“Oh, please,” Bo said. “I saw you two coming in from my backyard the other night. You looked like two kids who got caught with their hands in the cookie jar.”
Jesse shrugged. “She’s cool. I like her.”
“Well, duh, you like her,” Bo said. “Every man who meets her likes her. You think you’re special?”
Jesse glanced around the table, all of them seeming in agreement. He met Blake’s gaze. “Did you have a thing for her?”
“For about a week. But then she was the first friend I made here and I didn’t want to fuck that up. Not that she’d have been interested.”
“You?” Jesse asked Chase.
“I thought she was hot, for sure, but I knew Bo had a thing for her, so I didn’t even consider it.”
Bo gave him a look that might have constituted a thank you.
Jesse turned to Dane. “You?”
“I met her at the same time I met Marigold, so I had my sights set elsewhere. But yeah, I was definitely intrigued.”
Damn. Jesse had no idea he was such a cliché. He considered Bo from across the table. Bo was a good-looking guy, buff, masculine…the kind of guy women typically went for. What had been her holdup with him? “So why didn’t it work out between the two of you?”
“She doesn’t date younger guys,” Blake said. “Well, not typically.”
Jesse wasn’t sure if he should be surprised by that statement or not.
“But apparently she’s making an exception for Jesse,” Chase said, and Bo just pursed his lips.
“I wasn’t aware the two of you were dating,” Dane said, giving Jesse a look.
Jesse gleaned that Dane knew more than he’d communicated to him yet, and that he needed to wrap this shit up. Bo and Blake may have their brotherly telepathic connection, but Dane and Jesse had their own version of that, too.
Jesse picked his cards up. “We’re not dating.”
“Really?” Chase asked.
“Really.”
“But you’re interested,” Bo stated.
Jesse met Dane’s gaze, who gave him the slightest shake of his head. Jesse sat back, “Well, like you all said, she’s hot, but she’s not interested in younger guys. And I’m definitely a younger guy. Younger than the three of you for sure.” He indicated all but Dane.
“Are you calling me an old man?” Bo asked.
“What are you? Fifty-three, fifty-four?”
Bo’s glare morphed into a smile. “Go get some more money out of your register. You’re getting ready to need it.”
Jesse smiled along with the rest of the guys. He wasn’t sure, but he might have just passed some sort of initiation into this group of friends.
* * *
Jesse saw the guys out, Dane hanging back, saying he needed to hit the head. When he came out, Jesse met him at the bar.
Dane hiked his leg over a barstool. “Well, what did you think?”
“I think they’re fucking nuts.”
Dane smiled. “Yeah, I like them, too.”
“You want a Coke or another beer?”
“Coke. Thanks.”
Jesse poured him one into a plastic cup and handed it to him. “So what do you know that you’re not telling me?”
“It’s not that I’m not telling you. It’s just…when have we talked last?”
That was Jesse’s fault. Their relationship was lopsided. They remained friends through the years because Dane put forth all the effort. He made it a habit to eat lunch there at least a couple of days a week or stop by after work for a beer. If Dane quit coming, Jesse wondered if he’d make the effort to keep in touch. Jesse’s whole world was the bar. His friends were his patrons. He’d lost touch with everyone he’d ever known. Social media wasn’t his thing. He’d never been one to want to display his life, but more than that, he didn’t want to see other people’s lives playing out when he had specifically distanced himself from them.
Jesse leaned onto the bar. “What has she told Marigold about me?”
Dane lifted an eyebrow. “I’m not supposed to say.”
Jesse pulled away, gripping the bar. “What the fuck, man? Are you gonna be one of those guys who’s more loyal to your woman than you are to your best friend?”
“Hell yeah,” Dane said.
“Fuck you.”
Dane held up his drink in a cheers motion and took a sip.
“Come on, man. I’m dying here.”
“Dying? Really?”
“Theoretically speaking.”
Dane narrowed his gaze. “So, you’re really into her, huh?”
If Jesse wanted information, he was going to have to give some. He understood this. He didn’t like it, but he got it. He leaned back in. “I’m going ballistic over here. I can’t quit thinking about her. I’ve slept with more women these past few years than I should admit to, but I can’t get this one off my brain. I think about her all the time, and I don’t even know her, but I’m dying to.”
Dane nodded as if this all made perfect sense, but kept tight-lipped.
“What has she said about me, man? Give me a hint.”
“I don’t necessarily know what she’s said. I just know what Marigold has observed.”
Jesse lifted an eyebrow. “And?”
Dane pursed his lips, looking down at his drink.
“Just answer this,” Jesse said. “Should I keep trying, or do I need to back off?”
Dane glanced around the room like they were exchanging top secret information. He met Jesse’s intent gaze. “Keep trying.”
Jesse’s chest lit up, and a smile crept across his lips that he couldn’t contain. The door opened, and Chase walked in. “Hey, man,” Jesse said, waving him over to the bar. “Did you forget something?”
He headed that way. “Nah, I’ve just been outside bullshitting with them. Bo wouldn’t shut the hell up.”
Jesse nodded with a smile.
Chase backhanded Dane on the shoulder. “Have you told him about this weekend?”
“No, I haven’t,” Dane said.
“Shayla and I are taking a bunch of our friends to this swanky resort in South Florida. It’s to celebrate us getting married. We’d love you to come. Dane’s coming, aren’t you?”
“Yep,” Dane said, holding back a smile.
“It’s this coming weekend. I know that’s short notice, but if you can get away…” His eyebrows went up in a question.
Jesse looked around his bar that ran like a well-oiled machine thanks to his currently reliable staff. He looked at Dane whose eyes went wide, encouragingly.
“Are you sure?” Jesse asked.
Chase smiled. “Cassidy’s gonna be there.”
A weekend away with Cassidy—what had he done to deserve this? “You don’t think Bo would mind me being there?” Jesse asked.
“The thing to know about Bo is the more shit he gives you, the more he likes you.”
Dane cut his eyes at Jesse. “He must be in love with you then.”
Chase nodded confirmation. “He’s fine with it. It was his idea, actually.”
“Really?” Jesse asked.
“Swear to God. Just now out on the sidewalk.” Chase reached across the bar and backhanded him on the shoulder. “Come. We’d love to have you.”
Jesse couldn’t believe his fortune. “Thanks. I think I will.”
“Great.” Chase got out his phone. “What’s your number? I’m gonna text you my assistant’s number. Text her your address and she’ll arrange to have you picked up on Saturday morning. It’s from Saturday to Monday. Does that work for you?”
“I think it will.” Jesse rattled off his number.
“Cool.” Chase pocketed his phone. “I’ll see you both on Saturday,” he said with a wink and headed out.
Jesse turned back to Dane who said, “I guess we’re both in.”
“I guess so. Is that a good thing or bad?”
Dane stood up off the stool. “We’ll know after this weekend.”
9
&n
bsp; Cassidy felt like royalty as she shook hands with the pilot and flight attendant who stood at the bottom of the staircase that led up to the private plane. Due to some mix-up with the limos, Cassidy had ridden in one all by herself. She knew they were going wheels up at nine-thirty, and it was just about that time, but she’d been at the mercy of a slow as molasses limo driver.
“Welcome aboard,” the very handsome pilot said to her.
“Am I the last to arrive?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am, but there’s an empty seat waiting for you. Last one.”
“I hope I didn’t hold you all up.”
“Not at all,” the flight attendant said with a smile. He was good-looking as well. Was that a requirement on this particular charter service?
She shouldered her purse as she ascended the stairs, telling herself to remember this weekend because she’d never have another one like it. That was for sure. As she rounded the corner, Chase and Shayla greeted her from the two front seats.
“Hey, girl,” Shayla said with a smile about as wide as Cassidy had ever seen from her. Shayla was chill pretty much all the time, but a weekend as grandiose as this one called for a smile as big as that one.
Cassidy hugged both Shayla and Chase. “My own private limo?” she said to Chase. “You’re gonna have me so spoiled before this weekend’s over I’m not gonna know what to do with myself.”
“It’s more fun for me than for you all, trust me. I love it,” Chase said, and she believed him.
Cassidy glanced around the plane, which had a single row of seats on one side and a row of double seats on the other.
“Just head on down the aisle. There’s an empty seat for you down the way.” He pointed at the one next to them. “I think the flight attendant uses that one.”
“All right,” Cassidy said, glancing down the single row which looked fairly full at a glance.
Row two housed Desiree and her on-and-off-again boyfriend Tobias, with Ashe in the single seat. The next row had Marigold and Dane on one side with Ethan, Dane’s twin brother, in the single. The next row had Bo and Maya on one side with Sebastian on his own, and the next row had…
Cassidy stopped in her tracks as she caught sight of Jesse sitting against the window with a stunning young woman sitting next to him, hanging on his every word.
This was it. Her own personal hell. Jesse, who she’d slept with on the beach two weeks ago, and who had not begun to leave her brain and her nonstop fantasies, had been dating a beautiful young girl his own age, and had brought her on this trip. This is what she got for acting like a fool. Stupid was as stupid did, as her mom so often repeated to her and her sister.
“Cassidy!” came Seanna’s voice. She stood from the seats behind Jesse and his lovely date, and rounded the seat, wrapping her arms around Cassidy in a hug. She pulled away. “I’m so excited that you’re here. I was afraid you wouldn’t want to close the shop.”
And to think, she’d have had the perfect excuse to get out of this nightmare. “It was just for the day,” Cassidy said, making eye contact with Jesse’s date, who was suddenly very interested in her and smiling from ear to ear. Oh God. Did she have to be kind and cordial, too?
Seanna looked down at her. “Cassidy, I want you to meet someone. This is my assistant, Hannah.”
The girl stood, taking Cassidy’s hand and covering it with her other one. “I am so excited to finally meet you. Seanna talks about you all the time. She absolutely adores you.”
Cassidy glanced at Jesse, whose attention was on his phone. She met Hannah’s kind gaze. “Yes, Hannah. Seanna has mentioned you as well,” Cassidy lied. She wasn’t even sure she knew Seanna had hired an assistant.
“I’m very much looking forward to getting to know you this weekend,” Hannah said.
“If everyone could please get seated, we’re going to take off in just a bit,” said an authoritative but friendly voice over an intercom system.
Hannah shook Jesse’s hand. “So nice to meet you, Jesse.” She turned to Cassidy with her winning smile and grinned with a little wave as she scooted to the single seat in the row with Seanna and Blake. Cassidy glanced at the single seat in Jesse’s row, which held a young woman with earbuds whom she didn’t recognize.
The woman met her gaze with a kind but business-like smile, taking one earbud out. “I’m Chase’s assistant Megan. Working trip.”
“Cassidy,” she replied, and the girl gave her a firm handshake, then put her earbud back in.
Jesse met Cassidy’s gaze and then looked down at the seat. “I think I’m your only choice.”
A glance at the back of the plane confirmed that he was correct. There were a few more seats, but they were all occupied by people Cassidy didn’t know.
“That’s another group who Chase split the charter with. I think they’re headed to Key West after they drop us off.”
“Ah,” Cassidy said, plopping down next to him, wondering how many emotions she could experience in one brief stint of time.
Cassidy felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to find Hannah leaned toward her. “I adore your top by the way. Free People?” she asked.
Cassidy glanced down at it. “Oh, um, I doubt it. I think it came from a sale rack somewhere.”
The girl smiled. “Even better.” She sat back and started going through her purse.
Cassidy turned to Jesse, who was looking at the girl and then met Cassidy’s gaze. “Oh, wait,” Jesse said. “Did you think she was my date?”
Cassidy just dropped her head to the side.
“I can see why you thought that with her sitting here with me. But no. I just met her.” He grinned, an over-the-top gesture to drive home his humiliating point.
“I wasn’t thinking anything about it at all, actually,” she said, pulling her magazine out of her purse and then shoving her purse under the seat in front of them.
“No, of course you weren’t. You’re getting on with your life.”
She winced, remembering her words from a week and a half ago.
“You didn’t want to bring a date?” he asked her.
“I’m not dating anyone,” she said, flipping a page on her magazine.
“Yeah, I’m not either. Well, there is this one girl I keep bumping into, but she’s not really interested. I mean,” he leaned in close, “we had this one incredible night together, but she’s made it clear since then that she has no interest in moving things forward, which is really a shame, because there’s so much I still want to know about her.”
Heat filled Cassidy’s chest and ran up through her neck, her stomach buzzing.
The flight attendant interrupted with his preflight spiel, and Jesse opened the book he’d been holding in his lap. Cassidy glanced around the plane with an unreasonable fear that all these people knew or suspected her business. But Megan sat across the aisle from her intently listening to whatever was coming through her earbuds as she stared out the window. Sebastian in the seat in front of her knew all about it but loved Cassidy anyway. She glanced over the seat back to find Blake and Seanna disgustingly nuzzling into one another with grins. Clearly they couldn’t care less what Cassidy was doing. Maybe she just needed to get over herself and realize that she wasn’t all that interesting to these people after all.
Jesse flipped a page in his book. Was he really reading? How could he lay something like that on her, and then happily start reading his book, focused and comprehending? She damn sure couldn’t.
The plane made its ascension into the air, and Jesse stared out the window. “That never gets old to me. The amazement that this machine can lift up into the air, defying gravity. I mean, I know it’s plain and simple aerodynamics, but it’s still amazing to me. I don’t care how naïve that makes me sound.”
Cassidy smiled, because she’d always thought the same thing. “It’s a shame to me when I’m on a flight and I see all these people staring into their phones or with their eyes closed, seeming completely disinterested when we’re literally passing throu
gh clouds. It seems unreal.”
He nodded, still looking out the window. She found herself pulled toward the window, and him. When the plane leveled out, he turned toward her, and they were so close they almost kissed by accident.
She fell back into her seat. “Sorry.”
“For what?”
“Invading your space.”
“I think we’re past that, don’t you?”
She leaned toward the aisle, scratching her forehead, heat rising up to her ears. She could feel his eyes on her, studying her.
“Do I embarrass you?” he asked.
“What?” she said, meeting his gaze.
“You turn red a lot. You didn’t do that the first couple of times I met you, but ever since—”
She held a finger to her lips, sinking down in her seat a little. Megan, in the seat next to them, remained uninterested, thankfully.
“Hang on,” he said, sitting back away from her. “I don’t embarrass you. You’re embarrassed of me.”
She let her head fall to the side. “Don’t be ridiculous.” Was he being ridiculous?
He nodded, a sardonic smile on his face. “Okay, I see how it is.”
She touched his arm. “I’m not embarrassed of you,” she said, keeping her voice way down.
He put his hand to his ear. “Hmm? What’s that? I can’t hear you.”
She gave him a look. “I’m not embarrassed of you,” she said, louder, but still where nobody else around them could hear, hopefully.
He narrowed his gaze at her. “So I hear you don’t date younger guys.”
She blinked. “Where would you have heard that from?”
“Chase. Or was it Blake? One of them. They were at the bar the other night for their card game.”
A small panic rose in her chest. “And you all were talking about me?”
“You seem to come up frequently with Bo. He’s very concerned about what’s going on with you and me.”
“What did you tell him?”
It was his turn to drop his head to the side. “Will you give me some credit?”
Grayton Beach Dreams Page 7