by Lori Wilde
All the air leaked from her body. Well, that was that.
Let it go. Let him go.
Good advice. Could she heed it?
Determined, Jackie turned and ran smack-dab into Megan Everly. “Oh!” she exclaimed as Megan put up a hand.
“Whoa, Jackie, where’s the fire?”
Jackie plastered a smile on her face. “Hi.”
“I thought that was you, so I came over to say hello.”
“Yep, it’s me.”
Megan wore a tie-dyed sundress and espadrilles. “I didn’t get to tell you goodbye the other night.”
“I’m sorry for running out on your—”
“No need to explain.” Megan gave her a knowing wink. “I saw the way you and my brother were looking at each other and I just have to tell you how pleased I am that you two have found each other and—”
“I’m afraid you’ve gotten the wrong idea about Scott and me. We’re not a couple.”
“I get it.” Megan nodded. “It’s still too new and you don’t want to jinx things by talking about it. I completely understand. Dave and I went out for three months before I was brave enough to tell my mom that I’d found someone special. Love is scary stuff.”
Love? Megan was so off base. She wasn’t in love with Scott.
“Your brother and I are just…” What was she going to say? Sex buddies? Thank God, she’d held her tongue for once instead of blurting out the truth. “Having fun,” she finished.
“That’s what Dave and I told ourselves in the beginning and look at us now.” Megan flashed her two-karat diamond engagement ring. “Getting married on Saturday.”
“I know you two are going to be so happy.” Nervously, Jackie shifted her weight from foot to foot.
“Listen.” Megan rested a hand on Jackie’s shoulder. “I meant to ask you this the other night but things got really busy and we didn’t get a chance to talk again, but you are invited to the wedding. I told Scott to ask you, but I know he’s probably thinking your relationship is too new for a wedding, and if you feel the same way, I understand, but I would really love it if you could come. You mean a lot to Scott, and Scott means a lot to me.”
Jackie thought about the redhead. That showed how well Megan knew her brother. Not well at all. He’d already moved on. “I do appreciate the invitation, but I’ve got a lot of work to do on my dissertation—”
Megan’s smile faltered, but she quickly caught it and lifted her lips brightly. “Yes, well, I just wanted to put that out there. Just in case you were interested. I like you, Jackie.”
Jackie had very few female friends. Hell, who was she kidding? She had very few friends of either sex. She was so into her work that she rarely took time to develop relationships beyond acquaintances and she wasn’t going to do it now. “Um, I like you, too, Megan.”
And she did, but she doubted they had anything in common. Megan was one of those perky bright-eyed glass-half-full kind of girls. The kind who made great wives and mothers. The kind Jackie had never been nor understood.
A shadow of loneliness passed over her. What would it feel like to be normal? To love clothes and food and shopping? To put a high premium on female friendships?
“I hope to see you at the wedding.” She touched Jackie’s arm and then she gave her a little wave and headed off into the crowd.
Well, that served only to send her even further down into the dumps. First seeing Scott with another woman. Then bumping into sweet Megan, who reminded her of all the things she would never be. Jackie trudged back to her apartment, feeling lower than she’d felt in a very long time.
SCOTT’S LUNCH DATE with Juliette Sterns turned out to be a bust. She talked constantly of some reality television show about modeling and how she hoped to try out for it. That was until he finally asked her if she liked to party.
Her eyes glimmered. “What you do mean by party?”
“You know what I mean.” He reached across the table and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles when what he wanted to do was grab her, shake her silly and demand she tell him what the hell she was doing working for a scumbag like DeCristo.
“You mean more than alcohol, right?” Her eyes narrowed in a wicked expression.
He arched an eyebrow.
“Do you enjoy cola?”
He realized it was code for cocaine. “Yes. Do you know where I can get some?”
She nodded. “Premium product.”
Scott sat up straight. “I’m interested.”
“It doesn’t come cheap.”
“’Course not.”
She named a price that had him pressing his lips together to keep from whistling.
“It’s worth it,” she promised.
“When can I get some?” he asked, wondering how he was going to turn this conversation to her supplier.
“It’s not quite that simple,” she said. “Since I got pinched by the cops I’m not in a position to pick it up and because of that, there’s a freeze from the supply end.”
“When do you anticipate a thaw?”
“Maybe in a few days, but I can’t be the one to intercept, if you follow me.”
“You need someone to be your bag boy.”
She pointed a finger at him. “You’re sharp.”
He shook his head. “You know, I don’t do business with people I don’t know. If I’m going to help you out, I need to meet your supplier.”
“No, no.” She shook her head vigorously. “That’s not possible.”
Don’t press. Don’t scare her off.
He shrugged. “Too bad.”
She studied him a long moment. “I wish I could make introductions but the supplier never comes to the U.S. I’ve never dealt with him directly.”
“That’s fine. Say no more. You ready to go?” Scott pulled out his wallet, laid thirty dollars on the table to cover their lunch and the tip.
“I could maybe introduce you to one of his associates here in the Keys.”
It was a start. Should he take it?
“Sorry,” he said smoothly, even as he worried that he was making a grave mistake. “Got a pen?”
“Oh, sure.” She dug a pen from her purse and passed it to him.
He wrote his cell phone number down on a napkin. “Here’s my number. Call me if things change.”
“Thanks.” She folded the napkin, put it in her purse. “Um…I had a nice time.”
“Me, too,” he lied.
“Do you think we could see each other again?”
He wrinkled his nose. “Come through for me on the cola and we’ll see.”
Then with that, he turned and walked away. Hopefully, that would give the redhead something to think about.
JACKIE WASN’T SURE WHY she went to Megan’s wedding. Perhaps it was because the four walls of her apartment were closing in. Maybe it was because her search for the Key blenny had stalled, her theory going nowhere. Or maybe, just maybe, she missed Scott so much she had to see him again.
Plus, she was terrified he’d taken her advice and already moved on with the redhead.
He did what you told him to. You have no right to take him to task.
Jackie walked into the botanical garden where the ceremony was being held. She felt awkward and out of place in the same dress she’d worn to Megan’s party the previous weekend. It wasn’t right that she’d worn white today. Only the bride should wear white on her wedding day, right?
Oh, crap. This was embarrassing. She knew nothing about these social rules. Maybe she could just slip out before anyone saw her.
“Jackie!” Scott’s mother spied her, broke away from the group of people she was speaking with and came across the lawn toward her. “You made it. Megan is going to be so happy to see you.”
“Thank you all for inviting me.”
“But of course.” Shannon Everly beamed. “Any friend of Scott’s is a friend of the entire family.”
Even the redhead?
“I brought a gift.” Jackie held out the wedding prese
nt. It was a silver picture frame.
“What a lovely gesture. Let me show you where you can put it.” Shannon led her to a table overflowing with gifts.
Jackie settled her gift on the table with the others.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the mangrove mermaid.”
At the sound of Scott’s voice, Jackie’s stomach dipped to her shoes. What was this power he held over her? All she had to do was hear his voice and her knees went to rubber.
She turned to find Shannon drifting off with a dreamy smile on her face and Scott standing in front of her looking like a complete daydream in a tuxedo, a gardenia boutonniere at his lapel.
His eyes held a soft warmth. “I’m glad you came.”
Jackie shrugged. “Megan invited me.”
“She’ll be happy you showed. I’m happy you showed.”
“Are you really?”
“I am.” He sounded completely sincere.
They stood looking at each other. Finally, unable to stand the tension, Jackie dropped her gaze.
“I have to go do my brotherly duty and walk my sister down the aisle in place of my father, but let me escort you to your seat.”
“Thank you.”
Scott took her arm and tucked it through his. It felt so good being this close to him.
That was the problem. It felt too good.
He guided her to a folding chair adorned with a white slipcover. He leaned over and whispered, “You look gorgeous.” Then he winked and disappeared.
“Aren’t you a lucky one,” said the elderly woman sitting beside her.
“Excuse me?”
“That Scottie, he’s a hottie. Half the women in Key West are in love with him. Me included. They’re going to be so disappointed to hear he’s finally gotten serious about someone.”
“Oh, no.” Jackie shook her head. “We’re not serious.”
“That’s what you think.”
“What does that mean?” Jackie asked, a fresh round of thrill-fear shooting through her.
The music started and the elderly lady placed an index finger over her mouth. “Shh.”
Okay, shut up. Let the wedding begin.
The ceremony lasted forty minutes and was one of the most beautiful weddings she’d ever been to. Granted, she’d only been to two other weddings, but still. The garden setting was soothing. Puffy white clouds floated overhead. The air smelled of fresh-mown grass, gardenia and citronella. Megan’s bridal gown was simple and elegant. A delirious smile graced the groom’s face.
Scott gave Megan away, then sat down in the front row beside his mother. Jackie studied the back of his head, admiring his thick dark hair cut close, but not too short. He had a strong neck. Tanned and muscular but not bullish. His ears did not stick out the way some men’s did.
He was so perfect.
Her breath slipped quickly between her parted teeth. He can’t be perfect. The perfect guy for you is another scientist who will be as lost in his work as you are in yours. He’s got flaws. Everyone had flaws. He could be nosy and he liked helping people far too much. What was that about? He was too heroic for her. She had a cranky side. A self-absorbed side. She couldn’t be right for a man who loved the world in an open-arms embrace.
Regret flitted through her and she hovered on the verge of tears.
What was this? Jackie Birchard was not emotional. She very rarely cried. She was tough and dedicated and going gooey as ice cream in the sun as Megan and Dave exchanged vows.
Hormones. PMS. The wedding ceremony. All of it? Who knew?
Stop it. Just sit here until it’s over and then you can slip out.
Except that wasn’t the way things turned out. The minute Dave and Megan raced grinning up the aisle, Scott got to his feet and came over to her, moving before the rest of the crowd had a chance to get on their feet.
“We’ve got to go take pictures,” he said, “but don’t you dare go away.”
“Okay,” she agreed and stayed put.
Later, at the start of the reception, Scott reappeared. “You’re sitting beside me.”
“No, no.” She shied. “I can’t sit up front with the wedding party.”
“Says who?”
“Emily Post.”
Scott laughed. “Don’t try to convince me that you know the first thing about wedding protocol, Jackie Birchard. You couldn’t give two hoots in the wind about it.”
“You got me.”
“So come on.”
“I don’t know much but I’m sure it’s a faux pas.”
“I have Megan’s blessing. Dave’s, too.”
“I can’t.”
“You have to work.”
“Well, yes, but that’s not all. If I sit with you, what will people think?”
“That you’re with me.”
“Exactly.”
His smile disappeared. “Is being with me such a bad thing?”
“I can’t promise anything, Scott.”
“I’m not asking for any promises, Jackie. All you have to do is sit there and eat. No obligations.”
“You’re sure?”
“Cross my heart.”
“Fine,” she agreed warily.
It turned out to be fine. The food was delicious, the toasts hilarious. Scott substituted for his father and danced with Megan for the father-daughter dance. Then afterward he handed his sister off to Dave, and went back for Jackie.
She hung back. “I don’t dance.”
“Today you do. This is once and for all your last chance for a first dance. It’s happening tonight.”
Part of her wanted to dance. In fact, she was tapping her toes in time to the music, but part of her was afraid of looking like a clumsy fool.
“I’ll take care of everything,” Scott said. “Just trust me.”
Ah, that was the heart of it. Jackie had trouble trusting anyone to have her back. She’d been disappointed numerous times by the people in her life who were supposed to have her back. Her mother. Her father. Jed. Trusting Scott was a huge leap of faith.
But he was smiling and holding out his hand and in that moment Jackie felt another brick fall from the castle wall she’d built around her heart.
“Trust me, Jackie.”
Resisting Scott was like trying to stand upright in a level-five hurricane on the deck of a lurching merchant ship. She took his hand and the smile that reached his eyes almost broke her heart. He looked so honest, so genuine, so happy to be here with her. She didn’t deserve someone as real as him. “Scott—”
“Jackie.” He pulled her to him and propelled her onto the dance floor.
They swayed underneath the white canopy. Cream-colored candles flickered from the luminaries on the tables. Dancing couples surrounded them but it seemed as if they were all alone on their own little island. She clung to Scott like a life raft.
Jackie took a deep breath and leaned her head against his shoulder, allowing herself to be swept away. She hugged the moment. Hugged this memory close to her heart. She would treasure this first dance forever.
He rested his cheek against her head and they moved in tempo to the song. It was as if the band had tailored the tune to fit Jackie and Scott.
Jackie took a deep breath and resolved to be happy for now. Whatever happened after this did not matter. All that mattered was this moment. With the Japanese lanterns strung overhead lighting up the sky as day drifted into night.
They danced four more songs without sitting down. She knew Scott was in good shape, but she was stunned by his stamina. “How is your leg?” she asked.
“What leg?”
“Shark bite all healed?”
“Good enough. It’s not slowing me down.”
“Nothing slows you down.”
“Except speed bump Jackie.”
“Well, you did have me spinning my wheels for a while.” She tilted her head.
“My place isn’t far from here.”
“Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” She smiled impish
ly.
“I hope so.”
“Are we making up?” she asked.
“I want to.”
“We are,” she confirmed, even as a small part of her whispered, You’re going to get your first broken heart, Jackie Birchard. Just you wait and see.
12
Now stand by for heavy rolls as the ship comes about.
—Coast Guard quote on a wall plaque in Scott’s vacation bungalow
SCOTT TOOK HER BACK to his bungalow. His heart thumped with happiness to have Jackie with him again.
When Megan told him that she’d invited Jackie to the wedding, he’d been jacked up on hope. He’d cleaned the bungalow and stocked up on condoms. He was Coast Guard, after all. Semper Paratus. Always prepared.
She stood in the middle of the living room, hands clasped behind her back, studying the paneled wall. Her gaze traveled over a hand-carved plaque. “Now stand by for heavy rolls as the ship comes about.” She flicked a gaze at him. “What does that mean?”
“Roll with the punches, because they are going to come.”
“Interesting.” Her gaze shifted to the seascape paintings. “These are beautiful. Who painted them?”
“My father,” Scott said. “It was his hobby.”
“How did he die?”
“Line of duty,” Scott said, tight-lipped.
“You must really be missing him today,” she said, and he was surprised to see a fine mist of tears gleaming in her eyes.
“Yeah,” he admitted.
“You need a distraction.” Her hand went to the button of her dress. He loved the way the hem floated around her slender, tanned legs.
“It wouldn’t hurt.”
“I can be that for you.”
He went to her then, stripping off the bow tie of his tuxedo as he walked. “Jackie,” he whispered.
She twined her arms around his neck, tugged his hand down to her sweet, honeyed lips.
And all the pain and sorrow and loneliness he would have been feeling over his father’s absence vanished in the power of her kiss.
They kissed for a long time, slowly undressing each other, garment by garment. Off came his jacket. Her necklace vanished. She removed his cummerbund. He dismantled her dress. Her fingers worked the buttons of his white shirt, one by one. His hand unsnapped her bra.