“You’re welcome.” He stood up. “Want to dance?”
“Yes,” she said, excited.
The band had slowed to gentle rhythm, as Jake led her to the area of deck where the tables had been cleared. He put his arms around her, holding her waist, and she wrapped hers around his neck. He looked down at her, and she wondered what had made him so happy all of a sudden. He seemed so content and comfortable there with her. She put her head on his shoulder, and she could feel his lips against the top of her head. She wanted to feel this way all night; it was simply perfect.
She looked at him. “Thank you for bringing me tonight,” she said.
“You’re welcome.” He locked eyes with her, his face showing deliberation. Then, without warning, he leaned toward her and gently pressed his lips to hers. It was as if they were the only two people there. The music, the breeze, the taste of rum on his lips—it all made her lightheaded and she was glad to be holding onto him because she didn’t trust herself to stand on her own. It felt like the perfect moment and nothing could ruin it.
“I wanted to kiss you at my party,” he admitted in her ear after he’d left her lips.
“Why didn’t you?”
“I didn’t want to get involved again. It’s too complicated. You know how I feel about what I do for a living and my plans for the Outer Banks. That’s a big deal when it comes to my life. And yet you’re here with me, knowing that. As much as I’d like to be friends—it would be easier—I can’t help how I feel. I love spending time with you and your family and this afternoon with your nan just brought home to me how important it is to find someone to share life with. I know we have our differences but I hope in time I can get you to understand the way I see things.”
Funny, she was hoping the same, but she was hoping to get him to see her side of things. “I wasn’t terribly happy about being left during the phone call,” she said honestly. If he was being honest, then she should be too.
“I’d never have done that, but it was an important call.”
More important than being with me?she wanted to ask, but was afraid to hear the answer. “What was it?”
“The restaurant owners on Beach Road are ready to sell.”
She pulled back and moved off to the side of the deck. “What?” So much for nothing being able to ruin the moment. He just had. As quick as a flash.
“Yep.” He smiled.
“That’s why you’re so happy tonight?”
“Yep,” he said again. So it had nothing to do with being with her, enjoying their time together. He was just on a high from having gotten what he wanted.
“I’m sorry,” she said turning and heading back to their table. Their drinks sat, still full. “I can’t be happy about this.” She sat down and stared at the pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry on the skewer in her drink. “I’m never going to agree with you on this, and it’s always going to come between us. Your job defines who you are, and I’m just going to say it: I am wholeheartedly against your decisions.”
“I can change your mind.”
“So, if I want to change and do what you’d like me to do, it’s fine, but you aren’t even willing to entertain my point of view? You only want things to work when they’re onyourterms. That’s not fair, Jake.”
The truth was that, while they had a ton of fun together, when it came down to it, she could see that they were just two very different people. She was never going to change his mind, and he was certainly not going to change hers. She’d better just end things now before they got worse. She didn’t want to spend her vacation arguing, and Jake didn’t need her nagging him. They’d hit a wall.
“Maybe we should call it a night,” Faith suggested. She stood up. Before it had even begun, their night was over.
“Why?”
“I just think it would be better.”
“You’re avoiding the situation.”
“I’d rather not discuss it any further. You aren’t going to change my mind.”
“You’re being stubborn,” he said. Why canyouchangemymind but I can’t change yours?”
She looked out at the ocean. “You know, you’re just as stubborn. Casey mentioned that your ex-wife said you didn’t communicate. Maybe she was on to something.”
NINETEEN
“Want some coffee?” Faith asked Casey, knowing the answer. Both she and her sister were exhausted having been up with Isabella all night. It had been a long day, and, even though she’d cut the night short with Jake, Faith hadn’t gotten settled until late. Isabella had a nightmare that her daddy was missing and she couldn’t find him, and she’d gotten them both up in the early hours of the morning. She’d cried for ages, it had seemed. Faith had suggested calling Scott to have him talk to her, but Casey insisted on handling it on her own. She’d said that Scott would be out of the state most of the time, and she’d have to get used to handling Isabella’s fears by herself anyway. Plus, Faith wondered if Scott’s silence played a part in Casey’s decision as well. How dare he get to soothe his little girl when he wouldn’t even pick up the phone? Faith was willing to bet that thought had gone through Casey’s head.
“Yes please,” Casey sat down at the table and rubbed her face. She looked tired, but not just from last night. She looked overwhelmed.
