by Andrea Thome
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
India needn’t have worried about the opportunity to make a connection with Susan. The women were seated next to each other at dinner, with Finn and Wyatt just across the table. Violet and Rex were at the other end of the long table, entertaining some guests of the visiting chef.
Susan was easy to talk to, sharing with India much of what she enjoyed about being the proprietress of Blackberry for all these years. She was interested in India’s life in New York, and if she were privy to any of India’s personal backstory, she was either too gracious or too discreet to mention it. They chatted easily about travel, current events, and other common interests.
“So what do you think of Blackberry Farm? Violet told me you’ve wanted to visit for a while. Is it what you expected?” Susan loved to hear feedback from guests, always looking for even the smallest thing they could improve upon.
India raised her glass in salute. “It’s the most captivating place I’ve ever been. Really. It’s remarkable what you’ve done here, creating such a luxurious experience but also a chance for people to truly get away from it all and relax. Every single person who works here loves their job, and it shows. I can’t imagine leaving at the end of the week.”
Susan was intrigued by this young woman who had captivated Wyatt. She was beautiful, smart, and confident, but Susan knew those superficial qualities wouldn’t have been enough to change Wyatt so completely the way India had somehow managed to do. She also knew that India had a full life of her own back in New York, and she was well aware of the girl’s recent adventures, thanks to a quick Google search. She respected her even more for taking a stand the way she had. If only Susan herself had said no instead of yes to the wrong man all those years ago.
But then she wouldn’t have had Claire.
Whatever the case, the light was back on in Wyatt, and Susan felt her eyes sting with tears as she watched him talking animatedly with Finn across the table.
She was grateful for the chance to see him happy again. There were many times she’d wondered if it were even possible. She knew he’d always felt an irrational sense of loyalty to Claire’s memory, and she wondered if she’d been wrong all those years ago to give them her blessing when everyone knew there was so little time left for Claire and even less hope. Watching him stay true to her daughter’s memory over the years had both comforted her and made her feel guilty. She would love nothing more than to see this man she considered her son in love once again. She suspected she was witnessing the beginning of that now.
And Finn. She’d thought he’d never ask. They’d always shared a special connection over the years, even back when she was still married. Sharing the experience of a loss that painful with another human being will bond you for life. She’d thought Finn would die from the grief of losing his wife and daughter and was touched that he’d allowed her to be a friend to him during those dark days.
He’d been a rock for her too, when she lost her own sweet girl. But this thing between them had happened long before that. Watching him step up and be a father and a friend to Wyatt had been what had convinced her that she’d been in love with this man for a long time.
She couldn’t believe she’d waited so long for him to realize the same thing, but now he’d finally come around. She supposed that seeing Wyatt happy had been the kick in the pants Finn had needed. She wasn’t letting him get away now. She’d love him completely for whatever time they had left.
Finn looked across the table at Susan, and it was like everyone else in the room just faded into the background when she smiled back at him. He’d been such a horse’s ass to drag his heels with her all these years. If he’d only known that she’d felt the same way, he would’ve made his move long ago.
She’d told him as much when she’d agreed to be his date for the night, and she’d surprised the hell out of him when she’d pulled him in for a kiss. He didn’t know it could feel like this at his age, and man, oh man, he was sure excited to see if there were any more surprises in store. Their eyes twinkled at each other, and he reached his hand across the table to give hers a gentle squeeze.
“Laying it on pretty thick, aren’t you?” Wyatt said. “I got the message, loud and clear.”
Finn harrumphed, winking at Susan before letting her hand go.
“Just trying to show you how it’s done, boy. Although, from the looks of things, you seem to have finally gotten your head straight all by yourself.”
Finn smiled at Wyatt. “I’m happy for you, son. Really. She’s a keeper.”
Wyatt knew that she was, but he just didn’t know how he was going to go about convincing India to stay. Watching her talk with Susan, and seeing how the two women had clicked, made his heart swell. Maybe it was time for him to stop overthinking things so much and let his emotions take the lead. He knew what he had to do, though, and it made him edgy.
He had to tell her how he felt, but he didn’t want to scare her. It wasn’t normal to have these feelings for someone so quickly, and he wondered if he was crazy to even consider speaking them out loud. What if he didn’t, though, and he lost this chance at happiness with someone he knew was his match?
He could feel the desperation overtaking his rational mind as he watched her excuse herself to use the restroom. There was a bustle of activity tableside, so he waited a few moments until everyone was distracted and then excused himself as well.
He’d noticed out of the corner of his eye that Violet was trying to get his attention for some reason, but he ignored her for now. Wyatt had important business to attend to. He supposed that he might as well start the rest of his life right that minute.
India was just coming out of one of the single restrooms when he rounded the corner and took her hand, leading her back inside. He locked the door and turned to her, his face awash with vulnerability. She stared at him with her big round eyes, and any fear he had faded away in that instant.
“This is going to sound crazy, but I am finding it hard to breathe when I think about you leaving here. It’s like I’m in some crazy free fall, and you’re the oxygen mask I’m wearing, the only thing making it better.”
He stepped closer to her, their faces just inches apart. He reached for her, laying his hands on her shoulders, searching her eyes while he spoke.
“Please tell me you feel this too. I tried so hard to resist you, but there’s something bigger at work here, India. From the moment I saw you in the airport, it’s like I had to know you. And when you look at me like you’re looking at me now, it renders me defenseless. I’m a goner. If you can tell me that it’s purely physical for you, I’ll try to let that be enough. God knows that part has been incredible. But I don’t believe that’s all this is. I don’t know if I can be this person I’m becoming without you.”
Time passed as they looked at each other, but neither of them knew how much. They searched each other’s eyes for the answers.
“Wyatt, I don’t know how this happened, but I’ve fallen in love with you. It’s not just physical for me. I told you I knew something was missing from my life, and I know now. It was you. I’m scared and I don’t understand it . . . but I know. I just—”
He stopped her there, his mouth meeting hers halfway. They felt themselves fuse together in that moment, each of them knowing that there was no return from this. They’d leapt, and now there might be hell to pay. They held on to each other for dear life, afraid to float back to the surface too soon.
They finally parted unwillingly, and Wyatt took her hands in his.
“I’m in love with you too, India. You’ve changed something in me, and I feel alive again. I don’t know where we go from here, but I promise you, when we leave tonight, I’m going to show you just how sure I am.”
He kissed her again, letting his hand linger in hers for a moment before finally letting go, leaving her to collect herself before rejoining him.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was unrecognizable. The woman looking ba
ck at her now was someone she’d never seen before. She was a woman in love.
Smiling, she turned and opened the door and stepped into the hallway. She was about to turn the corner to walk back into the dining room, when she heard a voice behind her. “Hello, India. Small world.” She whirled around.
Jack was standing in the shadows, his cold eyes looking her up and down.
“Looks like I’m not the only one who’s moved on, but, really? A bathroom? Seems a little beneath you.”
India was dumbstruck. She couldn’t wrap her brain around a possible scenario in which Jack would be standing in front of her.
“Who’s the poor bastard you’re stringing along this time?” He intended his words to sting, and they hit the mark. India flinched and tried to collect herself enough to speak.
“What are you doing here, Jack?” Her brain still couldn’t reconcile seeing him in front of her. She couldn’t make herself understand.
He smiled smugly. “That delicious meal we all just enjoyed? My girlfriend prepared it for you. I finally found a woman who understands the value of taking care of people other than herself.”
India didn’t know what to say in response to his attack, and she felt the tears start to fall as she heard footsteps coming down the hall behind her.
It was Violet, and she was mortified.
“India . . . I had no idea. Please forgive me.”
“Forgive you for what?”
Wyatt had followed Violet down the hall, stopping short at the sight of India in tears.
He looked up and saw Jack standing there. The self-satisfied look on the man’s face told him all he needed to know. His hands clenched at his sides, and he moved to position himself between this man and India.
“Who the hell are you?”
CHAPTER
TWENTY
Wyatt had never been in a fight in his life, but seeing India standing there with tears rolling down her cheeks made him think his streak might be over. She looked devastated. It was hard to imagine what could have happened in his brief absence. It had only been a few minutes. Whatever it was, he was certain it had something to do with the egotistical asshole who was standing before him. He could feel the man’s contempt for India as he threw his hands up in mock surrender.
“Whoa, take it easy, pal. I was only saying hello.” Jack took a step backward, feigning submission.
Jack turned toward India, gesturing to her, his smile not reaching his eyes when he spoke.
“India and I know each other well, don’t we, love?” His grin was salacious and his tone overly familiar.
It was his choice of words, though, that had Wyatt fantasizing about dropping him right there in the hallway and then spreading his teeth like fertilizer in the fields tomorrow. Whoever he was, India was visibly rattled but doing her best to collect herself. She wiped the tears from her cheeks but didn’t look up at Wyatt.
Violet stepped in, touching Wyatt on the arm in an attempt to calm him down. She’d never seen him this provoked.
“Wyatt, this is Jack Sterling. He’s a guest of our visiting chef, Laina Ming.”
Violet could see her words register with Wyatt; he looked confused still, but his hands relaxed a little at his sides.
“He’s also my ex-fiancé,” India said in an unsteady voice.
The sounds of other guests enjoying their coffee and dessert floated down the hall, spoons against dinnerware breaking the silence as the four of them stood together awkwardly, seemingly at a loss for words.
Jack spoke first. “Well, I hate to cut this charming reunion short, but I was just headed into the men’s room. Nice to see you, India. Violet, I’ll see you back at the table.” He looked at Wyatt.
“I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot.”
Jack offered Wyatt his hand; Wyatt refused it. Jack smirked, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Well, I hope you’re better at making second impressions. Enjoy your evening.”
Jack turned and pushed his way into the restroom, locking the door behind him.
Wyatt turned to look at India, who had closed her eyes and looked to be in physical pain. He was in disbelief. How had she ever considered marrying that motherfucker? He couldn’t have been more different from what Wyatt had imagined.
Violet broke the silence.
“It’s my fault. I wouldn’t have invited you guys tonight if I’d made the connection. I didn’t realize that Chef Ming was dating your ex, India. I only realized who he was once dinner had started.”
She turned to India, her expression confused.
“What the hell did you ever see in him? He is the most pompous asshole I’ve ever met, nothing like he seems on TV. And Chef Ming is so kind and charming. And you’re so . . . I don’t get it.” Shaking her head in disbelief, she rushed on. “I tried to get your attention to warn you both, but I couldn’t catch your eye without making a scene.”
India opened her eyes and looked up at Wyatt, who was starting to pace now, running his hands through his hair in frustration.
India let out a ragged breath, her voice not sounding like her own. “No one could have seen this coming. I mean, I guess there was something a while back in the tabloids about him dating a celebrity chef, but what are the chances she would be the one cooking here this week? I can’t believe this. I feel sick to my stomach.”
She was visibly shaking, her arms wrapped around herself in an effort to stop. Wyatt quit pacing and turned to look at the two of them with a stony expression. He shrugged off his jacket and walked over to place it around India’s shoulders. Her gaze stayed on the floor in front of her, but she mumbled her thanks.
“Violet, take India back to the table. Let Finn and Susan know I’ll be along in a minute; tell them to excuse my rudeness, but there’s something I have to do.”
Wyatt shot Violet a look that told her the plan wasn’t up for discussion.
“Wyatt, please. Let’s go back together,” India said, her voice pleading.
She looked so wounded standing there draped in his jacket, her blue eyes brimming with tears. He turned away, wishing he could vaporize Jack Sterling.
“Nothing good can come of this. He hates me, and he has every right to.”
Wyatt had his back to them now but visibly stiffened at India’s words. Violet knew he needed time.
“He’ll be along in a minute, India. Let’s get back before this gets any worse. We don’t need to give anyone a reason to talk; people will be wondering where we are if we don’t get back.”
Violet put her arm around India and gently steered her back toward the dining room while Wyatt folded his arms in front of him, determined to wait.
He was feeling a conundrum of things, but mostly he was just pissed. He’d finally told India how he felt, but that moment was tainted now. He rolled up his sleeves while he waited, not sure what he would say but knowing that he couldn’t remain silent.
The door to the restroom opened, and Wyatt watched as Jack strolled out, distracted by the phone in his hand. He was reading something and smiling, not a care in the world, before he looked up and noticed Wyatt standing there. He clicked a button and shut his phone off, dropping it into his pocket. Wyatt got clarity in an instant.
“You wanted your second impression. Well, here it is. Why don’t we talk about what you might have said to India that made her so upset?”
Wyatt knew he needed to remain calm, but his jaw was clenched so tightly it made it hard for the rest of his body not to follow suit.
He did not like this man.
Jack shrugged his shoulders and leaned nonchalantly against the wall, exhibiting a self-assurance that bordered on cockiness.
“Listen, I’m sure you’re a good guy. Violet said great things about you at dinner, and she’s terrific, so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. But you don’t know who you’re dealing with here. India is a man-eater. You might think she’s into you, but you’d better be damn sure you don’t get screwed. Sure, it’s possible sh
e’s even convinced herself that this time it’s different. Trust me, that woman doesn’t know what she wants. Besides, no one will ever be more important to her than her job. Take it from me. When you make it as high up the food chain as India and I have, it’s tough to be with people who don’t understand what it means to be at the pinnacle. Success can be lonely, my friend. You should find someone more . . . well, more like you.”
Wyatt felt his blood run cold. Who knew what this narcissist had said to make India so upset, but if this little speech was any indication, he knew it couldn’t have been good. He used words as weapons, and he used them effectively. There was no reason to waste another minute of his life on this person.
“You’re not my friend, and I’m not so great that I won’t ask you to leave this dinner in front of a room full of people. I suggest you get in there, make your apologies, and excuse yourself for the evening. I want you off this farm by morning. And you’re right. The meal was delicious. No doubt, your girlfriend is a very talented chef. Unfortunately, when it comes to judging people, there’s no accounting for taste.”
Wyatt stepped aside, indicating Jack should exit before him. He took the cue.
“I’ll gladly leave. I have no desire to sit at a table with that woman for even a minute longer. Hell, if I’d known she would be here, I never would have come. I’m here for Laina. But I’m telling you, you’re making a big mistake. When this week is up, she’ll go back to Manhattan and her one true love, leaving you here in this simple little place. You’d better enjoy it while it lasts.” Jack grinned at Wyatt before turning to go. “I’d say I’ll see you in New York, but, yeah . . . that’s probably not happening.”
Jack buttoned his jacket and returned to the dining room.
When Wyatt returned to the table, he found that the dinner had concluded, and guests had started to say their good-byes. Scanning the room, he couldn’t find India, but he saw Violet and Rex standing with Susan, deep in conversation. He strode over to them, looking as disturbed as he felt. They turned to him, concern on their faces.