Summer by the Sea (19 page)

“That’s a terrible idea,” she said before she could stop herself. Putting up one ridiculous restaurant was one thing, but destroying a habitat and beautiful coastline was another.

“I have a line of investors that think otherwise.” As he said the words, it was as if he was a totally different person, and she could see the powerful businessman emerge. His warmth was gone in that moment, the affection she’d seen in his eyes now absent. He was talking business. If he’d been a cartoon, she’d have seen little dollar signs in his eyes, she was sure of it.

“You can’t ruin Corolla.”

“I don’t think I’m ruining anything. I’m simply changing it. I’m a developer. That’s how I make my money. If I don’t develop, I don’t eat. Simple as that. And I know what I’m doing.”

“I’m not debating whether you know your job. But what I am telling you is that you’ve chosen the wrong place.”

“Faith, I’ve had this conversation hundreds of times regarding hundreds of locations. There’s always someone who doesn’t like it. But that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t happen. I’ve been very successful with this in the past. I know it will be good.”

“I will never believe that it’s good. I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t mean to put a damper on our supper by bringin’ all this up,” Chuck said. “Faith, you won’t change his mind. Believe me, I’ve tried. He’s about as bullheaded as anyone I’ve ever met. Now tell me, how long are you and your family staying? You here for the summer?”

Just like she had with Casey, she’d eventually allowed the anger to slide away as the night went on. It was the only way she knew how to let go and enjoy herself. It was still there, though. She’d just pushed it down where she couldn’t feel it at that moment. They ate and talked until the sun was low on the horizon, and she was enjoying herself again. Chuck had thanked her for a lovely evening, and he’d graciously left them alone, claiming he had to get a good night’s rest before a big fishing trip tomorrow.

“More wine?” Jake asked, pouring it anyway. They’d nearly finished the bottle, and it was a big bottle. She grinned, her eyes heavy with all the conversation of the night and the alcohol. She could feel the sting of warmth under her skin, and she wondered if it was the sun or the wine. Jake had set up a continuous stream of beach music to play on the speakers outside after they’d had dinner, and a reggae song was playing quietly in the background. She looked at him as the exterior landscape lighting came on magically. Its low light danced in his eyes. She noticed the ease in which his smile emerged when he looked at her, the way his shoulders had relaxed. Their disagreement was behind her for now, and she wanted to pretend it wasn’t there at all.

“How am I supposed to get home?” she asked, taking another sip of her wine. “We’ve both had too much to drink.” She wasn’t asking to stay. She’d never want to put him in that kind of position. And, given what had transpired since they’d been at Bodie Island, she wasn’t quite sure where they stood. The restaurant and Jake’s plans for development had changed things for her and maybe for him too. Although it changed how she saw him, she couldn’t deny the attraction and the affection that was still there.

“We could try and walk,” he said with a grin just before tipping the glass up to his lips. His eyes stayed on her as he took a drink.

“It’s miles to my cottage!” she laughed.

“I’d be okay with that.”

“Be serious.”

“I am!”

Faith knew the wine had helped along this playful side of both of them. She worried that things may be different in the morning. They’d both let their guards down. She had a glimpse of what it was like to really know this side of him. And she loved it. Jake was funny. He’d told her stories that had made her laugh until she had tears in her eyes. But he could also be serious and sweet. At times, his expressions seemed almost romantic—he looked at her a little longer than he should, and he smiled as if words were right on his lips. It was a very different side than what she’d seen when they’d mentioned his Corolla plans. As they sat in silence, he was looking at her that way right now. He stood up, and she followed his lead.

As they made their way around the table, they stopped side by side. Faith turned to face him. “Thank you for having me,” she said, and a current zinged around in her chest. She smiled. She couldn’t help it.

“You’re welcome.”

He was looking down at her. She was so close she could smell his cologne. Coupled with the wine and the sound of the ocean, it made her woozy. There was a slight nervousness to his breathing, a tiny twitch at his lips. He took in another breath. Was he going to kiss her? The wind blew her hair in her face and he started to reach up to move it for her, but it was as if he thought better about it, and quickly dropped his hand. She tucked her hair behind her ear and tried to suppress the overwhelming disappointment she felt. Maybe he’d decided that the differences between them were too significant.

“I’ll call a car,” he said, breaking eye contact first.

“Wait.” She didn’t know why she asked him to wait. Wait for what? She just knew that she didn’t want to leave. He was standing there, waiting as she’d asked him to do. “I…” She swallowed. “I thought maybe we could have another glass of wine.”

“We’ve finished all the wine,” he said, but his face said more than that. His face was playful. What was he trying to tell her? Her mind-reading skills clearly weren’t as good as his, but the look on his face was giving her the strength to act on her impulses. She took a tiny step toward him and looked up into his eyes. The wind blew around them, whipping her hair back across her face, and, this time, he didn’t hesitate and swept it back with his fingers his touch so gentle it sent a shiver down her neck. Then, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I had a good night. Thank you,” he said near her ear, and she had to work to keep her breath steady.

Why had he abruptly ended the conversation like that? Thank you? That didn’t sound like someone who wanted to continue things. She didn’t want the night to end. He pulled back and looked down at her again. With her eyes, she was asking him to stay. She didn’t want to leave this perfect moment behind. She wanted to put their differences aside because she felt so connected to him. She was sure now what she wanted. She wanted to know what it felt like to wake up to him in the morning, make breakfast together, watch the sunrise over the water. She wanted more time with this side of Jake Buchanan.
Please don’t let it end yet
, she thought.

“Faith.” He took in a deep breath and let it out. “I wish this night didn’t have to end.”

For some reason, she knew what he was going to say. He’d read her mind again. There was something new in his face. It was subtle, but she’d noticed it. It wasn’t anything like what she’d seen tonight. It was almost apprehension. Was she coming on too strong? Did he not feel for her what she was feeling for him? Or was he, too, worried about that other part of his life where she wouldn’t fit.

“But it does. I think you’re fantastic. But if you stay, this,” he wagged a finger between them. “This will be different. It’s better if we’re just friends.” His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he finally walked over and grabbed their plates, headed toward the kitchen.

“How will it be different?” She asked, following him. They’d been so open and honest with each other. How would anything be different than that?

“Believe me. It will. I’ve been down that road before, and I’m not doing it again.”

“Down what road?” She didn’t like the way that sounded. Did he see being with her as some sort of sentence? The way he’d made it sound—down that road—made her feel like spending real time with her would be a chore.

“Look, we’ve had a really great night. I’ve had a ton of fun. But we both know that when things move beyond what they are now—this one night—neither of us would be happy.”

How dare he think for her! He didn’t know what would make her happy. Shouldn’t she be able to make that determination on her own? But lingering between them in the silence was the real issue:
he
wouldn’t be happy. Why wouldn’t he be happy with her? She stood, stunned by this truth.

“I’ll call the car.”

He put the plates into the sink and turned around. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. After a few taps on the screen, he put the phone to his ear. “Hello. It’s Jake Buchanan. I’m at mile post seventeen and a half.” He paused, listening. “Yes. That’s me. I was wondering if you could send a car out. I have a lady here who needs a ride back to mile post ten.” More silence. “Excellent. See you soon.” He ended the call.

TEN

The Lincoln Town Car pulled in to the drive at Faith’s cottage. “Thank you,” she said, getting out. The driver nodded, and she shut the door. Jake had been pleasant when they’d said their goodbyes, but he’d stood at a distance, a different emotion behind his smile. She kept coming back to the Tides and his plans for development.

“So?” she heard before she’d even gotten through the door. Casey was sitting in the breakfast nook, her laptop open beside her. “How was it? What was the Mercedes all about? Where did you go?”

“Um…” Where should she start? The whole night and all the emotions it had stirred within her were swirling around in her head.

“You okay?” Casey had gone from excited to concerned in a split second.

“Yes,” she said, taking a breath in an attempt to clear her head. “It was good.”

“Just good?”

It wasn’t just good. It was fantastic. Her date with Jake was probably the best first date she’d ever had—even with the disagreement—and she wanted to see him again. She wanted to have his eyes on her like they had been tonight; she wanted to see his smile directed at her. Tonight, she felt something new and interesting—that flutter. She couldn’t deny the way he’d looked at her, the way he’d responded to her. That’s what had made that moment when he said they should remain friends so difficult to swallow. Maybe he was right, though. As much as she liked him, and as much as they seemed to fit together at times, the gray cloud lingering over them was their fundamental difference in what they wanted. He wanted to make money, even if it was at the expense of the North Carolina shore and all its serenity—the only place she felt truly at ease. She wanted a quiet place to bring her family, where everyone could have a good time and make memories.

“What about the car? You have to tell me about the car.”

“It’s his,” she said, still trying to make sense of it. “And the sailboat’s his too.”

“What? It is?”

“He’s…” Her mind was elsewhere, but she didn’t want to be rude so she pushed the thoughts away and sat down next to her sister. “He’s very wealthy.”

“What?” she said again. “How?”

“He’s a land developer, but he does handyman work for fun.”

“This just gets more interesting by the minute!” Casey said, looking full of excitement. Her eyes were glittery, a big smile on her face. Faith felt her dinner sour in her stomach as she looked at Casey’s face. This was still a game to her. Faith didn’t see it the same way after being with him all night. He’d been vulnerable, honest, and they’d left questions she still wanted to work through. Suddenly, Faith didn’t want Casey anywhere near Jake.

“Why do you have your laptop out?” Faith asked, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere. She was tired from the sun and the wine, and attempting to figure Jake out.

Casey’s face dropped from excited to somber in a flash. She looked sad, anxious, her brows had pulled together, a deep crease forming between them, her bottom lip trembling just a little before she chewed on the inside of it—probably to keep it steady.

“I got an email from Scott. An informal list of what he wants to keep of ours, and what he thinks I should have. He wants me to check it over before he sends it to his lawyer.”

Casey didn’t handle tough circumstances well. Things always came easily for her, so when she was faced with something as hard as this, she would want to push it away, ignore the reality of it. When it came to the hard things in life, she struggled, and that’s where Faith had the upper hand. Faith had had enough things not go her way in life that she’d figured out how to deal with the situation. Seeing Casey’s face told her that her sister needed her right now.

Even though Faith was younger, whenever Casey had a tough time growing up—a boyfriend issue or drama between her and her girlfriends—she’d always find Faith. It was Faith who would comfort Casey, although Casey would only fret about it for a minute or two before sobering up and moving on to more upbeat conversation. When her high school boyfriend broke up with her, Casey had come crying to Faith, lying on her bed, her face in a pillow. Faith had reassured her, telling her that there were other fish in the sea, and she shouldn’t worry too much, even though she knew how much it probably hurt. Casey sat up, sniffled a little more, and then went into the bathroom and got her hot pink nail polish. She’d decided that Faith needed a make over. Faith knew she didn’t really need one, but it was Casey’s way of dealing with it, and getting over it. She’d let Casey paint her nails, do her makeup, and style her hair that day, and they’d gone shopping together that afternoon. Casey never said another word, or—as far as she knew—shed another tear over that boy, but she knew it had hit her sister harder than she was letting on.