by LuAnn McLane
Jesse nodded and then clamped his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. “Thanks.”
“Did I help?”
“You always do,” Jesse said, infinitely glad he’d remained close to his brother. “Okay, I’m outta here.”
“Where are you going in such a hurry?”
“I’ve suddenly got a romantic evening to plan. I want the perfect atmosphere in which to tell Ava how I feel.”
“Please say it won’t be pizza and beer.”
“It won’t be pizza and beer.”
“Thank God.” Jimmy grinned. “Come up with something special.”
“Ava was planning to cook for me tonight, but I want to pamper her instead. The wheels are already turning.” Jesse tapped his temple.
“I’m sure she’ll be down with the change of plans.”
Jesse nodded.
“You’ll give me a full report, right?”
Jesse nodded. “You bet. Catch ya later.”
Jesse hurried home and made reservations at Water View, his favorite restaurant on the outskirts of Sea Breeze, which was easily accessible by boat. Ava would delight in seeing dolphins and manatees along the way, and the restaurant would provide a romantic setting. Today would be the last day for her classes at the performing arts center before the dance competition on Saturday, so tomorrow, they could sleep in and rehearse later in the day.
Normally, Jesse flew by the seat of his pants, so planning a romantic evening made him feel a sense of satisfaction. Pleased with himself, he shot Ava a text message asking her if she minded a change of plans. After all, why should she cook after a long day of dance classes? Also, after the encounter with A² and Not-So-Angelic, Jesse wanted to do something special for Ava, to show her that he was nothing like her ex-asshat.
Once he’d gotten the reservations out of the way, Jesse had a little favor to ask of Thelma. He hopped in his car and parked in front of the bakery. The bell tinkled, signaling his arrival and drawing Thelma’s attention to the door.
“Well, hello there, cutie pie,” Thelma said. “What can I get for you on this beautiful day in Sea Breeze?”
“A decadent dessert. What do you suggest?” Jesse asked, looking at the pastries and cakes.
“Hmmm, I have lots to choose from. Cake or pie?”
Jesse nibbled on the inside of his lip while peering into the glass cases.
“Is this to share with someone I know?” Thelma asked with an arch of one eyebrow.
“Mmmm, yes.”
“Ah,” Thelma said, nodding slowly. “Well, Miss Ava does love her chocolate. I would suggest my chocolate lava cake, or there are some chocolate éclairs I made this morning.”
“Hmmm, I don’t know which to choose!”
“Well, how about a variety? I have some small, bite-size portions of tiramisu, baklava, napoleons, brownies, and a few others if you want to cover all the bases and have fun sampling the desserts.”
“Perfect! Box up a dozen,” Jesse said.
“Is this a special occasion?” Thelma asked.
“The end of her classes until the summer sessions. And she deserves a date night after all the hours she’s been putting in.”
“So, are you two Facebook official?”
Jesse laughed. “We’ve been keeping a low profile. Ava values her privacy,” he said, even though he was more than ready to make their relationship public. If she’d let him, he’d stop strangers on the street, point to Ava, and say, “I love this girl.”
“You won’t hear a peep from me, but the town is already abuzz about you two. Just sayin’. And Lordy, I can’t wait to see you two dance!”
“You won’t be disappointed,” Jesse promised, giving her his best smile. “Um, Thelma, I have a little favor to ask.”
“Shoot.”
“I want to take the dessert up to Ava’s, along with a few other things I have planned for the rooftop.”
“Aw, sugar, I can’t let you into her apartment without her permission. Not even your dimples can convince me to do that.”
Jesse had been afraid she might say that. “Even if you go with me?”
Thelma pressed her lips together, appearing to cave, and then she shook her head and said, “It wouldn’t be right.”
Jesse nodded. “Okay.”
“Why don’t you just ask your sweetie for a key?”
“That’s an excellent idea,” he said, reaching for his wallet to pay.
“You’re not getting outta here without a hug.”
“I didn’t plan on it,” Jesse said, and braced himself for a huge Thelma squeeze.
“A key,” he muttered as he headed back to his house. And that reminded him: he should offer her a key to his house, something he’d never done for a girlfriend before. The renovations to the surf shack and his collections had been his way to cope with what life had tossed at him, his private sanctuary. Offering someone else a key to his place had never even occurred to him, but after entering his home, he put the box of desserts on the surfboard island and looked around. He loved this house, treasured the memorabilia he’d collected, and handing out a key would be allowing someone into the most intimate place in his heart. So many of the collections represented his love of music, instilled in him by his parents.
Jesse swallowed hard, feeling moisture build beneath his eyelids. This love of and connection to the past was also his connection to his parents. He’d thought he’d been open, ready to take the next step with Ava, and he realized that until right this minute, he’d still been holding back. His need for privacy fed into a life that had become solitary except for his interaction with his brothers. Until the boat ride, Jesse hadn’t been out on the water in ages. The tandem bicycle had been in storage until Ava had come to visit for the first time. Without realizing it, he’d begun to shut himself out from life . . . afraid to love.
Jesse walked over to a drawer in the kitchen, located a spare key, and slid it onto a key ring with a dolphin dangling from a chain. Tonight, he’d give Ava the key to his house . . . and to his heart.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
DON’T WANNA LOSE YOU NOW
Ava slowly ascended the stairs to her apartment, feeling bone-weary and in need of a generous pour of chardonnay. Why had she promised Jesse she’d cook for him? After entering through the kitchen door, she toed her shoes off with a whimper. Maybe she’d shoot him a text message telling him she planned to order in, kick back, and watch a movie or just lounge on the rooftop listening to music? Of course, she knew part of the reason for her low energy was because she’d witnessed Anthony and Angelica giving an interview to a reporter just outside the performing arts center on her way to her car. Who gave them the right to be ambassadors for the competition? And whatever Angelica had been saying seemed to have the reporter enthralled.
While Ava’s interaction with Anthony and Angelica had only been in passing over the past two weeks, she still felt their presence in the building, and even when she’d have liked to go out on the town with Jesse, she’d requested to stay in so she wouldn’t risk running into them. She’d grown weary of looking over her shoulder. She’d be damned glad when they were gone.
With another little groan, Ava padded barefoot over to the fridge, loving how the cool ceramic tile felt beneath her tired toes. After locating an open bottle, she poured a glass and then remembered her phone had died and she’d left her charger . . . where? Oh, right there, plugged into the wall. She dug into her purse for her cell phone and set it up to charge. Blowing out a breath, she sat down on a barstool at the kitchen island, took a sip of the cold wine, and closed her eyes. “Mmmm, so good.”
A moment later her phone vibrated and—oh no, there was a text message on the screen from Jesse that had come in hours ago. She read the message and her eyes widened. He was due to arrive in less than thirty minutes to take her out to dinner! “What?” Ava groaned, not knowing if she could manage a night out. Just the idea of getting ready filled her with dread.
But she could feel the excitement in th
e message and she couldn’t, wouldn’t disappoint him.
Carrying her precious glass of wine with her, Ava headed to the bathroom and took a quick shower, toweled off, and slipped on her favorite little red silk robe. After blowing out her hair, she cranked up some Maroon 5, singing along with Adam Levine while reapplying her makeup. Thankfully, the hot shower had soothed her weary bones, the wine had kicked in, and the energetic music gave her a bit of a second wind. “Sugar, yes please,” she sang, and suddenly dinner out sounded lovely.
Makeup done, Ava was heading for her bedroom when she heard a knock at the back door. A bit disgruntled that she wasn’t dressed and ready, she swung open the door and . . . Oh wow.
Jesse stood there with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of champagne in one hand and a bakery box from Thelma’s in the other. While his shaggy hair remained untamed, Jesse wore pressed khaki slacks and a blue dress shirt open at the throat, which brought out the color of his eyes. He looked like a ten out of ten. “Permission to enter?” he asked with a slow grin.
“Oh, of course!” Ava felt a little blush in her cheeks as she stepped aside. She eyed the bakery box and inhaled whatever was in the box along with the citrusy, woodsy scent of his aftershave. “I’m sorry I missed your message. My phone died.”
“That’s okay. I figured you were just busy and took the chance you would want to go out anyways, but if you already fixed dinner, that’s okay too. I just hoped a night out was something you would want to do if you haven’t already started cooking yet?” He handed her the flowers and put the champagne in the fridge and the pink box on the counter.
Ava put her nose to the bouquet of spring flowers, inhaling the fresh, sweet scent. “Jesse, the flowers are lovely.” She felt an unexpected lump of emotion form in her throat. When she was dating Anthony, flowers were sent only as an apology, not for just . . . because. She found a vase, snipped the ends off the stems, and added water. “So pretty!” she exclaimed, but she felt her smile wobble.
“Are you okay?” Jesse asked with a slight frown. “Do you want to stay in tonight? If you’re tired . . .” he began, but Ava smiled and put her arms around his neck.
“Full disclosure. I was tired, but a hot shower, a glass of wine, and, most important, seeing you in the doorway chased the fatigue away.” She swept one hand through the air. “Poof!”
“You’re sure? You can be up front with me. I’ll do whatever you want to do.”
“A date night with you is perfect. And we don’t have to get up early tomorrow.” She backed away and did a little dance.
Jesse grinned. “My favorite part. But I have a request.”
“What might that be?”
“You have to get dressed, because seeing you in that silky red robe is driving me crazy.”
“Are you thinking of a change of plans?” She winked.
“Mmmm, tempting, but I have the night planned, something I’m usually not so good at, and I’m feeling pretty self-righteous about pulling it off.”
Ava tipped her head back and laughed. “I’m impressed.”
“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Now, please go get ready.”
“I’m on it.”
Ava chose a flowy floral sundress, strappy sandals, and a floating freshwater-pearl necklace that had belonged to her nonna. She grabbed an elegant white poncho shawl, knowing the evening would cool off when the sun went down.
“I’m ready,” she said, breezing into the living room.
“Ava, you look gorgeous.” He walked over and pulled her into his embrace. “And you smell as good as you look.” He threaded his fingers through her beachy waves. “And your hair down? Damn . . .”
Ava chuckled softly. “Having second thoughts again about leaving?”
“You are such a temptress.” He kissed her but then groaned and backed away. Taking her hand, he said, “Let’s go before my willpower disappears.”
Ava grabbed her purse, locked the door, and followed him to the VW bus. She laughed with delight. “Sweet.”
“It’s a special occasion, so I had to drive it.”
“Do I get any hints as to where we’re going?”
“Nope, not even one. Just sit back and enjoy my perfectly planned evening.”
“That’s a simple enough request,” Ava said, laughing when the VW backfired. “It’s a nice night,” she said, looking out the window at the passing scenery. Sea Breeze Boulevard hugged the coast, giving them peeks of sand dunes and the seashore in between gorgeous beach houses.
“Yes, it is,” he agreed, still refusing to give her a hint as to their destination.
Ava felt a giddy anticipation at not knowing where he was taking her or how the night would unfold. And the fact that he’d taken the time to plan the date made her smile.
“And the evening’s about to get even better,” Jesse said as he turned the VW down the road leading to the marina.
“A boat ride?”
“Yes, to take us somewhere easier to get to by water.”
“Oh . . .”
Jesse parked and walked over to the passenger’s side to open the door for her. He took her hand and they walked down the dock to the slip where Oliver’s boat awaited. She read the names of the boats they passed and pointed to a pelican perched on a post. “He almost doesn’t look real, sitting so still.”
“He’s waiting for the fishing boats to come in and for the fishermen to flip him scraps from cleaning their catch.”
“Smart bird,” Ava said as they approached Oliver’s cabin cruiser.
“Wait.” Jesse tugged on Ava’s hand, coming to a stop. “Look.” He pointed.
“A manatee!” Ava felt a rush of excitement. “Two of them!” She laughed at the playful interaction between the big sea cows. “Look at the whiskers! Those teeth are so funny.” She pointed to the big molars that were visible when the manatees broke the water’s surface.
“They use their molars to grind vegetation. When they lose them, they grow new ones.”
“Wow, they’re so big up close,” Ava said, peering over the edge of the dock. “And so cute!”
“Sometimes they make funny sounds while communicating. They’re gentle, lovable creatures.” Jesse smiled. “I need to take you to Crystal River, where they have awesome tours where you can watch, touch, and swim with manatees. Would you be interested?”
“Yes! Oh, look, they just did a body roll.” She grinned at Jesse. “Maybe they wanted to do a classic boy-band move for you.”
“You could be right.” He pulled her in for a quick kiss and then tugged her hand. “We need to keep on schedule.”
“Look at you in all your organized glory.” Ava smiled, giving him a little nudge.
“There’s hope for me yet.”
After helping her onto the boat, Jesse started the engines, untied the ropes, and went at idle speed through the marina. Evening sunshine glinted off the water, and Ava inhaled the salty scent of the ocean. Boaters who were out on the docks waved and Ava waved back, all smiles.
“Ready?” Jesse asked, and Ava knew that meant he was going to open up the engines and bring the boat on plane.
“Ready!” Ava gave him a thumbs-up. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and smiled at him from her bucket seat. “Let’s go!”
“If it gets choppy, be sure to hang on,” Jesse warned her with a grin.
“Aye, aye, Captain!”
The engines hummed and the sleek boat skimmed across the water, taking the choppy waves in stride. Ava watched the scenery fly by, catching a glimpse of egrets searching for dinner and seagulls flying in formation overhead. She loved the warmth of the sunshine and the briny breeze that whipped through the air. But then she turned her attention to Jesse’s profile. Wearing mirrored aviators, he looked damned sexy with his shirt wind-pressed against his body, showing off the physique that had only gotten more ripped after three weeks of rehearsals. The cool breeze did nothing to contain the sudden heat in her blood.
“Ava, look there!” Jesse s
houted, pointing. “Dolphins!”
Ava scanned the water. “I see them! Oh, there’s a pod!” she said, delighted at the sight.
Jess grinned at her. “I thought we’d see them.”
Ava smiled back, knowing he’d had her happiness in mind when he brought her out for an evening cruise. A few minutes later he slowed the boat, and after they rounded a grove of mangrove trees, a beautiful rustic stone and weathered wood restaurant came into view. Jesse expertly pulled the boat up to the dock, and two attendants hurried over to flip the fenders over the side and tie ropes to the cleats.
Jesse killed the engines. “Here we are at Water View. Are you ready for dinner, my gorgeous date?”
“Just give me a minute to go below and tidy my hair.”
“Sure. I hope you’re hungry, because the seafood here is amazing.”
Ava closed her eyes and inhaled the aroma of charcoal coming from the restaurant. “Mmmm, it smells divine.” She held up one finger. “I’ll be right back.”
Ava went below, opened the door to the head, and located her small brush in her purse. She tugged the elastic tie from her ponytail and tamed her hair. Finding her lipstick, she reapplied it and then let out a sigh of contentment, thinking that tonight was going to be a night to remember. She just knew it. After giving herself one last once-over, she picked up her purse and shawl and ascended the steps.
Jesse took her hand and helped her over the side of the boat and onto the dock. “This is my favorite restaurant.”
“Are we still in Sea Breeze?”
“We’re on the outskirts of town. A decent drive, but easier to get here by water.”
“And more fun,” she said aloud, but she wondered if he’d also picked this location so as not to run into Anthony and Angelica.
“Your cheeks are rosy from the wind, and your eyes . . .”
“What?” Ava asked breathlessly.
“Look happy.” He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. “And that makes me happy.”
Ava felt another strong rush of emotion as they walked hand in hand into the restaurant. I’m falling in love, she thought, waiting for the familiar little surge of fear to slide down her spine, but it failed to come.