He quirked a brow in question.
“The rest of the year she’s in Florida with her boyfriend.”
“Snowbird?”
Jill chuckled. “Sort of. They come up two or three months out of the year, but it isn’t always in the summer. Ed—my mom’s boyfriend—likes to visit his kids during that time, and then I visit with Mom.”
“Do you miss having her around?”
“I’m used to it. They’ve been together for about nine years, and dual living since I went away to college. We’re still close. E-mails, occasional phone calls, and all that other stuff moms expect.” Jill blew into the opening of her travel mug, even though the liquid had already cooled to a drinkable temperature. She hid her frayed insides better than she expected.
“And before I forget, Jared and Mel will be at brunch, too.”
Thank God! Someone she could relate to. She sank back into the seat with a sigh.
Today would be the longest day of her life. Not that she harbored any grandiose plans of being in Chet’s life any more than the few weeks remaining, but she wanted Chet’s family to like her. Really like her.
“Lorna. Call me Lorna.” Chet’s mother took Jill’s hand and leaned back, taking her in from head to toe.
Bright sunlight filtered off the high-gloss finish of the boat’s deck and Jill blinked several times until her eyes adjusted to the glare. Boat, ha! When Chet mentioned they’d lunch on his boat, she’d pictured a homey vessel with a small deck and canopy on an upper level, complete with steering wheel. This so-called boat would better be addressed as a yacht, complete with crew.
“Patrick, isn’t she lovely?” Lorna turned to her husband, her face beaming with pleasure. “I just adore the fifties style. You wear it perfectly. Right down to your bobbed bangs and bright red lipstick. Red is definitely your color. You look like a true pin-up girl.”
Even though the spotlight shifted all eyes to Jill, she finally felt relaxed enough to smile. This wasn’t so bad. She could do this. So far everyone had been normal and funny, inviting her into conversations and family jokes. “Thanks.”
“You could almost be a twin to that famous pin-up girl.” She tapped her finger to her bottom lip, then turned to her husband once again. “Honey, who was that pin-up girl from the fifties, the one Uncle Leon obsessed over. Bettie…Bettie—”
“Page, dear. Bettie Page.” Chet’s father directed an indulgent smile toward his wife.
“That’s her. But you’re far prettier, Jill.”
Heat touched Jill’s cheeks. “Thank you. I’m actually a big fan of hers. She was an interesting person, inspiring for women of her time.”
“Well, you certainly have the look down.” It seemed Lorna truly respected Jill’s efforts in the way she dressed. The Castles really were regular people.
Patrick chuckled. “Lorna, leave the poor girl alone.”
Chet had been right in his comment about cloning. The three men—Chet, Jared, and their father—all stood the same height, with the same stance and coloring. Eerie how similar they were. Her concentration, though, stayed glued to Chet. Something special emanated off him. Man, he’d cornered the market on handsome.
Lorna smiled at Patrick, and Mel gazed toward Jared with the same emotions. The only difference being they could do it openly, whereas Jill needed to keep her ogling hidden.
Patrick steered everyone to the open-aired oblong table, and they all pulled up chairs, except for Jared and Mel, who stood off to the side, sipping umbrella-laden drinks.
Jill tilted her head back, letting the sun kiss her face and the breeze caress her skin. Heaven.
Lorna scooted her chair closer to Jill. “I’m so glad to finally get the chance to meet you.”
“Watch out, Jill,” Jared teased.
The warning stalled Jill’s heart, jerking her out of her relaxed state.
“I can see my mother is already scheming.” Jared smiled as he pulled Mel to his side, squeezing her in a quick hug.
Jill’s face flamed. She met Chet’s gaze and delivered her half of their special smile, but he didn’t return it. His eyes narrowed before he turned away. The heat scorching her skin fell away to be replaced by a chill, one that invaded her entire body.
First Mel and Jared played matchmaker. Now the obvious attention of Chet’s mother horrified Jill. Yes, she was attracted to Chet, but damn if she wanted it shoved down her throat from all directions. They weren’t right for each other, and she wished everyone else could see the picture she and Chet did.
No wonder Chet feared how much his family might like her. The mission to marry him off became clearer than the bright blue sky. Jill’s stomach squirmed. Awkward with a capital A.
“I’m going to head down below and grab the rest of what we need for lunch. Patrick, will you give me a hand?” Lorna stood, holding out her hand. Patrick tucked her arm through his and they strolled across the deck.
Within minutes they were back and everyone gathered around to help set the table and fill their plates from the white cardboard containers.
Jill bit back a chuckle as her conversation with Chet about his mom’s cooking abilities resurfaced.
The captain of the boat steered through the tranquil water while they ate. Afterward, everyone moved to covered tables situated around a Jacuzzi. Mid-afternoon sun warmed the area, without overheating it. Jill sat with Chet and his parents at a table underneath a multicolored umbrella that reminded her of a Mexican sombrero. Jared and Mel relaxed off to the side in matching yellow lounge chairs, soaking up the rays.
“Mom, nobody does Chinese takeout like you.” Jared rubbed his stomach. Mel smiled at him, and he took her hand. Mel had never looked happier. Her friend had fallen. Hard.
“You got that right. And the fortune cookies were crisp, with just the right amount of snap.” Chet’s laughter floated on the breeze, though it sounded more forced than normal.
“And to think I get to eat like this every night.” Patrick winked at Jill. She loved their constant teasing, most of it directed at Lorna, who took it in stride.
Lorna dismissed their jokes with a flip of her wrist and turned toward Jill. “Collette tells me she’ll be calling you this week for your help with a small catering function at the university.”
“Oh. That’s wonderful. She’d mentioned it, but we haven’t cemented the details.” She hadn’t expected anything with Collette to happen so soon. Jill fingered the pearl necklace at her throat and glanced at Chet. He looked away, and some of the joy vanished from the moment.
“It’s mostly a brainstorming session with the chairmen’s wives and some others. We’re working on an awards ceremony for the next calendar year.”
“You’ll be there, too?” Part of Jill felt comforted by the news, and another part uncertain.
“Oh yes. You can’t miss one of Collette’s luncheons or you’ll—”
“Never be invited again,” Patrick finished.
“Stop it, Pat.” Lorna rolled her eyes.
“Jill, you didn’t tell me you already had a catering job.” Mel scooted forward, her face bright with excitement.
“We haven’t talked much since I met Collette. She was at one of the dinner parties. She took my card and said she’d be in touch. I just didn’t think it would be so soon.” Jill kept her enthusiasm subdued. She didn’t want to start turning cartwheels, but she couldn’t hold back her wide smile.
Yes, today was going quite well. She hadn’t embarrassed herself in front of Chet’s family, and now the promise of a catering job. Too bad Chet’s quiet mood shrouded her in dread. He’d gone from talking with her to completely tuning her out. Tension drifted in the air around him, and the only explanation was the way his family accepted her—especially his mother.
“How exciting for you. From what I hear about your abilities, I don’t think you’ll have any shortage of work.” Lorna’s genuine smile flitted from her to Mel.
“Jill’s wanted this for so long.” Mel turned from Lorna to Jill. “S
ee, I told you things would start going your way. One of your dreams is coming true, only two remain.” Mel gave a conspiratorial giggle, her ring-drenched fingers hiding her mouth.
Panic rose in Jill’s throat at the questioning looks of the others. She loved Mel, but her mouth could sure cause problems. After all of these years, Mel should’ve learned when to stay quiet.
Jill waited for the quiet to go away. Birds seemed to stop their constant background chatter as if waiting for Jill to comment. Or for Mel to reveal more.
Not one to disappoint nature, Mel continued in her cheery voice, now sounding like she spoke through a bullhorn. “Jill not only likes to dress the fifties look, but she wants to live it.”
Jill looked skyward, beckoning the seagulls overhead to dive-bomb Mel so the only thing coming out of her mouth would be screams of panic.
“How’s that?” Chet smiled when he asked the question, but his lips appeared taut.
Shut up, Mel. Jill glared at her best friend, who’d just moved to her “former friend” list. Again.
Mel ate up the attention. Her smile spread and she winked at Jill, then dropped the biggest nuclear bomb of all time. “Well, she wants it all. To land a hubby, make babies, and own a successful business.”
The coiled spring in Jill’s stomach released, sending shockwaves through her whole body. Mel made it sound like Jill was on the prowl and desperate to land a man, get married, and make babies. Lots of babies.
Truth be told, she wanted nothing more, but she didn’t want to share it with the world. Not like that. And especially with Chet and his family. Plus, the way Mel made it sound…
If she could’ve pulled the sombrero umbrella from the table and bopped Mel over the head with it, she would have.
Jill glanced around. Lorna beamed, Jared smirked, and Patrick grinned and shook his head at his wife. When Jill met Chet’s stare, she wished the sun would burn her into a charcoal briquette. No way did she want Chet to feel like she’d targeted him, although from the way he looked at her, she had no doubt that thought was front runner in his mind.
“Melody, you certainly have a cute turn of phrase.” Lorna chuckled. Mel blushed.
“That she does.” Jill pulled the sunglasses on top of her head over her eyes and closed her lids. If only a wave would wash over the rails of the deck and carry her out to sea—or in this case Lake Michigan.
“That’s why I like her so much, she’s never boring,” Jared said.
Jill peered at Chet from behind the safety of her sunglasses. He stared directly at her, face pinched, a small frown line between his eyebrows.
“Living in a house full of boys has almost been my undoing. I love all this girl talk.” Lorna turned toward her husband and sons. “Maybe you men should head below and find something to do. Give us girls a chance to chat.”
Jared didn’t hesitate and stood as if he’d been hoping for an escape. His father followed. They moved across the deck, not bothering to wait for Chet, who sat stone silent in his seat.
As if realizing all female eyes were on him, he rose, never looking away from Jill. Tension, embarrassment, and dread made a meal of her spine, and the rocking of the boat didn’t help matters, either, chewing up the remainder of her nerves. What if Mel’s big mouth made Chet decide to end their deal—which in essence would fizzle out the connections he could provide and the promise of a loan? He might not have a problem with her moving out after today. Permanently.
“Enjoy your chat, ladies.” He turned toward his mother. “Don’t get any ideas.”
Lorna followed his back until he was out of sight below deck, then turned toward Mel and Jill with a bright smile. “Ladies, let’s get to know each other. I mean really get to know each other.”
Jill glanced at the clock, then cleared the balls from the billiard table. She’d lost interest in her solo game the moment Mel’s number appeared on her cell. After three days of letting Mel sweat it out—her leaving heartfelt messages and apologies—Jill was ready to talk. She’d accepted Mel’s out of control mouth and all her quirks long ago. They’d never been able to stay mad at each other long.
Now, fifteen minutes later, they were chatting like they’d never been apart and all had been forgiven.
“Listen, Mel, I need to start dinner. Chet is bringing home two clients and I want everything perfect.”
“And then afterward you’ll try to talk to him again?”
“Definitely. I haven’t been able to corner him alone for more than sixty seconds since Sunday. And the ride home from the boat…I don’t even want to go there.”
“What happened?”
“Let’s just say he had the urge to listen to music. Loud music. But tonight he better be ready because I’m…” Jill choked back a sob. She didn’t want the newfound friendship between her and Chet ruined over this misunderstanding.
“I’m so sorry, Jill. I was just having fun and, as usual, didn’t think before I opened my mouth. Give him some time. If he’s anything like his brother, he’ll see reason on his own.” The sincerity in Mel’s apology softened Jill’s mood toward her even more.
“We’re going to talk tonight as soon as his guests leave. He’s not getting out of the room until this is resolved.”
“Yowza. That’s my girl.”
Jill hung up to the soft sound of Mel’s chuckle. She wished she could join in, but humor had been absent ever since that day on the boat.
Truth be known, she was afraid she couldn’t get Chet to listen. He seemed beyond determined to avoid her. Or was she being too sensitive? Maybe work really was keeping him busy.
Jill turned out the lights as she left the room. She jumped when her phone beeped, announcing a text from Chet as she walked up the steps from the basement.
Cancel dinner. Eating out. Will be late.
An emptiness settled inside her chest. Jill sank down on the top step, wiping a solitary tear from her cheek. She missed Chet. Missed their laughter, teasing, and conversation. Hell, she missed having dinner with him. They hadn’t eaten together since Mel’s taste for the limelight loosened her lips. The last few evenings he’d claimed an overload of work and had eaten in his office.
Jill hated that Mel’s words had frightened Chet away. After all their conversations, how could he think she wanted anything more from him than friendship? Sure their attraction simmered—okay, boiled—but they were wrong for each other. She knew it and so did he. She only wanted to be friends.
Didn’t she? Yes.
Why couldn’t he see that?
Chapter Fifteen
Alone in the more than adequate kitchen attached to the conference room Collette had rented for the ladies luncheon, Jill threw herself into her work. With steady hands, she placed dollops of sour cream and chives atop the bite-sized appetizers lined up on the silver platter.
Almost two weeks had passed since she’d met Chet’s family, and it’d been over a week since she’d made up with Mel, but things between her and Chet hadn’t changed.
Jill was grateful to have the catering event to keep her busy. The decorator, now empty of the sour cream mixture, hit the table with a clunk. She picked up the rectangular tray and carried it through the swinging kitchen doors to the large round table set up in the middle of the circular room.
Chet had stopped taking his clients out for dinner, but he still avoided being alone with her. Their usual evening walks through the gardens to discuss the dinner parties had turned into either a rushed email or a quick businesslike chat as Chet sailed through the door on his way to work.
Jill hadn’t given up trying to get through to him. She’d just have to wait him out until he wanted to talk.
The turn in their relationship ate her up inside. She marked off the days left of their agreement on the purse-sized kitten calendar she carried. Each check added another brick to her heart.
After Mel dropped her bombshell, Chet changed. Visibly, mentally, and several other words ending in -ly. The man acted like a target spanned his back
and she was the arrow.
She’d never seen someone so hung up on his fears. She understood he didn’t believe in marriage, relationships, and definitely not babies. Just because that’s what she wanted, it didn’t mean he was the only man on earth who could deliver. Wherever he got that misconception, she had no clue. But there was no other explanation regarding the way he acted toward her.
Jeez. She wasn’t asking him to offer any of these.
She’d been the one torn up about their dalliance in the pool, not him. If she were after him to snag a “baby maker,” then she would’ve tried for a repeat. Her head spun at the idea.
Given Gina, she couldn’t blame him for being leery. But damn it, not of her.
Men…they were so…so exasperating!
The ladies luncheon would begin in less than twenty minutes and she was ahead of schedule. How she’d managed to have everything ready before noon was beyond her.
She rearranged several platters, positioning them according to size and food choice. Her nerves were stretched taut. Although she’d had two cups of peppermint tea this morning, she couldn’t stop the butterflies. If this luncheon went smoothly, word would spread, and she’d hopefully secure several other catering jobs.
Collette entered the room with a smiling Lorna at her side. For a brief moment a surge of uncertainty filled Jill. She and Lorna had gotten along so well on the boat, but they hadn’t spoken since. Who knew what Chet might have said?
But when Lorna grabbed Jill’s hand and gave it a small squeeze, Jill relaxed. “This looks lovely, Jill.”
Collette’s flowing sea-green dress matched her eyes and gave her tanned complexion a healthy glow. “More than lovely, it’s gorgeous. You’ve done a remarkable job on a shoestring budget.”
Shoestring was a tad exaggerated. The budget was so generous, Jill managed to order fresh flowers and an ice sculpture centerpiece.
Collette’s delicate features expressed her pleasure as she sashayed around the table, inspecting the appetizers they’d agreed upon. Bite-size snacks in every shape and size. Platters of cheese, breads, meats, fruits, and vegetables were arranged alongside tiny silver tongs, spoons, dips, sauces, and other assorted condiments. As a bonus, something they hadn’t discussed, Jill set up a soup station with three varieties. Of course, her prized squash soup sat front and center.
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