Love Simmers

by Jules Deplume

  Love Simmers

  By Jules Deplume

  Smashwords Edition

  Copyright 2014 Jules Deplume

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

  Cover Design by Tell Tale Book Covers

  Chapter One

  “Nate James, you’ve been giving me that same look for the better part of two decades now. I can’t believe you’re still pissed I stole your story in the third grade,” I snapped at him, pushed to the breaking point by yet another look of exasperation cast in my direction. “If nothing worse has happened to you since, then I’d say you’ve led a pretty charmed life, so can we please move on?”

  “Logan, you think I’m pissed about my story that you outright plagiarized? Not about how you broke Tommy’s heart last year?” he replied, turning his back to me as we carried yet another load of supplies into my brother and his new restaurant. The official opening of their restaurant was barely a week away.

  I’d flown in a few days earlier to help out with the final preparations and had been doing hard labor ever since. First, driving all over the region picking up boxes, and then shifting furniture from one side of the restaurant to the other. I was on the verge of demanding payment, or at the very least, protesting. Nate’s constant antagonism wasn’t helping. I mean, the guy had never been known for his charming, light-hearted personality but he’d never been this bad. As kids, his serious, quiet nature had always meant he was the calmest of us all, far less likely to get into trouble on his own than Ollie and me. Now, he was no longer even tolerable. He was just an ass, mostly to me. At least, for Ollie’s sake, he was an intelligent, business savvy ass. They both had a lot invested in this business.

  “Your brother’s not angry about our break-up. Why should you be?” I followed him into the waterfront restaurant, taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the place. It was spectacular. A blend of rustic maritime charm and modern sophistication that looked straight out of the pages of Vogue Living. I was proud to have a dinner invitation for opening night. I couldn't imagine how Nate and Ollie felt owning the place. It was a huge gamble, but hopefully it would be a rewarding one.

  “Tommy’s not pissed because, as usual, you sweet talked your way out of his anger. Just like you’ve sweet talked your way out of every bad situation your actions have landed you in since the third grade.” His voice was always calm. Most people who knew him had never heard him raise his voice unless they saw him around me. I was the only person who made him yell, and it was usually in annoyance. “Including your detention for taking my story.”

  “Tommy’s not pissed because our break-up was mutual, respectful and mature. Trust me, I was there.”

  I could see his jaw clench in anger at my words. I’ll admit they came out more annoying than I’d intended. I may as well have said his brother and I had a conscious uncoupling.

  “You broke up with him three weeks after moving in with him.”

  “You’ve lived with your brother. You’ve seen his bathroom. You should be more understanding.” I couldn’t for the life of me understand why he was so angry for Tommy. Tommy and I still had coffee together weekly. We were both fine about our break-up. Sometimes people break-up because they just don’t work. No anger, hurt feelings or betrayal involved.

  “Were you always this selfish or has being in front of a camera for the last three years done this to you?”

  I smiled in the way I knew he found infuriating, wanting to get under his skin like he was getting under mine.

  “Have you been watching my cooking show?” I laughed at the look of outrage in his eyes, exactly the same look he gave me when we were five and I suggested a game of ‘I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours.’ Of course, in our teen years, he’d begged me to play that particular game. “Do you want an autograph?”

  “I don’t understand how someone so small can be so irritating,” he said, his resolve to be mad at me beginning to waiver like it always did around me.

  I was getting the distinct vibe though that Nate couldn't stand being alone with me these past few days. We hadn’t spent that much time together in the last few years. Not since that night.

  “Was I this irritating at prom?” I taunted.

  “Probably,” Ollie answered as he walked out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a tea towel before opening the boxes we’d brought in. “Why are we talking about prom?”

  “Just reminiscing,” Nate said casually, giving me a warning look to not to say more. He didn’t need to worry. I could keep secrets.

  “Logan, did you pick up the tablecloths?”

  “Yes,” I answered, rolling my eyes. He’d already texted me twice to remind me.

  “The cutlery?”

  “Yes.” I hoped he wasn't about to list everything in the boxes. It was going to be a long day.

  “Don’t worry. I checked already. She hasn’t forgotten anything,” Nate said.

  My brother smiled with relief that ‘Nate the great’ was around to save us all. I scoffed. It was almost offensive that Ollie didn’t trust me to get the job done without needing Nate’s supervision.

  You would think they’d be slightly more appreciative of me. After all, I had taken a break from my successful career as a celebrity chef to fly out and help them start their restaurant back home in Chester. Instead, all I had gotten was non-stop flak. That was my brother and Nate for you.

  Ollie must have seen me roll my eyes because before I knew his lecturing started.

  “Don’t act like we’re being unreasonable for checking up on you. I was there almost every day when you forgot your keys, your shoes, your books, your homework…”

  “Your pants…” Nate just had to throw his two cents in. It wasn’t helpful or appreciated.

  “That was one time!” I tried to defend myself, “I thought the shirt was long enough to be a dress.” I paid no attention to their laughter. “I may have to take this forgetful mind elsewhere.”

  I took the mature route and stormed off into the kitchen, ignoring their mock apologies and condescending laughter.

  “You know I’m grateful you’re here right?” My brother tried to save himself from my wrath as he walked into the kitchen sometime later. Ollie knew I could hold a grudge like nobody’s business. So could he though.

  “I know.” I looked up from stirring the chocolate sauce for the taster dessert menu to smile at him. I knew he was grateful. Nate, on the other hand, looked decidedly ungrateful about my presence. He seemed not to care that this was my home too, and this was my brother’s success as well.

  “Nate will come around. I think he’s still pissed at you for leaving.” Ollie laughed at the look of shock on my face. I couldn’t believe Nate had the audacity to hold a grudge over me leaving five years ago. I’d left after high school like three quarters of our friends did. My aspirations had taken me away. Nate had chosen to stay. He couldn’t begrudge me for that.

  “Does he often ask about me?” I tried to appear indifferent, unfortunately my twin always saw right through me. I couldn't hide anything from him. But it was okay since he couldn’t hide anything from me. There were no secrets between two people who’d shared a womb for nine months.

  “No. But after you started dating Tommy last year he had a lot to say about you and none of it was positive.” Ollie stared at me seriously, “whatever’s gone on or going on
between you two, don’t let it interfere with Sail’s opening. Please, Logan, this is the single most important moment of my life. I have everything invested in this dream.”

  I walked around the counter to wrap my arms around him, my head barely reaching his collarbone. Funny to imagine we’d started life the same size.

  “I would never do anything that would risk damaging or even complicating what you’re doing here. I’m so proud of you Oliver. I know this place is going to be a success, how could it not with Nate and you running it.”

  We hugged for a moment before getting back to work. Since there was a lot of work to do before the opening, we had to keep the mushy, motivational speeches to a minimum. He was trying to run a business here after all.

  Chapter Two

  “Are you still glad you came home like a good, dutiful sister?” My best friend, Maddie, asked me over wine and pizza. To be honest, it was more wine than pizza.

  “I’ve spent the entire day organizing the kitchen and bar supplies. When I offered to help them open the restaurant I didn’t think they would have me stacking shelves and doing heavy lifting. I thought I would be sampling the menu for them,” I whined, my feet sore from spending hour after hour standing. I didn’t even get a lunch break. I wasn’t cut out for so much manual labor. As a celebrity chef I spent my days filming my show and writing cookbook. Pilates twice a week and a short daily run was the sum total of my physical exertion. Ollie and Nate didn’t seem to realise my limitations. If they did, they just didn’t care.

  “That bad?” She asked as she refilled my empty wineglass like a good friend.

  “I dropped a glass. You would think I burnt down the restaurant the way that Nate berated me. I ended up paying for the glass just to shut him up.”

  “He’s not warming up to your presence yet?” She sympathised.

  Having gone to school with Nate, as well, she knew his personality wasn’t always endearing.

  “I’m chilled from being in his presence,” I said, shivering dramatically. My melodrama amused her. We both broke into laughter.

  I took a deep breath, leaned back into my chair, and let the atmosphere of my favourite pizza bar comfort me. I loved coming home. Hanging out with my friends, my family, this was the best vacation I could take. Believe it or not, I enjoyed coming home more than I enjoyed my holiday to Bora Bora last year. When life in the city was lonely and stressful I often asked myself if my success was worth the price of living so far from my family and friends. Ollie stayed in Chester and he was one of the happiest guys you’d ever meet. When he wasn’t stressed out of his mind over his new business venture of course.

  “The unresolved feelings between you and Nate are just priceless. I love it. It’s the inspiration for my new romance novel,” she told me, taking another bite out of her pizza slice. “The working title is ‘Can’t Stand The Heat’.”

  I didn't ask about her new novel. Mainly because I was sceptical over whether she would ever finish one. I’d read the first chapter of nine books in the last year alone. I’d finally had to tell her I wouldn't read another first chapter until she had written a second one. It left me with too many never to be answered questions about countless characters. If her ability to write a first chapter was any indication, she could be a great writer if she ever finished a piece of work. And that was coming from someone who didn’t usually read romances.

  “There are no unresolved feelings on my part. I’m resolved in my current feelings of irritation towards him. I remain resolved in my belief that Nate and I will never get along again. That whatever truce or bond we’ve had throughout our childhood has vanished,” I ranted, mostly for my benefit more than Maddie’s.

  There had been one night in the last five years where we hadn’t argued. But, then again, we hadn’t spoken much that night. Ever since then we could barely be in the same room together without one, or both of us, snapping. Nate had never visited me in the city though I had never given him any indication he’d be welcome. Our estrangement was mutual it seemed.

  “Has prom crossed your mind at all lately?” Maddie smiled smugly, the fact she knew only fuelled her delusional writer’s mind. “I can see it now, once upon a time there were two teenagers on prom night…”

  If only she could write the ending for me. I already knew the cliché beginning.

  “Sometimes I think of that night,” I shrugged. I confess, I thought about it more often than I wanted too. Seeing Nate usually triggered those memories. But then again, I thought about the night when I was alone in the city.

  “The night that redefined your passion!” she snickered with sarcasm. I fought the urge not to recount the story of when Charlie and she got caught by the police in the back of his car. I promised her years ago to never again mention that indiscretion. I wouldn’t stoop so low unlike her.

  “How’s it going with Charlie?” I tried to smoothly change the topic. I’d spent all day with Nate. I didn’t want to spend all night talking about the guy as well. Then probably dreaming about him. It was too much Nate for me to handle.

  “It’s been crazy recently. He’s been working intense hours at his new job. On top of that he’s also taking night classes. Some days he’s gone before I wake up and not home when I go to sleep. He promises it’ll calm down soon. Oh, that reminds me, Charlie wants to have dinner together before you leave.” She gave me a scolding expression, “You should have asked about my new book if you’d wanted to change the topic.”

  “I thought that would be a little obvious,” I teased.

  “Right. Asking about my boyfriend was definitely subtle.”

  I laughed a little louder than I’d expected, the three glasses of wine making an appearance. My head felt fuzzy.

  “Do you mind if I call it a night?” I stood up stiffly, the wine and pizza sitting heavily in my gut. I’d go for a run tomorrow and everything would be back under control. The button on my jeans should stop digging into my stomach then hopefully.

  “Perfect. I want to get home to Charlie. He owes me a relaxing evening.”

  We paid the bill and headed outside, the warm night only aiding the wine’s efforts to make me sleepy. The five-minute walk back to Nate and Ollie’s place was beginning to seem daunting. I’d been staying with them this trip much to Nate’s dismay. If he’d had his way I bet he’d have pointed me in the direction of the nearest inn. Unfortunately for him, my mother’s new boyfriend meant I’d rather face Nate’s lack of hospitality than my mother having sleepovers. Plus, I liked spending as much time with Ollie when I was home as possible so Nate was the only one unhappy. I must admit I did enjoy making him uncomfortable. It was payback for how much he unsettled me.

  “Pilates class Thursday?” Maddie asked, giving me a goodbye hug.

  “Of course. Have a ‘relaxing night,” I said astutely, enjoying the blush that colored her cheeks. She and Charlie were not as coy and original as they thought with their code words for sex. In High School it’d been hilarious watching them get together, hide the relationship unsuccessfully and then stress about how to tell Ollie, Nate and me. We’d finally put them out of their misery and told them we’d known about them, practically since the night of their first kiss. They’d been together all the while. No break-ups and make-ups only ups and downs that they had navigated together. They were like an old married couple. It made Maddie unbearable when it came to love advice. One successful relationship and she thought she had all the answers. It was just luck that usually she did have the answers. I think it was why Maddie wrote romances.

  I walked slowly down the main street of town, waving to the odd old friend along the way and enjoying the beautiful night sky. If I were out and about in Toronto at this time of night I knew I would be holding my purse a little tighter and looking around nervously. Small town life was peaceful. I could hear the waves gently lapping the shore in the distance. The gentle sea breeze that blew through the coastal town was invigorating. When I came home it felt like I could breathe deeply again. I l
oved watching the boats sway in the current and the birds glide gracefully in the wind. None of those were sights I saw daily in the dense metropolitan where I lived.

  A car door slamming shut turned my attention to the road where I watched as Nate stepped out of his SUV. He wore his usual uniform of a grey t-shirt and well-worn dark jeans. Casual but always clean and smart looking. His tall, lean frame made any clothing look sexy. His brown hair was dishevelled but somehow groomed looking. I wanted to sink my hands into his full head of hair. I looked away before he could catch me checking him out. I cursed the bottle of wine I’d drunk. It made me think dumb thoughts about wrapping my arms around Nate’s neck and pulling his full lips onto mine. Dumb, dumb thoughts. I blamed Maddie for reminding me of prom.

  I turned around and started walking, my wine infused brain hoping that if I could no longer see him he could no longer see me. Don’t question the logic of a lush.

  “Logan,” he called out and walked over to where I was standing. A panicked look crossed my face I’m sure. I couldn't handle him sober, let alone tipsy.

  “Nate,” I replied, looking into his eyes squarely for the first time since I came home two days ago. I don’t know why I avoided looking into his eyes. Perhaps I didn't like what I saw reflected in them. Or perhaps I was easily swept away staring into their beautiful amber depths. I shook my head visibly, trying to dislodge the painfully dumb voice that was my drunken self. I should stop drinking. I couldn’t handle my liquor.

  “I wanted to apologize but maybe I should try and catch you sober.” He made it sound like an insult. As though it was difficult to catch me sober. I knew him well enough to know that’s what his tone was insinuating.

  “Apologize for what?” I said calmly, wanting the apology from him now. I’d remember it tomorrow I hoped. I was willing to take that chance to hear him say it now.