CHAPTER 10

The bells on the front door jingled for what felt to Skye like the millionth time that morning. She was working in the storeroom, arranging a shipment of imported coffee that had just arrived whilst simultaneously handing Jess anything she needed.

After allowing her cousins back into the store room for a day she had banished them for life. If they needed anything they were to ask, beg, or grovel but they were not allowed to touch any cupboard as long as Skye was there.

In the space of a few hours Skye had to go the bank, Jess had jumbled all the florist’s vases which were carefully arranged by size and color and Suki had thought it a good idea to tuck anything she didn’t want in the front store into any cupboard that showed a fraction of space.

Skye had nearly resigned on the spot. After apologizing profusely they had promised to never enter the holy story room again. Instead she had placed a large crate on the one side for Suki; anything that needed to be stored was to be placed inside for Skye to store. For Jess she had designed a request form which she could fill out whenever Skye wasn’t immediately available. The new system had been working lovely since. Not only was Skye’s OCD soothed, but her anxiety also seemed to disappear when she was around the coffee and flowers. Besides the near panic attack she had the evening before with Garret, life in the Hamptons was treating her well. That begged the question, what had brought it on. Was it the bar, the noise, or simply her attraction to Garret?

She stepped into the front store to take something to Suki when she overheard a woman mention Garret’s name.

“Did you hear who is in town this weekend?” A tall blonde wearing a skirt barely covering her private parts asked her friend.

Her short brunette friend, clumpy in sweater and shorts, picked up a bag of Columbian coffee before replying somewhat disinterestedly. “No, who?”

“Garret Roth.” The blonde’s big blue eyes widened at the words the same time the brunette placed the coffee back on the shelf and turned to her surprised. “What? Did you see him? What does he look like?”

“I saw him at the grocer this morning, but he doesn’t seem to be overly heartbroken.”

“Well it has been two years.” The brunette answered as she inspected a bag of Antiguan coffee beans. “Besides Vanessa’s moved on.”

“I know, but he didn’t seem to since they had broken up. Do you think he’s dating again?”

“I don’t know, why don’t you ask him?”

“No.” The blonde answered hastily. “That man was heartbroken after what happened with Vanessa. I really don’t feel like being his rebound.”

Skye reeled at the information. Garret had been heartbroken over a woman called Vanessa. What had happened between them that caused him to look heartbroken for two years? She scanned the shop for Suki and Jess and when she didn’t see them she found the perfect excuse to make small talk with two patrons.

“Hello ladies. Welcome to the Petal and Kettle. See anything you like?”

“Hi,” the blonde smiled at Skye before continuing. “We’re still browsing.” Turning back to her friend she said in a more serious voice. “The funny thing was this morning he seemed almost happy.”

“That does sound strange. Does he know Vanessa got engaged?”

They kept on talking as if Skye wasn’t there. She stood in her spot and absorbed every inch of information she could gather.

“Well they move in the same circles, it would be hard not to know.”

Not being able to hold her curiosity any longer, Skye touched the blonde’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for asking, but are you talking about Garret Roth?”

The blonde turned to Skye assessing her from top to bottom before answering. “Yes, we are. Do you know him?”

Skye laughed and waved her arm as if it wasn’t important. “I met him at a party another night, he kept to himself all night.”

“Oh honey, that’s typical Garret for you.”

“What do you mean?” Skye played dumb hoping the blonde liked to gossip.

Taking the bait the blonde leaned closer. “You mean you don’t know?”

“I’m sorry I’m new in town, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

The blonde raised her brows as if it was completely ridiculous that Skye didn’t know about Garret’s history. She turned to the brunette who nodded before taking Skye’s arm and continuing in a hushed voice. “Well you see Garret had been in love with his college sweet heart. They had been together for what was it…” She turned to the brunette for clarification.

“Between two and three years I guess.” The brunette supplied.

“Anyway so here they are in love, and it’s perfect since their parents know each other quite well, the perfect match for wealth and health as we say in the Hamptons. He was completely crazy over her until he came home early from work one day...”

“Apparently he had left work early to buy her an engagement ring, or so the story goes.” The brunette supplied.

“Anyway he basically walked in on her and a lover in his apartment, and the rumor has it that the affair had been going on for at least a year.”

Skye felt her heart squeeze for Garret at the thought of him being betrayed by the woman he loved enough to propose to.

“That’s not all, tell her the rest.” The brunette urged the blonde by poking her arm.

“He packed his things and left her the same evening after dragging the truth from her. And the worst part is that was the second time someone had cheated on him.”

Skye spoke for again for the first time. “That’s horrible.” She said sincerely, imagining how hurt he must’ve been.

“I know honey, ever since he’s sworn off woman. A virile successful man like that? It’s a horrible shame to us girls.”

“You say he seemed happy this morning?” Skye asked curiously.

“Yes, he was at the store buying some groceries for the weekend. He even bought a bottle of overpriced wine.”

“Garret Roth doesn’t drink wine.” The brunette supplied conspiratorially.

“Oh.”

The blonde withdrew a bunch of tulips before turning to Skye. “Not oh, who? Garret Roth doesn’t drink wine, which means someone is.”

Skye had to suppress the laugh. If she knew that her arrival to the Hamptons would provide so much entertainment to the locals she would’ve done it ages ago. Changing the subject she took the tulips from the blonde. “You’ve been so helpful, I get so confused by all the local gossip, and it’s hard to keep up. Let me get this for you.”

“Oh that won’t be necessary.”

“No but I’d like to.” Skye smiled and handed the tulips to the blonde. “You ladies have a lovely day now.”

After hurrying them out of the store; Skye suppressed the small flicker of guilt over prying them for information about Garret before searching for Suki.

She found Suki in the small kitchen preparing a fresh batch of coffee for the hangover she was nursing. “Roasted beans from Chile.” Suki said as she noticed Skye stepping into the kitchen. “Strong enough to keep you awake for two days straight or cure the worst hangover of all time” Suki grinned, there were few things she loved more than strong coffee.

“I just met two women in the store, by the way I owe you money for a bunch of purple tulips, they told me about Garret.” Skye fumbled through the words not knowing where to start.

“Slow down Skye, you’re confusing me. Two women told you what about Garret and why did you give them tulips?”

“I overheard them talking about him and how he seemed to be dating again, so I played dumb and asked them if they knew him.” Skye pulled a bottle of water from the small under counter fridge and took a long sip before she spoke again. “It turns out he was in love and practically engaged when he found his girl cheating on him.”

Suki showed no reaction; apparently this wasn’t news to her. “You knew?” Skye asked baffled.

“Honey, everyone knows. I didn’t realize that you didn’t.”

“Well is there anything else everyone knows that I don’t?”

Suki sighed before answering Skye honestly. “You’re the first girl he's seeing ever since he broke up with Vanessa.”

“What? He hasn’t seen anyone in two years?” Shocked from the revelation Skye plopped down in one of the chairs by the small table. She hadn’t put it past the blonde to embellish the truth a little for dramatic effect. She didn’t really think that he’d been celibate for two years.

Suki pulled out another chair turned it around and straddled it facing Skye. “Apparently he took the break up hard, although that bitch hasn’t. I just heard the other day…”

“…that she got engaged. I know the two I pumped for information were quite forthcoming.”

“Do you understand now why I asked you to take it slow? I don’t know if he’s ready for someone new, and I don’t want him trying out his dating teeth on you. You’re here to relax and ease your anxiety, not to get involved with an emotionally unavailable man.”

Skye smiled sadly. “I didn’t realize any of this. He didn’t say anything.”

“Did you tell him why you moved out here?” Suki’s voice was stern making Skye feel even worse for not telling him.

“Apparently there’s quite a bit we need to tell each other. That’s if he ever wants to see me again after last night.”

Suki put her hand on her forehead and winced. “You didn’t?”

“Almost.” Skye said embarrassed. “I couldn’t stop it”

“Please tell me it wasn’t while he was trying to make out with you, please tell me that.”

“I can’t control when it happens Suki,” Skye’s frowned sternly before smiling. “Besides it was after, at a bar.”

“After?” Suki asked excitedly. “After after after?”

“Yes Suki.” Skye laughed. “After.”

“Well that depends on how good the before was?” Suki cocked her brows of couple of times.

“Let’s just say there were stars…and fireworks and multiple…kisses.” Skye laughed as she spoke feeling giddy at the memory.

“Well then I’d say you’re safe, besides he’s already called for you this morning.” Suki pulled out a piece of paper from the pocket of her jeans.

“What! You just led me to believe I blew it?”

“Well someone’s got to keep you from building rainbows on the clouds. Besides I had to be sure how you felt first and since you’re basically grilling the customers about him, I think its best you grill him about his past.”

Skye took the paper; butterflies twisted and turned in her abdomen as she looked at the number. “Thanks Suki.”

“Don’t thank me, just try and be honest all right?” Skye saw the concern in Suki’s eyes and knew her cousin was right. If this was going to go anywhere, they had to start being honest with each other.

“Thanks cuz,” Skye pulled Suki into an awkward hug with the chair back still between them. “For everything.”

“It’s a pleasure, besides you look happy for the first time in years as well.”

Skye went to the store room and took out her phone. Being optimistic she added Garret’s number to her list of contacts and typed him a message.

 

You were looking for me.

Skye

 

A few seconds later her phone pinged. Feeling foolish and excited Skye swiped open the message.

 

I was.

Garret

 

She smiled at his name and frantically replied.

 

Still looking for me?

 

When the phone pinged again she already had the screen on.

 

Always…

 

She felt her heart warm at the word. Simple yet so romantic. Her heart melted as she typed the next message and pressed the send button.

 

Why???

 

The front door jingled again as someone stepped into the shop, but Skye didn’t worry about that, she held her phone hoping the reply was what she thought it would be.

 

My place…7pm

 

Skye felt her heart skip a beat. He wanted to see her again. She bit her lower lip as she typed her response.

 

I’ll be there…promise not to run away.

 

Feeling confident about her witty reply Skye put the phone back before it pinged again. She looked towards the box of coffee she needed to unpack before deciding it could wait another minute. She pulled out the phone and swiped the message icon.

 

Maybe I won’t let you…

 

A rush of desire raced through Skye at the thought of staying the night before she realized she still had to finish work, go home, clean her room, take a shower and make sure to remember to shave…everywhere.

Smiling, she put back her phone and packed away the coffee with a newfound haste.

At 7pm sharp Skye knocked on Garret’s door. Anxiety had her chewing her lip and counting to ten staring at his front door. The house was understated on the outside like most of the houses in the Hamptons were. It was inside that always shocked her. Multiple bedrooms, large spacious living areas and views of the sea that would make you seasick on a stormy day. From the outside she could only tell it was large, at least two stories and built with an eye for detail and respect for its environment. Grey stone was set off with white window frames and pillars. Promising herself she would pay more attention to the house in the daylight she stared at the door again. Who knew how daunting a date could be when you really liked someone? She had spent an hour cleaning her room making sure everything was clean and in place before she even thought of taking a shower. After shaving and washing her hair she had stepped out of the shower and faced a myriad of choices. What was she going to wear? Should she wear make up? Should it be natural or heavy since it was evening? Should she wear a dress or maybe dress up a little and wear sexy jeans with a skimpy top. Eventually she had just given up and called Suki and Jess in to help.

Her hair was taken up in a loose knot with russet tendrils escaping around her face. Suki had done her eyes a bit heavier than usual going for a smoky eye while insisting she kept her lips bare for kissing.

Jess had borrowed her a hip hugging jean which was slightly too long, which required the high heeled wedge sandals she was now wearing, giving her a good two inches of height. The top was simple dove grey with a cowl neck in front and the whole back was lace. Sophisticated from the front and sexy from the back.

When door still hadn’t opened, Skye knocked again and started counting to ten again. As the door opened Skye felt her breath back up in her chest.

Garret was standing in front of her wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, drops of water clinging to his torso, his hair, even his eyebrows. Skye had to swallow the drool that had already started to gather in her mouth. She pressed her thighs together as she felt a throb start between her legs. Nerve endings sprang to attention at the raw male sexuality oozing from him.

He rubbed another towel over wet hair before saying apologetically, “I’m sorry, I ran late. I just got out of the shower.”

Skye smiled at him still trying to find words that didn’t include, handsome, sexy as hell, oozing sexuality… when Garret leaned in and gave her an easy kiss on the mouth. “Come on in.”

Skye stepped into his house, knowing that there was no way she was stepping back over that threshold until morning if it was up to her.