The Closer You Come

by Gena Showalter

  She tripped her way to the kitchen. Daphne stood at the stove, and wave after wave of jealousy rolled through Brook Lynn. I may not work for Jase anymore, but cooking his meals is still my job. No way in hell this girl was going to take over.

  "Where's Jase?" Brook Lynn asked.

  Daphne glanced over her shoulder and offered a tight smile. "You're Brook Lynn, right? The maid?"

  I'm far more than that. But it looked as if the claws had come out. "Where's Jase?" she asked again.

  "Out back. But would you mind staying inside for a bit? He's getting to know his daughter, and I'd really like to give them more time."

  Her hands tightened into fists. "More time? Where were you nine years ago?" I'm acting like a green-eyed she-beast. Don't like this side of myself.

  Daphne turned off the stove and faced her full-on, features hardening by the second. Today she wore a blue tank and shorts that came to just over her knees. Casual chic. Her hair had been pulled back in a ponytail, showcasing the many piercings in her ears. Her feet were bare, her toenails painted a delicate pink.

  "I've already discussed that with Jase," Daphne said, her voice stiff. "I owed him an explanation. I don't owe you anything."

  Do not react.

  Should she go?

  The back door slid open. In strode the little girl. She'd looked uncomfortable and nervous last night, but that wasn't the case today. Happiness radiated through her pores.

  Jase came in behind her, wearing a soft, tender expression. Seeing him with his daughter only made her fall deeper in love with him--but when he spotted Brook Lynn, he frowned.

  Perspiration dotted her palms. She was suddenly transported back to her childhood, before she'd gotten the implants. Jessie Kay would drag her out of the house to play with other kids, only to have those other kids run away, not wanting anything to do with Earmuff Girl.

  "Brook Lynn," he said in greeting, his voice tempered, revealing zero hint of his emotions.

  Back to square one.

  "This is Hope. Hope, this is Brook Lynn."

  Again, he left off the girlfriend identifier. "Hello."

  "Hi. I guess." The girl certainly had her mother's unwelcoming attitude. But she'd inherited more than Jase's eyes and mouth, Brook Lynn realized. She had inherited the shape of his face. They were like carbon copies of each other, and a pang tore through her chest.

  "Don't be rude," Daphne admonished, surprising her.

  Hope glared up at Brook Lynn as if she was the enemy. "She started it! We're having a family day, and she's not family."

  Translation: go home. "Don't worry. I'm not staying," Brook Lynn croaked.

  Jase tousled Hope's dark hair, earning a grin from her, before he claimed Brook Lynn's hand. "Excuse us for a moment." He ushered her out of the kitchen, into his bedroom, where he released her to scrub a hand down his face.

  "I'm sorry," he said. He plopped on the end of the bed.

  Both sides were mussed, both pillows flat and well used.

  "They stayed the night," Brook Lynn said hollowly.

  "Of course." He sounded mildly offended, as if she'd just accused him of throwing the pair into the street.

  "Daphne slept in here," she said. A statement, not a question.

  Understanding dawned, and he snapped, "With Hope. Not me. I crashed in West's room. Both he and Beck stayed out all night."

  She exhaled a breath she felt like she'd been holding all her life. Okay. All right. "I'm sorry. I don't know who I am anymore. This situation is just so..."

  "Screwed up. I get it." A tense pause before he added, "But it's about to get even more so. Daphne and Hope are going to stay for a few weeks."

  The jealousy she felt now made a mockery of the jealousy she'd felt only seconds before, though she tried not to show it. "I'm glad you'll have a chance to get to know your daughter." That was the truth.

  "She is...perfect," he said, and Brook Lynn would have sworn there were stars in his eyes.

  It warmed her heart to see the deep love he'd already developed for the girl. "Why is Daphne just now telling you about her?"

  "Because I was in prison."

  "That's an excuse."

  A sardonic flash of teeth. "Really? Because I seem to recall you wanting nothing to do with me for that very reason."

  Ouch. "Do you still want to be with me?" she asked quietly.

  "I do," he said without hesitation. "I wasn't kidding when I told you I loved you."

  Relief was like the first rain after a long drought. "But...why didn't you tell Daphne I'm your girlfriend?"

  "Honey, the last I heard from you, you were giving me time. I didn't know you were accepting me back as your boyfriend."

  "I--"

  A light tap sounded at the door.

  "--want you," she finished. "I want everything from you."

  He reached for her, only to fist his hands just before contact as another knock sounded. His arms fell to his sides. "The door," he said.

  "Right." Trembling, she turned the knob.

  Hope stepped inside, wide-eyed, a plate of food in hand. "Um, hi." She glanced between them.

  "Hey, sweetheart," Jase said, his tone gentling.

  Hope unveiled a devastating smile, preening under his attention. "Momma wanted you to have your breakfast while it was still hot."

  Well, wasn't that nice. Too nice?

  Had Daphne come here hoping to win Jase back?

  Brook Lynn's knees nearly gave out. If she were to war against Daphne, she would lose. Daphne had the ace.

  Be that as it may, Brook Lynn wasn't giving up without a fight. Not this time. She'd walked away once already, and it had brought her nothing but heartache. Jase deserved better. He deserved her best, and that's what she would give him. I'm coming at you guns blazing, Mr. Hollister.

  "Eat your breakfast." She strutted over, kissed him on the forehead and whispered, "Your days belong to your daughter, and I'm glad about that, I really am, but your nights are mine."

  *

  JASE GLANCED AT the clock. 10:07 flashed in bold red numbers. Hope had been asleep for an hour. And for the entirety of that hour he'd wanted to go to Brook Lynn.

  But Daphne sat on the couch, telling West and Beck what she'd told him last night--her story since they'd last seen each other. Neither interrupted her. Neither accused her of lying about Hope's paternity.

  Jase didn't need a DNA test. In his heart, he knew the truth. Break out the pink cigars. I'm a dad.

  He was scared as hell he'd do a bad job with Hope, maybe scar her emotionally because he had no idea how to love a kid, and she'd have to spend a few decades in therapy, but he did love her. Just a few minutes alone with her had sealed the deal.

  You're really my dad?

  I am.

  I'm glad. I've been dreaming of you my whole life.

  He'd toppled head over heels then and there. And yeah, for a guy who'd professed to never want kids, he'd sure fallen for this one fast and hard. But then, he hadn't known what he'd been missing.

  "I found out I was pregnant the day before Jase's sentence," Daphne said. "I was scared, but I thought I could find another guy and everything would be okay. Jase had no money, no prospects and no future. I wanted someone who had those things. But the one I picked stuck around only until I began showing. I got a job as a receptionist at a law firm and went to night school to become a court stenographer, knowing I'd need a way to support the baby on my own. And I did it. I finished, was making something of my life, but Jase was still in prison. I just...I didn't want Hope to see him behind bars."

  Good call. But if he'd known about her, at the very least, he could have been there for her, providing money, a home, food, clothes. Anything she'd needed, everything she'd wanted.

  "Where does she think he's been?" Beck asked.

  Daphne plucked a piece of lint from her shirtsleeve. "In another country, helping starving children."

  A saint rather than a sinner. Of course. "I'll be telling her the truth," Jas
e said. "Soon." The thought of his own daughter fearing him caused him to break out in a cold sweat, but he wasn't going to lie to her or risk someone else telling her. He also wasn't going to allow her to think he'd put other kids before her.

  "He's been out for over six months," West said, anger tightening his voice. "You've had plenty of time to create another lie about her dad's return." The wound on his forehead had begun to heal, but the wounds in his soul had begun to leak their poison.

  He once again smelled of the most potent alcohol.

  "Well," she said, casting Jase a look filled with remorse. "I thought about it, I did, but I wasn't sure how Jase would feel, if he would care. But I was just fooling myself. I see that now. I was scared. I've been in a stable, loving relationship for almost three years now, and I didn't want to screw that up. But Tyler is in the military. The army. He's currently overseas, left last week, and he'll be gone for six months. That's why I decided to answer Beck's email."

  "Is he good to Hope?" Beck asked.

  It was a question Jase had asked, as well.

  "Very. He loves her like she's his own."

  But she's not his. She's mine. And he adored that little girl with every fiber of his being.

  "You'll have to tell him about me, Daph." Jase pinned her with a hard stare. "I'm going to be a part of Hope's life." Now and forever.

  "I know," she said, surprising him. "If he's able, he's going to video chat with me later tonight. I plan to tell him then."

  "And that's going to make everything better?" West exploded. "You left without a word, hid a secret for nine years and think you can come back as if you've done nothing wrong?"

  Daphne stiffened.

  "West," Jase said. "I love you, man, but I won't let you talk to her like that."

  "Someone has to look out for you." West's gaze practically spewed fire as it landed on Jase. "I didn't before, but I will now."

  He closed his eyes for a moment, drew in a breath. This was what guilt did, he realized. Tore down. Left you in a rut. Unable to move forward. And Jase didn't want to live like that any longer. He didn't want his friends to live like that.

  He stood, walked to the couch where West and Beck sat and eased onto the coffee table in front of them, his attention remaining on West. "Let it go," he said softly. "It's time. The past is a noose around your neck, and it's choking the life out of you." He looked to Beck. "You, too. You just hide it better."

  Both men focused on something other than Jase and remained silent.

  "I want better for you. I want better for me." He patted each of their knees. "I want my friends back. The ones who see me as an equal, not someone they owe."

  Again, silence.

  "I'm asking you to move forward. Therefore, you have to move forward," he continued. "You've paid enough. I've paid enough. We're going to enjoy life. Finally." He gave them another pat before standing and meeting Daphne's watery gaze. "I'm really glad you found your happily-ever-after."

  "Me, too. I hope you find yours."

  "I'm working on it."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  BROOK LYNN SANG and danced through the kitchen as she put together orders for You've Got It Coming. Twenty-three sandwiches and six casseroles. But the growing business wasn't what had put her in such a great mood. Jase had come over last night, and he'd rocked her world. Stripped her, touched her. Loved her.

  I think we broke the mattress. And the world record for the number of orgasms achieved in one night.

  Before he'd left early this morning to be with Hope, he'd kissed her so tenderly she would have sworn her soul melded with his. Afterward, when he'd lifted his head and peered deep into her eyes, his thumbs caressing the line of her jaw, she'd experienced the most sublime sense of contentment.

  I belong in his arms.

  As she made her deliveries, the air smelled sweeter and felt less stifling. The trees seemed greener, the flowers lusher and everyone in town nicer. More than one person remarked on her smile.

  Even Edna--who had ordered a sandwich, expecting a discounted rate--had noticed. You're positively glowing, Brook Lynn. New vitamin?

  Yes. Vitamin J.

  Finally, there were only three orders left. West, Beck and some guy staying at the Strawberry Inn. His name was Stan, no last name, and she decided to check him off the list first so she could spend a little extra time with the boys.

  Inside the lobby, Brook Lynn waved to Holly Mathis, the owner's teenage daughter, who manned the counter. "Delivery to room twelve," she said to the girl.

  "Whatever," Holly replied, chewing her gum and returning her attention to her magazine.

  Brook Lynn had barely tapped the room's door when it whisked open to reveal the guy who'd plowed into her on the street...forever ago, it seemed. She blinked in surprise, saying, "You."

  A flare of something appeared in his bloodshot eyes...something that took her aback. "Yes. Me."

  His skin was sallower, his hair unkempt. He wore a long-sleeved shirt despite the heat outside, with shorts. She thought she could make out the tail of a snake or dragon tattoo curling around his calf.

  "How are your knees?" he asked.

  "Completely healed, thanks." She cleared her throat and held out his sandwich. "Uh, that'll be fifteen dollars, please." Ten for the sandwich, five for the delivery. It may be considered pricey in these parts, but she'd been told her sandwiches were well worth it.

  He handed her wadded-up bills that were slightly damp.

  "Thank you, and I hope you enjoy it."

  "I know I will."

  She turned to leave.

  "Hey. I heard you're friends with Jase Hollister," he said. "Is that true?"

  Frowning, she faced him. "Do you know him?"

  "Better than you. Be careful." He shut the door in her face before she could respond.

  Her stomach twisted. How did he know Jase? Because honestly, if she judged solely by appearance, she would have to guess prison.

  She headed to Fragaria Street. The building West and Beck had purchased was made of crumbling red brick, copper and wrought-iron trim. The guys were in the process of fixing it up, though the inside already resembled something out of a magazine, with plush rugs, gleaming wood floors and wainscoting on the walls.

  At the front was a massive, intricately carved desk and the woman who manned it, Cora Higal. She used to teach at the local elementary school, and no one had ever gotten over their fear of her index finger. When it pointed in your direction, you were likely to melt into a puddle of guilt and shame.

  A sign hung on the wall behind her. WOH Industries. For West, Ockley and Hollister.

  "Brook Lynn Dillon," Cora said with a firm nod, the phone ringing beside her. "Mr. West and Mr. Ockley are expecting you. You may head back."

  "Thank you."

  There were three offices, each surrounded by glass walls, but both men were inside the one on the far right. Beck spotted her and waved her in.

  "Hey, guys." She handed off the requested sandwiches and tried to deny payment, but Beck stuffed the bills into her pockets. Fine. No reason to fight. She'd simply drop them at Cora's desk on her way out. "How's it going?"

  "Better, now that you're here." Beck gave her an appreciative once-over. "You're looking more gorgeous than ever. I'm thinking I need to seduce the hell out of you right here, right now."

  "As if you could," she quipped.

  His eyes twinkled with merriment, his smile carefree. "Oh, I could. You're just lucky I've never released the full measure of my sexual prowess on you."

  "So lucky," she said and rolled her eyes.

  "But once again, I wasn't talking to you, Brook Lynn." He kissed the wrapper of his sandwich. "You're the only one for me, baby."

  As she snickered, West stood from behind the desk, his chair skidding backward. He scowled at Beck then at her then at Beck again. Like Stan, he had bloodshot eyes and wrinkled clothes. Though his were clearly more expensive. "I can't work under these conditions."

  "
Then we'll leave," Beck said easily.

  "Don't bother." West stormed from the office and out of the building.

  Brook Lynn didn't have to ask what was wrong with him. Tessa's party loomed ever closer.

  Speaking of, she had some more planning to do. She might not be working for Jase, but she wasn't going to leave him in the lurch. "I have bouquet samples to show you guys, but I didn't bring them."

  "Worry about it tomorrow."

  Good. She had to run a few errands she planned to run today--it was time to check another item off her fun list.

  "Well," she said. "I better go."

  "I'll see you later." Beck offered her a sad smile. "I'm sorry about that."

  "Don't be. I get it. The loss of a loved one leaves a big hole in your heart, and if you aren't careful, sorrow and regret fill it."

  "He'll be sunshine and smiles a few days after the party. It's his cycle--after the actual anniversary date, things always look up."

  "I'm glad." Not just for West's sake, but for Jase and Beck. They hurt when their friend hurt. "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

  "Will do."

  As she tromped to the door, Jase entered the building. Warm delight instantly spilled through her and she had to fight not to throw herself into his arms. Daphne and Hope were with him, and Brook Lynn wasn't sure how he'd react to displays of affection.

  Both females looked lovely in summer dresses, dark hair pulled back in matching ponytails. Though Daphne's eyes were rimmed with pink and a bit swollen, as if she'd spent the night crying.

  Jase narrowed his focus on Brook Lynn and closed the distance, a ravenous predator determined to enjoy his prey. She shivered in pleasure as he wrapped her in the strength of his arms.

  "I missed you," he whispered against her ear, answering her question about the PDA.

  "I missed you, too." Even though they'd been parted only a few hours. A minute was too long. She rubbed her nose against his neck and breathed in the masculine scent of him. Can't ever get enough.

  "Sandwich deliveries?" he asked as they pulled apart.

  "Yeah, but I'm all done now." She peeked at Daphne, expecting the woman to be seething with dark jealousy. Or hatred. Something. Anything.