“I can’t be calm!”
Footsteps thundered from the staircase from the second floor and Oliver ran into the room at full force, placing his body between mine and Melissa’s without a second thought for what he could be doing. He faced off against the former employee with his shoulders held back and his back straight and firm.
“Whatever your problem is with Pierce, it’s not something you take out on Mari.”
“She’s going to marry him soon. Isn’t she?” she said, breathing hard and leaning to the side of Oliver to see me again.
“Until that happens, she is not your concern. I heard what you had to say and I will make sure Pierce understands the situation, but coming in here and throwing a tantrum will not help your case.”
“No one is going to help my case,” she wailed.
Oliver’s shoulders fell. “I cannot guarantee you an outcome, but I can promise I will talk to Pierce about your employment.”
Melissa sniffled, her tears gone. “You promise?”
Oliver gently laid his hand on her shoulder. “I promise. But you need to go home and calm yourself. Getting this worked up won’t help you.”
As he took control the situation I relaxed but did not leave his sight. Oliver and Melissa chatted for a few more minutes with him making genuine promises. Eventually he led her to the door and held it open, escorting her to the front of the house.
When the house was quiet once again and I was alone, my hands shook as my body released the adrenaline from the standoff. What the hell kind of town was this?
16
Oliver
Iwaited until Melissa got in her car and drove down the road before I slipped back into Pierce’s home, closing the door behind me.
“Are you okay?” I asked Mari after finding her in the same spot I left her.
She shook her head and her hands trembled as she plastered them together. “Yeah.”
Her lips quivered and without thinking about it, I closed the distance between us and placed my arms around her in a tight hug. She was warm against me and I squeezed tighter, enjoying the smell of lilacs which wafted from her hair. Mari was tall and could hold her own, but she was still short next to me, which allowed me to rest my chin on the top of her head as if we were made for each other. I loved having her close. I liked it too much.
“I’m sorry,” she said around a sniffle. “I don’t know why I’m crying. Chambers’ women don’t cry. I used to be a big tough businesswoman. It’s embarrassing that I’m losing myself over this.”
I hesitated, not wanting to lose my hold on her, but eventually when I couldn’t wait longer, I stepped back and looked into her eyes. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Mari. I’m sure Melissa had a convincing story.”
“She was so angry at the end. I’ve fired people and never had a reaction from anyone like that. Mostly they just cry and deny any wrongdoing.”
“Ridge Jefferson, the man she mentioned, has stirred things up in town over the last few years. He made a very large capture and took out a big crime unit, which used Pelican Bay to distribute drugs to our citizens and in Canada. Unfortunately, a few people were caught up in the last bust.”
“Her sister’s boyfriend?” She sniffled and wiped her eye gaining control of her emotions.
“Her sister’s boyfriend? I don’t know. I haven’t heard the details, but if he’s still in jail, there’s probably a reason.” Pierce didn’t mention it was her sister’s boyfriend. I’d been under the impression it was her man in jail.
Mari nodded, her red hair falling over the corner of her eye and I reached out on reflex and pushed it behind her ear. My fingers skimmed across her forehead and I so wanted to once again feel my lips against hers. But the way she ran so quickly from me at the pool the other day, it wasn’t a wonderful choice.
“Let’s go for a walk,” I suggested. I refused to leave her alone after such an ordeal, but I didn’t trust myself to be this close to her with no one else nearby. My loyalty to Pierce was deep, but it wasn’t endless.
She perked up at my suggestion. “Where?”
Where could I take the most gorgeous woman in the world—one who belonged to my cousin, at least publicly—and within walking distance?
“Ice cream?” The first idea that came to mind. “The local place on the beach closes after Labor Day, so we only have a few days left to get the best ice cream in the state.”
Mari hesitated and did a quick glance at her body as if she had to ask her stomach if she should go, but then she nodded in agreement.
“I have to decide if we can remain friends based on what you order.” It was a joke when I said it, but Mari’s eyes grew wide before she smiled.
