Within Six Months (A Wild Roses Novel Book 1)

by Cleo Scornavacca

  In fact, I found Tommy last night, all by myself. Well, I fell into him.

  “Okay, but you must admit, Tommy could be the perfect match for you.”

  The woman was relentless.

  “How is that?” I asked with a small huff.

  “Well, he’s attractive.”

  “So are serial killers,” I retorted.

  She said nothing but gave me the famous single raised eyebrow of annoyance.

  “Okay, go on. Tell me why Tommy would be good for me, because I know you’re going to tell me whether I like it or not, so you might as well get it out of your system, Viv,” I stated, as I surrendered to my aunt’s will and also to save my withering sanity.

  “As I was saying, he’s attractive, with a great personality. He loves the shore. He surfs, and the best part of all, he’s unattached.”

  Attractive, no…he was hot. Great personality…that remains to be seen. Small talk never revealed enough. He surfs…now that was certainly a plus.

  Jade get a grip, you're not in the market for a man, remember?

  “I would think to be single would be the number one factor here, but that’s just me.” I tried to be witty and gave her a quirky grin.

  Viv grinned back, yet shook her head at my statement.

  Just as I was about to pry more information out of her about Tommy, there was a knock at my door. It was one of my staff members letting me know there was a customer on the phone who wanted to place a special order for the 4th of July. A day of celebration for most…for me, it was just another day now.

  Viv immediately stated she would let me get to work. She kissed my cheek and said to be at her house at 8. I believed it was her way of making a quick getaway, so she didn’t have to answer any more of my questions.

  I answered the phone and was tied up for quite some time. I secured an order of breakfast foods and scones as well as dessert for 150 people for their event and promised to have it all delivered very early that holiday morning.

  Once I finished going over everything with the client on the phone, I proceeded to the kitchen to prepare the treats for tomorrow’s crowd. I prepped breakfast bread and treats with the help of three staff members. We placed the raw products on baking trays and then slid the trays on the shelves which we rolled into the walk-in freezer until morning when I would bake them up fresh for the early morning rush. With everything completed and the last customer gone, we finished at 2 o’clock that afternoon. My staff member locked up as usual, while I stayed behind to do some paperwork and set up a schedule for the next few weeks.

  My landlord was gracious enough to let me stay here and keep this location open until I moved down the road. Sure, it was to his advantage to have a solid renter, but real estate in this area, especially beach real estate, was quite easy to rent during the summer season. Luckily my landlord had someone ready to take my place at the end of the season when I moved on.

  With all of my work completed, I filled two of the pastry boxes on my way out the door. One box was for tonight’s dessert at Viv’s house; I chose petite French-creme filled pastries and individual shortbread cookies, mini fruit and custard tarts, Viv’s favorite and I anticipated that Aunt Viv was making her famous London broil on the grill, so with such a heavy meal, the smaller desserts would be perfect.

  The second box was for Tommy. I didn’t know what he would enjoy, so I put together a variety of bite-size cheesecake squares, chocolate covered strawberries, and some mini scones, which I thought would be perfect for someone who lived alone. I assumed since he just moved in, and since I knew that the kitchen in the old beach house needed renovating, perhaps cooking might not be an option this week. Plus, after the way I acted this morning, I decided that the treats could be a peace offering of sorts.

  Even though he was the perfect gentleman earlier, and he didn’t seem at all upset by my sudden invasion of his privacy and my abrupt request to leave the rose vines that my brother had given me alone for the time being, I felt it necessary to start over with him. I had a terrible feeling about our confrontation today. I hoped another apology and some sweets would make amends. I was packed up by 4 pm and carried the boxes out to my bike, secured the stack to the small rack on the back, and placed some French baguettes in the basket on the front.

  Once home, I checked for Blaze. She couldn’t have gone too far; my car was still in the driveway. I called out to her. She was on the deck off the living room seated on one of the chaise lounge chairs. She had made a pitcher of Sangria, which was at the ready and very much a welcomed surprise.

  “You look rested,” I said as I poured myself a glass of Sangria.

  “I may look rested, but I don’t feel rested.” She tensed as she spoke.

  “Oh no, what’s wrong?” My eyes involuntarily rolled, as I quickly asked what went on while I was at work.

  “Everything,” Her voice cracked with frustration, as she hinted about her day.

  I took the pitcher and my glass over to Blaze and sat down next to her, refilling her glass.

  “Okay, what gives? When we left Reece last night he stated he would talk to you over the weekend. He seemed perfectly fine at the hospital and was more than satisfied that you would be down here with me for the holiday.”

  “Yeah, I felt the same way about the situation when we left,” she said but hinted at the fact that something more happened that I was unaware of.

  “I take it something else went on since I left for work?” I prepared myself for the next shoe to drop.

  “Well, you would be right. I spoke with Reece in the morning after you left. He said he was going to take it easy, but texted me all day long about us. I didn’t answer any of them, because to tell you the truth I was tired and went back to bed after you left. Then the phone calls started to ring in. He was incessant.” Blaze was exasperated by Reece. I was exasperated by her response. She knew how he was. Reece’s behavior should have come as no big surprise to her.

  “Really? You know how he can be. You've seen it first hand with Damien. It’s always about what Reece wants. Granted, he did just have a heart attack, but by the sound of it, nothing is keeping that man down. For God’s sake, you saw how he was last night with me. Do you honestly think that you don’t fall into the same category as the rest of us in Reece’s life?” I couldn’t believe that I had to explain this to her, of all people. She had been with him for six months, intimately for six months, not to mention she grew up around him. She had to know his idiosyncrasies by now.

  “I know how he can be, but these calls and texts today were not remotely close to how he’s acted since we started our relationship. I’m not saying things can’t change with time, but we both agreed at the very beginning that we had a mutual sexual attraction for each other. We enjoyed doing things together and we were happy to spend time in each other’s company, but that was it. Any other emotions that remotely resembled commitment were off the table. Now he wants more and I don’t. I’m not ready for this shit, Jade. You know how I get when they get too close for comfort. This will not end well.” Her head shook, as well as her body, as she started to become dramatically unglued.

  The term “they” in her statement meant the men she had relationships with in the past. It was true. When they got too close, Blaze bailed on them. It wasn’t that Blaze was opposed to love; she loved being in love. She loved the idea of love, but she felt it had been a short-lived experience for her in the past and resigned herself to avoid it at all costs in the future. Besides the fact that Blaze set the bar very high when it came to the ideal man.

  She always wanted someone powerful and sexy like Reece. Someone in control, but also someone closer to her own age. Yet many of the men she met were not accomplished like Reece was. That being said, Reece was almost sixty and had had much more time to cultivate his empire.

  The one thing Blaze never looked for was financial support. She was completely able to support herself and her lifestyle. She didn’t need a man in her life for that, but what she did
expect was a partner that had a vision of what he wanted to be and have enough drive to go after it. Basically, she wanted herself as a man.

  “You have to talk with him once he’s discharged from the hospital and is cleared by his doctors. You can’t let this go on. Look at yourself. You're completely stressed out and Reece isn’t even here yet,” I explained.

  “You’re right. I am stressed. Do you see what he does to me? I can’t even think straight.” She was being overly dramatic. No, she was just being Blaze.

  I laughed and poured myself more Sangria.

  “Oh great, I’m so glad that my life is a joke to you.” She acted insulted, but I saw it as ridiculous.

  “I wasn’t laughing at your life. I was laughing at the way you’re reacting to your life. You know very well that Reece Montgomery was probably not the right choice to sleep with. Sure, he is, well was, noncommittal, so that made you both the perfect match, but if what you say is true and he wants more, then you have to talk it out with him. You can’t run from this like you have done in the past.” I reminded her of her actions when she broke up with her last suitor. She would take off to parts unknown until the storm was over.

  “And why can’t I? I mean, just leave that is?” She questioned.

  “Reece would find you. He is one very rich and capable man. A capable man with many resources at his disposal. You wouldn't be able to hide from him like you had with the others.”

  “Shit! You're right. So, what do I do?” Blaze looked to me for answers.

  “You need to talk it out with him. Or maybe you misunderstood him. Maybe he just misses you and wants to see you after all that happened this past week.” I tried to be practical, but I knew Reece and if Reece wanted a commitment, then Reece would get a commitment.

  “Sure, that’s why he said that once he’s home we needed to tell Damien about our relationship. That doesn't mean he’s missing me; that has commitment written all over it,” she snapped.

  “Okay. So, before he plans a walk down the aisle with you, you’re just going to have to go to him and stop this. Unless…” I stopped for a moment, because I thought there may be a slim chance Blaze was happy about this and that she possibly enjoyed the cat and mouse banter in this situation with Reece, but might really want the more he was proposing.

  “Unless what?” She asked.

  “Unless you like all of the attention Reece is showering on you,” I speculated.

  “Have you lost your mind? You couldn’t possibly think that I would enjoy the idea of Reece and I in a serious relationship? I told you this was supposed to be fun, not permanent.”

  “Some women might say a permanent relationship with Reece Montgomery could have been fun.”

  “Reece is fun and exciting. I’ll grant you that, but a commitment with him would be an absolute nightmare.” She was adamant.

  “Because he’s controlling?” I asked but already knew the answer.

  “Of course! He’s controlling and manipulative and possessive… and stop me anytime now.” Blaze was being sarcastic, but on point with her description of her current bed buddy.

  “Then here’s my hot button question to you. Why get involved? If you knew exactly how he was, why did you sleep with him and continue a relationship that you, yourself, didn’t want to go anywhere?” I asked as I stood up, leaned against the deck railing and faced her.

  Blaze looked down and shook her head, while she ran her index finger along the rim of her Sangria glass.

  “You know me, Jade. I work hard, long hours, weekends, sometimes even holidays. My career is not always convenient, nor traditional, but I love it. In my past relationships, there always came the dreaded time where my partner wanted to change that about me, and when I wouldn’t budge or at least budge enough for their liking, then it ultimately caused the destruction of the relationship. With Reece, I never had to worry about those issues. He was just as busy and committed to his career, as I am to mine. It was never a problem nor up for debate, but now all bets are off. You know, if he wants a commitment, then he’ll go to great lengths to change me. I can’t accept that.”

  “It’s still not up for debate, even with Reece. I’m not telling you to commit or not to commit to Reece Montgomery. I’m just stating a fact. You have to lay it on the line with him. Whether you want to stay with him and commit to a mutual understanding of how it will be for each of you, or you tell him that you want to continue the status quo, or you say that you're done and over it because it’s getting all too serious, and that wasn’t what either of you wanted. What you decide will determine whether you have to work it out or not work it out with Reece.”

  She shook her head once more, as she surrendered to the idea that a talk with Reece was the only way.

  I knew that Reece would want Damien by his side, but I thought they would stay in New York, not come down to Long Beach Island. Well, at least the Montgomery house was on the opposite end of the island. I wouldn't have to see Damien or Courtney while they were here.

  Blaze had at least a week or so before she had to deal with Reece, so, for now, it was time to relax and enjoy the weekend ahead. We didn’t have to walk over to Viv’s just yet, either. We had time for another drink before we showered and got ready for the dinner ahead.

  Tommy

  MY DESTINATION WAS about two hours one way if traffic was good. The one good thing was I had plenty of time to fill Daniel in on what had gone on the last few days. I did have a funny feeling, though that I might just learn more from Daniel about Jade and her family than he would learn from me.

  Daniel was outside on the porch of the main education building when I arrived. He was seated in his wheelchair, but he had his walker by his side. Daniel had been trying some alternative methods to stimulate his muscles so that perhaps he could strengthen them enough to walk on his own someday. He’d probably still need some sort of assistance like a cane, but the new walker by his side signified he must have made some improvement.

  He waved as I pulled near the ramp. Daniel was about to reach for his bags when I stopped him.

  “Leave them, I’ll get them.”

  “Thanks. Good to see you, man.” Daniel had a welcoming smile for me, as I reached the landing to shake his hand.

  “Thanks for accepting my invite.”

  “Be serious. Do you honestly think I would turn down a weekend at the shore with all of those beautiful women running around with bikini-clad bodies, over staying home and doing nothing?” He smirked.

  “Well, since you put it that way, I see your point. Nice to see you too, bro.” I grinned, as I helped Daniel into the car and then retrieved his bags to place in the trunk.

  Once we were settled, I headed back out onto the highway towards home. Daniel broke the silence first.

  “Enlighten me on the whole ‘Jade Thing.’ What exactly has been going on with you for the last week?” Daniel was always straightforward and to the point. He never pulled any punches and he wasn’t about to start now.

  I looked at the road ahead and smiled. Then I filled my friend in on my life as of late.

  “Well, as you know I bought the house and moved in at the beginning of the week. Viv met me there and I spent much of the week taking photos and writing out plans on how I wanted to update the place.”

  “Great! You're settling in nicely, but what’s with Jade?”

  “Always right to the matter at hand,” I observed.

  “Dude, there is no other way for me to be. Now get on with it,” he pressed.

  “When I bought the house, Viv had one strict condition, which I honored. She asked me not to tell Jade about the purchase of the home just yet. I was asked to say that I was renting it for the next year. I happily agreed, because the moment I saw it, I knew I could start my new life here. Plus, I asked her not to tell anyone I bought it either,” I explained.

  “Yeah, I get why you don’t want anyone on your end to know that you purchased the house, but I’m not sure why Viv placed such a condition on t
he deal.”

  “I had hoped you’d be the one to know. You've known her for quite some time. Are you sure you don’t have any ideas?” I asked.

  “Man, I would have thought that the memories of that house would only remind them of what happened to Jimmy, so they would be glad to sell it, but now that you've explained that Viv doesn’t want Jade to know yet, it makes me think.”

  “Think of what?”

  “Maybe the reason they wanted to sell it, is the same reason they want to hide it from Jade,” he stated.

  “And that reason would be…?” I asked, pushing him further for an explanation. I wanted to get a better handle on Jade and who she was.

  “Like I told you earlier, Jade’s brother died several years ago. What I didn’t tell you was Jimmy had broken his back in a surfing accident. The accident left him with severe spinal problems, which kept him from ever being able to surf again,” Daniel said solemnly.

  “I’m sorry for having pressed you for an explanation. It’s just that I had a feeling Viv wasn’t giving me the full story.”

  “Yeah, Viv is extremely private and very protective of her family, especially Jade. You see, after Jimmy was injured, Jade stuck to him like glue. She and her brother were about five years apart, but unbelievably close. She truly idolized Jimmy. Then when he moved to the Center, she visited constantly. Every chance she got, she would be with him. It even caused serious issues between her and her then-boyfriend, Damien Montgomery.”

  “Damien Montgomery? Reece Montgomery’s son?” I inquired.

  “Yes, how did you know?” Daniel seemed perplexed by my questions.

  “I didn’t know about him and Jade, but I knew of them from doing marketing shots for their wine companies in Napa and Europe a few years back. I never saw Jade with Damien back then,” I admitted.

  “No, you wouldn’t have. You see, Jade grew up at the beach. Yet, Damien wasn’t down here full-time, just summers and holiday breaks. Eventually, though, they started to date, and when it became serious, they got engaged, but Jimmy’s accident consumed Jade. She did everything she could to help her brother,” Daniel added.