“You are seriously disturbed, Jenna Rae,” Maybelle says. “That was a private conversation that we were having by the stage . . . the stage.” Her eyes close and she blows out a deep breath. “You were behind the curtain, spying. Weren’t you? You did this—all this—on purpose.”
A slight smile breaks on her lips and she glares at Maybelle. “You think you aren’t just as culpable?”
“Jesus Christ, Jenna Rae,” Sawyer growls. “Do you know what kind of shitstorm you’ve caused?”
She nods. “Hopefully, this time she’ll stay away for good.”
“What do you mean this time?” I ask.
Jenna Rae grabs her purse. “I don’t need this shit. I’m leavin’.”
Maybelle steps in front of her. “Answer his question.”
“Fine, it was me, okay. I’m the one that started all the rumors. The ones about you and Haven.” She blinks up at Sawyer. “Every last one. Haven never said anything. It was all me. There, happy now?”
Anger funnels through my chest. Everything crashes around me. It feels like that cartoon meme of the dog sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper and the whole damn place is on fire.
“It’s fine. It’s fine.” reads the caption.
“You lied?” A scowl paints Sawyer’s face. “What the actual fuck, Jenna Rae?”
Maybelle charges at Jenna Rae and Jerry steps in holding her back. She’s hotter than a hornet’s nest that’s been knocked around. Screams and curses fly back and forth between the two of them.
Sawyer blows out a deep breath and steps in front of Maybelle. “Jenna Rae, you’re a fuckin’ bitch.” Anger vibrates in Sawyer’s voice. “I am done with you. Done. Do you understand me?”
“Sawyer, come on,” she whines. “Haven rejected you and all you did was pine for her, so I had to show you that she wasn’t worth your time.”
“By lying to me,” he roars. “Everything that comes your way after this, you fuckin’ deserve. I treated Haven like crap most days, all because of your lies.”
I nod. “I’ll take it from here, Jerry. Here we go, darlin’.” My hands fall to Maybelle’s shoulders and I guide her out of the bar. Sawyer follows behind me.
“That bitch needs to pay for what she’s done,” Maybelle yells.
“She will,” Sawyer agrees. “Word will spread pretty fast. This town loves a good game of telephone.”
Maybelle is doubled over and running her hands through her hair. “So, after all these years, we find out the rumor about you and Haven was conjured up by Jenna Rae because she was jealous.”
“Yeah, I feel fuckin’ terrible about that shit.” Sawyer passes a hand over his jaw. “I guess we were all wrong . . . all fooled. All fed the same garbage and we never thought to clarify.”
My gaze pings between both of them. “Yeah, but you were kids. You didn’t know any better.”
“Well, we’re grown now,” Maybelle scoffs as we amble along the sidewalk. “Those rumors gutted Haven. Every guy tried to screw her because of it. Most girls talked shit about her behind her back. No wonder she never wanted to come back here.”
Sawyer expels a deep breath and his head drops back. “Yeah.”
“Just for clarification, and so we’re on the same page”—she eyes, Sawyer—“You never told anyone that Haven sucked your . . .” She gestures toward his pants.
He shakes his head. “No, but I can’t say that I was totally innocent back then. I said some pretty crude things to her and made fun of her. I used to be a pretty big jerk.”
Maybelle laughs. “Used to be?”
He smiles and shrugs. “I can’t take back the past, but I can make things right now.”
“Well, someone needs to tell Haven the news about Jenna Rae.”
They both turn to face me.
“Uhm, yeah, buddy,” Maybelle says and points to me. “That’s where you come in.”
“Get on a plane and get your ass out to L.A.,” Sawyer adds. “Go get your girl.”
“Not so sure that she’s my girl anymore.” I look up at the sky toward the west. “I ignored her calls and texts. Pretty sure I pushed her away.”
Maybelle sucks in a breath. “Yeah, maybe, but how are you gonna know unless you talk to her?”
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?
Haven
Things have been quite busy since I’ve been back in Los Angeles.
I received my promotion to partner. The promotion being that I’m moving to New York. I’ll be the “New York, Frankie.” I have until August to sell my place here in L.A. and find a place in New York. I can’t possibly commute from East Harbour into the city every day.
Grady’s show is soaring in numbers. Highest debut of a digital streaming show. Still going strong with a ninety-four percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Scott tried to have me fired—again. This time he used screen shots of text message exchanges between the two of us to sell his case.
On a Tuesday morning, Frankie summoned me to her office. And there sat Scott with a shit eating grin on his face telling Frankie that we had a relationship while he was my client. I didn’t deny it. What would be the point?
Frankie dismissed Scott and thanked him for bringing the matter to her attention. That was it. Nothing else happened. She dismissed me right after he left the room.
“Why are you leaving?” Ryleigh asks and shoves a pita chip into her mouth.
“Because I’ve been working for this forever,” I answer.
“Then, why aren’t you more excited? You seem off.”
I shrug. I haven’t told her about Tyler. But what would be the point? There’s nothing to tell. It was just a fling.
And I’ll keep on telling myself just that.
If it was just a fling then why does it hurt so much?
Why do I miss him so much?
Our happy hour is interrupted by Ryleigh’s cellphone. “Crap,” she blurts. “Sorry, I’ve got to go, fashion emergency.”
I wave her off. “Go, go. I got this.”
After I pay, I drive home in a bit of a haze. My thoughts are jumbled and I feel like I’m floating.
I park my car and enter my passcode for the elevator. The doors open and I step inside. A warm bath and a bottle of wine is calling my name.
The elevator dings and I step into the lobby. That’s when I see him—Tyler.
He’s sitting on the bench near the concierge’s desk with a leather duffle bag on his lap. A sharp sudden throb hits my chest.
I just stand there like a starstruck idiot. Until Trenton, at the desk, says my name, “Miss Cardwell, good afternoon.”
Tyler’s gaze swings to me and he stands. Longing hits me like a bus. Holy shit, he looks sexy as hell. The vintage concert t-shirt stretches perfectly over his biceps. Those dark denim jeans hug his thighs. His hair is tousled and messy. His eyes burn into me and my pulse thrums in my skin.
“Miss Cardwell,” Trenton speaks. “There’s a Mister Tyler Nichols here to see you.”
“Thank you, I see that.”
Tyler smiles and my heart seizes. Oh lord, am I having a heart attack?
“Hey,” he says.
I nearly fall over at the sound of his voice. I have missed that smile. That deep voice. Him.
“Tyler,” I say feeling my pulse beating like a drum in my ear. “What are you doing here?”
“You got time for a chat?”
I should be mad. Like pissed off livid. But I’m calm.
“I had time a few weeks ago,” I blurt.
He brings a hand to my cheek. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m so freakin’ sorry I ignored you.”
“Come on up.” I tilt my head toward the elevator. “You put me through the wringer, you know?”
He laughs a nervous laugh. “I have a feeling that I’m going to be apologizing for a lot of things.”
I swallow and press the up arrow. The elevator is already there so we step inside. “I’m sorry that your past—the secret that you tr
usted me with—got out. I shouldn’t have told Maybelle.”
The elevator goes sailing up to my floor. I’m one of two private apartments on my floor. The building was newly remodeled when I moved in and the views are incredible, especially from my bedroom. I’ll definitely miss living here.
He lets out a deep breath and hikes his bag over his thick shoulder.
Damn, I miss those shoulders.
“Well, maybe it’s okay that you did.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s complicated, but it turns out that Jenna Rae was solely responsible. In short, she overheard you and Maybelle at the bar and put a plan into action. Guess the paper’s not doing so well so she published a story she knew was guaranteed to sell copies. And she wanted to hurt you in the process. And me.”
“Why hurt you?” I ask.
The car comes to a stop on my floor and Tyler motions for me to step out first. My southern gentleman. Ugh. But he’s not really mine.
“She’s got a thing against outsiders.”
Unlocking my door, I laugh and shake my head. “What the hell?”
We pour a couple glasses of wine and step onto my balcony. Tyler fills me in on everything that went down in the days after I left. By the time he’s finished, I feel wrung out. I’m exhausted from the drama and I wasn’t even there.
Tyler reaches for my hand. The wind kicks up and I can smell him. It does everything for my lady parts. I want him so bad. The longing for him, it overwhelms me.
Tyler is here. Touching me.
“I’ve missed you,” he says, stroking the back of my hand with his thumb.
Emotion clogs my throat and I feel like I’m going to burst. “I’ve missed you too.”
His eyes flick over my body and the space between us thrums. Tyler stands and plucks the wine glass from my hand. Pulling me to my feet, his eyes never leave mine. I feel dizzy but in a good way.
“Haven, I miss you so much it hurts.” He tugs me closer. “I can’t stop thinking about you,” he breathes, pressing his forehead to mine.
This is just like the first time we kissed. I want to slip into my bed and drown under the covers with Tyler.
“Did I lose my chance with you, sunshine?”
“I thought I lost my chance with you,” I admit, my fists pound against his chest.
Tyler cups my chin and presses his thumb against my lip. “Oh, beautiful woman, I’m so taken with you. I’d take a million chances with you.”
He kisses me, dragging his hands down my spine to my ass where he squeezes. Tyler’s cock presses into my thigh.
I push up onto my tiptoes and wrap my arms around his neck. “I want to take you to my bed,” I whisper. “I want to do some very dirty things to you. We have to make up for lost time.”
“Lead the way,” he growls against my skin.
I back this man up against my bed and then we’re tumbling together onto the mattress. I’m dying for him.
Tyler reaches under my skirt and teases the edge of my thong with his finger. Then he pushes up and flips me onto my back. His hands tug my thong over my hips and down my legs. His mouth is on me leaving a trail of fire its wake.
Hot. Hot. I’m burning.
Tyler hooks one leg over his shoulder and spreads me wide. “Fuck, I can smell you,” he groans and inhales. “So sweet, so good.”
His tongue lashes over my clit and my hips shoot up off the bed. He takes my clit between his teeth—sucking, nipping and doing all the wonderful things. My fingers dig into his hair.
“I’m not going to last long,” I pant. “I want you inside me.”
Our eyes meet in a blistering of heat and passion. His eyes darken and flash.
Tyler pushes up to his knees and slides off the bed. He gives me the pleasure of watching him strip. “Get that dress off, Haven,” he orders and strokes his cock. “Bra too.”
My heart clenches and my pussy throbs with ache. I’m drowning in need for him.
He climbs back onto the bed, caging my head between his forearms. “Beautiful, you’re beautiful,” he whispers and pushes inside me. One slow deep thrust and he’s buried to the hilt. Balls deep.
“Oh, Tyler, you feel so good.”
I wish I can say that we take our sweet time, but I’m too anxious. Too aroused. Too full of emotion. I look between us to see Tyler slipping in and out of me. He’s here with me.
He pumps into me and I move with him. “You,” he moans. “Goddamn.”
His lips graze along my neck and down to my breasts. As he tugs my nipple into his mouth, I ease my finger down to my clit ghosting over it with a few slight ministrations. He moves my hand, replacing it with his.
“This is my job,” he growls. “Let me make it good for you.”
And he does. It’s very, very good. The tremors rip through my body and he comes with a quiet roar a heartbeat later.
I drag a hand through his hair. “What happens now?”
“Dinner in bed, of course.”
I laugh. “Of course. Oh, I should mention I’m moving to New York.”
He props up onto his elbows. “Promotion?”
I smile and nod, my hands cup his strong jaw and I stare into his hazel eyes.
“I’ve always liked New York,” he mentions and moves his lips over mine. “Thinking it may be a good marketplace to expand into.”
My hands roam over his chest. “Expand into, huh?”
“I hear La Perla’s are very popular there.”
I shift to look at him. “What are you thinking?”
“Thinking of expanding my restaurant. What do you think?”
“Uhm, no.”
“No?” he repeats.
“No to Manhattan,” I say. “I’ve got a much better idea.”
His brows rise. “Well, how about you sell me your pitch over a couple of orgasms?”
I push him back onto my bed and swing my leg over his body, caging him between my thighs. “You need to come to East Harbour with me.”
“The Hamptons?”
I nod, pulling my bottom lip between my teeth. “In fact, we should leave right now.”
His hands land on my waist. “No way. East Harbour can wait. Let’s take the rest of today and tonight for us. Just the two of us.”
I smile. “I like the two of us.”
His hands frame my face. “Me too, beautiful. Me too.”
Haven
One Year Later
Sawyer and Maybelle sashay out of the kitchen carrying pink and blue balloons. “Bette Davis Eyes” accompanies their little dance routine. Laughter and the sound of people singing along fills the room.
Sage and Reed sit off to the side. Sage is bopping along and singing and Reed has his face covered. Nerves and emotions have hit him.
I glance around The Saffron House and smile. Tyler closed the restaurant for this little soiree. He’s standing behind the bar making drinks and I’m cataloging all the gifts for Sage to write thank you notes.
“Okay, you ready?” Maybelle shouts.
Sage nudges her husband’s elbow and he finally looks up. The countdown begins and then Sawyer releases the pink balloons to the ceiling. Maybelle clutches the blue ones and smiles shouting out, “It’s a boy!”
Reed and Sage look at each other and scream. They share a quick kiss and a long hug.
Cheers and shouts of congrats rain around the room and I look across to the bar for Tyler. He’s clapping and laughing. My phone chirps and I look at the screen. There’s a message from my brother, Brant.
Brant: I’ve made my decision. I’ll be seeing y’all real soon.
Me: Congrats are in order, I assume?
Brant: I suppose that they are, yes. Dad’s over the moon happy.
Me: I’ll bet. Love you.
Brant: Love you too.
Dad gave Brant more time to think about the job offer with Cardwell Bourbon. Brant was asked to consult for a financial wealth management firm in New York. He couldn’t pass up the offer and Dad unde
rstood.
I cross the restaurant, dodging through the crowd of people.
“Hey,” I say to Tyler.
“Hey, yourself.”
“What time is our flight?”
“Seven,” he answers mixing a shot of bourbon and other ingredients into a cocktail mixer.
I step around the bar and refill my wine glass. We’re off to East Harbour. Next week, The Saffron House will open its second location. To say that Tyler has been busy is an understatement. He’s on hiatus from Nichols Corp. Reed has taken on a large part of Tyler’s role and it came with a nice pay increase. That will help with the new baby.
Tyler started carrying Sage’s desserts in the restaurant—they’re a huge hit. His plans for his syrup are moving slowly, but that’s mostly because he needs to trademark and work on the patent so no one can steal his recipe.
Work is going great for me at MCA in New York. Scott’s contract with us ended in February after he wrapped up his North American Tour. I hear that he’s off in the mountains somewhere recording a new album. At least that’s what Jenna Rae reported on social media.
Tyler refused to do anything to Jenna Rae for her little stunt. No need for it. All he wanted to do is move on and continue making Mayfield a place that people want to visit. So, the downtown revitalization project is coming along and small businesses are moving in and setting up shop. A fancy café with a tea room is what Tyler calls the “Crown Jewel” of downtown. That little piece of retail belongs to Maybelle.
“Thank you so much for the baby shower and the reveal,” Sage says, throwing her arms around my neck. “Everything is perfect.”
“You’re welcome,” I say and lean back.
Her eyes are wet with tears. “Oh, no,” I say and Tyler hands me a tissue box. “Don’t you cry on me.”
“These are happy tears.” She shakes her head and wipes under her eyes. “Reed was hoping for a boy.”
Maybelle and Sawyer join us at the bar. “Guys, we gotta go, but this was real fun,” Maybelle says.
“Yeah, congrats to you and Reed, Sage,” Sawyer adds and then the two of them wave goodbye and hustle out of the restaurant.
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