The Lucky One (Carolina Connections Book 3)

by Sylvie Stewart

“I’ve been falling in love with you since the moment your long-ass legs walked up that aisle in those damn stockings,” Jake’s voice came from the doorway.

  I rolled over and sprang to a seated position.

  What?

  “It’s true, and I should have told you before.” He took a step toward me, his brilliant eyes pleading with me to listen. To believe.

  I didn’t know if I could afford to.

  “That’s ridiculous. That wasn’t even me.” There was no way I was admitting that I’d been similarly struck the moment I spied him at that damn wedding.

  “What do you mean? Of course it was you.” Confusion overtook his features and he stopped in his tracks.

  “Technically, sure, but that was all Fiona’s doing—the dress, the hair, the stockings. Everything.” I tried to look away from him but I couldn’t.

  “Oh, I see. Was it Fiona moaning in my ear telling me she needed me?” His eyes freaking twinkled.

  I fought a blush and lost. “Don’t be ridiculous. Besides, that was sex. It was lust, not love.” I threw out my chin.

  “Maybe not then, but it is now.” He took another step closer.

  “I was playing a part. I was pretending to be someone I’m not.” Shit.

  His back got straight with tension and possibly anger. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “Guys like you don’t look at me, Jake.” I shrugged. “That night, I was all done up and I was acting the part of a girl a guy like you would look at.” He still looked angry—and baffled. I threw my arms out to the sides. “You are so far out of my league, I’m playing tee-ball and you’re in the Majors. Don’t you get it? I’m ‘one of the guys’ Bailey Murphy. I’m nothing special, and one of these days, you’re going to realize that.” My eyes flooded with tears. Goddamn hormones!

  His head jerked back. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”

  I stood up, determined that this conversation had to end. “I don’t really expect you to understand, but just trust me. I know we’ve made a mess of things by involving a baby in this, but we’ll just have to work that out independently of our personal relationship.”

  He leaned forward so I had to look at him. “You mean the one where you refuse to be with me even though I love you and I’m pretty certain you love me?”

  I whimpered and almost fell back on the bed. I was so fucking in love with him I didn’t know how I was going to survive without him. And the thought of having to see him all the time because of the baby—Gah!

  “That’s what I thought.” He grasped my face in his hands.

  “Look at me and say you don’t love me.”

  I couldn’t do it. How could I possibly?

  “Why won’t you let me love you?” Jake pleaded. “I’m not going to walk away. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m not any of those other people who made you feel like you don’t deserve to be loved for exactly who you are. I’m not. Please believe me.”

  How could he be so certain? How could I afford to believe him?

  “I need to think,” I whispered.

  “Thinking is overrated.” His hands moved down to gently hold my neck while his thumbs grazed my chin.

  I blinked and fought the urge to lean in. “I can’t think clearly when you’re around.”

  He smirked. “I’ll take that as a good thing.”

  “Jake,” I pleaded.

  “Twenty-four hours,” he responded quietly. “That’s your reprieve. And then I’m coming for you, Irish.”

  I laid on my old bed for a while, weighing my options. Amazingly, both my parents left me alone apart from my mom poking her head in to ask if I needed anything. I was pretty sure I needed either a shrink or a shot of tequila, but neither was an option, sadly. I was confused and agitated, and nothing felt right. I was afraid I was going to have to do something drastic—something I’d never in a million years envisioned myself doing.

  I was calling for a Girls’ Night Out.

  Since Jake had only given me a twenty-four-hour window, it was declared an emergency by Fiona. She wanted to have us over to her place, but I figured if we chose a public setting I was less likely to dissolve into tears. So, she swung by to pick me up and we met Laney at Gia for some tapas and a drink. Lord knows, neither Laney nor I had ingested much at dinner.

  Once the girls had their wine and I had my boring old water, I filled them in on the latest developments. It wasn’t long into my story when Fiona shot up in her seat. “Oh my God, you’re Baby!”

  Uh, I was well aware I was having a baby.

  She noted my confused look and continued, “In Dirty Dancing. You’re Baby and you think Jake is Johnny Castle!”

  Laney gasped and nodded vigorously.

  I just looked at them like a total idiot. I mean, of course I’d heard of that movie—who hadn’t? But I’d never actually seen it.

  Fiona scowled, clearly offended on a personal level. “Okay, so there’s this girl named Baby,” she began and I immediately frowned.

  Laney cut in, “I know, horrible nickname, but you’d have to see the movie to understand.”

  Fiona continued, unbothered, “She’s kind of a nerdy tomboy and she has this glamorous mother and sister—although, I gotta be honest, I thought the sister was kind of a dog.” She pointed to her nose and grimaced. “Anyway, Baby falls for Johnny, this really hot dance guy who thinks she’s just some meddlesome little-sister type.”

  I was in no way regretting my choice to skip this movie. “Really hot dance guy”? Ooookay.

  “Only, Baby ends up saving his ass by volunteering to be his dance partner at this big shindig—long story. The point is, he starts to see who she is on the inside and totally falls for her—and they have a super-hot affair. In the end, he makes everybody else see her through his eyes.”

  Fiona and Laney both sighed. I felt more like retching.

  “Anyway,” Fiona continued, “my theory doesn’t hold for the entire story. But, like I said, you think you’re Baby, and Johnny Castle is never going to give you a second glance.”

  Laney interjected, “But you’re totally wrong. Jake knows exactly who you are and he has from almost the very beginning. I think maybe this has more to do with you than him if you think you’re somehow not worthy.” She grabbed my hand.

  Well, shit.

  “And remember how he stalked you—I know we’ve talked about this before, but he didn’t stop once he realized you prefer sneakers to stilettos,” Fiona said.

  “That was probably just a guy thing—all men want what they can’t have. They see it as a challenge. And besides,” I pointed to my gut. “Have you forgotten about the baby?”

  “Whatever,” Fiona continued. “You just need to be like Baby. Turn on some sexy music, grab Johnny’s ass and tell him how you feel!”

  What. The. Fuck.

  Laney was nodding. “That was totally hot. I can’t believe you’ve never seen that.”

  Fiona fanned herself. “Seriously, you just need to jump in there and get him, girl! He loves you, you love him. End of story. Go get your man!”

  Laney laughed and nodded, “She’s right. You deserve to be happy so go get yourself some happy.” She smiled and squeezed my hand again.

  I took a deep breath and looked at both of them again. “Okay, I’m doing it,” I declared and they both erupted in whoops.

  “Now, on to the next topic,” I said. “Did Mark tell you about the witnesses in the whole ‘incident’?”

  Fiona set her glass down with a clank. “Yes! And I did some poking around myself. I am prepared as shit for this meeting tomorrow!”

  “Would it help if I came since I know the witnesses?”

  She grabbed my hand. “That would be awesome. I’ll text you the address.”

  Laney declared, “You guys are going to kick that guy’s ass. Again.” We all snickered and dove into our food.

  I was feeling confident—about both the meeting and my next move with Jake. I let out a breath and felt som
e calm come over me. Then I put a hand to my belly and did it again.

  I knew Jake would be calling later—I’d been given my warning, after all—but I didn’t want to lose my nerve or my resolve, so I decided to track him down first thing in the morning. All it took was a call to Fiona since she had the schedule for everyone at Jax’s business. After ordering me to “go get me some,” she sent me to a posh neighborhood on the north side where Jake was supposed to be starting a project today. I knew it wasn’t very professional, but I felt like I just had to see him. I promised myself I’d be discreet and would just have a quick talk with him. We could hash things out further when we both finished work for the day.

  I saw his truck, along with two other Precision Landscaping and Lawncare vehicles parked along the street in front of a beautiful brick home with a lush green lawn. What could these people possibly need redone? This was suburban paradise—all that was missing was a racially insensitive lawn jockey.

  I parked on the opposite side of the street and made my way down the driveway, hoping to spot Jake without alerting anyone else to my presence. No such luck.

  Just as I was debating whether or not to let myself into the fenced-in backyard, a man came through the gate. A man I recognized.

  “Hey, Ollie! What are you doing here?” Ollie did the books at Fiona’s office and I’d gotten to know him and Jax a bit through her. He was dressed in his typical garb of khaki pants, a sweater vest, and tie. He often had a frazzled air about him, and today was no different.

  “Bailey, hi! Just averting another crisis. A typical day in the life of an accountant,” he joked, adjusting his glasses.

  “Have you seen Jake around?” I went for casual but I doubt I pulled it off.

  He gave me a knowing smile. Jesus H. Christ. Did everyone in this town know about the fruit of my freaking loins? I pursed my lips and gave him my best don’t fuck with me face. “Around back,” he answered quickly and rushed to his vehicle.

  I proceeded to the gate and opened it, revealing what looked like a good acre of lush lawn and beautiful evergreens. Wow. I was so caught up in my surroundings that I didn’t notice Jake at first. Or the dark-haired woman who was plastering herself to his sweaty t-shirt-clad chest. My jaw dropped as I saw her rise up and put her mouth on my fucking boyfriend/baby daddy/fiancé/who-the-hell-cares-cuz-he’s-mine-you-bitch!

  I stopped breathing. This wasn’t happening again. No no no!

  “Oh, shit” came a voice from behind me. A man wearing a Precision t-shirt rushed past me toward the slutty, cheating ho-bags. “Jake!” he called, and the woman quickly stepped back from Jake. The part of my brain that controlled speech had shut down completely. The part that controlled movement, however, shifted into high gear the moment Jake’s eyes found me. My feet sprouted wings and ran faster than they ever had in my life. I made it to my car in seconds flat and peeled out of the neighborhood, surely leaving skid marks on the perfectly paved suburban-paradise street.

  I parked outside the address Fiona had given me. I was early for the meeting, but I didn’t know where else to go. I didn’t want anyone to see me falling to pieces.

  How could he do this, after everything he’d said, everything he’d promised?

  And then I replayed the scene in my head—as if I could ever erase it—and something hit me. That woman was touching him. That woman reached up to kiss him. Jake’s hands were at his sides.

  Shit.

  I mean, still, he shouldn’t have let her get near him, but it had been her—not him—instigating whatever the hell had been going on there. And that her, I was guessing, was the rich-ass client.

  I don’t know how I didn’t see it from the beginning. I’m not stupid and neither is Jake. He wouldn’t go there. It would be career suicide.

  My momentary relief ground to a screeching halt. But, wait. What did it say about me—about us—that my first thought was that he would never do anything to fuck up his business? Why wasn’t my first thought that he’d never do anything to fuck up our fledgling little family?

  I knew what it said, and it wasn’t good. Despite my new resolve that I would trust him and trust us, I didn’t. Or wouldn’t.

  I put my forehead on the steering wheel and stayed there until I knew the meeting was starting and I was needed inside.

  Chapter Thirty

  Ain’t That a Kick in the Balls

  JAKE

  Where the hell was she?!

  I’d been driving around like a madman trying to find Bailey and was having zero luck. I was sure I’d broken a dozen different laws in my crazy zig-zagging trek across town, but I was getting nowhere. She wasn’t at her office or condo, Nate hadn’t seen or heard from her, and I’d even broken down and called her mom in my search. Nothing.

  I thought about calling Mark or Fiona, but I knew they were in that meeting with the lawyers and that cocksucker Anton.

  Wait! That was it! Bailey was probably there with them. She had the information on the witnesses so surely she’d be there to help. I called Laney in a last-ditch effort. She confirmed my guess and even told me where the lawyer’s office was. I put the address in my GPS and took off.

  How had I let this happen? I was a sorry excuse for loyal husband and father material.

  The day had started out fine—apart from not waking with my girl in my bed. I knew working with Tessa McGuire would be a challenge, but we had all our ducks in a row. We were going to do a kick-ass job on her property, and I was never going to be alone with her. Obviously, that plan went to shit within the first two hours.

  Tom and Luis were both on the site with me, and we were preparing to remove some sod when Ollie stopped by with some papers I needed to sign. Tom and Luis must have thought I was safe with Ollie there because they both went to their trucks for who the hell knows what. Ollie, thinking I was covered, took off and I swear Tessa McGuire had been waiting like a fucking snake to strike. As soon as that gate had clicked shut, she was all up in my personal space.

  “Jake, I was hoping to get you alone for a minute,” she said from behind me. I froze. She walked around in front of me and continued, “It seems I have a little problem and I was thinking you could help me with it.”

  I looked around, frantically searching for some way to get myself the hell out of this. “Mrs. McGuire,” I began and she cut in.

  “Tessa. I’m Tessa and you’re Jake. Remember?” She ran a finger down my t-shirt.

  Fuck.

  “Mrs. McGuire,” I insisted, “I am happy to help with anything related to your yard. That is all.”

  She put both hands on my chest and whispered, “I’m afraid that won’t do…Jake.” And then she leaned in and kissed me on the fucking lips.

  “Jake!” I heard Tom’s voice yelling from the fence line. Thank Christ. Tessa jumped back and I let out the breath I’d been holding. I turned to talk to Tom, or maybe kiss him for stepping in—anything! And then I saw her.

  Bailey stood behind Tom, her mouth agape. I could see the wet in her eyes from all the way over where I stood. If disappointment and heartbreak had a name, it was Irish. As soon as my eyes hit hers, though, she bolted.

  I stammered my excuses as I ran after her, but I was too late. She was roaring down the street in her little coupe, away from the McGuire’s and away from me.

  I should have put Tessa McGuire in her place the very moment she laid her hand on my arm that first fucking day. Screw the job. Screw the money. What good was all that when it caused the love of my life to wear that look on her face?

  Love of my life? You bet your ass.

  I pulled up outside the offices of Jefferson, Wheeler, and Schenk and parked my truck in the first spot I saw. Only then did I hesitate. What was I going to do, burst into this meeting and get down on my knees? That would just piss Bailey and everyone else off. I paced the sidewalk in front of my truck, trying to formulate a plan.

  “Jake!” I heard a squeal.

  Fiona.

  “You’re here! Oh my God, we tot
ally kicked ass in there—you should have seen it!” she shouted in excitement. Then she saw my face and her smile dropped. “Shit! I knew there was something wrong with Bailey. What the hell happened?”

  “Where is she?” I started past Fiona but she grabbed my arm.

  “She’s still inside with Mark. I just came out to get something from my car. Now, tell me, what the hell happened?”

  I stopped trying to get past her and just leaned back on my truck. “I fucked up.”

  “How did you fuck up?”

  “There’s this damn client who’s been hitting on me.”

  Her hand went to her hip. “Tessa McGuire. We’re acquainted. I knew she was bad news.” She smacked my arm. “What did you do?”

  “Tessa somehow got me alone and she kissed me.” I looked to the sky, still not believing this crap.

  “That bitch! You didn’t kiss her back, did you? And how the hell does Bailey know about this already?”

  “No, I didn’t kiss her back. I hardly realized what was happening. She kissed me and then I looked over and Bailey was standing right there. She saw the whole thing!”

  “Oh, shit.”

  “Yeah. Oh, shit. But it’s my fault.”

  She looked at me like I had a screw loose.

  “I never should have let it get to that point. I knew that woman was going to pull something like this. I was so worried about losing the job that I think I lost Bailey in the process.”

  “Calm down, drama king. You haven’t lost anything.” She patted my arm this time instead of slapping it.

  “Did she look bad?” I ventured.

  “She didn’t look good.” Fiona’s mouth twisted to the side. “I figured she had morning sickness or something. But she came through like a champ for Mark.”

  Dammit. Not only was I a shitty boyfriend, I was a shitty brother too. “So, you guys won the case?”

  “Well, there was no case to win really. It was just a meeting. But we squashed that cocksucker like the bug he is, and he’s dropping the suit.”

  I smiled for the first time in hours. “Yeah?”