"My dad."
"I can see the resemblance." She glanced back at the images. "One of these boys is you?"
"Yes, me and Connor. Do you remember either of us?"
"Should I?"
Jace flipped through the pages, telling her about some of his favorite family memories. She just gave him blank stares. He hated that he was the only one who remembered those good times.
Finally, he rose. "I'd better let you get some rest. I'll visit again."
"You do that. You're a nice man."
He closed the door behind him and leaned against the wall to collect himself. His chest felt tight.
A moment later, his phone rang. It was Dallas. At least a problem at one of the cottages was something he could do something about. His mom… she felt more like a lost cause than ever before. This was the first time she hadn't recognized her husband. He tended to be the one person Mom had been able to hang onto.
The phone stopped ringing before he answered. Jace would call his boss back once he was outside. On his way out, he waved to Logan, one of the regular volunteers.
Jace made his way back to the cottages, fixed something simple, and headed home to get ready for his date with Sky. He found his spirits lifting as he thought about seeing her.
He ended up ready a full half hour before needing to leave, so he paced around, trying to think of what he could do to make it even more special. They'd be taking his truck. That wasn't exactly special, but it was different—and it was sparkling clean inside and out. Jace doubted it had looked better when it was brand new.
Finally, it was time to pick her up. He went to the fridge, took the box of chocolates, and headed for the truck. It roared to life, and a minute later, he pulled into Sky's driveway. Jace grabbed the candy and practically leaped out onto the concrete.
He adjusted his collar before ringing the bell. Fancy clothes had never been his favorite, but after going so long without wearing them, they were more uncomfortable than ever before.
When Sky opened the door, her eyes widened as she looked him over. "Wow, look at you."
He held back a smile. "I'd rather look at you." She wore a flowing, knee-length white dress full of random, colorful zig-zags. "You look beautiful. Here, these are for you."
She took the box of chocolates. "You're so sweet. Thank you." Her voice was a little flat, and her smile didn't reach her eyes. She disappeared inside and returned with a brown purse instead of the candy.
"No Pixie?" he asked.
Sky shook her head as she locked the door. "I tired her out earlier. She'll probably sleep the whole time I'm gone."
"Sounds like fun."
She nodded.
He held the passenger door for her and closed it once she was settled, then he went to his side and started it.
Sky jumped as it loudly started.
"Not used to such a noisy vehicle?" he asked.
She shook her head. "My car is so quiet you almost can't hear it."
They made small talk during the short drive, and once in the parking lot, he held her hand. She didn't thread her fingers through his like she usually did.
Inside, the three hosts all smiled at them. "Welcome to Figaro's," said a guy with a buzz cut, diamond stud in his ear, and a tie.
Jace stepped forward. "We have a reservation for two. Name's Jace Fisher."
He looked through a list and then led them through the busy restaurant to their table. As they entered the dining area, the lighting was dimmed and delicious smells intermingled, making Jace's mouth water.
"Thank you," Sky said as she scooted into the booth.
He nodded. "Javier will be your server tonight. He'll be here with water and bread shortly." He hurried back to the front of the restaurant.
Jace looked around, taking everything in. Off to the side, an enormous picture window gave them a spectacular view of the bay. Soft music played in the background. Large abstract paintings decorated the walls. Candles hung above each table, giving just enough light to read the menus.
Sky opened hers. "This place is really nice."
"It really is. I can see why everyone raves about it."
Jace glanced over his menu. The prices were astronomical, but he didn't care. It was all about the experience, and he wanted Sky to have the best possible. "Order anything you want."
"Okay. Thanks." She didn't look up.
Did she think he was bragging by telling her that? The usual excitement in her eyes had been gone since he'd arrived. Was something bothering her? Maybe something with her family?
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
Sky glanced up at him and smiled. "Yeah. This place is wonderful. I love the view." She turned back to the menu.
Jace chewed on his lower lip. Maybe she was just tired? If she said everything was okay, then it must be. He had to be imagining the awkwardness. Shrugging, he turned back to the menu, and finally settled on a filet mignon steak with a side he couldn't pronounce.
The server arrived, apologizing for the wait. He handed them lemon waters and a basket of sliced bread with a buttery dip in the middle. Sky and Jace ordered, and then dug into the appetizer. They both reached for bread and bumped their hands.
He laughed. "Sorry. You go."
She actually cracked a smile. "No, you."
Jace leaned back and shook his head. "Ladies first."
"If you insist." He finally relaxed. Maybe all the awkwardness really had been his imagination. They watched as a boat with a colorful sail docked not far away. Sky even scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder. She smelled sweet and tropical, almost like pineapples. "Have you ever traveled anywhere exotic?"
Sky shook her head. "I've always wanted to go to Hawaii or the Caribbean. Florida is the closest I've gotten."
"And you think the humidity here is bad?" Jace asked.
"I went in the winter time. It was comfortable."
"Ah, I see." His mind wandered to tropical paradises. It would be nice to take her to one someday.
Javier arrived with the food and wine. They dug in, settling into a comfortable silence. Sky finished her cut of salmon and salad before Jace even touched his side dish. She sipped her wine and gazed out at the water, looking deep in thought. He couldn't help wondering if she really was okay.
He was so out of practice on the whole dating scene, he couldn't help but feel like he was missing something. Had he gone wrong somewhere? Maybe she didn't like the chocolates? Or what if it was something else completely? He sighed, wishing he knew what was going on.
Staring at the bay, he tried to figure it out. A family walked in front of the window, distracting his thoughts. It wasn't just any family. It was Alisha, Ben, and their two kids. Jace frowned. Now the botched date was complete.
Javier came to their table. "How is everything? Can I get you anything else? Some dessert, perhaps?"
Sky rubbed her stomach. "I couldn't possibly eat more."
"Boxes, then?" He glanced at Jace's plate.
"Yes, and the check, please," Jace said. He'd lost his appetite, anyway.
"Coming right up." Javier disappeared.
Before long, Jace and Sky were back in the parking lot. He turned to her. "Would you like to take a walk along the shore? There's a really nice path leading to the boats."
"Rain check? I'm really tired."
Disappointment washed through Jace. "Sure. No problem. I'll take you home, then."
The ride back to the cottages was quiet, aside from the music playing. Once at Sky's house, she jumped out before he could open the door for her. She rushed to her front door before he could hold her hand.
He caught up with her. "Thanks for going with me. I had a really nice time."
"So did I. The restaurant was great."
She could've fooled him. "I'm glad to hear it." He leaned closer to give her a kiss, but she ducked away.
"Thank you. Goodnight."
"'Night."
She disappeared inside and closed the door. He stare
d at it, wondering what had gone wrong.
Twenty-Three
Sky woke with a headache. She rolled over, pulling the covers over her head. Pixie's barking sounded from another part of the cottage. That had to have been what woke her. Sky didn't move, hoping her pup would stop. She didn't. It was time for Pixie to go outside after being inside all night.
"Hold on!" Sky rubbed her eyes and forced herself out of bed. She stumbled around, blurry-eyed, and found the leash. Pixie jumped around her feet, yapping, until Sky snapped it onto the collar. They went out back, causing the duck family to scatter off when the door opened. Pixie chased after them, but didn't get very far due to the leash.
"Do your business." Sky yawned and squinted. The sunlight shone brightly, making her headache squeeze all the more.
Once back inside, she dug out some ibuprofen and took two. She gathered the ingredients for a smoothie, but then stopped when she realized the blender would make her head explode—or at least feel like it. Instead, she found a protein bar and ate that with fruit and a glass of almond milk.
Her gaze landed on the box of chocolates Jace had given her the night before. She sighed. That had to have been the most awkward date in the history of dates. Every time she'd looked at him, she felt like he was comparing her to Aspen. Her sister had always been the prettier twin—which made no sense given that they had the same face.
Why had she ever told him about Aspen? She could've just played dumb during the movie, saying that she could vaguely see a resemblance between her and the actress.
Then again, what if she was reading too much into Jace's praise of Aspen's acting in the murder mystery show the other night? It hadn't been like he'd been comparing the two sisters. Really, he'd only said Aspen was a good actress.
Pixie scratched on the door.
"Again?" Sky complained. Maybe a walk would do her some good. She needed to clear her head and get rid of the old insecurities—there was no reason to think Jace had been comparing her to her twin.
Pixie whined, still at the door.
"Oh, all right." Sky rose from the chair and put her dishes in the sink. "But if we're going out, I'm going to get a shower."
The pup scratched on the door again. Running water sounded outside. Probably the neighbors watering their lawn.
"You just did your business. You'll be fine." Sky rubbed Pixie's head and then got ready.
Once outside, her car caught her attention. It shone as if freshly washed. She stepped closer. Water dripped from the tire rims and a trail of suds ran down into the street. Her mouth gaped open. Had Jace washed it?
Guilt stung for doubting him. He wouldn't have done that if he didn't care. Obviously, he didn't care that Sky wasn't Aspen.
Pixie sniffed the suds and tugged on the leash. They walked down the sidewalk, but Sky's mind was far away. She needed to do something for Jace to make up for last night's date. The hurt in his eyes when she'd opted out of going for a romantic stroll had been undeniable.
It was her turn to plan something special. Maybe take him back to the other side of the bay and walk along the path like he'd wanted to do. She could put together a light meal, and they could have another picnic.
She mindlessly smiled at a few people as she walked by.
A brunette with a toddler strapped to her front stopped. "You were at Figaro's with Jace last night, weren't you?"
Sky froze. Not that she should've been surprised. It was a town where everyone literally knew everybody else. "Yes."
"How's he doing?"
"Good. I take it you know him?"
"Very much so." The woman smiled. "I'll never forget our wedding day."
Sky fought to keep the shock off her face. Everything spun around her.
The toddler let out a cry and then screamed, kicking his mother.
"Sorry. I need to get him some food." The woman ran off.
Sky tried to move, but her feet wouldn't cooperate.
Jace had been married? Why hadn't he told her? Sure, Sky had said she respected his privacy, but being divorced was something he should have mentioned as soon as they admitted their feelings for each other. It wasn't a deal-breaker, but she deserved to know—and to hear it from him, not his ex-wife.
Pixie tugged on the leash.
"Let's just go back home. I need to think." They hurried back to the cottage. Everything around them was blurry and out of focus. She tripped over Pixie, barely managing to catch her balance before face-planting in the concrete.
Then she remembered her first conversation with Claire. She had mentioned Jace getting married. After she asked him about it, he'd only shown her his bare ring finger, but hadn't denied actually having gotten married.
As soon as Sky saw her shiny car, tears blurred her vision. What was she supposed to make of his mixed signals? It was too much. She hurried inside, threw herself onto the couch, and stared at a blank wall.
It made her sick that he'd been married and not bothered to tell her. How could he think that was an unimportant detail? If they were going to be in a serious relationship, she deserved to know that much.
The longer she sat there, the more infuriated she became. She wasn't going to sit there and feel sorry for herself. No, she was going to hunt down Jace Fisher and find out exactly what was going on.
Sky went into the bathroom and fixed some smudged mascara before marching to the front door.
Pixie barked at her.
"Sorry, but you have to stay home this time." She grabbed her purse and stormed outside. Hammering sounded not far away. That had to be where Jace was. Clenching her jaw, she followed the noise.
Her pulse pounded, racing through her body. Would this end everything great they had going, or would he have a reason for not telling her that made so much sense she had no other choice but to forgive him?
The hammering grew louder as she neared the pink cottage. She went around and found Jace fixing a board on the side of the house.
Sky stood there for what seemed like forever before he noticed her.
He set the hammer down and turned to her, smiling—but it faded almost immediately. "Are you okay?"
All she could do was shake her head.
"What's wrong?"
She took a deep breath. It still felt like the world was spinning around her. "I know I told you that I respect your right to privacy, but I do deserve to know anything major about you. That's only fair."
Jace nodded. "I understand, but what has you so upset? Do you need to sit down? Are you thirsty?" He reached for a water bottle.
"No!" she snapped.
He studied her. "What do you need, then?"
Was he really that dense? She wanted to shake him. "For you to tell me anything about you that I should know if we're going to keep seeing each other!"
Twenty-Four
Jace stared at Sky, struck with confusion. "I can't think of anything."
"Seriously?" she yelled.
He'd never seen her so upset. "Maybe we should go somewhere a little more private to talk. There are people inside the cottage. Honeymooners."
Sky's face contorted, and if he didn't know better, he'd have thought he'd seen steam shoot out her ears. "Let me guess. You don't want them to hear what you have to tell me?"
"No. It's not that." He made sure to keep his voice low and steady. "I just don't want to bother them. Do you want to go to the beach? Or to your place?"
"No! I just want you to tell me the truth."
Jace felt like he'd been punched in the gut. "I assure you I've never lied to you."
"Well, you've gone out of your way to hide at least one major thing from me." Her eyes narrowed and her mouth formed a straight line.
"I'll be right back," he called to the couple inside. He reached for Sky, but she yanked her arm away and glowered at him. His heart thundered against his ribcage. "Follow me."
"Fine."
Jace led her to a quiet part of the beach, taking advantage of the silence to try and figure out what the heck
was going on. Things had been a little awkward at the restaurant, but now she was taking it to a whole new level. It was starting to irritate him. He stopped at a bench underneath some trees. He gestured for her to sit.
Sky folded her arms and shook her head.
"Would you tell me what's going on?" he demanded. "If you're going to accuse me of something, at least tell me what you think I did."
"What I think you did?" she exclaimed.
He took a deep breath. "Tell me what I did, would you?"
She stared at him, her face growing redder by the moment. "I just want you to tell me anything major in your life that I, as someone dating you, should know about. That's all I ask."
"That's fair." His mind went over anything important he may have left out. "You know about my mom."
Sky nodded but her expression didn't relax any.
"My dad and brother both died."
"Anything else? Something big you might be leaving out?"
"Do you want me to list out for you every heartache I've ever experienced? Because that could take a while." He glared back at her, his irritation growing by the moment. "Do you want every detail about how my dad and brother died? Is that it? Maybe talk about my grandpa's last days as cancer destroyed him?"
Her expression softened. "No, of course not. I said something big that you did." She stared him down again.
Jace's irritation flipped to anger. "It sounds like you already know something. Why don't you tell me so I can explain it?"
"Because I want to hear it from you!"
He clenched his fists, wanting to punch one of the trees. "How, pray tell, am I supposed to do that if I don't even know what you're talking about?"
"Something major. A detail that you wouldn't want to leave out from someone you care about."
Jace counted to ten, then twenty. "If you know, just tell me."
"Like I said, I want to hear it from you."
The argument was going nowhere, and there was no way he could figure out what she wanted to know. It wasn't like he'd been to jail or anything serious like that. His life, apart from the many heartaches, had been pretty dull.
She tapped her foot.
He snapped his attention toward her. "I'm sick of playing games. Either tell me what you know, or don't."
Sweet Dreams (Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series Book 1) Page 9