The Boyfriend List (7 page)

Without warning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held tight. “I want this to work between us, but I just don’t know—we’re so different. You’re the most wonderful man and I still can’t believe you want me.”

“I do. And, yeah, we are different. That’s what makes it so special. You’re not getting rid of me, so get it out of your head.”

She sniffled and wiped her eyes, while a tiny smile teased her mouth. “This is your last chance to get away from me. If you stick around after this warning, I can’t be held responsible.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“I’m going to make a mess of everything. You don’t—” A kiss silenced her. For now.

“You won’t. If we focus on each other, if we lock out the noise, we’ll be okay.”

***

Jenna could get used to this. After making love again, this time in her bed, and falling asleep for an hour, Nate picked up food from a local Thai place. They ate dinner on the couch, snuggled next to each other, alternating between talking and watching a movie. It was the kind of night she loved. Quiet and easy.

He had a gym bag in his car and changed into more comfortable clothes, and Jenna put on pajama pants and a T-shirt. It may have been late May, but the temperature dropped to an unseasonable low, and the soft throw from the back of the couch provided just enough warmth.

She really loved spending time with him. He was so down-to-earth, a little stiff sometimes, but such a good man. She heard the rustling of cellophane and the snap of a fortune cookie. Jenna had learned a key bit of information about Nate—he loved fortune cookies.

Right then he was crunching on the cookie, and was just so cute. So cute it was hard to believe the guy was worth billions. Wasn’t he supposed to be an arrogant asshole or something?

“Okay.” He smiled. “Are you ready?”

“Ready.” He’d been reading her the most horrible fortunes all night. She was convinced he bought a case of the cookies when he went to get dinner. “Keep your eye out for someone special.”

“Aww,” she said.

“
In bed,
” he added, going for the old joke.

Jenna groaned. “You
are
twelve, aren’t you? You’re not going to get tired of that joke.”

“Adding ‘in bed’ to the fortune? No! It’s classic.”

“Classic. Right.”

It was heaven when he pulled her closer and kissed the spot where her shoulder joined her neck. “Mmmm. You know the perfect spots.”

“I have a question for you. Would you like to go to a polo match next weekend?”

“A polo match?” What? That was just the kind of event that would trigger reminders of her old life
. Her phony life.

“Yeah, do you want to see me play? I’d love it if you’d be there. It’s a lot of fun and by then Owen and Kim will be back. You could drive with them.”

“I don’t know. Do you think I’ll fit in? I haven’t ever been around the horsey set.” That was a lie—the first one she’d ever told him. While she hadn’t been around polo, a number of Royce’s clients, who were also her clients, owned racehorses.

“The horsey set? Hmm. You fit in with me.” He kissed her again, so softly Jenna almost cried. “It’s not as pretentious as you’d think. Come on. Just be yourself. That’s all.”

Be herself.
Whatever that meant. Jenna could put on a show if she had to, but did she want to? It had taken two years to get her head back in the right place. It took making a decision to come back to her roots and abandon the studio and the work she loved so much to figure out what was important.

However, she wanted to do it for Nate. If they were going to make a go of this, then she had no choice but to try to be part of his world. She hoped she could. The one thing she kept going back to was that Nate wasn’t her ex. He was a good man who cared about her. She’d seen it over and over again, and that was the tipping point.

“What does one wear to a polo match?’

He didn’t have to say anything. The sweet smile on his face told her he was happy. “You can wear anything you want.”

“Oh, Lord.” She giggled. “You are such a guy. I cannot wear whatever I want. I have to dress appropriately for the event, which means I’m going to have to borrow clothes from someone. Probably Harper.”

“I don’t care what you wear. Do whatever makes you comfortable.”

Comfortable. She did not think a designer dress and shoes, along with the dreaded super-supportive-you-won’t-know-it’s-there foundation she’d have to squeeze herself into, would make her top ten things to climb into on a Sunday morning.

“I really have no idea what to expect,” she said. “Is it a dangerous sport?”

“It can be, I guess. I mean, a piece of my equipment weighs over a thousand pounds and has a brain.”

“Oh. Okay. I’m going to be nervous for you, aren’t I?”

In one quick move Nate turned her over, and pressed her deep into the couch. A quick kiss, followed by a deeper one. “Would you be worried about me?”

“No, I mean . . . well . . . yes.” She brought her hands to both sides of his face and let herself drown in the depths of his gold-green eyes. “I will be worried.”

His kiss was like good wine, easing her into a warm, deep stupor. Everything was relaxed and slow. The way his hand slid under her shirt and caressed every curve, to the way his mouth teased hers, made Jenna feel like this was something that could last forever.

“Let’s go to bed,” she whispered while nipping his ear.

Nate smiled that panty-dropping smile of his, and Jenna felt completely swept away when he rose from where they were laying together and leaned in to scoop her up. Curled against him while he walked around the cottage, she reached out to flip off lights and lock the door.

“You’re really okay with me staying? It’s your first night in your new place.”

He was very intuitive for a man. When Jenna took the summer job with Harper, the big draw was living in the cottage. After being in San Francisco with Royce, then moving home, she was looking forward to living alone. Not that she and Nate were moving in together, but it
was
her first night in her new home, and she was with someone.

Did she say yes? Or did she tell him to go?

He laid her gently on the bed, then sat on the edge of the mattress. It was a full moon and light was flooding in through the large bedroom windows. “You’re not sure what to say, are you?”

He wasn’t doing anything at that point except holding her hand, rubbing her knuckles with his finger and waiting.

What was she going to say? Jenna had a plan. A well-thought-out plan. Was she going to chuck her life reboot to the breeze because of a man? Because of a kind, generous, handsome, sexy man?

“Of course you can stay.”

It appeared she was going to do exactly that.

He should be athletic.

—#9, Jenna’s Boyfriend List

Jenna swore she was suffering from some kind of wealth-related PTSD. Anytime she was around
society
, around people who never thought about money because they had so much of it, she was reminded of her seemingly perfect life in San Francisco.

And the memories still cut deep because it wasn’t so perfect.

But the polo club had to be one of the prettiest places she’d ever seen. The endless emerald green lawns and fields, the beautiful barns, and colorful blue and white striped tents fed her senses. The soft neighing of horses mingled with the quiet chatter from the crowd made for a wonderfully relaxing experience. It was a contrast, really. A high octane sporting event was going to take place in a few minutes, and everything was so civil, so calm.

Walking with Owen and Kim toward the tent at the side of the field, the artist inside her took mental pictures, gauging color and light. She’d brought her camera out of hiding that day, and now she scoped out the best place to set it up, something she’d been hesitant to do for a very long time. Nerves or not, Jenna was glad she came. Without knowing it, Nate was slowly and surely giving her back an important part of her life.

Owen and Kim had been back from their honeymoon in Italy just a few days and had no idea that she and Nate had gotten together. “I still can’t believe everything I missed,” Kim muttered. “You and Nate!”

“Well, I wasn’t going to tell you while you were on your honeymoon. Honestly, we hooked up after the wedding.” Jenna stopped walking when they reached the edge of the polo field. “I didn’t expect anything to happen, and I’m still not so sure this is a good idea, but I really
like
him, you know? He’s so sweet and . . .”

“And what?” Kim raised an eyebrow when she asked the question.

Jenna looked around and pulled Kim away from the clutch of people chatting with Owen.

“Oh, my God,” she gasped. “The sex is . . . it’s just amazing. I feel like I’m under some kind of spell from all the orgasms I’ve had since we got together.”

Kim’s mouth was forming a soft
O
. “Seriously? Nate? He’s so quiet.”

Jenna shrugged. “You know what everyone says about the quiet ones.”

“But you really like him? It’s not just the sex.”

“I really do. He’s funny, smart, he’s so cute it hurts.” Just then Nate walked out of the paddock area and looked around. When he saw her, his smile bloomed. “Look at him, Kim.”

He was in his riding garb—white breeches that showed off every muscle in his perfect behind and his long legs, tall dark brown leather riding boots, and a navy-blue-and-red polo shirt that spanned his broad shoulders and chest. “Look at him.” It came out on a breath as everything inside of Jenna responded to the sight of him.

He was making his way through the crowd, and with each step, Jenna’s heartbeat quickened. It skipped a little once he reached her and touched her lips with his. Brief and sweet, she felt it right to her toes. It was a morning kiss, the kind shared upon waking or over breakfast. A lover’s kiss.

“Hi. I’m glad you’re here.” His hand came up and touched her bare shoulder. She’d agonized over what to wear and had been able to borrow a pretty yellow sundress from Harper. It had a loose top that cinched in at the waist, then flared out into a long full skirt. She paired it with some custom-designed silver jewelry she bought when she visited the Southwest and a pretty turquoise sweater. When she’d examined herself in the mirror, she was more than pleased with the look. It was elegant, but still fed Jenna’s need to be trendy.

Nate stepped back and looked her up and down. “You look so pretty. Why were you worried?”

She was worried because she knew how horrible people could be. How petty. They’d smile in your face and then gossip about everything from your hair color to your shoes. “I was glad to find something I could feel like myself in.”

He kissed her again, and pulled back only when Kim smacked his arm. “I’m right here and you don’t even say hello?”

“I had to kiss your friend.” There was a quick peck on the cheek and Kim shook her head as she took them in as a couple. And that’s what they were. His fingers were twined together with hers. Their bodies touched in more than a few places. He was doting and protective.

And Jenna loved feeling like this.

“Look at this.” Owen joined them and shook Nate’s hand. “I go away for a few weeks and you two are an item?”

That was odd. A flash in Owen’s eyes that told her he wasn’t sure about her being with Nate. There was something, a glance, a twitch in his mouth that let her know he was withholding judgment for now. Jenna shook it off. There was no use in dwelling on something she thought might be true. It was a nice day. This was her best friend’s husband. “Welcome home, Owen. Kim said the trip was one for the ages.”

“We had a good time. You’re all settled in at Harper’s now?”

“Yes, since last week. I love it there.”

“Well, the cottage has been lucky for the residents, although there won’t be any more partners for Harper’s babysitters if you snag Nate.”

There were no words to respond to that. None. Jenna felt her stomach clench.
Snag?
This was Nate’s best friend. Her best friend’s husband. What did he think of her? That she was looking to trap herself a rich husband?

Time to walk away before she said something that would set everyone off.

“Excuse me, I’m going to go have a look at the horses.”

She was gone, walking as fast as she could. What possessed her to think she could be with Nate and not have people think the worst of her? This wasn’t her life, she’d proven that when she’d been with Royce. Being part of the ultra-rich had changed Jenna, and not for the better. She hadn’t done anything illegal, but she’d been so impressed by the trappings that she exchanged one life for another. And now it would look like she was trying to get that life back, only this time her target was Nate. Holy shit. What had she gotten herself into?

“Jenna, stop.” Kim was racing to catch up. Jenna didn’t want to stop. She wanted to walk past the stables, to the parking lot and find a way to get home. “Jenna!”

Turning, Kim reached her and grabbed her hand. “I’m so sorry. Owen is so great, he is, but every once in a while he says things that make him seem like a big asshole.”

“He sure didn’t mince words.”

“In most cases it would be a joke, but I know you’re sensitive about the whole money thing. He didn’t realize.”

“It was embarrassing, you know, Kim? The way he looked at me, like I was some kind of fortune hunter?”

“I know you’re not, and so does he.”

Jenna shook her head. “I don’t think he does; I think he’s trying to look out for his friend.”

“You really care about Nate, don’t you?”

“I might love him, Kimmy. I could. He’s so wonderful, and when I’m with him, I feel like myself again. Like the me I used to be . . . before Royce and California.”

“You didn’t think you’d ever feel like that, did you?”

“No. I didn’t. I didn’t want to, but this thing developing with Nate, it’s different, it’s special. I feel like I’ve found my other half.”

“Let it develop, Jenna. Don’t run away. He looks so happy when he’s with you.”

“I hope so. We have the best time together. I know it’s new, but I could see my future with him.”

Looking through the crowd, he was in deep conversation with Owen. When he turned and caught her looking, he grinned and mouthed,
“It’s okay.”

More than anything Jenna wanted to believe that.

***

“You know, for a smart guy, you’ve been saying some stupid shit lately.”

Owen rubbed his hand across his neck. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out. I like Jenna, but I never expected you guys to actually get together.”

“Why the hell not?” Owen started to talk, but Nate halted him. “No, forget it. I don’t want to know.” He paced in a circle, agitated. “I have to go mount up, but you owe her an apology. No one questioned you when you fell in love with Kim. No one. We respected your relationship, even though it was totally out there in coincidence land.”

“I know. I mean I know you had, I don’t know,
a crush . . .
”

“I’m thirty-four years old. I didn’t have ‘a crush’.”

“It just happened so fast.”

“Are you serious? You said you figured you fell in love with Kim the first time you saw her in that hospital in Afghanistan. Am I wrong?”

Owen hesitated. “You’re not wrong.”

“Give us a break, okay?” Nate wanted to find Jenna before the match, if only to soothe her. When Owen shot off his mouth, he did it in a big way. “I’ll see you later.”

With only a few minutes to talk to her, Nate went toward the barn. He was more than a little worried about how Owen might have made Jenna feel. She was very sensitive and was already feeling out of place. He’d never met someone who radiated so much confidence on the outside, but was constantly second-guessing herself on the inside.

Why? That was the big question. Why?

He caught sight of her pretty yellow dress fluttering in the breeze. Jenna had her back to him, but Kim saw him coming and said something. As soon as Jenna turned, Kim slipped away. A smile teased at her lips, but smile or not, Nate could see she wasn’t happy. It was plainly obvious: there was no light in her eyes, no humor.

“He’s sorry,” Nate began once he was closer. “But he can be such an ass sometimes.”

She chuckled lightly. “That’s what Kim said.”

“It’s true. Things hit him in the head and fly out of his mouth. But it’s him, it’s not you.”

“I’m sensitive about the perception that I might only be interested in your money. That’s kind of what happened with my last boyfriend.”

“Ah.” Nodding, he focused on her. Her eyes were darting around, but there wasn’t much he could say without knowing the whole story. “I think it’s time we talked about that, then?”

“You’re right. It is.” That was what he was hoping she’d say. That she was willing to share something like that with him meant she wanted to give them a chance.
A real chance.

“I have to go mount, but I need a kiss for luck.”

“Good luck. Be careful.” Coming up on her toes, she kissed his cheek. More than a peck, she lingered there. He drew in the scent and softness of her hair, the rush of excitement that ran through him when her lips touched his skin.

“I’ll see you later.”

Nate looked behind him to see she was watching him go and it left him more bothered than he should be. He was uneasy. Jenna talked about her
Italian woo-woo
, her ability to sense things about people and her surroundings. It must have been rubbing off on him or it was activating what his Irish gran always called “the sight.” It never made any sense to him, but apparently his family had magic or some such shit.

He stopped and took a breath. He had to calm down before he got on his horse. If he was tense, his mount would be tense. Two grooms approached; one had his equipment, the other his fully tacked polo pony. He had three horses for today’s match, but this one was his favorite. He’d been training Cody since he was two. A dark bay Thoroughbred on the larger side, the horse cornered like a dream and nothing spooked him. Except birds. For some reason birds sent the horse running. He was thinking about using him for a cross-country horse, but when he gave up the eventing, the big boy transitioned nicely to polo.

Once he was mounted, Nate adjusted his knee pads and took his mallet, walking toward the field with his teammates. His best friend on the team was a Brit transplant named Tristan Wade. Tris was probably one of the most sought-after financial consultants on either side of the pond, and he was working for Reliance for the next year as they examined the idea of taking the company public.

“Ready for the match?” Tristan asked. “I heard the team we’re facing likes dirty tricks.”

Nate shrugged and smiled. “Then we’ll have some tricks of our own to counter.”

“So, you have a new lady in your life, mate?”

“I do. Jenna. I’ll introduce you at halftime.”

Tris grinned. His barely shaved face and his tattooed right arm made him look more like a pirate than a business executive. “Brilliant.”

***

Jenna was definitely in the minority at the game. She was more interested in watching Nate than socializing. Kim was with her a lot of the time, but Owen was hanging back, catching up with old friends and making contacts. From time to time her friend drifted away to be with her husband, which was fine because then Jenna could concentrate. She’d brought her camera, and she couldn’t resist the opportunity to capture the day, so she walked away from the crowd, found a spot with a good view of the field, and started shooting.

The camera was new. She’d bought the outfit right before Kim and Owen’s wedding, and her initial concern that she’d spent too much money was replaced by love for her camera.

Looking through the viewfinder, she took in the landscape in small frames. She saw color and detail differently.

Figures in movement were challenges. Jenna loved art and all media held a place in her heart, but photography was her favorite visual art, and one at which she made a very good living.

Jenna remembered her first gallery showing in Santa Fe. Some of her work had been part of a local art exhibition in California, and the gallery owner tracked her down and offered the show. She and Royce spent a week in Santa Fe at her patron’s beautiful hacienda. On opening night, almost all her photographs sold.

She couldn’t have been more surprised.

People were dropping thousands of dollars on landscapes and architectural studies. A photo she took in Utah of a single horse in a herd of free-roaming Mustangs, one of her absolute favorites, sold for five thousand dollars. It was unheard of, and it opened doors for her and Royce. She was now invited to all the best parties, spending time with art-obsessed San Franciscans. They traveled extensively. Her gallery openings were exclusive events, her photographs were a must-have piece of art, and if you’d asked her then how things were going, Jenna would have told you her life was perfect. Because that’s what she believed.