Sandpiper Shore

by Debbie Mason

  It sounds like you’re in need of some face-to-face time with your reality life coach. Good thing the princess and her crew are leaving early next week. I should be able to get back to Harmony Harbor for the weekend. If I do, you and I are meeting with Connor. No more putting it off.

  Wow, she thought at the feeling of joyous bliss. If her body reacted like this to the simple announcement that he was coming home for a weekend, Logan was right. She needed a reality life coach, and it most definitely couldn’t be him. She cleared her throat and then rolled her eyes at herself. They were texting, not talking.

  I didn’t want to cancel my meeting with Connor. I had to. Arianna insisted she was coming with me.

  Given how her sister had reacted to Serena’s previous suggestion that they hire Connor, Jenna knew Arianna would kick up a fuss so extreme, she’d have no choice but to find herself another attorney. And from everything she’d heard and read about Connor Gallagher, Jenna didn’t want anyone else but him. She’d also been told by his assistant that he was taking her case pro bono because he owed his brother. Since Lorenzo had yet to return her car and money, Jenna accepted the generous offer without fighting too hard.

  The door chimed.

  I’ve gotta go. My opportunity to win Arianna over for life just walked in the door.

  She turned to offer the couple a warm smile as she slipped the phone in the pocket of her flowy, wide-leg pants. She’d paired them with ballet flats and a short-sleeved silk top. She knew the outfit was casually elegant and well coordinated. Her favorite salesperson at Nordstrom had put the outfit together for Jenna, just like he’d put together ninety percent of her wardrobe. She didn’t know what she was going to do without him. Since she had no money for clothes, she supposed it was a moot point. But their money problems, both hers and her sisters’, would be a thing of the past if she wowed the couple walking her way.

  The woman was tall with shiny, blond hair cut to flatter her narrow face. She wore a maxi sundress that complemented her girl-next-door good looks, her sparkling eyes, and her bright smile. Her fiancé wore Gucci from head to toe, the perfect accompaniment to his look-at-me air and arrogant smile.

  “Hi. I’m Jenna Bell. You must be Faith and Steve.” She offered her hand, doing her best to hide her distaste for the man. She didn’t need a psychology degree to know why she disliked him on sight. He was an all-American version of Lorenzo. She took herself to task over how quickly she’d judged him. She didn’t even know the man.

  “It’s Stephen, not Steve, and before we sign off on my tux, I’d like to see something by Kiton. A pal of mine said it’s the only brand to buy.”

  If you were a multimillionaire, maybe, which of course Faith was, but still. Made in Italy, a Kiton tux would come in at around fifty thousand dollars, and it wasn’t a brand Tie the Knot carried. Arianna had already special ordered the Armani to ensure they’d have it on time.

  “I agree, it’s a beautifully made tux, Stephen. But so is the Armani you’ve chosen.” She gestured to the divan. “Why don’t you make yourselves comfortable, and we’ll go over everything you’ve ordered to make sure you’re happy with your choices.”

  “Didn’t I just say that I’m not? I want to see the Kiton.”

  Faith gave her an apologetic glance and rubbed her fiancé’s arm as they took a seat on the chaise. “It’s a black tux, baby. They all look the same.”

  “That’s the whole point. It’s my big day. I don’t want to look like everyone else.”

  The petulant tone in his voice was so similar to Lorenzo’s that Jenna had to look away in case they read the disgust on her face. She thought about how important their business was to Arianna and pushed all thoughts of Lorenzo from her mind. She forced herself to smile and took the seat across from them. “Can I offer you some tea and lavender cookies with rosewater icing? The local bakery here in Harmony Harbor makes them, and they’re to die for.”

  “Yeah, not really a tea and cookies man, you know. How about some Dom?”

  “Pérignon?”

  He looked at her like she was an idiot. She had a feeling he hadn’t looked at her sister this way. “What other brand would you expect us to drink?”

  “Steve.” Faith shot him a look and then reached for a cookie. “They smell amazing, and tea is perfect. Don’t worry about—”

  “Honestly, it’s no trouble. I’ll be right back.” Jenna had been avoiding looking directly at the couple sitting side by side on the chaise, but just then she made the mistake of doing so. Faith Fourburger wasn’t marrying her one true love.

  Forcing a smile, Jenna walked to the back of the shop. When she reached the small coffee bar off the fitting area, she bent to take a bottle of prosecco out of the fridge, almost positive Stephen wouldn’t have a clue it wasn’t his favorite brand of champagne. Maybe he wouldn’t, but she was almost certain Faith would. Just as she had a feeling Faith wouldn’t out her.

  Jenna filled a champagne flute, reminding herself as she did how important it was to Arianna that Jenna win over Faith and her fiancé. But she didn’t want the woman to end up like her. Then again, Faith’s family had oodles of money, which meant they had lawyers on the payroll. There’s no way Stephen could do to Faith what Lorenzo had done to Jenna. Faith didn’t need her protection. Arianna did.

  The couple looked up from an iPhone, and Faith gave a guilty start. Stephen didn’t. “So that guy really took you for a ride, didn’t he? No wonder you’re so bitter,” he said.

  A hot flush worked its way up Jenna’s chest to her cheeks. It felt like she’d walked into a sauna. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” She knew exactly what they were talking about. Poppy and Byron must’ve printed the first installment of her story. Jenna leaned across the coffee table and smiled. “I hope you enjoy your champagne.”

  “Wait. Now I know why your name’s familiar. You’re that Jenna Bell. The one who owned Southern Belle,” Faith said. “Several members of my sorority live in Charleston and you found them their perfect matches. They’d given up hope before they found you. They said you’re the best. I’d considered making an appointment with you last fall, but then I met Steve. We’re a match made in heaven, aren’t we, baby?”

  Jenna’s heart sank to her feet when Faith turned her smiling face to her. “My friends said you can tell within minutes of meeting a couple if they’re the perfect match. We are, aren’t we?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jenna wanted nothing more than to tell Faith the truth. But there was too much at stake. As much as Tie the Knot couldn’t afford to lose Faith’s business, this was Jenna’s last opportunity to win over Arianna. Her relationship with her stepsister would never recover if she blew this.

  Despite knowing how much depended on her lying to Faith, Jenna’s of course you’re a match was little more than a whisper. Neither Faith nor Stephen seemed to register her verbal stamp of approval on their relationship. Stephen had turned to stare at his bride-to-be, who gazed at him lovingly.

  With his features squinched up, his face didn’t look quite so attractive. “Give me a break. You don’t really believe that one-true-love BS, do you? The matchmaking business is a racket. They’re just a bunch of con artists playing on the emotions of gullible women who have more money than brains.”

  “I’m neither stupid nor gullible, Steve. Neither are Libby and Scarlett, and they’ve been happily married for a couple years to men Jenna not only matched them with, but who she said were their soul mates.”

  Jenna knew the women Faith referred to. Both were successful businesswomen and as warm and wonderful as their husbands.

  “Whew, soul mates, really.” He shook his head and then lifted the champagne flute to his lips, patting Faith’s knee as he did. “If you believe that kind of crap, I’m surprised no one has robbed you blind. But don’t you worry. You’ve got me to take care of you now.” His lips curved in a smirk just before he took a drink of prosecco.

  And Jenna knew right then, deep down in her so
ul, that he was just like Lorenzo. He didn’t love Faith. The only thing he loved about her was her fortune. Jenna forced the words past the fear of what she stood to lose and said loudly and clearly, “No, you’re not a perfect match.” And in case there was any doubt about her meaning, “You’re not a good match at all. In fact, you’re one of the worst matches I’ve seen in a long time.”

  Prosecco spewed from Stephen’s mouth. He jumped to his feet, wiping the droplets from his shirt, cursing her while his fiancée’s shocked gaze moved from him to Jenna. Her eyes pleaded, as though begging Jenna to take it back.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t,” Jenna said. Faith had no idea how much she wished she could.

  * * *

  It was a little less than a week after Jenna had run out the doors of Tie the Knot, and here she was doing it again. Only this time it wasn’t to get away from Lorenzo. It was to get away from her stepsister. Jenna was afraid Arianna was going to kill her. Her suitcase followed her out the door and onto the sidewalk.

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you expected me to do. She asked me if they were the perfect match and—” Tucking Pippa and her bed into her open purse, Jenna bent down to retrieve her suitcase.

  “Lie! Tell her of course they’re the perfect match,” Arianna yelled, her face flushed, her eyes glassy.

  “But they’re not. Why couldn’t you see it? He’s just like Lorenzo. He’s going to make her life miserable and rob her blind.”

  Jenna turned her head at the sound of a car door slamming. It was Serena. She ran toward them. Officer Wilson pulled his patrol car behind her stepsister and got out.

  “You don’t know that. And they’re adults. They’ll figure it out for themselves. You have no business—”

  “That was my business. And I was really, really good at it. Just ask Faith what her friends said. I…I have a gift. I can tell if a couple are meant to be together, and they’re not.”

  “You actually think you’re psychic? That you know if a couple is meant to be together?” Serena said.

  “Oh my God, Serena, of course she doesn’t have a gift. She was going to marry Lorenzo. And look who Daddy married—Gwyneth and her mother.”

  Jenna’s fingers tightened around the suitcase handle. She didn’t want to do this, not on a sidewalk on Main Street, but she wouldn’t let Arianna malign her mother. “My mother was his match. They were soul mates. Gwyneth wasn’t.”

  “Of course you’d say that.” Arianna lifted her hands as though she didn’t have the energy to continue arguing. “You know what? I don’t care anymore. Pretend you have a gift. Do whatever you want, but don’t do it anywhere near my shop.”

  Serena tried to intervene. “Arianna, don’t. You can’t just kick her—”

  “Did you not read the text I sent?” Arianna yelled.

  Serena worried her bottom lip between her teeth and then glanced at Ryan, who came to stand beside her. “No. My meeting with the manager of the hotel took longer than I expected.”

  “We’ve lost Faith Fourburger as a client, and Wedding Bells magazine will no doubt be canceling the spread. Faith refuses to let us have anything to do with their wedding after stepsister dearest here told them they weren’t a match.” She shook her head. “I seriously can’t believe this is happening. Your mother destroyed our family, and now you’ve destroyed our business. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, I guess.”

  “My mother didn’t destroy your family, and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt you and your business. But I couldn’t lie to Faith. She deserved the truth.”

  “Oh my God, it’s not the truth. It just some…some stupid thing you’ve convinced yourself of. Just like you convinced yourself Lorenzo loved you and like when you were a kid and convinced yourself you were going to marry a prince. It might’ve been okay when you were little, but it sure as heck isn’t okay now,” she snapped, and then stabbed an angry finger in Serena and Ryan’s direction. “You think you have special powers? Use them on these two. Are they a perfect match?”

  Jenna looked at her beautiful blond stepsister standing under an old-fashioned lamppost with a basket of petunias swaying in the light summer breeze overhead, filling the air with their musky fragrance. Serena stood within inches of the burly police officer, her body leaning toward him whether she meant to or not. Jenna didn’t know why she hadn’t seen it before, but she did now. In the small space between the couple, a pink-tinged light danced. She wished it weren’t there, wished she could lie. “Yes, they are,” she said, and turned, giving her suitcase a tug to get it moving.

  She didn’t look over her shoulder to see what havoc her pronouncement had wreaked or to think about what pain she may have caused Ryan’s wife or the untenable situation she’d just put Serena in. What had possessed her? She should’ve lied to her sister and to Faith.

  No, not to Faith. She needed to know the truth. Serena though? She should’ve lied to her or at the very least told her when Ryan wasn’t around. He’d been the aggressor, the pursuer. But Jenna had blurted out the truth because of Arianna. She’d wanted to prove to her that she wasn’t delusional, that she didn’t have a choice, that she had to tell Faith.

  And once again history repeated itself and Jenna found herself drinking cocktails at the Salty Dog. Only this time she didn’t have Logan Gallagher to save her from herself. Or Shay or Cherry for that matter.

  “Bless your heart, aren’t you a charmer,” she said to the older man propositioning her from the next barstool over. He was ninety-five if he was a day. She finished licking the white chocolate sprinkles from around the edge of her glass, and it hit her why he’d asked what else she could do with her tongue.

  “Floyd, get your butt off the stool and out the door before Shay gets here. She finds out you’ve been talking to Jenna like that and she’ll show you what you can do with your own tongue,” Gerry the bartender said.

  “Och now, I meant no harm. The lassies these days are too sensitive. Get her another one of those on me. Along with my apologies, lass.”

  “Thank you, kind sir. I accept both your apology and the drink. You saved me from offering my services to Gerry here to pay for my sex on the beach.” She wasn’t sure she’d be able to balance a serving tray with drinks, but she was willing to give it a try.

  Floyd cocked his head. “I think I’ve just been bamboozled by a lady of the night.”

  “I know you’re having a tough go and you’re a friend of Shay’s, Jenna. But we can’t have any of that going on in the bar. Prostitution is illegal, you know. I’m obligated to call the police.”

  “You do that, Gerry. I need somewhere to sleep tonight anyway. Do you think I can get my drink first?”

  * * *

  Logan sat up in the bed in his suite at the Jefferson Hotel and rubbed his hand along his stubbled jaw. “You wanna run that by me again. I think I misheard you,” he said to his brother Michael.

  “Yeah, I thought the same thing. But you heard me right the first time. Jenna was arrested for prostitution and—”

  “Come on, you can’t be serious. Who in their right mind would believe Jenna Bell was a prostitute?” Logan asked.

  “Gerry, the bartender at the pub apparently. And old man Floyd. But I wasn’t quite finished. She was also charged with drunk and disorderly and assaulting a police officer,” Michael said.

  “Okay, Wilson’s gone too far this time.” Logan threw back the covers and got out of bed, frustrated his nemesis was targeting Jenna and he couldn’t leave DC. “We have to do something about the guy, and we have to do it now.”

  “Here’s the thing. As much as I don’t want to give Wilson credit, he’s the reason Jenna ended up getting off with only a slap on the wrist, not me. He didn’t arrest her. A rookie did. He tried to take her purse, which I gather had been Pippa’s bed at the time, and Jenna lost it. Hence the drunk and disorderly and the assault charge. They learned the hard way not to get between Jenna and her bird. When Shay and I arrived at the station, the two of
them were in lockup, keeping everyone entertained. She’s a pretty cute drunk.”

  For a woman who supposedly didn’t drink, she was making up for lost time. “So what happened? Last I heard, her opportunity to win Arianna over for life was walking through the front door of Tie the Knot. Were they out celebrating?”

  “A definite no to the celebrating. Jenna was in worse shape than she was last week,” Michael said.

  “I’m losing patience here, baby brother. It’s one in the morning, and I’ve had a long couple of days. What’s going on with Jenna?” Logan asked.

  “A better question might be, what’s going on with you and Jenna? I’m asking as your lawyer,” his brother said when Logan made an aggravated sound. “You’re charged with assaulting her ex-fiancé, and our defense is you did so to protect her sister. If it comes out that you and Jenna are—”

  Logan knew exactly what was at stake. He’d known all along, and he couldn’t blame a couple of beers or the moon and the stars for why he’d been willing to take the risk. Jenna had been willing and warm, and he’d wanted her—badly. It was as simple and as complicated as that. “I’m just looking out for her. We’re friends.”

  It was the truth if not the whole truth. Jenna was easy to talk to, and he’d enjoyed hanging out with her. His brother wouldn’t be happy to learn that, for one night, they’d been friends with benefits. And Logan had found himself thinking a lot about how great those benefits had been. Though it wasn’t like he had any intention of following up with a repeat. His worries that Lorenzo or Poppy might out them had faded over the past couple days. He’d been more worried about Poppy. He’d met Lorenzo’s type before—the guy thought he was God’s gift to women. He wouldn’t want to believe that Jenna had slept with another man hours after he’d dumped her. Especially a man with a magical penis. Recalling Jenna’s detailed and highly complimentary text to her ex, Logan snorted a laugh, quickly covering it by clearing his throat.