Second Chance Summer: Menage Romance Novel (Midnight Cove Menage Book 1) (2 page)

“When his boat capsized, there was a moment for me. It all just clicked into place. I loved him. I wanted to marry him. I’d been fighting it for months. But when I thought he might die, it hit me. Pushing him away and holding off, it wasn’t going to change my heart.”

Summer thought back. “You got engaged right after, didn’t you?”

Mandy nodded.

If only it could be that way for her. She turned and looked out the window. Waves crashed over the rocks and seagulls swooped to catch fish out of the water. Ever since Mandy first talked about her hometown, Summer knew she would love it.

For a few weeks in college, she had. Spending all her free time down at the rocky shoreline. Searching for shells and squishing sand between her toes. She’d waited tables and tended bar and hung out with Mandy and Blake and Devin.

They’d found all the spots the wealthy tourists wouldn’t go. The places even celebrities didn’t know about.

Part small coastal village off the 101, part billionaire playground. Midnight Cove had it all. The Hamptons of the West Coast.

And for a while, Summer’s everything. She watched one tiny seagull struggling against the wind. Up and down it battled the current, wings flapping, never advancing. Hung in mid-air. She closed her eyes. Every painting she’d managed to produce in the last four years had captured a part of Midnight Cove. What she could have had. What she ran away from.

She turned back to Mandy. “You can’t seriously say that I pushed Blake and Devin away because we’re all three supposed to end up together.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s crazy talk! No one dates two men at the same time.”

“Sure they do!”

Summer threw her hands in the air. “Okay. Sure, some women date more than one guy. But they don’t have threesomes!” Her voice cracked and she wished Mandy would just drop it.

“I think you’re selling yourself short. Who cares what other people do? If those two make you happy, then you should go for it.”

“You’re nuts. How would I explain it to art houses in New York? They’d Google me and turn me down flat.” She palmed her hips. “And what about my mother? You know how she is.”

Mandy came over and the layers of tulle and silk and organza billowed around her. “I don’t think you give your mother enough credit. All that talk about Midnight Cove from you and look what happened.”

Summer cringed. “She bought a vacation pad here.”

“Exactly.” Mandy patted her shoulder. “Maybe she’ll come around on Blake and Devin, too.”

“Right.”

Mandy dropped her hand. “All I know is, I’m in love. You could be too, if you’d only open your ears long enough to listen to your heart.”

Summer couldn’t believe it. She’d come back to Midnight Cove to support her friend. To be her maid of honor and watch her marry the love of her life. Instead, she’d wound up in some upside-down crazy town. “What am I supposed to do? Walk up to Devin and Blake with open arms and say I’m sorry? It’s been four years! I’m sure they’ve moved on.”

Mandy’s face turned somber. “Some things you don’t get over so quickly.”

Summer blinked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

The bride-to-be plastered on a smile. “Don’t run away. That’s all. Stay the weekend. Be in my wedding. If at the end of your trip, you still want to go home alone, go.”

Summer knew Mandy was holding back. “But what?”

Mandy pursed her lips before answering. “Don’t shut down the chance to find happiness because it’s not what’s expected. Make your own path.”

Ridiculous
. The wedding had addled her brain. She gave Mandy a placating smile. “Fine. But I’m not going to hunt them down. They want me so bad, they can come find me.”

Mandy’s whole face lit up like a cherub on Valentine’s Day.

Oh, no
. “What did you do?”

“I did tell you
two
groomsmen were escorting you down the aisle, didn’t I?”

T
he beer can opened
with a wet smack and Richard held it out in a toast. “To my wedding. The end of…everything.”

Blake clinked his can against Richard’s and Devin did the same. Ten years their senior and still trying to act the bachelor. Mandy was a damn saint for putting up with him. Richard might be that classic, good looking rich guy, but he could still be a demanding jerk.

Devin took a sip and shook his head. “Come on, it’s not that awful. You’re head over heels for that woman.”

“I know. But marriage. I never thought I’d be that guy.”

“Little late for that, don’t you think?” Devin pointed at Rich’s midnight blue tux and grinned.

“Devin’s right. It won’t be so bad. Mandy’s a great girl.” Blake took another sip as Richard finished off the can. He knew falling for Mandy had caught Richard by surprise.

A twenty-five-year-old with bouncy blonde curls and a personality to match. The only woman who’d been able to keep Richard Dennison coming back for more.

“Last minute jitters. That’s what it is. All grooms get those, right?” Richard stood up and ran a hand through his hair. “Now that we’re all here and dressed for a wedding, it’s so damn real.”

Devin stood up and dumped his empty can in the trash. “Don’t you love her?”

“Of course I do.”

Devin grinned. “Can you see your life without her?”

“No.”

“Then you should stop freaking out and marry the girl.”

Richard tossed his can in the trash. “You’re right.” He straightened his tie and took a deep breath. “I’m being an asshole.”

“You do have that tendency.”

“Hey! Watch it.” Richard stuck his finger out at Blake with a smile. “Don’t make me reconsider your spot in this wedding.”

“You mean there’s a chance to get out of it?”

Richard’s face fell and Blake gave him a pat on the back. “Just kidding man, we wouldn’t miss it for anything. Just relax. Sunday will go off exactly how Mandy wants it. By Monday afternoon, you’ll be on a beach in the tropics wondering why you ever had cold feet.”

“God, that’ll be a fucking relief.” Richard rolled his shoulders before buttoning up his tux jacket. “I haven’t had to wear a suit this tight since college.”

Blake stretched his back and felt the pull in the shoulders. The man had a point. “So why’d Mandy want us dressed today, anyway?”

A knock sounded on the door and Richard answered as he walked toward it. “Last minute fitting.” He pulled the door open and a small, round woman with a basket of sewing supplies and a needle wedged between her lips hustled in.

“You,” she pointed at Richard, “stand over there in the light.”

Richard shut the door with a flourish. “Gentlemen, this is Ingeborg, Mandy’s seamstress. She is the reason we’re in tuxes today.”

“Yes, and I’m running late. The bride asked for another bustle. Now let me see.” Ingeborg pointed to Richard’s tux and the man stepped over to the windows and stood straight.

“Good. Now turn, slowly.”

“She’s the best in all of Midnight Cove. Isn’t that right, Ingeborg?”

The seamstress snorted. “Your jacket’s too tight. What, have you been drinking too much beer?” She pointed at the remains of the six pack sitting on the counter. “Now I have to let it out.”

The accusation in her tone had Blake glancing at his half-finished can and tossing it in the trash. One up-and-down assessment from Ingeborg was worse than coming home from college to the motherly pat down. At least that one came with a hug.

Richard glanced up with an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I’ve been nervous.”

“Well, take it off.” She took the jacket and made a few markings in chalk on the back. “Now you,” she said, pointing at Devin, “up here. Stand straight, no slouching.”

Devin stood up and came over. The woman stared for a few minutes, tugged here and there, and waved him off. “Fine. Now you.”

Blake hustled up and did as instructed. The seamstress was half his size and triple his age, but there was no disobeying. She might as well have been his grandmother. She motioned for him to turn around and he did.

After a moment, she clucked at him and waved him off. “Good. You’ve been staying healthy.”

Blake let out a breath. When Mandy said to try everything on before the rehearsal, he’d assumed she meant a once over to make sure the colors matched and everyone had the right shoes. Not an exam from an exacting little woman with a basket full of needles.

The seamstress plucked up Richard’s jacket and hustled to the door. “I’ll have this back tomorrow.”

The door shut behind her and Devin let out a loud sigh. “Wow. She is intense. Where’d Mandy find her?”

Richard held up his hands. “You are asking the wrong guy. But if I’m gonna guess? Ian found her. He’s the only man I know who wears custom suits.”

“Where is he?” Devin shrugged his jacket off and folded it over his arm. “I’d have thought he’d be in his sister’s wedding.”

Blake had, too. Mandy’s brother had been Richard’s partner in the restaurant business for years until he struck it big in shipping. Now he lived in a mansion and partied with all the celebutantes of Midnight Cove. But he and Richard were still close.

Richard shrugged. “You know Ian. Never a dollar he didn’t chase down. He’s off doing some deal in China. Shipping cars, I think. I try to ignore that part of his business and just focus on the restaurants and bars. At this point, I’m lucky I even made it here on time.”

Blake laughed. “Be thankful Mandy’s so take charge—it’s not like you’ve got time to plan a wedding.”

“You’re telling me.” Richard ran his hand through his hair. “Kayak’s going well, but we’re behind schedule. As soon as we’re back from Tahiti, I’ll have to go to Seattle. Light a fire under their asses.”

“But everything’s fine here, right? No issues?”

“Everything’s good. Donny’s taken charge at Swallow Tail and he’s helping with the Inn. If it weren’t for him, there’s no way I could think of expanding so soon.”

“You ever think of moving there?”

“To Seattle?” Richard scratched his head. “Maybe. If we do, it’d be part time. I don’t think I’d ever be able to get Mandy out of Midnight Cove for good.”

Blake snorted. Summer’s best friend couldn’t bear to leave, but Summer had left and never looked back. Here Richard was, opening a brand-new restaurant in the hot spot of downtown, and his wife-to-be wanted to stay here.

It hardly seemed fair. After a moment, Blake stood up. “So we can change, right? I doubt Mandy wants us all dressed like this for the rehearsal.”

“Yeah, she said to change and leave the suits in the dressing room. They’ll all be pressed tomorrow and be here waiting.”

“Great.” Blake needed to get out of the dressing rooms and get some air. He nodded at Devin and gave Richard a quick pat on the back. “I’ll see you at the chapel.”

He pushed open the door, strode down the hall, and busted out into the cool, coastal breeze. First seeing Summer, then the fitting. All the things he’d wanted in his life and never had.

The woman who got away. A wedding. A future. He slipped off his jacket and exhaled. Maybe Devin was right. Maybe they could find a way to win Summer back.

“Take Richard’s hand, yes, like that. Then you’ll both turn to me, and we’ll start the meat of the ceremony.” The pastor smiled at Mandy and Richard and Summer’s stomach threatened to heave up Diet Coke and crackers.

It’d been difficult enough to stand there while Ingeborg poked and prodded and marked the blue silk bridesmaid’s gown. It was a million times worse to slip her arm into Devin’s and Blake’s and do a dry-run walk down the aisle.

But the thought of standing in front of an entire sea of people she hadn’t seen or talked to in four years? While the pastor droned on and on about love and marriage and the sanctity of the union? Torture. Pure and simple.

How could she stand there a few feet away from Blake and Devin and not steal a glance? Not catch their eyes while Mr. Holy Matrimony waxed poetic about the grand institution and the timelessness of love and all those other things?

It’d been four years of living in New York. Blind dates, random hook-ups, boyfriends for a month or two. No spark. No magic. No light you up and turn you molten the way Blake and Devin had done in one night.

She pulled her lower lip past her teeth and glanced at the hardwood floor. Three days. She could make it through three days.

“Ms. Crenshaw? It’s your turn.”

With a jump, Summer blinked away her tumbled thoughts.
Shit
. No spacing out now. “Sorry.” She gave the pastor a small smile and turned toward the pews. Blake slid up to one side and Devin stepped up to the other.

Both men held out their arms and she slipped her hands through. Again.
It’s just a walk. You can handle a walk.
She tried to ignore the heat from their bodies. The brush of bare forearms and rolled sleeves. The solid strike of foot to ground. The way one touch could send her soaring.

“Daydreaming?” Devin’s voice brought reality crashing back and Summer frowned.

“No. Just trying to remember everything I have to do at the party.”

“Damn. Here I was hoping you were coming up with reasons you couldn’t make it.”

“To the rehearsal dinner? Why?”

Devin nudged her shoulder. “So we could take you out. Give you a tour of all the old haunts.”

Summer swallowed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?” Blake’s voice was soft and timid.
Was he nervous?

Summer stole a glance, but his stoic features gave nothing away. “Because Mandy’s counting on me. And like it or not, my mother’s going to be there.”

“Your mother?” Blake’s stride hitched as he glanced her way.

“She bought a condo here on top of the new hotel.”

“The five-star one up the coast?”

Summer nodded.

“Why? I thought she loved New York?”

Because I never shut up about this place.
But Summer couldn’t tell them that. Not when the reason Midnight Cove was always in her thoughts and her art was them. She shrugged. “I guess she likes the view.”

They walked out the door of the chapel and Summer slipped her arms free. She ran her fingers up and down her skin, brushing off the ghost of their bodies against her.

“I take it you and your mom are still on the outs?”

Summer laughed, but it wasn’t funny. “I’m still the continual disappointment. Does that count?”

Blake’s brows furrowed. “I thought your mom was happy with your choices. New York. The art scene.”

If you only knew
. “My mom will be happy when I become famous. When my paintings are in the top
galleries
in New York. Working there isn’t close to enough.”

“But you’ve done what she wanted. And something like that takes time. What about the meantime?”

“You mean since I graduated?” Summer snorted and mimicked her mother’s stern tone. “I’m not living up to my full potential.”

Blake reached out and gave her arm a squeeze, but she pulled away. She didn’t need his sympathy. A pity party wouldn’t change their situation. She’d left. A long time ago.

“There you all are!” Mandy bounded up in a frilly black and white polka-dot dress and sandals with her curls up in a half-do and diamonds glittering in her ears. That perfect combination of pretty and sophisticated that Summer could never pull off. “We’re about to head over to the reception. We’ve got all sorts of hors d’oeuvres if you’re hungry. The kitchen’s gone overboard, I think.”

Devin spoke up. “Richard’s staff, go overboard at his own rehearsal dinner? I’m shocked. And starved. Lead the way.”

Mandy glanced at her best friend. “You coming, Summer?”

“Mm-hmm, I’ll be there in a minute.” She gave Devin and Mandy a smile and turned back toward the chapel. Weddings. Part happy and glorious and so much fun. Part melancholy. This one especially. She wrapped her arms tighter around herself and walked down the cobbled path.

Past the little building with its blue and red stained glass and stone walls, past the hydrangeas tumbling over themselves with enormous bursts of pale green and pink blooms. Past the climbing roses spilling over the worn white fence.

Montgomery Inn was the perfect spot for a wedding. It’d been in Mandy’s family for years, but when her father retired, Ian didn’t want to run it alone. Cue Richard. Now Richard ran the day-to-day operations and Ian was a silent partner, focusing on his other business.

She breathed in the bursts of sweetness from the flowers all around her and swallowed down a sob. Once upon a time, she thought she’d be married there too. She’d had a plan—graduate college, come back with Mandy, set up shop in a tiny storefront.

Paint scenic vistas on the edge of the cliff, sell them to tourists in town. Marry some handsome man and live in Midnight Cove. Raise some kids. Live the life.

Then it all changed.

Summer made her way down the stone steps to a rocky outcrop overlooking the ocean. No matter how much she wanted to go back and do it all over, she couldn’t. Midnight Cove would never be the same. All she’d ever see was Blake and Devin and what she couldn’t have.

“Is there room for one more on that ledge? Or is this a one-person event?”

Summer turned and her dark brown hair blew across her face.
So fucking beautiful.

“There’s room. Hi, Blake.”

“Hi, Summer.” Blake made his way down the steps and eased himself next to her on the ledge. The fabric of her party dress fluttered out and battered his calves.
God, to be that close to her
.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked out at the ocean. “It’s been a long time.”

She stared straight ahead and nodded. He could tell from the way she held herself together, coming back had taken a toll. “How are you, honestly?”

She smiled and glanced down at the rocky shore. “Happy. Sad. Confused. I’m all messed up.” She glanced up and Blake’s heart stumbled out of rhythm.

Green eyes to match her dress. Lips lush and full and about to quiver. Cheeks flushed from the wind and the ocean air. How did he ever think he and Devin would be enough for her? “I know what you mean.”