Worth the Wait

by Jamie Beck

  What she hadn’t known—what no one knew—was how he’d effectively lost his mother and father at that funeral. David’s discovery of the torrid affair his once-beloved dad had been carrying on while his mom had battled cancer had demolished his illusions of his father, his family, and love.

  The hole his mother left behind had been magnified by the deathbed promise she’d extracted from him for the sake of keeping her family united after she passed. Honoring her plea to keep the affair a secret had conflicted with David’s yearning to expose his father, so he’d secured a transfer to his firm’s Hong Kong office to escape temptation.

  Unfortunately, time away hadn’t diminished his anguish, thanks, in part, to his father’s unrepentant attitude. Worse, David’s retreat and secrecy had screwed up his relationship with Cat and Jackson, and probably Vivi, too. If he couldn’t somehow mend fences with his father, he feared permanent estrangement from all of them.

  If only they knew the truth.

  “Lighten up, David. We’re on vacation. Leave the office behind for one week.”

  Laney’s voice interrupted the bleak direction of his thoughts. She sauntered into the kitchen looking like a trophy girlfriend, wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat, a beach cover-up with a gold-sequined border, and a designer gold-lamé bathing suit. Holding Armani sunglasses in her hand, she tipped her head and stared at him.

  He knew she hadn’t the slightest idea what he’d been contemplating. He’d never confided in her. Laney was sexy and whip-smart, but theirs was not a love affair. United by common interests and careers, they’d fallen into a comfortable relationship of compatibility and mutual respect, which he now valued over unreliable emotions like love. In this regard, they were well matched.

  “Nice bathing suit.” He flashed a brief smile. “Looks good.”

  He had no doubt she’d dropped a few hundred dollars on the racy bikini peeking out from under her glittering wrap.

  She grinned and kissed him. “Well, that’s better.” Glancing around the empty kitchen, she asked, “Where is everyone?”

  “Cat’s downstairs talking on the phone. Jackson, Hank, and Vivi went to the beach.”

  “Who’s Vivi?”

  “Cat’s best friend since middle school.” He hid the grin that formed upon recalling the first time he’d met her, pink hair and all. “You’ll like her. She’s fun, creative.” And a whole lot more.

  Vivi had turned into a flirt, but not with him—not any longer. Her infatuation had never embarrassed him, despite Jackson’s goading. If anything, David had admired her courage. Unlike him, she freely exposed her vulnerabilities. It provoked his protective instincts, although she’d probably never needed him as her champion. Vivi had always been brave.

  He’d greedily absorbed her fawning. Looking back, perhaps he’d unintentionally treated her like a beloved family pet, doling out playful attention while assuming she’d always wait for his return with open arms. Apparently her arms got tired.

  “Oh, so we’ve got even numbers now.” She cocked her head. “Have Vivi and Jackson ever dated? He’s fun and creative, too, in his design-build kind of way.”

  “No.” Frowning, David waved his hand dismissively. “She’s like a sister to him.”

  He’d never considered his brother’s compatibility with Vivi, although he’d known they were close. Despite acknowledging their history and shared traits, the idea of pairing his brother with Vivi agitated David.

  Straightening his shoulders, he twisted his neck to dispel his disquieting reaction.

  “Let’s go.” He reached for Laney’s hand before striding toward the back door.

  When they arrived at the beach, they found Jackson seated near the cooler drinking a cold beer. Hank and Vivi strolled along the rocky edge of the water fifty yards away, then stopped and leaned in toward each other to inspect whatever she was holding in her hands. The dramatic effect of the cliffs rising up from the sand created a disturbingly romantic picture.

  “Where are they going?” David squinted while peering down the beach.

  “Vivi wanted to explore.” Jackson closed his eyes and rested his head against his reclined beach chair. “Hank volunteered to wade through the surf with her.”

  “They look cute together despite the height difference.” Laney studied them. “Their hair is even an identical color. Maybe they’ll hit it off. He seems like a nice guy.”

  “What’s hair color got to do with anything? You’ve got red hair and mine is black. Is there some special meaning in that?” David snapped, surprising himself with his terse tone before he tore his gaze away from Hank and Vivi.

  Laney and Jackson viewed him through narrowed eyes. Ignoring their stares, he inhaled slowly and snagged a bottle of water from the cooler.

  “What would you like to drink, Laney?” David asked, noting the visible waves of heat rising from the sand.

  “Diet soda, please.”

  He handed her an icy can and sat beside her. Beads of perspiration gathered at his hairline within minutes. He guzzled half of the contents of his water bottle without stopping.

  David sat back in his chair and tried not to notice Vivi gleefully stooping to discover ocean treasures. He also tried not to wonder how much more interesting it would be right now at that end of the beach with her. Hank would soon learn Vivi was never dull.

  Unwittingly, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Seeing her evoked so many memories.

  When he’d left for college, she’d stowed a secret love note in his computer case. To this day, her brazen declaration of affection remained the sweetest gift he’d ever received from any girl. He’d kept it tucked away in his wallet for years as a sort of talisman.

  Throughout his college and law school years, she’d routinely mailed him care packages. His roommates had devoured the snacks. He’d enjoyed her colorful letters most—rife with indignant opinions of high school gossip and gamesmanship, which she’d navigated poorly. Sometimes she’d included a sketch she’d drawn, or a photo she’d taken, to remind him of home and what, or who, eagerly awaited his return. He’d cherished her reminders more than he’d ever admitted to anyone.

  Of course, now their attenuated relationship was yet another victim of his damned promise. But Vivi’s presence offered an unexpected opportunity to reconnect. An opportunity he’d gladly embrace. For once, Justin’s bullshit might yield a positive outcome.

  Cat arrived on the beach and tossed her mammoth silver tote bag next to David’s chair, kicking sand up against his leg.

  “Nice.” He peeked at her from over the top of his sunglasses and grinned. “Thanks.”

  “So what’s with the beard, by the way?” She rested her hands on her hips. “I barely recognize you.”

  “It’s hardly a beard.” David rubbed his hand along the day-old stubble on his jaw before introducing his sister to Laney.

  “Hi, Laney. I’m the pain-in-the-ass sibling, or so I’m told.” Cat winked at David. He watched his sister size up Laney’s attire, physical attributes, and disposition. “How long have you two been dating now? Five months?”

  “About seven, actually,” Laney replied.

  “Oh. Well, it’s nice to finally meet you. What’s your accent? Midwestern?”

  His sister’s direct approach made him smile until Laney shot him a miffed glance. Was she angry he hadn’t told his family much about her?

  “Yes,” Laney replied. “I’m from Chicago.”

  “Nice city,” Cat said. “Now you’ve moved to New York, right? Are you on the Upper East Side?”

  Cat’s transparent fishing expedition drove a prickle of annoyance down David’s spine.

  “I’m undecided,” Laney replied. “Acclimating to the new office, partners, and clients has been exhausting, so I haven’t spent much time looking.”

  “Huh. That must be why I haven’t seen much of David, e
ither.” Cat turned toward David and shoved his shin with her toes.

  Before he could respond, Laney intervened. “Yes. It’s quite a coup to make partner at a top firm by his age. The expectations are pretty daunting. Maybe you should cut him a little slack until he settles in at the office.” She smiled pointedly at Cat.

  David watched his sister’s mental retreat from Laney’s admonishment. Shielding her eyes with her hand, Cat turned to scan the beach and spotted Vivi and Hank. Her bothered expression echoed his discomfort with their apparent attraction.

  “Is Hank hitting on Vivi?” She leaned over and lightly batted the top of Jackson’s head. “You’d better have him back off. We don’t need any sexual complications this week.”

  “Settle down. Hank’s not her type,” David chimed in without thinking.

  He shuddered at an image of Vivi and Hank engaging in any kind of intimate behavior, a first for him. Suddenly the weight of his sister’s amused glare landed on his shoulders.

  “Why isn’t he her type?” Cat scoffed with smug satisfaction. “Just because he’s not you?”

  Jackson laughed, David groaned, and Laney became exponentially more interested in Vivi.

  “What’s that mean, David?” Laney drew her glasses down her nose and locked eyes with him. “Did you date her?”

  “No,” he said. “I never dated Vivi.” He cast Cat a warning glance.

  Jackson settled back in his chair with a smirk. Cat paused, appearing pleased to lord power over her oldest brother. The creases in David’s forehead deepened as she opened her mouth.

  “Vivi’s not David’s type. But since he believes he’s God’s gift, he thinks no woman could ever be interested in anyone other than him.”

  Laney’s suspicious expression remained firm despite Cat’s lopsided grin.

  “Yes, I’m God’s gift, Laney. Lucky me, or I’d never have had a shot with you.” David smiled tightly in spite of Cat’s teasing, or the fact that Hank and Vivi continued their journey farther down the beach.

  “Yes, lucky you. And don’t you forget it.” Laney tipped her chin up and resumed her reading.

  Cat plunked herself down under the umbrella beside David. After slathering SPF 90 sunscreen on her body, she hugged her knees to her chest and stared across the ocean. The distant aspect of his sister’s gaze tugged at his heart.

  Leaning forward, he whispered, “I know I haven’t been the best brother lately, but if you need to talk, or vent, about whatever happened with Justin, I’ll walk with you.”

  She studied him and then let her gaze drift back to the horizon.

  “Not now, thanks.” Her posture stiffened. “Maybe later.”

  Even if her rebuff was a defense mechanism resulting from his apparent indifference during the past year, it still smarted.

  He tugged on her ear. “Whenever you need me.”

  He watched her, resolving to regain her trust, knowing it would take months of effort, not days. He could live with her and Jackson’s displeasure more easily if it weren’t for the fact that his father’s relationship with them was as close as ever. Utterly unjust.

  He stretched his neck once more to rid himself of mounting tension. Unable to recall the last time he’d relaxed, he’d desperately hoped returning to his favorite place would help him unwind this week. But now Cat seemed preoccupied with her Justin, Laney’s antennae were training on Vivi, and Hank was sniffing around Vivi like a dog in heat. Only Jackson appeared to be enjoying the sun and surf.

  David wished he could be like his brother, who accepted things more easily. Unfortunately, he viewed the world in black-and-white terms, having never quite learned how to deal with the gray. That trait was probably one reason he couldn’t forgive his father.

  He inhaled deeply and then consumed the rest of his water. Closing his eyes, he daydreamed about prior weeks spent on this beach.

  Like his mother, he’d always treasured this island and the long summer days spent here with family and friends. Well, most of his family, anyway. His father had never stayed for more than two or three nights before rushing back to Connecticut. Now David doubted work was the reason he’d left them so often.

  His father’s duplicity proved a loveless but pleasant relationship was the smartest choice. Shared goals and interests mixed with attraction left no risk of a broken heart on either side of the equation. David’s idea of the so-called match made in heaven.

  He absentmindedly crushed the empty plastic bottle in his hand; the crackling sound wrenched him from his thoughts. Feeling exposed, he glanced around. No one else seemed to notice. Huh. He’d become invisible.

  A little while later, Vivi and Hank returned to the group. Clutching a cup containing small sea creatures, Vivi kneeled beside Cat.

  “Look what we found.” She inched closer to Cat, eyes gleaming in anticipation of the torment she seemed to be planning, and brandished a small crab in her right hand and a starfish in her left. “Aren’t they beautiful?”

  “Ew, Viv.” Cat shielded herself with a magazine. “Put those back in the water!”

  David had often wondered how two near-polar opposites maintained their friendship for so long. Then again, he and Vivi also shared a bond despite her personality being the antithesis of his—because of it, in fact. Yin and yang.

  The thought reminded him of the jade bangle bracelet he’d brought back from Hong Kong for her, which was engraved with carvings of a dragon and a phoenix—symbolizing the union of yin and yang. He’d placed it in his desk drawer weeks ago, waiting for the right time to surprise her.

  When Vivi spotted Laney, her childish behavior subsided. After returning the crab and starfish to the cup, she wiped her sandy hands against her slim thighs and stood to introduce herself to Laney.

  “Hi, you must be David’s girlfriend. Laney, right? I’m Vivienne, a friend of the family.” She extended her hand. “But everyone calls me Vivi.”

  Her dirty fingers starkly contrasted with Laney’s manicured ones. David noted tremendous differences between his girlfriend’s cultured refinement and Vivi’s unpretentious manner. He watched Laney assess Vivi’s inexpensive swimwear, old baseball cap, and unkempt ponytail, and then dismiss whatever competition she might have feared earlier.

  Like most people, she’d underestimated Vivi’s charm. He’d often wondered how so many could miss it.

  Remarkably, Vivi appeared unaffected by Laney’s presence. Her evident lack of interest or envy rattled David. He’d grown accustomed to her doting manner. More than accustomed, actually—he’d liked it and now lamented its absence.

  When she walked to the edge of the water to wash her hands, he followed her into the surf, eager to reestablish their rapport.

  “I’m glad you’re here, Vivi,” he said, yanking on her ponytail. “Now we can make up for lost time.”

  “That’s an odd saying, right?” She kept her eyes on her hands and legs as she cupped water to rinse them. The water beaded and rolled off her skin, washing away most of the sand. “Like you can actually get back the wasted time.”

  “I guess you have a point.” He frowned. He bent over to push a fallen section of hair behind her ear. “But we’ve always had a great time here. It’s the perfect place to catch up. I’ve missed our conversations.”

  She stood fully and raised her eyebrows. Did he see doubt behind her eyes?

  “Are you living in that same apartment in Astoria?” he asked, grasping for neutral territory.

  “Yep. New York must seem humdrum to you after your stint in Hong Kong.” The corners of her lips quirked upward and she planted her hands on her hips. “I guess congratulations are in order, although I’m not surprised. I always knew you’d be successful. Is partnership everything you want it to be?”

  “Time will tell,” he replied, unable to reach through the emotional distance between them.

  “Yes, time
changes everything.” She tilted her head sideways. “Does Laney like New York?”

  He’d never been comfortable speaking about any of his girlfriends with Vivi, preferring to spare her feelings by compartmentalizing his private life as much as possible. Today Laney’s presence forced the issue. “She’s not yet settled. Work takes up most of her time, and she hasn’t any friends there.”

  “Well, she has you, anyway.”

  Over the years he’d learned to read Vivi’s various expressions, including several different smiles. But he couldn’t read this one, which made him feel untethered.

  “On another note, I bought you a gift in China. If I’d known you would be here, I would’ve brought it with me.”

  “Really?” She looked surprised. “What is it?”

  He smiled, envisioning her reaction to the simple jewelry he’d selected especially for her. “I think I’d rather surprise you with it in person. If you want, I’ll give you a hint. It’s made from something believed to bring luck and protection.”

  “Well, thank you for whatever you bought me. I guess I’ll have to wait until you can find time in your schedule to squeeze me in.” Her somber tone nipped at his conscience. He froze, grappling for the right response.

  “Sorry, Vivi. I wanted to see you sooner but didn’t want our first visit to be rushed. It sounds lame, but I had severe jet lag my first two days back. Then I got tagged to take over a significant client transaction that’s required fourteen-hour workdays because the closing date got bumped forward. Great for my career, not so great for my personal life—not that the firm gives a fig about anyone’s personal life. Fortunately we just closed the deal this past Friday, so I’d love to make plans whenever you’re available.”

  “Okay. We’ll see.” She paused, as if waiting for him to offer more, then nodded and glanced over her shoulder.

  He watched her survey everyone sprawled out on beach chairs. She twisted her full lips into a pout as she turned from him and approached the group. What else might she do with those pursed lips? he wondered. He shook his head to banish the inappropriate thought.