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Authors: Jamie Beck

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BOOK: Worth the Wait
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Vivi nodded with a sigh. “I’m pretty familiar with many of these, which isn’t the same as knowing them cold.”

“Let’s give one a try and see how it goes. It’s not like we’re Coldplay or anything.”

Joe strummed the melody of Michelle Branch’s “Goodbye to You”
while Vivi sang the first verse and chorus. Satisfied with her vocal ability, he launched into a serious discussion of the original set list. After eliminating several songs, they whittled it down to a single sixty-minute set. When the discussion concluded, Vivi sat back in dismay at what she’d just agreed to do.

“If you have time now, we should start rehearsing so we can make it as good as possible,” Joe suggested. “Afterward, we’ll hang out and have a few drinks.”

Dazed, Vivi responded, “Okay.” She glanced at Cat, who sat chatting comfortably with Franco and John. “We don’t have other plans anyway.”

Cat must’ve felt Vivi’s apprehension reach across the room. She turned and then approached Vivi, whispering, “You look uncomfortable. I thought you wanted a shot at a beach fling with Franco. Are you angry with me for putting you on the spot?”

Yes!
But thanks to this commitment, Vivi wouldn’t have time to think about David and Laney during the next few days. It was a step in the right direction. She should kiss Cat’s feet.

“No. I could’ve refused. I only hope I don’t screw up.”

“You won’t! You always underestimate yourself. Have faith!” Cat hugged her friend. “I just know this will be so much fun.”

Vivi smirked. Sure it would be fun for Cat, the one without responsibility or risk of failure. On the other hand, this performance would make the vacation memorable—for something other than meeting David’s girlfriend. When else might she ever have an opportunity to sing with a full band?

Vivi had always believed the fun of life lay in the thrill of the unknown. Smiling, she lifted herself off the chair and looked for a microphone.

The group rushed to set up for the rehearsal, which got off to a rocky start when Vivi flubbed the lyrics. Wincing, she felt perspiration collecting along her hairline. She bit her lower lip but then caught sight of Franco’s warm gaze. Heat rushed through her, replacing her fears and doubts with determination. She noticed Cat grinning and giving her two thumbs up, so she stepped back to the microphone.

What’s the worst that could happen?

C
HAPTER
S
EVEN

L
aney’s perfectly trimmed fingernails tapped against the side of her wine glass, drawing David’s attention away from the harbor and to her taupe nail polish—a dull, non-color shade. Most days her wardrobe and appearance reflected her personality.

Severe. Monochromatic. Professional.

The fact that he hadn’t previously noticed this surprised him. Then again, in Hong Kong he’d dedicated the bulk of his focus and energy toward working on the Kessler merger.

“Thank you for bringing me here this week.” Laney sat forward in her chair. “It’s been nice to meet some of your family, although I’m picking up on tension.”

“I’ve been away a long time.” David straightened his posture.

“Will your dad be coming up over the weekend? I’m curious to meet him, too.”

He drew a deep breath. “He and I aren’t on good terms, as you’ve probably also picked up on.”

“I’ve noticed.” She reached across the table to touch his hand. “Would you like to talk about it?”

“Not really. All you need to know is that my mom made me promise to keep a secret about something my dad did, and I’m bitter about it.”

“I’m sorry, David.” She squeezed his hand. “But if this is a secret, why is it affecting your relationship with Cat and Jackson?”

“They know he and I aren’t speaking, and they’re blaming me. Plus, I’ve been keeping them at arm’s length to avoid spilling everything.”

“Maybe you should just tell them. Why should you suffer alone?”

“Better I suffer than saddle them with the disgust I feel toward my dad.” David wouldn’t hurt them by destroying their family memories solely to satisfy his thirst for justice. “Besides, my mother trusted me to keep my word. I’ll never betray her.”

“She’d never know. If your dad deserves to be exposed, Cat and Jackson are grown-ups.” She shrugged with exasperated nonchalance. “Eventually you would all recover.”

“It doesn’t matter if my mother would never know.
I
would know.” Laney’s blasé attitude toward integrity offended him. “As for recovering, obviously it’s easier said than done in my family.”

Clearly Laney couldn’t understand his belief that his word was his bond. It was a point of honor—one of his most prized traits. Vivi would understand, but this was perhaps the only thing in his life he would never confide in her.

“Let’s not spoil the afternoon by dwelling on this, okay?” He withdrew his hand from hers.

“That’s your polite way of shutting me out.”

She slumped back into her chair and sipped her wine just as the harried waitress arrived to remove their plates.

“It’s about time,” Laney muttered. “I’ve been dying for a refill of my water.”

The waitress winced. “Sorry, I’ll be right back with that.”

“It’s busy today. You must be exhausted,” David said to the waitress, trying to compensate for Laney’s rude remark. He collected his things and handed them to her, wishing Laney didn’t sulk whenever she felt frustrated. “Thanks.”

Shaking her head, Laney exhaled in exasperation. Once the waitress left them, she resumed their conversation.

“Let’s change the subject.” Her arch glance pinned David. “My free housing ends in two weeks. Should I lease my own apartment, or am I moving in with you?”

The very idea made his skin itch. Clearing his throat, he repressed the urge to scratch his arms.

Seizing upon his hesitation, she demanded, “What’s the issue? In Hong Kong I spent most nights with you anyway. Are infrequent nights of freedom so critical?”

Panic and resentment overshadowed any pleasant anticipation. Not a good sign. They’d never discussed living together. Hell, they’d never uttered the word
love
. Why was she suddenly pushing this relationship toward permanence?

If he ever married, Laney possessed many qualities compatible with his life. But he wasn’t thinking of a long-term commitment with her yet. Probably not ever.

“When you suggested coming to New York, you convinced me you had your own reasons for returning to the States, namely furthering your career. I never made any promises about our future. Now it feels like I’m being rushed toward the altar.” Burning indigestion spread in his chest from hurting her. God, had he totally misread her feelings all this time?

“I’m not expecting a proposal.” Her impassive expression gave nothing away. “It’s just more economical to share the expense of one home. Why waste money on a second place that sits empty most days?”

He couldn’t deny her point. Of course, her logical arguments were exactly what landed him in this awkward position in the first place. Had she been deftly manipulating him all along?

“I’m sorry, Laney. I don’t think living together is the right thing for us.”

Her gaze dropped to her lap. Although he questioned her motives, guilt prompted him to lean forward and cover her hand with his own.

“It’s not you.” That much was true. Many men would kill to be in his shoes. “I don’t want to hurt you. You know you’re beautiful and intelligent, and I enjoy the time we spend together. I’m simply not looking for more from dating than what we have now. Have I misled you somehow? I honestly thought we were on the same page.”

“Relax. I only suggested it because it seemed convenient.” She produced a weak smile. “It’s fine, David.”

He hoped she wasn’t lying, but he couldn’t shake the feeling she was putting on an Oscar-worthy performance.

After lunch, they strolled through the quaint Victorian beach town, browsing the goods for sale in the various small, independently owned retail shops aligning Water Street and the surrounding neighborhoods. Laney insisted on investigating each store, from Water Gallery and Gift, to Mad Hatter, and Full Moon Tide.

Now and then, David caught himself scanning the crowds for signs of his sister and Vivi as he ducked in and out of each shop. While Laney picked through endless shelves and racks, analyzing all of her options, boredom provided the framework for David’s mind to drift to Vivi’s distant behavior.

Everything about her unnerved him now. The pain his ugly outburst wrought, her detached manner, his surprising and wholly improper feelings of attraction—all of it drove him slightly mad. For the first time since they’d met, he had no idea how to behave or what, exactly, he wanted. He wished things would return to when they could read each other’s thoughts. When her eyes would meet his and fill with trust and affection.

“David, isn’t this divine?” Laney held up a severely cut yellow sundress.

He didn’t consider its mustard tone flattering to her coloring, but after their tense lunch conversation, he merely nodded in agreement.

Two hours later, they returned to the car carrying packages containing ceramics, shoes, sunglasses, and clothing.

When they arrived at the house, David popped the trunk open and helped unload the myriad of shopping bags. Together, they hauled her loot up to their room. Heaving the final package onto the bed, he stood awaiting further instructions. Laney began picking through the bags without looking at him. Sighing, he left her there to admire her new belongings and went to find his brother.

Jackson and Hank stood at the kitchen counter threading cubed chicken and steak onto barbeque skewers. David glanced at the clock. Five thirty.

“Where are the girls?” He opened a beer and joined Jackson and Hank at the counter.

“No idea.” Jackson skewered another chunk of beef and closed the utensil drawer David had left open. “They’ve been gone all afternoon.”

As if on cue, the front door slammed open. Cat and Vivi spilled into the entry, laughing hysterically.

“Sounds like the ladies already got this party started!” hollered Jackson.

They shouted something unintelligible back and Hank chuckled. David braced himself for more of Vivi’s cool behavior, but when the girls stumbled into the living room, she smiled broadly. In fact, she glowed. Seeing her lit up made him hot all over, which completely unnerved him.

“Looks like we missed something fun.” Jackson whistled. “Where’d you spend the day?”

“Franco’s friend’s house, with the band . . . to practice for the birthday party.” Vivi hiccupped and dissolved into more giggles.

Jackson, Hank, and David paused, confused by her nonsensical explanation. Thankfully, Cat filled in the gaps.

“We met Franco and a rock band called Disordered at lunch. They’re here for a friend’s birthday party in two nights. The band’s female lead singer is a no-show. So I convinced Vivi to step up and sing a short set with them before the DJ starts. We’re all invited, by the way. From the looks of things, it’s going to be a major party!”

“Awesome. V, I haven’t heard you sing in months,” Jackson said as he finished the final shish kebab. He held up the tray. “Voilà!”

Vivi sang? Was her singing something new, or something she’d never shared with David before he left for Hong Kong? She didn’t keep secrets from him. At least, he didn’t think so. Disturbed by the realization he’d missed out on some part of her life, he then scowled at the thought of his sister and Vivi spending the day with complete strangers.

“Did you two actually go to a remote location with a bunch of strange men?” Concern supplanted his dismay and sparked the beginning of a headache. “Who’s Franco?”

“Oh, chill out, David. We’re fine.” Cat waved him off. “Franco is a beautiful Italian man with the hots for Vivi. They bonded over his fancy camera.” She shot Vivi a sultry look before both women burst into laughter again.

Vivi’s cheeks and ears turned pink, broadcasting her pleasure at flirting with some random Italian. David wondered what happened to her interest in Hank, but he held his tongue. He turned his attention to the vegetable skewers while Hank joked with Vivi. Unlike David, Hank didn’t appear the least bit resentful of Vivi’s newfound crush.
Have I entered the Twilight Zone?

“Go shower.” Jackson opened the sliding door to go fire up the grill. “Dinner in thirty minutes.”

“Aye aye, Captain,” Vivi teased. She and Cat spun around and marched out of the living room on wobbly legs.

Feeling off balance, too, David handed Hank his skewers before trotting upstairs to check on Laney.

When he and Laney came down later, Café Paris Lounge music emanated from the speakers. Vivi and Cat were setting the table and lighting candles. The combined effect of the music and lighting transformed the beach house into a chic martini bar.

Thankfully, the shower had had a sobering effect on Vivi and Cat. Perhaps he wouldn’t be forced to suffer through more tittering over Franco and his merry band of friends. Hearing more details would only intensify the unwelcome images of Vivi flirting with some other man.

His sister was dressed in smart linen shorts and a crisp white top. Laney wore her new Grey Poupon–colored sundress with a turquoise necklace and earrings. Vivi, on the other hand, looked like a clean but disheveled ragamuffin in low-slung drawstring shorts and a snug, lime-green tank top.

Each time she bent over the table to light another candle, the hem of her shirt lifted, revealing a hint of her waist. Her wavy, damp hair fell in front of her face in a teasing, sensual way. David ached to touch it, as he’d done so often, but now his impulse seemed dangerous. He shifted his gaze to Cat, who was filling each glass with large pours of wine.

“Do you two need more alcohol?” David asked as he pulled out a chair for Laney.

His sister rolled her eyes. He sounded like a square, even to himself. Despite being in on
e of his favorite places on the planet with those closest to him, so far he’d found no comfort here.

“Yes, we do.” Vivi mimicked his stance and inflection. “In fact, it seems like you could use some alcohol.” She chuckled and fled to the deck, escaping his response.

Cat snickered while unfolding her napkin onto her lap, appearing to take great pleasure in Vivi’s new attitude. Through the window, he noticed Vivi rest her hand on Jackson’s shoulder when she leaned in to talk with him. Those two were apparently thick as thieves now. David returned his attention to Cat, suspecting she felt a measure of relief that her best friend no longer pined away for him.

He felt no relief.

He felt adrift.

Vivi and Jackson carried in platters of hot food from the grill. The smoky aroma of the charred steak and chicken kicked David’s appetite into gear. Vivi plucked three skewers off one platter and filled every remaining inch of her plate with a mound of brown rice and a salad. Laney’s eyes widened at seeing Vivi’s heaping pile of food, then she leaned forward.

“So, David tells me we’re attending a party this week where you’ll be performing with a band. I didn’t know you were a singer.”

“I’m not a singer. I mean, I occasionally sing at small venues in my neighborhood for fun and extra money, but it’s not my profession.” Vivi licked her fingers and took another bite of chicken. The greasy marinade glistened on her lips, like thick gloss. “Oh, Jackson. So good!”

“I’m confused.” Laney lowered her fork while staring at Vivi. “Are you joking?”

“No,” Vivi replied. “It tastes amazing!”

“No, about the singing. Why’d you agree to perform if you aren’t a singer?”

BOOK: Worth the Wait
6.91Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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