Alex rolled his eyes, then addressed Jenna. “You’ve been scarce lately. I can’t even remember the last time I saw you.”
“Oh, you know me. I’ve been busy rejecting marriage proposals and getting fired.”
Seth grinned at her. “You don’t seem too sad about either. You were too good for that loser anyway.”
“She’s working for Miss Molly now,” Ty offered.
“Seriously?” Alex undid the top of his button-up. “You moving back to the island?”
“It’s just temporary. Kayak tours don’t pay much more than they used to, and I’ve still got to make a living.”
Seth nudged her. “You could do that here as well as anywhere. You’ve always had a great head for business.” He winked affably. “All that and good looks too. Ty didn’t mention you got so gorgeous. You keeping her all to yourself, bro?”
Heat flared in Ty’s cheeks. But he just sat there like an idiot because he couldn’t seem to get his tongue and brain on the same page. Thankfully, the lead singer grabbed the mic and introduced the band, capturing their attention.
As the band kicked off the first song, Jenna chatted with his brothers, but Ty was too far away to catch what they were saying. He texted Luke a bit more about Trinity and also sent a text to a recent B and B guest who’d left her designer sunglasses behind.
A few songs into the set, Alex wandered off to talk to a friend from work while Jenna headed to the restroom. Seth watched her weave through the tables on the way to the far corner. Ty didn’t care for the gleam of interest in his brother’s eyes.
And he liked it even less when Seth turned to him and said, “Is Jenna seeing anyone these days?”
“She just came out of a serious relationship, remember? Why do you ask?” Ty’s tone all but dared him to declare a personal interest.
He lifted a shoulder. “Just curious.”
Tyson frowned. Seth was the last thing she needed right now. “She’s practically our sister, Seth.”
Seth’s blue eyes twinkled. “Speak for yourself.”
Tyson pressed his lips together even as he squirmed at his own statement. Because he’d once put his lips on Jenna in a very unbrotherly way.
Chapter 10
Ten years earlier
He’s not coming.
The words formed in Jenna’s mind even as her heart shriveled in her chest. The text from her best friend, Sofia, blurred as Jenna’s eyes filled with tears.I just heard from Taylor. She said Evan is coming with Amanda Doherty! I’m so sorry!
Jenna sank onto the edge of her bed, the tight dress squeezing her hips. Amanda Doherty? She was petite, outgoing, and well liked—definitely a couple rungs above Evan Sanders on the social ladder. And though Evan was fairly attractive, his placement on the chess team and in the debate club hadn’t exactly rendered him Mr. Popularity. As far as Jenna was concerned, that had been part of his appeal.
The tears pressed against her eyes, threatening to ruin the makeup she’d spent so much time applying. A phone call vibrated her phone. It was Sofia. But Evan’s rejection had hit her hard, and Jenna couldn’t bear to talk about it just yet. Swallowing against the lump in her throat, she denied the call and texted instead.It’s okay! I’m fine. Have a good time with Jack! Call me tomorrow. I want all the details. [smiling emoji]
At least Jenna’s mom was downstairs and unable to witness her heartbreak. A month ago when Evan had asked her to prom, Jenna jumped at the chance. She wanted to go and though she wasn’t unpopular herself, as a girl athlete, she was mostly viewed by her male peers as one of the guys. Boys didn’t date girls who’d beaten them at arm wrestling or humiliated them on the basketball court.
At seventeen she’d been on a total of two dates and had yet to even experience her first kiss. She’d hoped tonight might be the night it actually happened. Not that Evan had been especially attentive since he’d invited her. Well, that wasn’t true. He was attentive for a few weeks. But over the past few days he’d distanced himself. He hadn’t called. She’d hardly seen him at school. She’d written it off as busy work and school schedules.
But she now saw it was something much more. He’d changed his mind about her, decided he didn’t like her after all. Or maybe Amanda had asked him to prom and he couldn’t refuse.
He could’ve at least had the decency to tell Jenna. All her friends knew she was going with Evan, and now they’d see him there with Amanda instead. On Monday morning, if not before then, she’d have to face all the questions. The thought of the coming humiliation bottomed out her stomach.
Just as quickly a wave of anger swelled inside. Evan was the one who’d wronged her. She hadn’t done anything to deserve this treatment. She should go to prom by herself, show him he hadn’t gotten the best of her. She didn’t need him to attend her own prom or have a good time!
The thought lifted the cloud of humiliation for a few minutes. But soon reality sank in. Who was she kidding? Going to prom alone?She’d have a miserable time, and she didn’t have the emotional bandwidth to fake it all night long.
She glanced in the mirror where only moments ago she’d been admiring the way her brown hair fell in waves past her bare shoulders. For once in her life she felt like she looked feminine and pretty. And since Evan was a very lanky six feet, she’d splurged on new four-inch heels that made her legs look longer than ever.
Her gaze slipped down to the satiny red dress, modest but for the slit at the thigh. She never wore dresses, much less bold red ones. But when she’d tried it on a few weeks ago, her mother’s eyes had misted.“Oh, honey. You look so grown up. So beautiful.”She’d insisted the dress was made for Jenna, despite the exorbitant price tag.
