Isaiah laughed. “If that’s what you’ve got to tell yourself.”
Kevin laughed along with Will before he looked back at Jacobe. “Why the River Watchers?”
“I’m going to volunteer with them. Do some good stuff for the environment, try to show I’m more than a troublemaker.”
Will frowned and ran a hand over the full beard covering the lower half of his face. “Don’t you think you’d get more brownie points showing up at the place that you give money to for mentoring?”
Jacobe shrugged. “Maybe, but what can I say to a group of boys? Hold on to your tempers and act like gentlemen? I can’t even do that myself. This will give me a new angle, and it’s a local thing. If I can get the locals to care, then the management will, too.”
“River Watchers,” Isaiah said suspiciously. “Isn’t that the group the woman you tried to hook up with the other night works for?”
“Yeah.”
Kevin nodded his head and gave Jacobe a sly look. “Now I get it. You’re trying to get in good with her because she turned you down.”
“Nah, it’s not like that.”
Will’s eyes turned skeptical. “You’re not trying to hook up with her?”
Jacobe thought about the kiss and how he’d had to call on every ounce of gentlemanly behavior he’d ever picked up not to press to get inside Danielle’s house and in her bed. Danielle wanted a commitment. He didn’t do commitments. He wasn’t opening himself up to a woman like that again.
“That’s not why I’m volunteering. She’d see through that, anyway,” he said. “Me and her knew each other back in college. I wouldn’t mind hooking up with her, but she made it very clear she’s looking for forever. I stepped back.”
Isaiah stood and held up his hands for Jacobe to toss him the ball. “Figures.”
Jacobe threw him the ball, then frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You aren’t ready to settle down. Figures you’d step back,” Isaiah said, dribbling the ball.
Will sat forward. “But you’re still going to work with her?”
“Why not? Her organization does good things—we can help each other out.”
Kevin shook his head. “It’s never a good idea to work with a woman you want to sleep with. That never turns out well for me.”
Isaiah laughed and passed the ball to Kevin. “That’s because you don’t know how to say no to a beautiful woman.”
Kevin stood, dribbled and threw the ball back. “Why should I?”
Jacobe shifted in his seat so he could better watch Kevin and Isaiah. “Just because it never worked for you doesn’t mean it won’t for me. I can handle working with Danielle.”
Kevin raised a brow. “And if she just happens to forget she’s looking for a commitment and you two end up in bed together? What then?”
“He’s right, man,” Will said. “It’s never a good idea to mix business and pleasure, especially for a guy like you.”
“A guy like me?”
“Yeah, you.” Isaiah dribbled the ball between his legs, then jumped to shoot for the basket. It went through with a swoosh. “You’re so anti-relationship and up-front about not wanting to settle down that women try even harder to change your mind. She’ll end up falling in love with you.”
Jacobe laughed. “Doubtful. I don’t think I’m the type of guy she’d want to be with long-term.”
He was relieved she hadn’t hated him all these years, but what had she meant when she said their time had taught her she wasn’t into one-night stands anymore? Had she had others? The thought made him tense with jealousy. She’d mentioned moving on after he left. If she hadn’t done the one-night stands, was there a serious boyfriend in her past? More than one serious relationship? If so, what had happened with those guys?
Isaiah had run to get the ball and jogged back over to them. “You make women fall in love with you without even trying. Believe me, she’s going to fall. You always have the ones who want forever coming on to you. Me, I always end up with the crazy women who aren’t about anything.”
Kevin snorted and slapped the ball out of Isaiah’s hand. “That’s because you’re trying too hard to find this perfect woman to marry. I’m telling you, she ain’t out there.”
“I want kids one day.”
“You don’t need a wife to have kids,” Kevin said. “Take one of mine.”
They all laughed. Kevin had four kids, two with his ex-wife and two from a woman he’d dated after his divorce. He took care of them all but had made it clear he didn’t want more, going so far as to get a vasectomy in the off-season.
“I’d rather have my own kids than bum one of yours.”
Jacobe held up his hands. “Can we stop talking about kids? You’re making my nuts uncomfortable. I’m not trying to make Danielle fall in love with me, marry me, or have any kids. I’m not looking for that at all.”
Isaiah studied him closely. “I think you’ll change your mind one day.”
Jacobe shook his head. “Hell no, I’m not changing my mind. I’m not setting myself up to get played for a fool again, and you know just as well as I do how hard it is to find a woman who’s for real in this business. I’m only worrying about making the suits happy until my suspension is lifted. That’s it. There will be no love or long-term commitments happening here.”
Kevin looked at Isaiah and Will. “Five hundred says he’s going to fall for this woman.”
The guys glanced at Jacobe, then back at Kevin. Will shook his head. “Nah, I’d rather keep my money.”
Isaiah held out his hand. “I’ll take that bet. He won’t fall, but she will and he’s going to drive her away.”
Jacobe shook his head and shoved up from the seat. He held out his hand to Kevin. “Make it a thousand. I’m not falling for anyone.”
Kevin laughed and slapped hands with Jacobe. “I’ll want my money the day after you propose to her.”
* * *
Danielle returned from her walk on the beach to find Debra standing on the back porch holding two cups from their favorite smoothie place in her hands. Danielle smiled and skipped up the stairs. Debra handed her one of the cups. Danielle took a sip and the delicious flavor of strawberries, blueberries and banana filled her mouth.
“What’s bothering you now?” Debra asked.
“Nothing’s bothering me. I just needed to get up and move around.”
“It’s the date with Jacobe, isn’t it?”
Debra never let her pretend there wasn’t anything wrong. “Why does this have to be about him?”
“Just tell me.”
Danielle leaned against the railing of the back porch and took another sip. A breeze ruffled Debra’s ponytail, but neither of them made a move toward the back door. The interns were working in the office today. Danielle didn’t want them to overhear her silly confusion over her date. That kiss.
“He says he’s only volunteering to help his image.”
“Which is great. Having him at the gala will bring in tons of money, and possibly even our odds in the upcoming fight with Clear Water, especially if you can convince him to speak up to the council.”
“I know, but...”
Debra’s brows rose. “But what?”
“I can’t really refuse his offer to volunteer. I wouldn’t turn anyone away who wants to help. But I just don’t want him to think that I’ll be so grateful for his help that I’m willing to sleep with him.”
“Did he hint around that that’s the reason he’s helping?”
“No. If anything he made it very clear that his volunteering and his interest in me were two different things.”
“And what did you say?”
“That I’m looking for a relationship and not interested in doing the colleagues-with-benefits thing.”
“That’s a perfect way to make a man run.” D
ebra took a sip of her smoothie. “Did he run away immediately?”
Danielle shifted from one foot to the other. “He kissed me.”
Debra almost dropped her smoothie. She caught it and eyed Danielle. “Well, that’s different. So, what, is he interested in you for more than a hookup? I’d think that’s what it meant if he kissed you after you said that.”
“I have no idea.”
“Just think,” Debra said, her face bright with excitement. “You could see Jacobe Jenkins in all his tall, muscled glory in your bed.”
A vision of naked, glorious Jacobe lying on the flowered sheets in her bed filled her head. Followed by an image of him flicking her lace pillowcases and frowning. She giggled. “It would be a sight to see.” She shook her head to clear it of the vision. “I can’t go there with him. Making money at the gala and stopping Clear Water are the most important things. As the executive director, I can’t turn away having someone as high profile as him bringing attention to our cause. As a woman, I can’t afford to sleep with him just because I think he might eventually be interested in a relationship. I’ve been in love and had the guy leave for bigger and better things.”
Debra held the smoothie between her hands and peered at Danielle as if she were analyzing her. Debra’s brow raised and her unwavering gaze stayed with Danielle’s. “What happened with Luke shouldn’t color your future relationships. Don’t let fear of not being enough prevent you from trusting your feelings for Jacobe.”
“Are you a therapist now?” Danielle groused.
“I’m no therapist, but I have had a lot of therapy. Enough to tell me you want to get closer to him.”
Danielle paced back and forth on the porch. “I don’t want to get closer to him. I’m curious about him. Something is different about Jacobe. He’s still a charmer, still as confident and sexy as ever, but he’s holding back. He’s not as open anymore. He’s been hurt.”
“And you can’t resist a project.”
Danielle’s gaze snapped to Debra. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You like to fix things. That’s why you’re great at this job.” Debra shook her head. “You can’t fix a man. Normally, I’d say don’t get sucked into trying to figure out what makes him tick and just have a little fun, but that look on your face means if you sleep with him you won’t be able to help yourself. Jacobe is sexy, but unless you can really sleep with him without getting your heart involved, stay away. Let him volunteer and help the River Watchers, but send him home alone at the end of the night.”
“Is that your professional recommendation?”
Debra nodded. “It is.”
Exactly the recommendation Danielle’s sensible side gave her. The side that had sent her to a party in college with the hope that Jacobe might be interested said something completely opposite. She’d survived and moved on with just a bruised ego but no major damage to her heart. Could she do the same again?
One night is a lot different from multiple liaisons, the sensible side whispered.
“You’re right. I’m going to forget about that kiss and only focus on getting him to help us raise money and beat Clear Water.”
“Good,” Debra said, pumping her fist in solidarity. “And if you do dabble into the Jacobe pool of temptation, I sincerely hope you prove me wrong.”
Danielle hoped the same.
Chapter 6
The auditorium where the Department of Environmental Protection was holding the public hearing on Clear Water’s new permit was woefully empty. Danielle scanned the room and caught the familiar faces of the leaders of a few other environmental organizations there, including her River Rat friends, to oppose the new permit and only a few residents of the Crescent Acres community. Public hearings at ten on a Wednesday morning, when most people worked, typically were sparsely attended. Between the staff of Clear Water, the environmental groups and the residents, there were barely twenty people there.
Danielle gritted her teeth. This was one of the most disheartening things about her work. Fighting every day to protect something that people enjoyed using, but getting little to no attention for the cause.
Danielle walked over to the people who’d become the closest thing she had to family in the area. “Hey, guys,” Danielle said to the two ladies and one man.
Mason Kelly lightly bumped her shoulder with his. “Hey, Danielle.” His light brown eyes were friendly and he gave her a welcoming smile. He represented the local kayakers in the area. He wore his typical brown hat with a kayak paddle logo over his sandy brown hair, along with cargo shorts and sandals. “Ready to fight today?”
“I can’t believe we have to fight this again,” Danielle replied.
India Graham nodded. She wore her natural hair in a tapered style that complemented her oval face. “How do you think I feel? I work for Environmental Protection. This is why I need to be in charge of permits. I’d shut these idiots down.”
India worked in the monitoring section of the DEP. A section that was slowly getting their resources cut as funding went to other projects. Even though DEP’s hesitancy to shut down Clear Water annoyed Danielle, she was thankful there were people who cared like India in the organization.
“Then you better go for a position in permitting when it comes up,” Danielle said.
India pointed at Danielle. “Oh, believe me, I am.”
Patricia Taylor, the leader of a group who focused specifically on Springfield Creek, sighed. Her curly dark hair was cut short around her plump face and her already tan skin was darker thanks to days working outside. “Depending on how this goes, we may all need to try to work for DEP.”
They all nodded. Clear Water had ties to the legislature, who in turn pressured DEP to get their permits approved. Another political battle that they all realized would never end.
“How about drinks later,” Danielle said. “Either to celebrate or to drown our sorrows?”
The frown on India’s face cleared. “Girl, you just say when and where and I’ll be there.”
Patricia and Mason agreed. They decided to meet later that day at their favorite bar before taking their seats. India in front with the rest of the DEP staff while she, Mason and Patricia sat on one of the middle rows. Danielle would tell Debra and their group would be set.
The head of the DEP’s permit division went to the podium and tapped the microphone. “Thank you for coming. We’ll start with a brief overview of the new permit conditions and then we’ll ask each person who signed up to speak to come forward. Starting with those in favor of the new permit followed by those against it.”
He started going over the main points of the permit. Danielle was already familiar with each one. She looked down at her notes to go over all of her arguments against the department approving the permit.
The man at the microphone stuttered. Danielle glanced up from her notes. The department director was staring at the back of the room, eyes wide. She and the rest of the people turned toward the rear of the auditorium.
“What the hell,” Mason muttered to her right.
Danielle’s heart fluttered when Jacobe’s gaze met hers. He grinned and strolled down the aisle between the rows of metal chairs in her direction, looking confident and casual in a brown button-up and dark pants that flattered his tall body.
The public hearing was more of a regulatory thing, with little possibility of the media showing up, so she hadn’t called him to be there on behalf of the River Watchers. Seeing him made her want to bounce with excitement. When he reached her row, he managed to look cool and suave doing the awkward side walk between the chairs to reach her.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered.
He sat next to her, all masculine heat and intoxicating cologne. He leaned in close and studied her with those hot chocolate eyes. “Looking for you.”
Mason lightly elbowed her. “You know him?”
“He’s volunteering with the River Watchers.”
Mason’s eyes widened. He turned to Patricia, and they both nodded their heads before looking at Danielle with an alright now respect in their eyes. Danielle sat a little taller. Having Jacobe on the River Waters’ side was pretty impressive.
The room was still silent as the rest of the occupants, including the director, who was supposed to be moving the hearing along, stared at them wide eyed.
“You’re disturbing the peace,” she said to Jacobe.
“This is a public hearing. I came to hear what’s going on.” He glanced at the department director and nodded. “Go ahead.”
The director blinked and cleared his throat. “Um...yes, so, as I was saying.” He shuffled through his papers and started droning on again.
Danielle glanced around at the sparse crowd now more interested in Jacobe being there than the status of the permit. “You’re distracting everyone from the issue,” she said so that only he could hear. Well aware Mason was leaning a little closer to eavesdrop.
“I’m curious about the issue, too,” he said just as quietly.
“Since when?”
“Since finding out you were here. Debra told me,” he said before she could ask.
“Why were you looking for me?”
Knowing that he’d sought her out sent little bubbles of happiness through her chest. “Debra mentioned a cleanup over the weekend. I had a question for you about that.”
“She can answer any questions you have.”
“Maybe I prefer talking to you.” He shifted to spread his long legs as much as he could, which wasn’t far into the aisle, and stretched his arms out over the backs of her chair. She became very aware of his arm pressed across the back of her shoulders, and of the curious gazes of her friends on her.
Danielle straightened her glasses and sat forward in the chair. “We’re not supposed to be flirting.”
Jacobe leaned closer. “I’m not flirting. I’m reaching out to my friend and colleague.”
“That’s all we are and are going to be,” she said, more for her benefit than his.
One More Night Page 20