Destiny Undone 4

by Heartley, Amanda

  “You just don’t want me to say that because you two are getting it on and don’t bother denying it. It’s obvious you’re crazy about her. I feel sorry for Sophie but I like Pepper. I approve, if that matters.”

  I smiled, not willing to divulge any further details. Bobbie Jo and I had never really talked about anything so personal before. It was unnerving so I switched the topic while we waited for Pepper to return.

  Fifteen minutes later, she emerged from the locker room, wearing her white coat and a rush of excitement ran through my body as I remembered our steamy office encounter—although, hopefully this time she was wearing something besides just her underwear underneath. Otherwise, our lunch options were going to be pretty limited.

  “You ready? I’m starving!” She’d pulled her damp hair back in a ponytail and put her earrings back on. Tina was right, she did look like a supermodel. “Let’s go eat something unhealthy, like fries.”

  “Anything you want,” she said. I took her hand and we strolled through the park together. I stopped occasionally to talk to workers and guests. Everything seemed to be moving smoothly and everyone seemed happy.

  We decided on one of the food vendor sheds and ordered fries to share, hot dogs and drinks. We snacked in the shade of an umbrella at a table near the walkway. “How’s your sister doing?” I asked, once we settled into our meal.

  “She’s okay. Dad took it well.” I noticed the subtle frown lines that appeared on her forehead.

  “You don’t look happy.”

  She munched away and took a sip of her drink before she answered. “I’m happy for her, but…” She tossed a piece of hot dog bun to a seagull that swooped down to snatch it up.

  “But what?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I got to thinking about it all and it seems like a double standard. A few photos of me land in a magazine and it’s the end of the world. My sister gets pregnant and he doesn’t say a negative word. I mean, I’m glad he’s being so good to her, and I know Evangeline’s impending meltdown will be more than enough punishment. I know I should just be supportive, but I can’t help wondering why she gets the kid gloves. It makes me think it’s because I’m not really his…” She dropped the thought, but I easily filled in the blanks.

  I took her hands across the table. “I can see why it would be frustrating, but maybe you’re thinking too much. Doug’s not a bad guy and I don’t think he gives two figs about where you came from. I’ll never forget Doug Anderson standing in my office, begging me to give you a chance. He was desperate to help you. He was so sincere, I didn’t have the heart to send him away. Whether you’re his by blood or not, he loves you just the same—that I know for sure and so do you.”

  “I know. I really do, but I can’t help that I feel this way. I know I’ll work through it eventually. And thanks, by the way. Being here at Sea Lab has changed my life. I’d never have known I had hidden skills like dolphin wrangling if not for you—and my dad, I guess.” She looked over her shoulder at a pack of kids wandering by.

  I stayed silent and let her work out her thoughts. The situation was fragile at best, and I didn’t want to do anything that would hurt her or hinder her healing process.

  “I wonder why he came here?” she said, more to herself.

  “What do you mean?”

  She turned back to face me, her face twisted with confusion. “Well, you said he came to you begging for help. Of all the places he could have sent me, I wonder why he came here to ask you to help him and not someone else. Maybe it was fate.”

  “I’m not going to argue with that.” We smiled at each other and the charged emotions settled between us. “Speaking of fate, don’t forget you’re having dinner with my parents tonight.”

  “I haven’t. I’ll be there. I probably should wear something besides my coat, then, huh?” She wiggled her eyebrow playfully in my direction.

  I laughed and kissed her. “Yeah, but you can bring it along for dessert.”

  Chapter Four — Pepper

  After I left Sea Lab, I drove up Destiny Beach to meet Aven at her house. Fallon was there, looking bleary-eyed and embarrassed. Apparently, his way of coping with the news about the baby was to go get drunk. You could tell he wasn’t feeling too hot anymore, but I didn’t feel sorry for him at all.

  Aven started, and it became clear the whole thing was a bit of a set-up. “Thanks for stopping by, Pepper. Fallon has something to say to you.”

  “Okay.” I crossed my arms and waited. If he wasn’t careful, he was going to end up with another hand mark on the other side of his face.

  Fallon cleared his throat. “I didn’t mean what I said to you and I sure didn’t mean what I said to Mills. I really do love her. I just got off the phone with her. We decided to make it work. I know we can.”

  I nodded and tried not to grit my teeth. I wanted him to suffer for making Mills feel so badly, but that desire warred with the part of me that wanted to put everything in the past.

  I sighed. “Thanks, Fallon. I’m glad you’re sticking by Mills. She’s going to need you. Dad and I are there, too, for anything you need.” I reluctantly hugged him. Having been friends with Aven for most of our lives, Fallon had become something of a kid brother to me and now he really would be part of the family. Forever.

  In other words, I needed to let it go.

  “What did your Dad say?” I asked as I pulled away.

  Aven and Fallon looked at one another, their eyes wide. Aven answered, “We don’t know yet. He hasn’t told him, but I think he’s going to talk to him tonight. Right?”

  “Yeah, that’s the plan. Mills is telling Evangeline tonight. I don’t know who’s got the worst deal. At least Doug was supportive—or that’s what she told me,” Fallon added.

  My mouth dropped open. “She’s going to tell Evangeline tonight? She didn’t mention that when I talked to her earlier.”

  Aven said in a serious tone, “I think she wants to do this on her own. You know you and Evangeline don’t get along. It’s going to be hard enough facing down the dragon without you two trying to kill each other,” then she brightened and asked, “You want to stay for dinner? I’m trying to cook some shrimp.”

  “You’re what?” I laughed at the idea of Aven cooking anything. “I totally support your culinary endeavors but I can’t stay. I’m having dinner with the Gregorys tonight. Say a little prayer. Gabe’s mom, Adrian, isn’t my biggest fan.”

  “You’ll do fine. She won’t be able to resist your sweet personality. Just be yourself—you don’t have to impress anyone. If she can’t see you for who you are, then screw her!”

  “Spoken like a best friend. I love you, Aven!” I hugged her neck and hugged Fallon once more before leaving.

  I drove back to the boat to get ready for dinner. I had a limited wardrobe on the boat so I decided to stop by Pixie’s Boutique. They had conservative clothing and I figured that was a safest choice. I found the sweetest outfit—white pants with a fitted, navy blue top. It was a stylish take on the old sailor dress from like twenty years ago. I loved the thin, red belt and I picked up a matching pair of red and white shoes to pull it all together. I decided to wear my hair in a sleek ponytail with straight bangs. That would work!

  I thought about Aven’s analogy of Evangeline as a dragon—it was laughable, but true! And a tough visual image to shake. I couldn’t believe Mills was going without me, but if she felt like she needed to, then I’d have to deal with that. I decided to push it out of my mind. If she wanted me to help her, she knew where to reach me.

  Shopping bags in hand, I made my way down the dock. I smiled when I stepped aboard Gabe’s boat. I liked the feel of the ocean, the sparkling water and the blue skies. I had no idea I loved the Gulf so much until I began interacting with Singh and spending time with Gabe. I was hoping we could go fishing again soon. I toyed with the idea of a houseboat, but where would I start? I didn’t know a thing about houses or boats, but it seemed like a good idea.

  I took a shower an
d put on a giant t-shirt while I let my hair air dry. It was a tad warm in the cabin so I closed the door and turned on the AC. I had time to kill before dinner, so I flipped open my laptop and sat cross-legged on the bed. It was the perfect time to take care of some important business I’d been putting off for too long.

  It’s time to stop procrastinating and just do it! I chided myself as the computer came to life.

  I logged onto the university website and returned to the form I’d begun to fill out over a week ago. With each keystroke, it was sinking in more and more that it was the right thing to do. The world might think I was a screw-up—just some pretty face or undeserving heiress, but I wasn’t doing this for the world or my family or the Gregory’s. I was doing this for me. I needed this. I could do this!

  I completed my online enrollment, paid my tuition fees and closed my computer with a smile on my face. I was pleasantly surprised to find I wasn’t having a panic attack. It still felt right. I ran my hand over the computer and patted it. I wouldn’t tell anyone yet. I’d keep this to myself because I wanted this to be for me. My decision to go to college wasn’t some kind of publicity stunt. I didn’t want to deal with mobs of ‘fans’ or haters. I’d take some courses online to avoid that. Eventually, I knew there would be ones that required me to attend physical class…I wasn’t sure how I’d deal with that, but I had time to figure it out later.

  I finished drying my hair with my travel blow-dryer, straightened it and finished getting dressed. My wardrobe decision had been the right one. I looked fantastic!

  I left a few minutes early. I couldn’t show up empty-handed so I decided to stop by my favorite local winery and purchase an exclusive bottle of something to share with the Gregory’s. At seven o’clock, I stood on the porch of their home feeling nervous about the dinner, but happy at the chance to see Gabe again.

  Gabe opened the door, flashed me his killer smile, and my heart skipped a beat. It struck me again how crazy I was about him.

  “Hey, you timed it just right. Dinner is almost ready. Come on in.”

  “Thanks. This is for you.”

  He took the bottle and hugged me. “This looks great.” He kissed my cheek chastely. “But you look even better,” he purred into my ear, low enough that I was the only one who could hear him.

  I smiled at the compliment and tried not to think about his muscular body and our last, frenzied get-together. In his office. In the middle of the day. What can I say? What a girl wants…

  Gabe grabbed for my hand and led me into the other room. “Mom, Dad this is Pepper Anderson. This is Adrian and James Gregory.”

  “Nice to meet you, Pepper. You’re lovelier in person than any of those photographs,” his father said with a cordial nod.

  “Nice to meet you, too, sir.”

  “Oh, please. No sirs. I’m just James.” The older man winked at me. He was a flirt but his wife elbowed him playfully. I could see she’d keep him in check and for that, I was thankful.

  “Stop that. Don’t scare the girl away on her first official introduction,” Adrian commented, before turning her attention to me. “Although, I’m surprised I didn’t do that when we last met.”

  I started to brush her off, and a wash of hot embarrassment flushed my skin.

  “No, really, I must apologize for that, Pepper. I didn’t realize my son was so crazy about you. That was my mistake.”

  I felt a sudden rush of relief. Maybe we could be friends. That would be nice. “It’s okay. You have a lovely home, Mrs. Gregory.”

  “Please, call me Adrian. Come on in. I think the chef has our meals ready. Are you hungry?” She slid her arm in mine and whisked me away from Gabe with a swift pull.

  “Okay, and yes, I am hungry.” She guided me inside to the dining room. The table was round with padded, overstuffed chairs. The cozy atmosphere instantly helped soothe my nerves and relieved the remaining tension I’d been holding onto.

  It was so different from how my family dinners had been spent—we’d have all been spread around the giant table in the formal dining room. This was more personal, relaxed and made me feel like they really wanted to get to know me. I silently prayed they liked me as Gabe uncorked the bottle I’d brought and I quietly reminded myself to have only one glass.

  Gabe opened the conversation, “Singh was so happy to see you today. Did I hear you tell Bobbie Jo you were coming back a few times a week?”

  “Yes, I’ll be happy to train with him. He’s a sweet animal, but he’s definitely stubborn.”

  “Have you always liked animals?” Adrian asked while she picked at the salad the chef had placed in front of her.

  I smiled over my shoulder as the chef placed mine on the table in front of me. “Actually, I never knew animals liked me until my internship at Sea Lab. It was kind of a happy accident to find out I had this secret power. Singh is like a friend more than a pet, though.”

  “We saw you riding him at the fundraiser. You looked like such an expert. It’s hard to believe you just picked it up like that. I hear dolphins can be particular about who they work with.” Adrian smiled and sipped her wine.

  “Oh, you were there? That was a fun night. I was glad to help out. I think that’s true about dolphins being picky. We had another intern that he just couldn’t stand. Wouldn’t play with her at all. Is that true, Gabe? Are they always so selective?”

  “Singh sure is.” He smiled at me before digging into the salad on his plate.

  “What about the whales? Will anyone be interacting with them?” I asked him curiously.

  “No, at least not right away. The animals we’re getting are wild and haven’t had much interaction with people. One of the pair was injured when they found it trapped in one of the inlets in the bay where he came from. The other wouldn’t leave him and the rescuers didn’t want to separate the two. They haven’t even officially named them yet.”

  “I can’t wait to see them.”

  The conversation stayed on the topic of Sea Lab for quite a while as we ate dinner and I was glad the pressure was off me—at least for a little while. I should have known not to get too comfortable though as it wasn’t long before Adrian brought the conversation back around to me.

  “So, Pepper. What are your plans?”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “What are your plans? Are you going to continue to work at Sea Lab or have you moved on to something else?” Gabe shot her a glance but she looked as innocent as a child.

  “Well, I plan to continue working with Singh a few days a week. I have some other plans too, though.”

  She smiled and prodded on, “Really? What are those? Are you going into fashion, like your mother? She’s kind of an icon in the fashion industry. You seem to have her amazing taste in clothing. I meant to compliment your outfit.”

  “Thank you.” I tried to keep my tone light, but it was hard not to let my mood sour once the talk turned to my mother. “But no, actually I don’t have plans to go into fashion. I think one Evangeline in the fashion world is enough, don’t you?”

  Adrian pursed her lips. “Fair enough. So, what will you be doing in five years?”

  Gabe put his silverware down. “Mom, she’s not on an interview. Who knows what any of us will be doing in five years. Is this important right now?”

  My face turned red and I drank the rest of my wine. Kwan stepped up to pour me another glass but I shook my head and put my hand over the glass. “Water, please.” I smiled pleasantly, keeping my mask in place.

  I looked at Adrian and James. Gabe’s father was enjoying his meal and seemingly unaware of the friction at his dinner table. Gabe looked perplexed and Adrian appeared amused. I could let her have it. Tell her it was none of her business. Cry about Mills’ pregnancy or my parents’ recent bombshell—I was not their kid. I could tell her how much I loved her son but what good would any of that do? I wasn’t ready to tell anyone about my college career. That was for me—not info to use to fend off judgmental types like Adrian.

 
“I’m sure nothing will change in five years. I’ll still love Gabe. Still take care of my little sister. I’ll still be a friend to Aven. I’ll celebrate the people I love and continue to explore life and the world. I don’t have a timeline mapped out but I can assure you, Adrian, I know how precious life is and the people in it.”

  James raised his glass and swallowed his wine. “Here, here!”

  Gabe stood up and tossed his napkin on the table. “Let’s go for a walk, Pepper. We can get some much-needed fresh air. Besides, I don’t think I’ve given you the tour yet.”

  I smiled up at him, silently thanking my hero, before addressing the table. “That sounds nice. Thank you for dinner, Adrian and James. It was wonderful.” With shaking hands, I folded my napkin and followed Gabe out the glass doors that led to the gardens below.

  We walked for a few minutes without saying much, just holding hands. The gardens were on three levels and we stepped down the path that led to Gabe’s guest house.

  “I’m sorry about my mother. I really thought she’d be on better behavior tonight,” Gabe said. Heat was coming off of him and I wondered how he managed to keep all his frustrations pent up. Surely, that wasn’t healthy.

  “She’s not that bad,” I replied, squeezing his hand to emphasize my point. “You just wait until you meet Evangeline, officially. I know you saw her once before but you haven’t actually met her yet. At least your parents didn’t hit on me. I can’t say that for Evangeline. She likes hooking up with my boyfriends.”

  He didn’t laugh. “I’m not Jonathan Church. I would never do that—drunk or sober.”

  “I know that, I’m just trying to lighten the mood. I could see you getting pissed at your mom and it’s okay. I get it. She’s just concerned about you, that’s all.”

  “You have a big heart, don’t you, Pepper Anderson?”

  I laughed. “I don’t know. I can be pretty bitchy sometimes. Just ask my sister.”

  He didn’t say anything, but we slowed to a stop next to a lagoon-style pool. The tropical plants were green and lush. It was almost like being transported to an entirely different place. “This is one of my favorite places. I come out here to think sometimes,” Gabe said as he looked out over the landscaping.