by Lisa Jackson
“If I were you, I’d be all over that photographer boy of yours.”
“Oh, you would, would you?”
“I bet he’s worth the shag.”
“Anya!” Dani and Anya whirled around. Nate was standing at the doorway. From the look on his face he’d definitely heard her last comment.
“I’m so sorry,” Anya said. “I’ve had one and a half glasses of wine.”
Chapter 10
“I don’t think I can take her back to her parents like this,” Nate said.
Anya sprinted down the short hall to the main bedroom and threw herself on the bed. “We’re having a sleepover!” she shouted.
Nate stared at Dani. “I’ll sleep out here on the sofa,” Dani said.
“You can have my bed,” Sawyer said. “I’ll sleep out here.”
“I’m sorry,” Nate said. “She’s not usually like this.”
“She’s fine,” Dani said, stopping short of admitting she liked her better like this.
“I’ll even make us breakfast in the morning,” Sawyer said. “Texas style.”
“There you have it,” Dani said. “It’s settled.”
“Well, good night then,” Nate said. He was looking at Sawyer.
“If you’re looking for me to go to bed, the two of you are standing in my room,” Sawyer said.
“Truly, I’m fine on the sofa,” Dani said.
“I don’t know how they do things in the South that’s not really the South, but where I come from, if anyone has to sleep on a sofa, it’s the man.”
“The South that’s not really the South?” Nate said.
“Long story,” Dani said.
“Nate,” Anya sang at the top of her voice. “I’m lonely.” Nate turned visibly red. He stepped closer to Dani. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Perfectly fine.”
“Because we can leave.”
“I insist you stay.”
“I’m sure she’ll be passed out in no time,” Nate said. He glanced at Sawyer again. “Well, good night then.”
“Good night.”
“I often get up to get a glass of water. I’ll try not to wake you if I do.”
Sawyer crossed over to the little kitchen, opened the cupboard, and took out a glass. He whistled as he filled it with water then handed it to Nate. “Keep it by the bed,” he said. “Problem solved.”
“I’ll just keep my bedroom door open,” Nate said.
“Oh, don’t do that,” Dani said. “Please.”
“I’m just in here if you need me,” Nate said.
“Is there a problem here?” Sawyer said.
“I just want her to know—”
“Nate, I’m totally fine. I’ve worked with Sawyer for the past six months. He’s a good guy.”
“Except for when I’m not, right?” Sawyer said.
“NATE!”
The yell from Anya startled Nate and he jostled his water. Then, with a nod at Dani, he hurried into his room. Seconds later, Anya jumped off the bed and slid their bedroom door shut.
“Well, well, well,” Sawyer said.
“Can I just get a pillow and blanket from your bed?” Dani said.
“Why don’t you just sleep in the bed with me, Bright?” Sawyer said. He put his hands up. “I’ll keep ’em to myself.”
“I’m sure you—”
“Unless you don’t want me to.”
He was looking at her again, in a way that made her tingle down to her toes.
“I think the sofa is fine,” Dani said.
Just then, it began to rain. The boat rocked, and the drops began hitting the roof, sounding like little pellets being dropped on the boat by naughty elves. Dani suddenly felt a drop of water.
“Owner said this might happen if it rains.” He reached under the sink. “Here it is. Didn’t even need to go to the grocery store.” He brought out a bucket. The leak was right over the sofa. He placed the bucket on the seat. “At least the other sofa is—” He glanced over to find the ceiling above it was leaking, too. He grabbed a towel from the bathroom, and a pan, then placed it on the other sofa. He glanced at his bedroom door.
“Okay,” Dani said. “But definitely hands to yourself.”
“Ma’am.” Sawyer tugged on his imaginary cowboy hat. “Is now a good time to tell you I sleep in the nude?”
He was snoring, softly. But instead of being turned off, Dani found herself inexplicably attracted to Sawyer’s snoring. Despite his declaration, he was actually wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt and so was Dani. This had to be the strangest evening she had ever spent. When they first crawled into the little bed, Sawyer had knelt down next to it like a little kid, and put his prayer-hands on top of the bed.
“What are you doing?” Dani asked.
“Praying you sleep in the nude,” Sawyer said. Dani laughed so loud that Sawyer had to shut his door, too. “Don’t want Nate storming in here to see if we’ve each got one foot on the floor,” he said.
“He did seem rather upset with the sleeping arrangements, didn’t he?”
“Don’t tell me,” Sawyer said. “You’re thinking that means something. That it’s a positive sign.”
“Well, isn’t it?”
“He’s a man. Men get jealous. Doesn’t matter if he dated you four years or four hours. We’re territorial around other men.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“If you want to get your hopes up, be my guest. I’m just telling it like it is. If you think he’d be any happier if I jumped into bed with Anya—”
“Do you want to?”
“Do I want to what?” He was on the bed now, on his side, his elbow propped up, his face resting on his chin. Dani lay on her side facing him. It was so intimate, and so polite. So strange. Because it felt natural. Very, very comfortable. No wonder she fell asleep on him on the plane. God, he smelled good, too.
“Do you want to sleep with Anya?”
“What kind of question is that, Bright?”
“I’m just curious. She is beautiful.”
“If you like her type.”
“What? Gorgeous and educated?”
“No. Sloshed after a drink and a half.”
Dani laughed and swatted him. Sawyer caught her hand and held it. Dani’s heart was beating so loud there was no way he couldn’t hear it. She half-expected Nate to come barging in. What was the meaning of this? Why wasn’t she crying about the fact that Nate was in bed with another woman? Why was her entire body on fire? Why did she feel as if she was doing something she wasn’t supposed to be doing? Sawyer slowly turned her hand over and kissed her palm. Dani had to clamp her mouth shut to keep from moaning. She prayed Sawyer didn’t know the reaction he’d caused by that one little kiss. Then, he let her hand go, and immediately turned away from her. Seconds later, he was snoring.
And she was wide, wide awake. Aware of every little inch that separated him. Aware that all she had to do was slide her hand over, and bridge the tiny distance, and be touching him. Aware that he would probably take very little persuading to make love to her. Right? Then how was it he could be so fast asleep and she was so miserably awake? She should have gotten a glass of water. The rain was still coming down and the boat was bouncing gently on the river. “I like you,” Dani whispered in the dark. And then, she, too, turned away, hugged the pillow, and finally fell asleep.
She was so comfy. Resting against something so warm. One leg ran the length of his body, the other was thrown up and over, straddling him. Both arms were near his neck. Oh God, oh God, oh God, she was lying on top of Sawyer! What was wrong with her? She was going to have to slowly, slowly, slide off so that he would never, ever know, and then she was going to have to make sure she was never in this kind of proximity to him again, ever, ever, ever. She gently lifted the leg that was thrown over his body. Then she brought in her arms. Finally she rolled off him to the left. She stood, and crept to the door. She slid the door open.
“Morning, Bright,” Sawyer said behind her. She whip
ped around. Oh, the grin on his face! He definitely knew.
“Morning,” she mumbled and stepped into the main cabin as fast as she could. Anya and Nate were up on deck, standing as far away from each other as possible.
“And there she is,” Anya said. “Hasn’t even been hacked in pieces.”
“Pardon?” Dani said.
“Nate was very worried about you. Unusually worried about you.”
So that was it. They were arguing over her. Shouldn’t Dani feel a jolt of pleasure? Instead, she felt bad. “There was a leak in the living room,” Dani said.
“You don’t owe anyone an explanation, Bright. You’re a grown woman,” Sawyer said, stepping onto the deck.
“And you’re an engaged man,” Anya said to Nate.
“Sawyer, didn’t you say you were going to make us breakfast?” Dani said.
“Did I?”
“Yes.”
“You said, ‘Texas style’,” Anya volunteered.
“Big and spicy,” Sawyer said.
Like you? Dani wondered.
“I’m not hungry,” Nate said.
“I’m absolutely famished,” Anya said. “A good breakfast will help me soak up all that alcohol.”
“I’ll need to go to a grocery store,” Sawyer said.
“Why don’t we just go to George’s,” Nate said. “You love sitting by the window, Danielle.”
George’s used to be their Sunday brunch destination. A lifetime ago. “That’s a great idea,” Danielle said. “You’ll love it, too,” she said to Anya. Dani couldn’t be sure, but she thought she heard Anya mumble, “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
Dani was relived to be sitting in the restaurant on the river, mainly because it was only seconds before she had a nice hot cup of coffee, and a mimosa. Christmas carols were playing and lights were strung above the wall of windows facing Cape Fear River. A tree glittered in the corner of the restaurant. Sawyer was whistling, and Nate and Anya looked just as miserable as they had on the boat.
When their dishes came, Sawyer photographed the grits. “Maybe I should get a picture of you eating grits by the Christmas tree, Bright,” Sawyer said.
“Bright,” Nate said. “I take it you think it’s, what? Charming to call her Bright? Like the two of you have some kind of flirting intimacy going on?” It was the first words Nate had spoken since they sat down.
“Flirting intimacy?” Sawyer said.
Anya clanged her silverware down on her plate. “Are you still in love with her?” she demanded.
Was he? Dani wondered. He certainly was jealous, there was no doubt about that. The same panicky feeling that hit Dani when Nate was going to propose was thrumming through her body now. Sawyer was right. There was a very good reason she had turned down Nate’s proposal. Her body knew she didn’t want him, instinctively it had been trying to tell her at every turn. Just like her body had been gravitating to Sawyer every chance she got, even though she protested it when awake. Who knew that her body had a mind of its own? She’d better speak up before things got out of control. “Of course not,” Dani said. “He’s just being overprotective. Like a big brother.”
“A big brother?” Nate repeated.
“An incestuous big brother,” Sawyer added. Dani kicked him under the table. He seized the opportunity and wrapped his leg around hers. If she wanted to pull free, everyone at the table would know what was going on. She was going to let him have it later.
Anya stood up. “You had better let me know right now, Nate. I am not, nor will I ever be, someone’s second choice. Although I’d think carefully if I were you, because Danielle had at least three glasses of wine last night and here she is drinking again!” Dani wanted to protest, but if Anya thought a glass and a half was getting drunk, maybe she had a point. Dani was already bummed she probably wouldn’t be ordering a second one now. Sawyer slid his mimosa over to her, and Dani grabbed it before anyone else noticed.
“Of course you’re not second best,” Nate said. “Dani’s right. I guess I am being a bit like an overprotective big brother.”
“Or maybe it’s just a horrible idea to hang out with your ex no matter what the situation,” Sawyer said.
“That is an excellent point,” Anya said.
“But we still have to go to the Christmas gala,” Dani said. “Our article depends on it.”
“The Christmas gala?” Anya said. “You’re calling my wedding a Christmas gala?”
Dani had forgotten all about the wedding. How was that possible? More proof that she wasn’t in love with Nate, or was it that she just couldn’t imagine anything usurping Ruth’s holiday extravaganza? Probably a little bit of both. Either way, they had to attend. It would cinch the article. She had to smooth things over with Anya. “I have to use the little girls’ room,” Dani said. “Will you join me, Anya?”
“Very well. If that’s how they do it in America,” Anya said. Nate and Sawyer took up a staring contest as Dani headed for the bathroom.
The minute they entered, Dani confessed. “You were right. I did come here to win Nate back.”
“I knew it!”
“It’s even part of the article I’m writing.”
“I thought it was ‘A Southern Christmas’.”
“Well. That’s the backup article. The real article is—‘All I Want for Christmas’ and it’s supposed to document step-by-step how I went about getting Nate back and making up for that humiliating Christmas two years ago.”
“He’s marrying me.” Anya already had tears in her eyes.
“I know, I know. I get that now. I really get that.”
“You think I’m going to fall for that?”
“It’s true. Believe me, I’m just as surprised as you are, but I swear. It’s true.”
“You’ve only been here, what? A couple of days? You’re telling me you fell out of love with Nate in a couple of days?”
“Not exactly. It’s just become obvious that there are certain truths I didn’t want to admit.” Sawyer was right. She partly came here just to get the story. And maybe it was her heart that spoke up two years ago. Her heart that knew Nate wasn’t meant for her.
“I knew it,” Anya said, pointing at her. “You’re in love with that Texas lad.”
“Shhh,” Dani said. “Don’t say that out loud!”
Anya took Dani’s hands. “I told you. He’s gorgeous.”
“Keep away. You’re engaged, remember?” Dani pulled back and playfully punched her on the arm.
Anya rubbed her arm and frowned. “You’re sure you’re not just saying this so that I won’t be on my guard?”
“I’m sure. Which is why I have something else to confess.”
“Go on.”
“I gave you terrible advice last night. About Ruth’s tour tonight. You do not want to start mentioning anything pro-British.”
Anya stood up straight and lifted her chin. “I beg your pardon?”
“Oh, you know how Ruth is. British imperialists and all that.”
“British what?” Anya looked truly shocked. Was it possible she had no idea how prejudiced Ruth was against the Brits? Dani wanted to cut and run, but Anya was blocking the exit.
“Ruth’s old-fashioned. That’s all I meant.”
“Oh no, it isn’t. She actually says British imperialists?”
Among other things. “You didn’t pick up on that when she wouldn’t let your parents stay in her house?”
“She said she’s getting her home ready for our wedding.”
“Right,” Dani said. “Right.” This time she did try to squeeze past Anya and out the door.
Anya grabbed her arm. “You’re saying it was a lie? She has room at the inn but didn’t want my parents to stay?”
Dani put her arms up. “I can’t say anything for sure. But if it is true—kind of appropriate for this time of year, no?” Anya didn’t crack a smile. “No room at the inn?”
“I knew it. I knew she hated me! Nate said I was imagining things.”
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“I’m sure he just wanted to spare your feelings.”
“That big, fat liar!”
“That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?” Dani said. Anya stormed out of the bathroom. Uh-oh. “Uh—Anya?” Dani hurried after her, calling her name in a loud whisper, but Anya refused to turn around. She made a beeline for the table.
“Dani told me everything!” she shouted. Behind her, Dani tried to signal Nate, but she didn’t know enough gestures for “I told her your grandmother hates the British.”
“What?” Nate said. “What’s everything?”
“Your nanna hates me because I’m British.”
“Oh,” Nate said. “That.” He looked relieved. Dani wondered what he thought she had said.
“Oh?” Anya mimicked. “That? Are you quite out of your mind? You think it’s nothing?” Nate tried to touch her. Anya backed away. “What about you? Do you think we’re imperialists, too?”
“Well, historically—”
Dani and Sawyer both shook their heads violently. Nate caught on. Unfortunately so did Anya. Her flames of anger erupted into a five-alarm fire. “Your grandmother had plenty of rooms for my parents to stay, but she didn’t want them under her roof!”
“Anya, I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Nate said. “What did you want me to do?”
“Stand up for me. Just like I should have done.” Anya swiped her purse from her chair. “I’ll see all of you at the Burgwin-Wright House tonight. I can’t wait to take your advice, Dani.” She stormed out of the restaurant. Nate tried to follow but Sawyer held him back.
“Probably just needs a bit of space,” Sawyer said. Dani could tell that Nate wanted to argue, but he also knew Sawyer was right.
He gave a brisk nod, then turned to Dani. “Advice? What advice did you give her?”
Dani froze. “I, uh. Last night, after a little wine, I may have, uh, told her to feel free to, you know, chime in any bits of British history during the tour.”
Nate looked worse than angry. He looked as if he didn’t think she was a good person. “That’s really low, Dani. Really, really low.”
“I was a little tipsy. That’s all. But I took it back. Just now. In the bathroom. I told her not to do it!”