Chapter 20
It was one of Jay’s least professional moments, swimming into the middle of a pool fully dressed, to retrieve his assistant’s shoe. But then again, nothing in his life had been quite normal with Rebecca in it.
Stuart wrapped Rebecca up in a towel when she reached the pool steps, and blessedly didn’t say a word. Vanessa, their bride, had one manicured hand clamped over her mouth, trying to keep in her laughter. She snorted behind her hand and then burst into giggles. “I’m so sorry.” She snorted again. “I’ve just never seen anything like that. You two have some issues to work out. Obviously. So, um … Stuart, if you could show me the ballroom, I think I’ll see you two later.”
Stuart held out a towel to Jay, grilling him with his eyes. Then the two of them left.
“Here’s your shoe.” Jay could have kicked himself. There were a million things to be said, and all he could do was hold out a soggy black pump. He was shivering all over, and not just from being wet and cold.
Rebecca made a sound somewhere between a cry and a laugh and took the shoe from him. Then she took off her other shoe, shoved the two of them under her arm, and took off running, leaving her towel on the deck.
Jay shook his head, completely exasperated, and ran after her. She was obviously headed for her car, but both their phones were soggy, and there was a good chance she wouldn’t get very far with a wet key fob. In fact, it would be better if she didn’t press it at all right now.
“Rebecca, wait.”
He passed her up and turned around, jogging backward in front of her on the grass. “Any pools behind me?”
“Very funny.” Rebecca shook her head. “I just need some time to not be insane right now. Can you grant me that? The firing can come later.”
“I’m not firing you.”
“Okay, well, I still think Marlise might want to hear about this.”
“Yes, we do need to talk to Marlise. There are some things we’ll need to disclose to her about our relationship.”
Rather than be relieved by his words, Rebecca stopped short, looking terrified. “I shouldn’t have said anything. You’re free to date anyone you choose, so forget…”
She trailed off as Jay closed the distance between them, gently drawing the wet strands of hair from her face and wrapping his arms around her shivering body. He rubbed his hands up and down her back, trying to warm her up and reassure her everything would be okay.
“I’ve always wanted you, Becca. Only you. I just thought I’d never get it, you know?”
She nodded against his chest. “I know. If I could go back in time I’d change everything.”
Jay ducked down until she had to look at him. “Let’s only worry about what happens right now. I’ve been dying to kiss you for more than a decade. How long are you going to make a man wait?”
Her eyes drifted to his mouth and her lips curved up into a nervous smile as he leaned in. It didn’t matter that they were both wet and shivering, that off in his hazy peripheral people were walking around, or that ten minutes ago he’d been asking out some other girl on a date.
Rebecca loved him.
He pressed his lips against hers, soft at first, tentative, but then she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with a longing that matched his own. He held her tight, lost to everything except the warmth and wonder that was kissing Rebecca.
Well, until they were interrupted by someone clearing their throat loudly and tapping Jay on the shoulder.
Stuart had his hands on his hips. “Sorry to interrupt, but you’re not actually guests here and your bride has decided she’d like a different venue. Kindly take this somewhere else.”
Jay tucked a strand of hair behind Rebecca’s ear and then turned to smile at Stuart. “We’d be glad to. If I could just borrow a phone?”
***
“You fell into a pool and then got kicked out for making out on the property?” Marlise paced back and forth in her office. “You are so lucky the bride thought the entire experience was a lark. I’ve called and apologized, but all she had to say was she wished you two well. I’m not sure I’m there yet.”
Rebecca was so embarrassed and so elated all at the same time. If she lost her job over this, she’d still be happy. But what a way to get fired.
Jay’s pinky brushed against Rebecca’s, and he took her hand and squeezed it. She didn’t dare look at him. He might be unconcerned. After all, this was his aunt and business partner. But Rebecca had never been reprimanded for unprofessional behavior before, and certainly not while standing in a damp dress holding a soggy purse.
Rebecca worried her bottom lip. “I’m sorry, Marlise.”
Marlise harrumphed. “You actually look sorry, Rebecca, which I appreciate. James, stop smirking like that or I will end you.”
