by Olivia Miles
Candy helped herself to a giant cookie and looked at Gabby with interest. “We aren’t, by chance, talking about a certain bartender in town?”
Gabby suppressed a sigh. Candy wasn’t going to let this Jackson thing drop. For so many reasons, Gabby’s life would be easier once Candy had sailed off on her honeymoon, she reminded herself. After much discussion, the couple had decided on a two-week cruise, and Gabby suspected it would be the most relaxing fourteen days that any of the Conway girls would experience for the foreseeable future.
“Bella and I were just talking about an old friend from school,” Gabby said, not mentioning that it was a male friend and that she and Doug had never really been friends at all.
That according to Bella, they’d been two of a kind.
Looking disappointed, Candy took another cookie and went to her favorite seat, the chair beside Bella, even though the meeting hadn’t yet started, and no one would dare take Candy’s seat, knowing that if they tried, she’d bat her eyelashes and plead with them to trade.
Two of a kind. As if! Gabby was still frowning into her plate considering her cousin’s words, when Bella touched her on the shoulder, made her excuses, and tapped on her heels across the room to where her sister Heidi was standing with Helena, the town librarian.
Normally, Gabby might have joined them, but she was too unnerved by what Bella had just said. Besides, she hadn’t even mentioned to her cousin that Doug was insistent that he didn’t believe in love—not for himself. Maybe not for anyone.
Gabby set her plate down on the table and noticed a stack of new romances on the table beside it, most specifically, the latest in one of her favorite series, guaranteed to have a swoon-worthy hero and the happiest of endings.
Maybe she should take her sister’s advice. Take a break from looking for love for a while. At least she could always find it between the pages of a book.
Doug pulled his frozen dinner from the microwave and peeled away the plastic cover, knowing that his mother would insist he join them for Sunday night dinner if she had any idea what he was eating. It was another reason that he didn’t want to share too many details of his personal life. His parents knew about the breakup, of course, and the last thing he needed was his mother worrying too much, because her type of worry usually led to problem-solving, and that, he feared, would lead to matchmaking.
Make that more matchmaking. She’d called twice to not so casually mention that he seemed to be having a nice time at the last two weddings. The less he said, the more she pressed. It would seem that she had made it her mission to see her eldest son settled into a relationship. One that preferably led to marriage.
He’d tried to tell her that he was happier this way, but she was his mother, and she tapped into the small part of him that wasn’t so sure that this was true. And damn it if she wasn’t determined to make it all better, the way she’d always done, even when he was younger. Only now the wounds couldn’t be bandaged or forgotten about with an ice-cream cone. Now the only way to ensure he never felt that sort of pain again was to stay clear of it.
The game was on the television, a hot plate of lasagna ready to be enjoyed, and a six-pack of cold beers on the bottom shelf of the fridge. Sure, they were the only thing in the fridge, but he hardly had time to grocery shop between work and all these weddings.
A knock on the door interrupted him as he was grabbing a plastic fork from the stash he kept from the delivery bags he’d collected since his return.
“It’s open!” he called, knowing that it would be his brother, who lived one floor up in this old mill at the edge of downtown that had been converted into apartments years ago.
“Smells good in here,” Justin remarked, sniffing the air.
Doug laughed. “If Mom could hear you, she’d be dropping off casseroles for a month.”
“Would that be so bad?” Justin opened the freezer, which, opposite of the fridge, was packed with frozen entrees, and then closed it, opting for a beer instead. “I was going to see if you wanted to grab a drink in town.” He cracked the top of his can, taking a long sip.
“Another night,” Doug promised. He’d gotten used to staying in and relaxing with the television for company, but having his brother nearby was a good change of pace. He pulled over two unpacked boxes that were currently being used as a makeshift coffee table and motioned to the couch. “Make yourself at home.”
“I’m not staying long. Some of the guys are at Harrison’s, watching the game together.”
Doug nodded. Since coming back to town, he hadn’t gotten out much, not that he had anything against the guys he’d once called friends in school. Or at least, acquaintances. Truth was he kept to himself back then even more than Justin did. But whereas Justin’s excuse was that he was quiet and reserved, Doug’s excuse was that he saw high school as a steppingstone for college and then law school, not as an experience to enjoy in the moment.
Tonight, he was drained. Tired from two weekends in a row of socializing, fielding probing questions from nosy former neighbors who wanted to know if he met anyone special yet. Tired from spending his days establishing his new practice, dealing with the stress of the calls he took from the few clients he’d taken on. It was enough to turn the most romantic guy into a realist, not that he’d ever been romantic.
Or so Lisa had said when she’d ended things.
“You thinking of Lisa?” Justin pointed to the spot between his eyebrows. “You get this little pinch there every time her name gets mentioned.”
Doug raised his hand to his forehead. Caught. “Nothing to think about. We dated. I proposed. She called it off.”
“You seemed pretty caught up in conversation with Gabby Conway last night,” Justin said, smirking.
Now Doug scowled as he popped the top on his can of beer. “And you’re starting to sound like Mom.” A thought stopped him mid-sip. “Tell me she’s not going to try to pair us up.”
“Are you kidding? She pulled me aside when the dancing started to ask me what I’d overheard at the table.”
“Here I thought she was trying to push me onto some of the other single women at the table.”
“Oh, I think that was just her way of feeling out how much you preferred Gabby.” Justin’s grin was broad and gloating. He was enjoying this entirely too much.
“Gabby and I are just old friends,” Doug said, and then paused, realizing that he wasn’t so sure this was true.
Sure enough, Justin said, “Since when? You two were at each other’s necks back in school.”
“Only because we were always after the same things,” Doug said. They hadn’t been friends, but they hadn’t been enemies either. If anything, it was because of Gabby that he’d felt compelled to push himself harder, strive further, be the best that he could be.
“It was more of a healthy competition we had going,” Doug summarized. Yes, that was all it was.
“She’s still pretty,” Justin said, and as there was no arguing with that, Doug could only nod. With her long auburn hair and sharp green eyes, there was no trying to deny the fact that Gabby was a beauty.
“Yep, always was.” His mouth thinned. Enough talk about Gabby Conway, or his love life, and definitely not in the same breath. “You sure you don’t want to stay?”
Justin set down his beer and shook his head. “You sure you don’t want to come?”
If heading out with his brother meant more questions about the state of his personal life, he’d rather sit out. Besides, Kyle Harrison was married to Gabby’s sister Brooke, and even though he had handed the bar off to his brother recently, he still probably frequented it on nights like this.
“Early morning tomorrow. Prenuptial papers. Usually a draining experience, sometimes ugly.”
“Next time then.” Justin backed up to the door and pointed at him. “And I won’t take no for an answer.”
The door closed with a click and Doug turned the lock. The apartment felt suddenly very quiet, too quiet, and he picked up the remote
and cranked the volume on the television, but it didn’t help.
His brother was good company, but the truth was that the only person that Doug enjoyed chatting with these days was Gabby Conway. He’d always liked chatting with her—or arguing, if one might call it that. It fired him up, got his blood pumping, excited him in a way that he hadn’t felt in a long time. Not since high school, really.
He shook his head, slid his fork through his lasagna, and took a big bite.
He’d gotten used to spending time with a woman these past few days. And that was probably something he shouldn’t turn into a habit.
He’d just need to get out more. Be amongst the land of the living. Remind himself that he wasn’t completely alone. But that he was most certainly better off not sharing his life.
Chapter Seven
On Thursday evening, Gabby closed up her shop and let herself into the door beside it, before hurrying up the long flight of stairs to her apartment on the top floor above Sweet Stems. She had spent too much time helping a kind, older gentleman pick out flowers for his wife for their anniversary, and now she had about ten minutes to change and get ready before making it to the Carriage House Inn in time to meet her sisters for a midweek dinner.
Jenna usually ran late with her piano lessons, and Brooke could be held up by a client. Gabby hoped to snag the best table before things filled up, as they were known to do, especially during the summer months when tourism was at an all-time high, even during the weekdays.
Her apartment was small, but cozy, with creamy white walls and pops of color in her throw pillows on her blue sofa and all-white bed. She rummaged through her closet, wishing that Brooke still lived in the little apartment over her shop so that she could borrow something—but Brooke was back to living with her husband, of course, and now Jenna had recently taken the apartment instead. After nearly six years in New York and a fashion career under her belt, Brooke could always be counted on to look stunning wherever she went, and even better, she was always happy to share her closet. Other than close proximity, the same could not be said for Jenna, who was happy in casual attire or overly formalwear reserved for her concerts or other performances.
Gabby exchanged the cotton sundress she’d worn all day for cropped jeans, a white cotton top, and her favorite gold metallic sandals. With a quick comb of her hair and a touch of lip gloss, she was back down the stairs again, tapping out a text to her sisters just as one appeared on the screen.
It was Brooke. Stuck at work. Running ten minutes late. Oh, and did she know that Jenna couldn’t make it? A make-up piano lesson for a student who had been sick last week.
No, Gabby had not known this, and she was disappointed that her youngest sister would be absent, but still, she was happy to use the time to discuss Candy and some other clients that she shared with Brooke. Gabby had the impression that this kind of talk made Jenna feel left out, even though she was sometimes asked to play piano at a wedding ceremony.
Gabby took the side entrance to the pub, bypassing the front lobby entrance of the Carriage House Inn, and was dismayed to see that it was already filling up. She considered sending another text to her sister, suggesting they meet at the Yacht Club instead, but there would be no way they’d get a table on such a gorgeous summer night at the waterfront restaurant, especially not at this time of evening. Firefly Café would be equally busy with their lakeside deck, but Amelia had been known to “find” a table for her in the past.
Gabby considered this for a moment until she remembered that Candy now worked at the café nearly full time.
She kept her eye on the dining room of the pub as she made her way to the bar, just as a couple was sliding off their stools. Perfect! She hopped onto one, tossed her bag on the other, and grinned with satisfaction. Until she saw the man sitting next to her.
None other than Doug Monroe. And from the amused look on his face, he’d witnessed the entire thing.
“I didn’t realize you would be so eager to see me!” His eyes seemed to twinkle.
She gaped at him. “I…I…I just…” She could feel the heat flare in her cheeks as she struggled to find a diplomatic response.
Fortunately, he started to laugh. “I’m joking. Obviously, this is a surprise for us both.”
A pleasant one? She had to admit that she didn’t exactly feel as fired up as she normally did when she caught that smirk. Besides, he had helped her out last weekend, and she still hadn’t properly thanked him for it, either.
“I’m waiting for my sister Brooke, but she’s running late,” she explained. She eyed his beer, which was almost finished. “I owe you a drink anyway.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “I would have thought by your notion of romance that the man should do the buying.”
She swallowed hard, laughing nervously. “Well, this isn’t a date, and there’s nothing romantic between us. I just wanted to say thank you, for last weekend.”
He didn’t argue with her but just gave a little knowing smile. “I don’t share my cake with just anyone, you know.”
She felt her cheeks flush again, only this time at his words, not hers.
Jackson was behind the bar, and he came over, a look of obvious interest passing through his eyes when he glanced from her to Doug and back again.
The look she gave him in return was withering.
“A white wine for me and another beer for Doug. And I’ll start a tab. Brooke and I are having dinner.”
She didn’t need to look at the menu to know what she’d be ordering—a juicy burger with a side of truffle fries. She’d been coming here since she was a kid, and the cook had stayed all these years. It was something she’d come to count on, she supposed. A reason why she stayed. Blue Harbor may not have offered her the exact life she’d been hoping for just yet, but what it did offer, she knew she couldn’t replicate anywhere else.
She glanced at Doug, wondering if the pull of this small community had been the reason for his return.
“Kyle joining you guys?” Jackson asked as he poured the drinks and handed them across the bar.
Gabby shook her head. Kyle was still in the process of transitioning management of Harrison’s to his brother, Ryan. It would take time, and he’d still be invested, but he now had the opportunity to pursue his true passion, making hand-carved furniture that looked more beautiful than anything she’d ever seen in a store. It was a reminder to her that things worth waiting for came in due time, and that she could try to be a little more patient and enjoy the journey.
“Ladies’ night tonight.” Her grin was only mildly apologetic.
Jackson and Doug exchanged a look and Doug held up a hand, grinning, “I was here first.”
“And there were no free tables,” Gabby was quick to add.
Jackson just shook his head. “I think you both protest too much.” With a low rumble of laughter, he flung a towel over his shoulder and walked to the opposite end of the bar.
Gabby stared after him and then slanted a glance at Doug. “Ridiculous. Don’t mind him. Everyone in this town is just determined to set me up.”
“Join the club,” Doug snorted.
“I take it your mother hasn’t backed off?” Gabby couldn’t help but like the camaraderie. Her mother was quiet with her opinions, but Candy was far from shy, and Maddie wasn’t far behind.
“Ever since I moved back.” Doug shook his head. “They don’t think I’ll be happy until I meet the right woman. Can’t seem to understand that I’m perfectly fine, just as I am.”
Gabby went quiet at that. Here was a man who was determined to stay single, not that it should matter much to her. Except that the more time she spent in his company, the more she was starting to think that there might be more in common between them than she’d first thought.
“I have another wedding this weekend. Client gig. But my mother has still taken it upon herself to inquire about the seating arrangements and guest list. She happens to know the manager of the Yacht Club. Popular place for weddings, it would
seem.”
“The McBride wedding?” Gabby was suddenly alert. She’d been reviewing the order form today, checking her inventory, calling the flower market to be sure that her orders would all arrive in time.
His gaze snapped to hers. “Don’t tell me—”
She laughed. “I’m doing the flowers.”
“You’re really in demand, aren’t you?”
She felt her smile slip as she stiffened and sipped her drink. “It’s a full-time career, and admittedly this is my busy season.”
He cocked his head to the side, giving her a little nudge. “I see that now. You’ve turned me into a believer.”
Her eyes sprung open. “Is that so? You’re actually admitting that I’m right?”
“I’m admitting that I see your point about the benefit and allure of flowers, yes.”
“And here I thought I had turned you into a believer about love.”
His eyes went flat and for a moment she wondered if she had touched a nerve. But he just took a sip of his beer and said, “Can’t see anyone convincing me of that.”
“I suppose if all these weddings can’t change your mind, then it’s a pointless argument.” She sighed. “Although, I’m starting to get a little tired of filling all of my Saturdays this way.”
“You’re not alone. Looks like we’ll be stuck with each other for another Saturday night. Could be worse, right?” He gave her a long look, one that made her finally look away.
“It beats a root canal,” she said, sliding him a rueful look.
“Or a blind date,” he said, raising an eyebrow.
Leave it to him to have a better retort. Like always. “Okay, you win. But thankfully, I haven’t ever been subjected to a blind date.” Though at this rate, Candy was probably sure to find a way to make that happen. What Candy didn’t seem to understand was that she didn’t want to force love. She wanted to find it.
“I was thinking,” Doug said slowly, “that if we’re both stuck at another singles tables, we might think about going together. Or at least being each other’s wingman. You know, in case you’re seated next to another preteen.”