by Olivia Miles
Unfortunately for her, the answer to that was probably yes. And more unfortunate was the fact that she had absolutely no interest in giving her heart away again.
“Well. Anyway.” Colleen blinked quickly and gestured to her progress on Elizabeth’s wedding cake, which, perhaps intentionally, looked nothing like Kate’s.
Kate knew that at first Elizabeth had tried to tone down her excitement and even any discussion of her wedding around Kate, and eventually, as with everyone else, Kate had set a reassuring hand on her best friend’s arm and said the same words she’d just given Colleen. “It’s okay.”
And this time, it would have to be. Her best friend was getting married. Two weddings wouldn’t be ruined by Jake.
Elizabeth had chosen pink dahlias for her bouquet, and Colleen went with this inspiration for the cake, highlighting the white four-tiered creation with a cascade of perfectly piped petals. Kate looked at the drawing tacked to Colleen’s corkboard and down at the sample layer she had created for approval.
“It’s perfect,” Kate announced, beaming in satisfaction. “And I don’t need to taste it to know it tastes delicious, too.”
“You want to try a sample of something? Lemon chiffon with strawberry and cream filling? I’m experimenting with new flavors.” Colleen pointed to a particularly inviting slice of undecorated cake that was resting on the center island. “Go on. Otherwise, this sample just goes to waste.”
Kate thought of the morning she’d had and the sad fact that she didn’t exactly need to worry about looking svelte in that bridesmaid dress next weekend and shrugged. “Why not?”
“Oh, good. I was hoping you would say that. Now I don’t need an excuse to have a slice myself.” Colleen’s dimples quirked as she reached for a knife and plated them each two generous servings before leading them back into the empty storefront.
Kate cut her fork through the layer of fondant and each of the three layers of cake. It barely even crumbled as she brought it to her lips. “Oh my,” she said through a mouthful. She smiled as she swallowed and eagerly dipped her fork for another bite. “Who needs a man when there’s cake?”
Colleen raised her arm. “Me! I need a man. Or, I’d like one, at least.” She gave a sad sigh.
“Well, don’t you have a date tonight?” Kate asked.
Colleen dragged her fork through the middle layer of frosting. “Oh, yes. I do. But…you know my mother. She tends to exaggerate a bit. Tall with dark hair could mean anything over her five-foot-two frame. And lawyer could mean something like…paralegal.”
Kate laughed. It was true that Fiona McKay was slightly prone to dramatize, but she still wasn’t prepared to let her friend off the hook so easily. “Does it matter if he is a foot shorter than expected and not quite as handsome? Sometimes spark is overrated.” She raised a knowing eyebrow. “Jake kept my heart racing right up until the moment he disappeared without looking back.”
“Yes, but some guys are good guys…even the handsome ones.”
Kate bit her lip. She was getting cynical, and who was she to crush her friend’s hope? The girl still believed in good guys and love and happy endings and all that other nonsense. Kate managed not to snort into her cake.
“Do you ever think about dating again?” Colleen asked. It was the first time her friend had dared to broach the subject, but she didn’t look hesitant about bringing it up. This was a good sign, Kate knew rationally. It meant that maybe eventually everyone would stop dancing around her, nervous to accidentally offend.
“Nope.” Kate swallowed another bite of cake, but it didn’t go down as easily as the last one.
“But you’re young and you have so much to offer. There are good guys out there.”
“Really?” Kate looked up at her friend through hooded lashes. “Name one.”
“William, for starters,” Colleen suggested, and Kate shrugged. Maybe, she thought, and hopefully yes, but you could never be sure, could you? Still, if she were a betting woman, she would say that William was a keeper. She wouldn’t be so happy for her best friend otherwise. “And your father. And my father. And Bree’s brother has always been nice to me…”
Ah. Of course. “Matt is nice,” she agreed. But she also agreed with Bree’s assessment of her older brother. Her only male cousin was never with—or without—a girlfriend for long. A warning sign. A big one. “But be careful who you give your heart away to. Learn from me.”
“I just hate what Jake did to you,” Colleen said, growing angry. “Between you and me, I never liked the Lamberts. They think they own this town, even when they’re glorified tourists. The turn their noses at hardworking people like me and my mother who are actually adding something to the community.”
It was true. Jake’s parents weren’t the warmest bunch, and his father was hell-bent on him following in his footsteps, but Jake had been sweet…at the beginning.
“It wasn’t just him,” Kate said on a sigh. She and her friend exchanged a knowing glance. “Anyway, enough talk about that. I want to hear all about what you plan to wear on this date tonight, sparks or no sparks.”
For the next ten minutes she listened to Colleen try to convince herself that maybe she could fall for the nice, safe, reliable guy even if they religiously split every bill to the penny like she’d done with the last guy she dated and even if they did discuss their dating woes to each other like only friends could the way she had with the guy before that, while Kate did her best to stop thinking about asking for a second slice of cake…and about all the reasons why Alec Montgomery was anything but a nice, safe, reliable guy.
* * *
Alec sat across from Mason Lambert among the bustling lunch crowd, trying as best he could to drown out the little voice in his head that kept reminding him how important it was for this meeting to go well. The patriarch of the Lambert family, Mason oversaw the Lambert family’s entire real estate portfolio—which spanned coast to coast and included many of the most exclusive office and retail properties in the country. He was a tough man to crack, and rumor had it an even more difficult man to deal with, but getting him to agree to this meeting had been half the battle. Alec’s assistant had been trying to arrange this meeting for weeks in light of his visit to town, and it wasn’t an opportunity to be taken lightly.
“Isn’t this fortunate timing?” Alec folded his hands on the table. “I happen to be in town this week for my brother’s upcoming wedding. I’m glad we were able to set up this meeting.”
“Thanks again for being so flexible with your timing. Business has suddenly called me out to Vegas for the majority of the week, and I’m catching the red-eye out of Boston tonight.”
“Not a problem.”
“I used to only spend my weekends here,” Mason explained, “but my wife likes staying through the summers now that the kids are grown. She prefers the peace and quiet. My middle son also spends a fair bit of time in Misty Point, though he’s been in the city most of the past year. It’s a great little town.”
It was. In fact, Alec couldn’t find much to complain about. Other than the reason for his visit, of course. “Well, fortunately, our office is located in Boston, so should you decide to work with us, you’ll have access to us around the clock.”
“Planning on spending summers in Misty Point, too, then?” Mason replied.
“The occasional visit. My brother now lives here.” But he wouldn’t for long, if Alec had anything to do with it. Alec gave a polite smile and cleared his throat, waiting for the right moment to make his pitch. The last thing he needed was for the other man to see the desperation in his eyes. Garnering Mason Lambert’s business was game-changing in itself, but when he came with the extension of five well-connected children…It was a game changer.
“I did my research, Mr. Montgomery, and I liked what I saw. I don’t trust my money with just anyone.”
Alec said nothing. His homework must only have been skin-deep. But then, the financial condition of the Montgomery Group was a well-guarded secret. Not
even William knew how bad things were—yet. “Discretion is very important to us, Mr. Lambert. I can assure you that our client list is impressive, and privacy has never been an issue.”
Mason looked at him thoughtfully. “Your brother is running a fine operation here in town. Small, but well respected just the same.” He broke his stare to reach for the bread basket in the center of the table. He took his time in layering a roll with butter.
Alec took the bait. “William’s a smart kid. Taught him everything I know.”
Mason seemed to like this. “I’d like to sit down and have a proper meeting about this later in the week when I’m back in town. I’d like to bring one of my sons along as well. He oversees a large portion of my East Coast real estate holdings, and his involvement is therefore essential.”
Alec loosened his tie, trying to drum up a memory of Kate’s itinerary for the week. The only thing he could recall was the rehearsal dinner Friday night. Missing it would not go over well. “I’m available Friday morning if that suits you.”
Mason’s expression remained unchanged. “I’ll be in touch. Dinner might be better.”
“Unfortunately, I’ve committed to hosting a rehearsal dinner on Friday evening.”
“And unfortunately, I need this matter wrapped up by the end of the week,” Mason said. “We parted ways with our last advisor a few days ago, and I don’t want to let this go for too long.”
Alec frowned.
“If it’s a problem, I understand,” Mason said evenly. “I could just as easily take my business elsewhere.”
Alec tried to gauge the man’s knowledge and failed. If Mason had any idea how crippled the Montgomery Group had become since William’s departure, he was doing a good job of hiding it.
His heart began to pound in his chest as he quietly regarded Mason across the table. He knew that he and Mason had a similar philosophy: business was business. It wasn’t personal. And right now, he had the family’s company to think about.
It was a hell of a lot more than he could say for his brother, he supposed.
“Friday won’t be a problem,” he said tightly.
“Good, so that settles it.” Mason stood, signaling the end of the meeting.
Alec rose to his feet, his mind spinning with the possibilities of what he had just agreed to. He strolled down the steps of the marina restaurant, creating distance between himself and the agreement he had just made. Inside his pocket, his phone vibrated, no doubt his father calling to check in on the status of the meeting, but for once he ignored it, deciding business could wait. Victory was finally close, but it wasn’t as sweet as he had thought it would be.
Chapter Eight
Elizabeth was already waiting at Fiona’s Tea Shop, the friends’ favorite restaurant in all of Misty Point, even if Colleen did cringe at the less-than-subtle eye motions her mother made every time a man under the age of forty passed by the front window. Kate and Elizabeth had been coming here since they were first allowed to go into town on their own, pedaling their bicycles along the cobblestone paths and sailing through the doors in their finest sundresses and wedge sandals and frilly handbags, thinking they were the epitome of sophistication. Back then Colleen was still helping out her mother, but sometimes she joined them for a petit four or cucumber sandwich. That was when they still ordered the hot chocolate instead of the tea, but as they grew, so did their tastes, and the tea shop…well some things were meant to stay the same.
“Ah, Kate! So happy to see you, dear. I was just thinking of you yesterday.” Fiona had an eager look to her eyes that made Kate a little uneasy. She drifted her gaze longingly to the table where Elizabeth sat, suppressing her laughter.
“Oh?” She managed a polite smile. Fiona prided herself on being a matchmaker of sorts, and she had no problem with approaching young men at grocery stores or the dry cleaners if she thought they might be a good match for her only daughter.
But with a date arranged for Colleen tonight, Fiona may have turned her attention to another target.
Please, no, Kate thought.
“Well, I was at my knitting club on Friday night, and dear Peggy Wright was telling me about this marvelous new dating site where you actually take a test, and like magic, they find someone who is one hundred percent compatible with you.” Perhaps not getting the reaction she was hoping for, Fiona pressed, “It’s guaranteed. Or your money back.”
“I imagine they are reimbursing quite a number of people then,” Kate said with a little smile.
Fiona pinched her lips. “An attitude like that doesn’t suit a pretty girl like you.”
No, it didn’t. Fiona had a point there.
“Well, I took the liberty of writing down the information for you.” Fiona walked around to the hostess stand and retrieved a slip of paper, which she pressed firmly into Kate’s palm.
“Dating these days is so easy! If you’re open to it.” She winked.
“Well. Thank you,” Kate managed.
“My pleasure!” Fiona cried. She watched carefully to see what Kate would do with the information in her hands. Because Kate didn’t want to explain herself further, she decided to do nothing, but vowed to toss it as soon as she got home.
She wasn’t looking for love. And she certainly didn’t believe that a computer could find her perfect match from whatever guys happened to be registered with the system at any given moment.
No, real love, the love like her parents had, was special. And rare. And even then, when you thought someone really knew you and would stand by you, there was no guarantee.
And you certainly didn’t get your money back for that.
Kate hurried to Elizabeth, whose cheeks were flushed from laughter. She was happy to see her friend had snagged their favorite table near the window. Fiona liked the space to be eclectic “but not quirky,” and while some tables boasted iron chairs backed with colorful throw pillows or banquettes covered in plush velvet upholstery, Kate and Elizabeth had always gravitated toward the pair of high-backed sky-blue wing chairs nestled around a mahogany pedestal table and tucked right into the shop’s bay window with a perfect people-watching vantage.
“I ordered the Earl Grey for us,” Elizabeth said as Kate unfolded her napkin. She eyed Kate watchfully as Kate set the strainer on her mug and helped herself to the teapot. Fiona was a firm believer in the details, something Kate appreciated, especially when that included sugar cubes and a miniature set of tongs. When she had finished preparing her first cup of tea—two lumps of sugar and a splash of cream—Elizabeth said, “So…aren’t you going to tell me?”
Kate gave her a rueful smile, knowing exactly what her friend was asking and wondering how on earth she had managed to wait so long to inquire. She would have been bursting to know how the cake checkup went, and she knew that Elizabeth was, too, even if she was restraining herself from the emotions that were no doubt charging through her. “I thought you found it bad luck to see your cake in any form before Saturday.”
“Oh, maybe I’m being silly, but I want my wedding day to feel, well, special. It just wouldn’t be as magical if I saw the bouquet and the cake beforehand, would it?”
Kate couldn’t agree more. Picking everything out and seeing it all were two very different experiences. A wedding day was meant to be a day of firsts—and onlys. Her happiest brides were the ones who had allowed for a touch of surprise on their big day. “It was perfect. Colleen is putting extra effort into this one. I can tell.”
“Don’t tell me any more!” Elizabeth said quickly, but she looked pleased as punch as she added a dollop of clotted cream to her scone. “I can’t wait to see the flowers.”
“I’ll be checking on everything beforehand, so you can trust me, everything will be exactly as you envisioned. There won’t be a wilted petal in the bunch, you have my word.” She swallowed back the thought that there was only so much that was in her control. Flowers, cake, the music swelling at the exact moment the bride started her march down the aisle—this was all her respons
ibility. But everyone playing their part…There was only so much in her power. As Alec had so perfectly demonstrated this morning.
She eyed the three-tiered serving tray and finally selected a salmon and cream cheese sandwich on a thin rye bread, crusts carefully removed. Cake followed by high tea. Why not? It wasn’t like anyone would be paying particularly close attention as she walked down the aisle or anything. And she had her Spanx…
Elizabeth set down her knife. “Is everything okay? You’re frowning. You’re worrying me!” She gave a nervous laugh, but Kate saw the fear in her eyes.
She was being unprofessional, letting her guard down because she had a personal relationship with the bride. Elizabeth may be her best friend, but she was also her client, and she deserved the best service Kate could offer.
Thinking fast, she said, “Oh, no. I was just thinking about something Colleen said earlier. She’s going on that date tonight, but I have a feeling her eyes are only for one man.”
“Matt.” Elizabeth raised a knowing eyebrow. There was no denying the fact that Matt was attractive—if Kate could really think of her cousin that way. Captain of the lacrosse team and straight-A student to boot, what wasn’t to like? Smelly socks all over his bedroom floor, Bree was quick to point out back then with a wrinkle of her nose. And there had been the time he’d pulled the ladder from their tree house, leaving Kate, Charlotte, Bree, and Elizabeth stranded with no food or toilet until her mother had come back from her shift at the library, proclaiming she would never give the responsibility of babysitting over to the giggling Matt again.
Whenever they told that story, Colleen got a wistful look on her face, as if she wished more than anything that she too had been the victim of one of Matt’s childish pranks.
“Well, I’m happy she’s giving it a try. And who knows, she may end up liking him more than she thought.” Elizabeth took a sip of her tea. “In fact, you could learn something from her.”