“That’s absolutely not true,” Jake said.
“Yes, I’m sorry. Notnobody. Jake likes it. Everyone else hates it.” He laughed again. “I can’t make him see. It’s a waste of land. Nobody wants it here. He thinks that if he builds all these fancy things, the area will boom as a result. But he’s wrong.”
“It’s worked in other cities, Dad. How else do you think I’ve made so much money? I know what I’m doing. People are already coming here from as far as New York. They didn’t used to but now they are. They want more development. They will flock to this area if it’s developed correctly. And I plan to do that for them.”
“You should see all the ridiculousness he has planned for this area. It’s awful. He’s going to ruin it.”
“You’ve planned to build more?” she said, unable to eat another bite.
“He wants to build high-rise hotels in Corolla,” Chuck said.
Corolla?That was one of the most gorgeous parts of the Outer Banks. She’d just read an article about the wild Mustang ponies that had been there for over five hundred years, brought over by the Spanish when they’d come to the New World. She’d seen them while sitting on the beach. They ran through the surf, galloping wild and free down the shore. The article had condemned the growth in the Outer Banks and how it was squeezing the land down to nothing, leaving the horses in danger. They didn’t have anywhere to raise their young; tourists were mistreating them and their habitat. She remembered reading the article several times because it had made her so sad that she couldn’t finish it. How could Jake add to that chaos? What was he thinking? She looked up, surfacing from her worries to find Jake watching her, as if he were searching for her reaction.
“That’s a terrible idea,” she said before she could stop herself. Putting up one ridiculous restaurant was one thing, but destroying a habitat and beautiful coastline was another.
“I have a line of investors that think otherwise.” As he said the words, it was as if he was a totally different person, and she could see the powerful businessman emerge. His warmth was gone in that moment, the affection she’d seen in his eyes now absent. He was talking business. If he’d been a cartoon, she’d have seen little dollar signs in his eyes, she was sure of it.
“You can’t ruin Corolla.”
“I don’t think I’m ruining anything. I’m simply changing it. I’m a developer. That’s how I make my money. If I don’t develop, I don’t eat. Simple as that. And I know what I’m doing.”
“I’m not debating whether you know your job. But what I am telling you is that you’ve chosen the wrong place.”
“Faith, I’ve had this conversation hundreds of times regarding hundreds of locations. There’s always someone who doesn’t like it. But that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t happen. I’ve been very successful with this in the past. I know it will be good.”
“I will never believe that it’s good. I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t mean to put a damper on our supper by bringin’ all this up,” Chuck said. “Faith, you won’t change his mind. Believe me, I’ve tried. He’s about as bullheaded as anyone I’ve ever met. Now tell me, how long are you and your family staying? You here for the summer?”
Just like she had with Casey, she’d eventually allowed the anger to slide away as the night went on. It was the only way she knew how to let go and enjoy herself. It was still there, though. She’d just pushed it down where she couldn’t feel it at that moment. They ate and talked until the sun was low on the horizon, and she was enjoying herself again. Chuck had thanked her for a lovely evening, and he’d graciously left them alone, claiming he had to get a good night’s rest before a big fishing trip tomorrow.
“More wine?” Jake asked, pouring it anyway. They’d nearly finished the bottle, and it was a big bottle. She grinned, her eyes heavy with all the conversation of the night and the alcohol. She could feel the sting of warmth under her skin, and she wondered if it was the sun or the wine. Jake had set up a continuous stream of beach music to play on the speakers outside after they’d had dinner, and a reggae song was playing quietly in the background. She looked at him as the exterior landscape lighting came on magically. Its low light danced in his eyes. She noticed the ease in which his smile emerged when he looked at her, the way his shoulders had relaxed. Their disagreement was behind her for now, and she wanted to pretend it wasn’t there at all.
“How am I supposed to get home?” she asked, taking another sip of her wine. “We’ve both had too much to drink.” She wasn’t asking to stay. She’d never want to put him in that kind of position. And, given what had transpired since they’d been at Bodie Island, she wasn’t quite sure where they stood. The restaurant and Jake’s plans for development had changed things for her and maybe for him too. Although it changed how she saw him, she couldn’t deny the attraction and the affection that was still there.
“We could try and walk,” he said with a grin just before tipping the glass up to his lips. His eyes stayed on her as he took a drink.
“It’s miles to my cottage!” she laughed.
“I’d be okay with that.”
“Be serious.”
“I am!”
Faith knew the wine had helped along this playful side of both of them. She worried that things may be different in the morning. They’d both let their guards down. She had a glimpse of what it was like to really know this side of him. And she loved it. Jake was funny. He’d told her stories that had made her laugh until she had tears in her eyes. But he could also be serious and sweet. At times, his expressions seemed almost romantic—he looked at her a little longer than he should, and he smiled as if words were right on his lips. It was a very different side than what she’d seen when they’d mentioned his Corolla plans. As they sat in silence, he was looking at her that way right now. He stood up, and she followed his lead.
As they made their way around the table, they stopped side by side. Faith turned to face him. “Thank you for having me,” she said, and a current zinged around in her chest. She smiled. She couldn’t help it.
“You’re welcome.”
He was looking down at her. She was so close she could smell his cologne. Coupled with the wine and the sound of the ocean, it made her woozy. There was a slight nervousness to his breathing, a tiny twitch at his lips. He took in another breath. Was he going to kiss her? The wind blew her hair in her face and he started to reach up to move it for her, but it was as if he thought better about it, and quickly dropped his hand. She tucked her hair behind her ear and tried to suppress the overwhelming disappointment she felt. Maybe he’d decided that the differences between them were too significant.
“I’ll call a car,” he said, breaking eye contact first.
“Wait.” She didn’t know why she asked him to wait. Wait for what? She just knew that she didn’t want to leave. He was standing there, waiting as she’d asked him to do. “I…” She swallowed. “I thought maybe we could have another glass of wine.”
“We’ve finished all the wine,” he said, but his face said more than that. His face was playful. What was he trying to tell her? Her mind-reading skills clearly weren’t as good as his, but the look on his face was giving her the strength to act on her impulses. She took a tiny step toward him and looked up into his eyes. The wind blew around them, whipping her hair back across her face, and, this time, he didn’t hesitate and swept it back with his fingers his touch so gentle it sent a shiver down her neck. Then, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I had a good night. Thank you,” he said near her ear, and she had to work to keep her breath steady.
