community would see them. Was she afraid of the blowback? Absolutely. Although she and Hugh were on a break, she didn’t want to hurt him, either, and if anyone gossiped about her and Ryan being together, he could feel betrayed.
Not that she owed him anything. She’d been honest nearly four months ago when she’d shared with him that their decade-old, long-distance relationship wasn’t working. They were on two different paths. But she wasn’t looking forward to her parents’ disappointment on learning that she and Hugh were no longer an item. Sometimes the weight of living up to their dreams was almost too much to bear.
“You okay?” Ryan asked, reaching for her hand from across the gearshift. “Your hands are like ice. Are you nervous about coming home?”
She shook her head in denial.
“Liar.”
She turned to face him. How could he tell?
“I’m one of your oldest friends, do you think I can’t tell when you have something on your mind? Anyway, you’re like me—you’re very expressive and whatever you are thinking shows on your face.”
“You know me so well. And yes, I’m a bit nervous, but not about your family.”
“About yours? Hugh’s?”
She nodded. He’d hit the nail on the head.
“We agreed to take this as slow as you need,” Ryan said.
“I know. It’s not easy coming back here sometimes. All the expectations and obligations overwhelm me.”
He squeezed her hand. “Don’t let it. You have me and I’ll protect you.”
She couldn’t resist smiling at him, because Ryan did have a way of easing her anxiety. He’d always been a shoulder she could lean on, the man who listened to her troubles without judging her. “I’m extremely lucky to have you.”
He kissed the back of her hand and then released her as he pulled into the Falling Brook city limits. They passed the coffee shop, dry cleaner’s and post office on the way to oak-tree lined Sycamore Street. Jessie’s anxiety increased when they passed O’Malley Luxury Motors and she had to remind herself to breathe.
Finally, Ryan pulled into her parents’ paved driveway. Her family’s five-bedroom home was once the talk of the neighborhood with its traditional Spanish red-tiled roof, wrought-iron work and manicured lawn. But over the years, newer more modern homes had been built, making theirs a shadow of what it once was.
She hopped out of the car without waiting for Ryan. Her mother’s Maserati was in the driveway, so she wanted to beat her to the punch before she came out to meet them. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Jessie, for Christ’s sake, relax!” Ryan exclaimed as he walked around to the trunk to get her bag. “I can walk you to the door without your parents or anyone else for that matter seeing alarm bells.”
Jessie offered a tentative smile. “I’m sorry.”
The front door opened and her mother did exactly as she thought and rushed to greet them, launching herself at Jessie. “Honey, I’m so glad you’re home. It’s been ages.”
Angela Acosta matched Jessie in height. Her complexion was fairer than Jessie’s, but they shared the same jet-black hair and small curves as many of their ancestors. “It’s only been a few weeks,” Jessie replied, pulling back. “Mama, you remember Ryan.”
“Ryan!” her mother exclaimed and came forward to wrap him in her embrace. “How are you? Now, you haven’t been home in a while. Your mother was sorry you couldn’t join her for their annual Fourth of July barbecue. My Jessie couldn’t, either.”
Jessie glanced at Ryan and they both had to resist a smirk.
“Well, I’m here now, Mrs. Acosta. We’re celebrating Mom’s birthday.” Ryan handed Jessie her bag. “I’ll see you later.”
Jessie couldn’t resist watching Ryan walk away. She waved as he got back into his car and drove to the house next door.
“It was so nice of Ryan to bring you home this weekend.” Her mother grasped her by the arm and led her inside.
“We’ve been getting close again,” Jessie said once they were indoors and she’d dropped her bag in the foyer.
“That’s wonderful, dear,” her mother said, releasing her arm. “And you’re sure Hugh won’t have a problem with that?”
Jessie frowned, folding her arms across her chest. “Why would he? Ryan and I are friends.”
Her mother shrugged. “I don’t know. You know what they say—men and women are rarely just friends.”
“You and Mr. O’Malley are,” Jessie commented. “You’ve been working for him for years and he’s always been so kind to us. Helping me and Pete stay at Falling Brook Prep.”
Jessie was surprised to see her mother blush, “Uh, yes, we have been friends—I mean colleagues for some time.”
Was her mother flustered? Her skin had become pink and Jessie could see the entire topic was making her uncomfortable.
“Is that you, buttercup?” Her father’s voice rang out.
“Yes, it’s me, Daddy.” Following the sound of his voice, Jessie found him in the living room watching a golf tournament. She frowned when she saw a glass of brown liquid beside him. Plastering a smile on her face, Jessie walked over to give her father a kiss.
“It’s good to see you, sweetheart.” Her father had been her hero. Well under six feet, Peter Acosta was normally average weight, but it looked as if he’d dropped some pounds recently. And his once jet-black hair, like her own, had grayed at the temples. He’d also grown a salt-and-pepper beard since the last time she’d seen him. And why was he still in his pajamas in the afternoon?
“You, too, Daddy. I thought while we were home we could go to the golf range and you could help me with driving?” She knew how much he’d enjoyed the sport before he’d been kicked out of the country club for nonpayment of dues.
As soon as she’d made enough in the firm, she’d paid for a membership for him again, but her father adamantly refused it. He didn’t take handouts, certainly not from his daughter. Furthermore, he didn’t want to hang around fake people who ditched their friends. Because that’s exactly what had happened to her parents. Friends they’d known and socialized with for years had ostracized him and made him feel small after the loss of their wealth.
“Oh, I
don’t think so,” Pete Acosta replied. “I could never go back there.”
“We don’t have to go the country club, Daddy. A fun spot just opened in the nearby town. It’s called Top Golf. You can practice your swing on their range. It even shows replays and your stats on the display, which helps you make adjustments to your swing. What do you say?”
“I say it sounds like a lot of fun, Pete.” Her mother concurred, patting his shoulder, which was the most contact Jessie had seen from her mother toward him in years. Why had she not noticed it before? Was it because she and Ryan were so affectionate and touched each other often? “Did you ask your brother and Amanda if they could join us?”
“Already on it. I couldn’t get reservations for tonight...” Jessie added because once she told her mother she was going out with Ryan, it was going to be a big deal. “So I made them for tomorrow. Could be a family affair. What do you say?”
Her father smiled. “It sounds wonderful, buttercup. Thank you.”
Jessie released a sigh of relief. She would get her father away from the television and finally living again with the rest of the world. She wanted to do the right thing for her family, but for them that meant salvaging her relationship with Hugh, even when Jessie’s heart was starting to lead her in a different direction.
* * *
“How’s my baby boy,” Marilyn Hathaway said when Ryan had come strolling into the family home minutes earlier. His mother was in the kitchen baking his favorite chocolate-chip cookies.
Ryan swiped one as he swept his mother into a whirlwind hug. “Good now that I see you. You’re as beautiful as ever.”
“Oh stop!” She patted his chest. “And put me down.”
He did as instructed and continued munching the cookie in his mouth. “Have Sean and Ben arrived?”
“Ben and Daphne are on their way. Sean and Monica will be along shortly. Monica had a bout of morning sickness, so they’ll be a bit behind.” His sister-in-law, Monica, although past her first trimester, was still suffering during her pregnancy.
“That means I get you all to myself,” Ryan said, reaching for another cookie.
“I don’t mind that at all,” his mother replied. “So tell me what’s new with you? Seems like we haven’t chatted much the last few weeks.” Ryan and his mother were close and usually spoke a couple of times a week, but since Jessie, his attentions had been focused elsewhere.
“Um, that’s because I’ve been real busy.”
His mother folded her arms across her chest. “Do I look stupid? A young woman has turned your head and that’s who you’re spending all your time with.”
Ryan chuckled. “Mom, that’s getting awful personal.”
“And since when do you have a problem telling me you’re dating?” she inquired. “Unless—” she paused and eyed him “—you think this one is someone special? Someone you could get serious with?”
“Aww, Mom. Don’t go marrying me off just yet. I’m still in my twenties. There’s plenty of time.”
“That’s what you young folks always think.” His father, Eric, joined them in the kitchen. “How are you son?” He gave Ryan a one-armed hug.
“I’m good, Dad. You’re looking well.”
“That’s because I have your mom by my side and she takes good care of your old man.” He flashed his wife a smile.
His father was the picture of health. He’d been diagnosed with Type II diabetes and had to adjust his diet, losing thirty pounds in the process. Over six feet tall, his father now looked slim and trim in the Nike tracksuit he wore. They were similar in that Ryan and his father had the same brown complexion. “You need a good woman by your side.”
“Just because Sean and Ben have coupled up doesn’t mean I’m ready to join in.”
“But you are seeing someone?” his mother inquired. When she wanted something, she could be persistent.
“Yes.”
“I knew it.” His mother pointed her spatula at him as she took another tray of cookies out of the oven. This time they were peanut butter, Sean’s favorite. She spoiled him and his brothers rotten, always making treats when they were home. “A mother knows these things.”
“How’s that job opportunity with Black Crescent coming along?” his father inquired.
Ryan’s brow furrowed. He was hoping to not have to think about it because he knew it would draw a line in the sand in his relationship with Jessie. “Slowly, Dad. Black Crescent’s interview process is moving at a snail’s pace. I know I’m not the only candidate, but you would think I would have heard something by now.”
“Are you sure you want to move back to town?” his mother inquired. “You’ve lived in Manhattan since you left home.”
“I know. I wanted a change of scenery.”
“It’s your choice,” his father said, “and we’d love to have you close by. But be sure you can live with the decision. Black Crescent caused this community and the Acostas, our neighbors, a lot of heartache. I know Joshua Lowell has done a lot to fix things, but to some people it will never be enough.”
“I will, Dad,” Ryan replied because, quite honestly, he was having a hard time justifying his reasoning for choosing Black Crescent. At the time, it had seemed like the right choice to put distance between him and Jessie. But the more time he spent with Jessie, the more Ryan realized the company played a huge role in shaping her life. Could he live with himself if he was the cause of Jessie backsliding and going back to living by her family’s expectations?
Twelve
“I can’t believe you’re leaving us to spend time with Ryan and his family,” her mother wailed. “I thought you were here to be with your family.”
“Oh, Angela, don’t make the girl feel bad,” her father stated. “It’s one night and she’s been with us all day, helping you in your garden.”
“I know that, Pete, but we get to see her so infrequently.”
“It’s only a few hours. I’ll be back in no time. It’s Mrs. Hathaway’s sixtieth birthday.” Jessie had already texted Ryan to meet her outside.
“I didn’t know you were close with the Hathaways anymore.”
Jessie didn’t bother commenting. “I’ll see you later. Don’t wait up.” She waved and quickly left the house. She didn’t want any more comments or questions from her mother. No, she hadn’t been close with Ryan’s mother for some time, but she was very close to Ryan and it meant a lot to him that she came tonight.
She’d dressed with care for the evening, choosing a little black spaghetti-strapped dress with hints of silver, which hit below the knee. It was the perfect complement to the black suit and silver tie Ryan planned to wear. Modest makeup, silver earrings, kitten heels and a black clutch completed her look. Jessie was satisfied Mrs. Hathaway would not have a problem with her ensemble.
Walking the short distance between driveways, Jessie was nearly to the Hathaway house when an arm encircled her waist, bringing her into the shadows.
“Ryan...”
She didn’t get another word out because he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. She wound her arms around his neck and opened her lips to his invading tongue. He plundered her mouth, kissing her deeply and reminding her of exactly what he could do to her. Make her on fire for him so that every part of her was hungry for more contact.
Ryan pulled back. “Easy, love.”
“Then don’t start something you don’t plan to finish,” Jessie replied with a groan.
“I’m sorry. I missed you,” Ryan whispered.
“So did I.” And she had. Because Ryan made her feel special. So special, it scared her. Could this be real? She’d never felt this closeness with Hugh or even with her own family.
“C’mon.” He grabbed her hand to lead her inside, but Jessie stopped him.
“No.” She wrenched her hand a way. “You’ve just kissed me senseless. I need a moment to
repair the damage to my makeup.” She pulled her compact and lipstick out of her purse and quickly touched up her face. When she was done, she said, “Now I’m ready.”
* * *
Jessie took his breath away.
Ryan was certain his entire family could see how absolutely he’d fallen for her. Tonight she’d sparkled. His parents hadn’t said a word when he’d brought Jessie into the house. Instead, his mother had enveloped her in a warm hug and welcomed her back into the fold.
Soon his brothers, in black tie, arrived with their wives and they’d all hopped into the limousine Ryan had procured to take them to the country club where they were to have dinner.
He knew his mother didn’t like big displays of wealth, but this was different. It was her sixtieth birthday and she’d already done so much for him and his brothers, they’d all agreed she deserved something nice for her birthday.
They enjoyed a glass of champagne on the drive to the country club and once there, were led into a private dining room where the chef had prepared a special menu for his mother.
“Honey, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” his mother said, looking at Ryan. How did she manage to know he was the instigator of the plan? Like she’d always known when they were up to no good. Once, he and Ben had been playing ball in the house and broken her favorite lamp. They’d tried to superglue it and hoped she wouldn’t notice. But Marilyn Hathaway had known instantly and they’d gotten the punishment to prove it. A week without video games.
“You’re worth it, Mom,” Ryan replied.
“I’m happy to have all my boys here,” she said, glancing around the room. “And my daughters.” She glanced at her daughters-in-law and then at Jessie. “You, too, Jessie.”
Ryan felt Jessie clutch his hand from underneath the table. He could see she was touched by his mother’s words.
The dinner went exactly as planned. The food was delicious, and his mother was genuine happily to be surrounded by her sons and their women. Later, they retired to the main dining room where a table had been set aside so they could listen to the solo artist for the evening.
Insatiable Hunger Page 11
