A Date for the Regatta (The Dating Series Book 9)
Page 7
“I bet our old boss at the yacht club is pissed,” Kim says happily. “Their business has gone downhill since we opened. How many of their staff have left there to come here?”
“Six,” I answer.
She snorts. “And I know they’re much happier here. They talk about how amazing you and Max are all the time.”
That makes me feel good. I have accomplished exactly what I wanted. I don’t wish for any business to fail, but the yacht club messed up by only allowing certain people access. Not to mention, management treated the employees like shit. It’s one of the things I was going to change if I became manager. With my staff, I can treat them the way they deserve to be treated…with respect.
Max pulls into the dock and so many people rush up to help him and Jason, and Jason’s younger brother, Alex, tie up the boat. Taking Kim’s hand, I pull her toward the door. “Come on.” It’s been an amazing day for so many reasons. I feel like I can barely contain the excitement.
Max shakes hands and hugs a few people here and there, but when he sees me, he runs up the dock and I jump into his arms. He swings me around and sets me down quickly, his lips on mine. Cameras flash all around us. Max winks at me and waves at all the reporters and all the people crowding around in the parking lot.
“Thank you for joining us tonight. If you don’t have a reservation, we still have room on the patio. As a backup, we hired some extra help tonight in case I won. They should be here shortly. We don’t want anyone being unable to celebrate with us tonight.”
The crowd bursts out laughing and more cameras flash. Max wraps his arm around my waist, and we walk up the stairs to the restaurant patio. “This is going to be a good night.”
“Yes, it is,” I agree. “My parents will be arriving soon and so will your mother and Mark.” My parents love Max and I’ve gotten really close to his mother. She keeps asking when we’ll give her grandchildren. Little does she know I already have a little Max in my belly, or maybe even a little London. We don’t know which one yet. Today marks the end of the first trimester. We’ve been waiting to tell people until after I hit this milestone, just to be on the safe side. I remember the morning I took the pregnancy test. I’ve never seen Max so excited. He waited by the bathroom door and we both looked at the test together. When it came up positive, he ran around the house and we both cried with joy. He’s going to be an amazing father.
We walk inside and our staff gets everyone to their tables, with ours being in my favorite corner with the best view of the water. Derek knows exactly what we want and gets our food and drinks out to us. The pregnancy has made me super nauseous at times, but tonight, our chef made his famous chocolate cake. Nothing is going to keep me from eating it.
A lot of people walk by our table to congratulate Max and he enjoys every minute of it. Once we’re done with dinner, Derek brings out my cake and I eat every crumb of it. Max chuckles under his breath when I wipe the chocolate from my lips. “Damn, that was sexy, babe. You should’ve saved some cake for later.”
I wink. “I’m sure I can get us another piece. I’ll eat it off of you.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” he teases.
“There they are,” my mother squeals. She rushes over to us and Max stands to pull her into a hug.
My dad hugs me and kisses my cheek. “I’m so happy for you and Max, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He lets me go and my mother takes his place, her grip tight as she hugs me. “Oh, honey, this has been amazing. You should hear all the great things everyone is saying about this place.”
“If it wasn’t for London, this restaurant wouldn’t be what it is,” Max tells her. “I owe all the success to her.” My mother lets me go and Max takes my hand, kissing it when he lifts it to his lips. Kitty and Mark walk in the door and his smile widens. “I think it’s time I make an announcement now that our families are here. What do you think?”
My parents look at me with curious stares, but I shake my head. “You’ll find out soon,” I say to them. “For now, just sit down and relax. Dinner’s on the house tonight.”
Max squeezes my hand and pulls me toward the middle of the floor. Kitty and Mark wave at us and we wave back. I know it’s killed Max not being able to tell people our great news. Before we can get to the podium, someone steps in our way. I didn’t see him come into the restaurant, but standing right in front of us is none other than his father, Sheldon Richmond.
Max tenses and grips my hand tighter, drawing me in closer to him. “What the hell do you want?”
Sheldon lifts up his hands. “I’m not here to fight, son. I’m only here to congratulate you. You did amazing out on the water today.” If I didn’t know any better, it almost looks as if he’s sad. He doesn’t have the arrogant demeanor about him like he had a year ago. After the regatta, Max wanted nothing to do with him. Sheldon and his wife weren’t even invited to our wedding.
“Thanks,” Max says impatiently. “If you don’t mind, I have other people I need to talk to right now.”
Sheldon places a hand on Max’s arm, and for a second, it looks as if Max is about to punch him. I squeeze his hand, hoping he keeps his calm. Sheldon glances down at me and sighs. “I owe you an apology, London. I’m sorry for the things I said about you. It was wrong.”
Max scoffs. “What about your bitch of a wife? She needs to be here apologizing too.”
Sheldon shakes his head. “We’re done, son. I filed for a divorce a month ago. She’s not a part of my life anymore. I just hate it took me so long to see how wrong I’ve been. I just hope one day you can forgive me.”
Max’s shoulders slowly relax, and he looks around the restaurant. There are people watching us curiously. It’s not a secret that Max and his father have been on the outs for a while. After last year’s regatta, it was all over the headlines.
Sheldon holds out a hand and Max stares at it for a second before taking it. “I don’t know what to say,” Max says as he shakes his hand.
Tears form in Sheldon’s eyes. “Say you can forgive me. That’s all I want.”
Max lets his hand go. “It’s London’s forgiveness you need, not mine.”
Sheldon looks to me and I can see the pain in his eyes. People do change, I firmly believe that. I can’t deny Max the chance to reconcile with his father. “It’s okay,” I say. “All is forgiven.”
Max stands protectively next to me, his hard gaze on his father. “But I’m warning you, Dad. If you so much as hurt my wife again, we’re done.”
Sheldon agrees with a nod. “I won’t, son. I promise you that.”
Max releases a heavy sigh. “Good. Then stay put, I have something to say.” He drags me to the center of the room and picks up a glass and spoon from one of the tables. He taps it to get everyone’s attention. “Can I have your attention, please,” he calls out. The rooms goes quiet and everyone looks at us. Max drapes his arm over my shoulders and rubs my arm soothingly. I’m not the type who likes to be the center of attention and he knows it. “I want to thank you all for coming tonight,” he announces. “I’m glad my crew and I get to celebrate with some of our closest family and friends. It means the world to us that you’re here.” He smiles at me and then focuses back on the crowd. “It seems that there’s another reason for us to celebrate tonight.”
I happen to look over at my parents and Kitty and their eyes widen in surprise. I’m pretty sure they know what Max is about to say.
“We’re going to have a baby!” he shouts.
Everyone in the room hollers with joy. Kitty rushes down to us, followed by my mother who has tears flowing down her cheeks. “Oh my God,” Kitty cries. “How long have you known?”
I grin at her sheepishly. “Several weeks.”
My mother hugs me again. “Oh, honey, this is fantastic. I’m so happy for you.”
Once they’re done kissing all over him and after everyone shakes his hand to congratulate him on fatherhood, he steals me away and we head outsi
de to get some fresh air and some much-needed alone time. We walk down to his boat and climb aboard. The stars are so bright, and the moon is full, making the ocean glow with its light.
Max pulls me into his arms and stares down at me. “I love you so much, London.”
“I love you too.”
He kisses me gently. “I have so much to thank you for. Without you, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I wouldn’t be a husband with an amazing wife, and I sure as hell wouldn’t about to be a father. I wish you knew how excited I am for that.”
I cup his cheeks in my hands. “You’re going to be a great dad, Max. And just so you know, I wouldn’t be who I am today without you. You’ve made all my dreams come true.”
His lips close over mine. “And now we get to live in them.”
“Yes, we do.” I look forward to forever.
THE END
You’ve tasted some Food, ate some watermelon at the Fair, now it’s time for the annual Regatta! Don’t get—the Masquerade is next!
More Books from Heidi & L.P.
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Viewing Room
Play Room
Also by Heidi McLaughlin
THE BEAUMONT SERIES
Forever My Girl – Beaumont Series #1
My Everything – Beaumont Series #1.5
My Unexpected Forever – Beaumont Series #2
Finding My Forever – Beaumont Series #3
Finding My Way – Beaumont Series #4
12 Days of Forever – Beaumont Series #4.5
My Kind of Forever – Beaumont Series #5
Forever Our Boys - Beaumont Series #5.5
The Beaumont Boxed Set - #1
THE BEAUMONT SERIES: NEXT GENERATION
Holding Onto Forever
My Unexpected Love
Chasing My Forever
Peyton & Noah
Fighting For Our Forever
CAPE HARBOR SERIES
After All
Until Then
THE ARCHER BROTHERS
Here with Me
Choose Me
Save Me
LOST IN YOU SERIES
Lost in You
Lost in Us
THE BOYS OF SUMMER
Third Base
Home Run
Grand Slam
Hawk
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Blind Reality
Twisted Reality
SOCIETY X
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Viewing Room
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THE CLUTCH SERIES
Roman
STANDALONE NOVELS
Stripped Bare
Blow
Sexcation
HOLIDAY NOVELS
Santa’s Secret
It’s a Wonderful Holiday
Also by L.P. Dover
SECOND CHANCES SERIES
Love’s Second Chance
Trusting You
What He Wants
(Trusting You Prequel)
Meant for Me
Fighting for Love
Intercepting Love
Catching Summer
Defending Hayden
Last Chance
Intended for Bristol
ARMED & DANGEROUS SERIES
No Limit
Roped In
High-Sided
CIRCLE OF JUSTICE SERIES
Trigger
Target
Aim
In the Crossfire
ARMED & DANGEROUS/CIRCLE OF JUSTICE CROSSOVER SERIES
Dangerous Game
Dangerous Betrayals
Book 3 - TBD
Book 4 – TBD
GLOVES OFF SERIES
A Fighter’s Desire
Part One
A Fighter’s Desire
Part Two
Tyler’s Undoing
Ryley’s Revenge
Winter Kiss: Ryley and Ash
Paxton’s Promise
Camden’s Redemption
Kyle’s Return
SOCIETY X SERIES W/HEIDI MCLAUGHLIN
Dark Room
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Play Room
FOREVER FAE SERIES
Forever Fae
Betrayals of Spring
Summer of Frost
Reign of Ice
ROYAL SHIFTERS SERIES
Turn of the Moon
Resisting the Moon
Rise of the Moon – Coming Soon
BREAKAWAY SERIES
Hard Stick
Blocked
Playmaker
Off the Ice
STANDALONE NOVELS
Easy Revenge
Love, Lies & Deception
Going for the Hole
Anonymous
Love, Again
Fairytale Confessions
THE DATING SERIES W/HEIDI MCLAUGHLIN
A Date forMidnight
A Date with an Admirer
A Date for Good Luck
A Date for the Hunt
A Date for the Derby
A Date to Play Fore
A Date with a Foodie
A Date for the Fair
A Date for the Regatta
A Date for the Masquerade
A Date with a Turkey
A Date with an Elf
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It Must’ve Been the Mistletoe
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Wrapped Up with You – December 2020
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W/ANNA-GRACE DOVER
Moonlight and Aleena: A Tale of Two Friends
About Heidi McLaughlin
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
Don’t miss more books by Heidi McLaughlin! Sign up for her newsletter, or join the fun in her fan group!
Connect with Heidi!
www.heidimclaughlin.com
About L.P. Dover
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Everything's sweeter in the South has always been her mantra and she lives by it, whether it's with her writing or in her everyday life. Maybe that's why she's seriously addicted to chocolate.
Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, including a children's book with her daughter. Her favorite to write is romantic suspense, but she's also found a passion in romantic comedy. She loves to make people laugh which is why you'll never see her without a smile on her face.
You can find L.P. Dover at www.lpdover.com.
Praise for A Date for Midnight
5 SEXY AND SWEET STARS!! This was a quick sexy and sweet story. Natalie and Brennan story has all the feel for a perfect book. These two authors know how to suck us readers in. I am so excited for this series.
—Rhonda Ziglar, Goodreads
This was a great romantic novella that you can read pretty fast. So sweet and romantic!
—MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog
McLaughlin and Dover give sex appeal a heart.
—Isha Coleman
This was such a fun, quick read!
—Midnight Reads
The writing draws you in and I could easily see more books for this couple. I love the writing style and I look forward to reading more from this series.
—Krista Ricchi
Praise for A Date with an Admirer
In less th
an 100 pages, theses 2 authors have made me laugh, blush and fall in love with their characters.
—Yoneidis Martín Martínez
Sophie and Tanner will take you on a whirlwind romance filled with friendship, sweetness, intense chemistry and finding someone you never thought you needed!
—Michelle McMullen
Fantastic! Short, cute, and full of laughs. I love how Tanner and Soph are together.
—Jennifer Millaway
This was such a cute novella!
—Jessica, Goodreads
A Date with an Admirer had me laughing from beginning to end.
—Nadia, Goodreads
Praise for A Date for Good Luck
A Date for Good Luck is the next book in this wonderful dating series by the dynamic duo of Dover & McLaughlin. They have once again hit it out of the RomCom park with Hope and Kellan.
—Michele McMullen
An adorable St. Paddy’s Day romantic novella of overbearing parents, lots of green beer and falling for someone you least suspect.
—MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog