Chapter Sixteen
Carina
Shit on a Shingle.
No one, not even her mother or her talented chef of a brother, could rival her father’s creamed chipped beef. But this morning, after a night of drinking, binge eating, crying, followed by more eating, Morgan’s attempt at one of Carina’s favorite breakfast dishes was an absolute success. Carina took a piece of a warm buttermilk biscuit, dipped it into the cream and swallowed it whole.
“So where is our hero this morning?” Morgan asked, peering over Carina’s shoulder toward the bedroom she had slept in…alone.
“He left last night after he made sure we were settled.”
Morgan lifted an eyebrow. “Pity…he was hot.” Morgan scooped a spoonful of the creamed chipped beef with a ladle and poured it all over a waiting biscuit. “And quite the globetrotter last night.”
Carina knew that Morgan would let this go. All Carina had to do was say the word, give her the look, and Morgan would put a halt to the questions. That was just the way Morgan was. She knew when to stop, when to put her own curiosity on the back burner for the sake of her friend’s privacy. But for some reason Carina felt the need to release those pent-up feelings…all at once.
An hour and three creamed chipped beef covered biscuits later, Carina told Morgan about the man she had nearly given herself to last night. Morgan listened while Carina described how they had met and the show they had put on to make Eric believe that she and Josh were a couple.
“I think I need another cup of coffee,” Morgan said, raising her empty mug. “Keep spilling, McGinnis.” Morgan poured herself another cup and dumped a mound of sugar and a trickle of light cream into steaming liquid bliss.
“And last night, well, I had no idea he would show up at Brennan’s…and with his grandmother!”
Morgan took a cautious sip. “I think it’s kind of sweet that he was on a date with his grandma.”
Sweet.
That word made her skin crawl. Because she was sweet Carina was left wanting and writhing on the couch. Because she was sweet Josh wanted nothing to do with her. Because she was so fucking sweet Josh was most likely returning to the city for a night of uncomplicated sex with women who accepted his terms.
“Funny that you mention it. Josh doesn’t do sweet. Apparently, he is repulsed by the very idea.”
Morgan set her cup on the counter and looked at Carina. “What the hell does that mean?”
Carina downed the last of her coffee and said, “He fucks women who don’t require more from him. He promises them sex and pleasure. That’s it.”
“Did he tell you why?” Morgan asked, her eyes wide, no longer showing the signs of her drunken evening. “I mean all men love sex, but not all men draw such a blatant line in the sand. He could have had you last night, but something stopped him.”
“Yeah. Me. I don’t have one-night stands. I don’t have sex without strings. I’m not his type.” Carina pushed her empty plate away from her.
“Have you seen you?” Morgan sat back on her bar stool. “You’re everyone’s type. Josh Graham appears to be at war with himself right now. He obviously wants you, but he keeps you at arm’s length, where it’s safe, I assume.” Morgan stood, grabbed their plates, and took them to the sink.
Carina watched her friend wash the remnants of breakfast off their plates. Morgan was busy scrubbing away when she said, “You’re just going to have to decide whether you want to remain at arm’s length or if you should take that leap and see where it could lead.” Morgan’s voice was somber. Carina ached for her friend. There was still so much pain, so much regret behind her words. “I don’t ever want you to ask yourself, ‘What if?’ Wondering what could have happened, what life you could have had, will eat you up inside.”
Carina rose from her stool and walked over to the sink. She wove her arms around Morgan’s waist and laid her head on her back. Morgan stopped scrubbing, but she didn’t turn around. Anyone else would have thought Morgan was talking about her failed marriage. But Carina knew better. Even after all this time, Morgan’s heart, her beautiful soul, were and would forever belong to Jake McGinnis.
“Are you going to tell Mia about you and Josh?” Morgan asked.
“I’ll tell her about Eric. But Josh…” Carina sighed. Morgan unraveled herself from Carina, turned and stared at her. “Telling Mia that Josh and I kissed…what good would that do? Except possibly make things awkward between me and Mia’s friends.” Morgan crossed her arms over her chest. “Why tell her when it’s over? It’s not going to happen again,” Carina said, struggling to look Morgan in the eye.
Morgan cleared her throat and raised a brow. Feeling the weight of her stare, Carina went to the breakfast bar to retrieve their mugs. With her back to Morgan, Carina said, “You should see how happy Mia is, Morgan. I finally have my friend back.”
Morgan didn’t call her out or scold her for blatantly changing the subject. Instead, she grabbed some paper towels and a bottle of Lysol from the counter and began to wipe down the breakfast bar. Over a minute later, Morgan said, “Mia deserves to be happy.”
Carina rinsed out the coffee mugs in the sink and placed them in the dishwasher. She dried her hands on a dish towel and flung it over her shoulder. “So does someone else I know,” Carina said, facing her friend.
***
Josh
“It’s about time you surfaced.” Lady Jane was hovering over the stove and stirring something with a large wooden spoon. Without turning around, she had detected his presence.
Josh walked over to the stove and peered over her shoulder. His suspicions were confirmed. Eggs Benedict with hollandaise sauce and bacon. One of his and Julia’s all-time favorites.
He reached into the pot to swipe a taste but she batted his hand away with the sauce-covered spoon. “It’ll be done in two minutes. Go set the table. Shoo!” Josh chuckled and did what he was told.
True to her word, Josh and Lady Jane were sitting at the table within the next two minutes and digging into their breakfast. He was working on a second helping of eggs when his Lady decided it was time to go ahead and pry.
“Eventful evening?” she asked, cutting her bacon into perfect bite-size squares.
Josh knew she would bring this up. She wouldn’t be herself if she didn’t. “I met up with a couple friends and then drove them home. And before your curiosity gets the best of you, the answer is yes, one of those friends was Carina.”
He’d hoped he had stolen her thunder by admitting that he had seen Carina last night before she had the opportunity to question him. But he had been mistaken. Lady Jane wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin and sat back in her chair. His tactic appeared to have only intrigued her more.
Shit.
“You know, I love being your safe haven. The distraction you need when life gets…well, too damn hard. It’s what I intended my home to be for both you and Julia. It’s what you needed while you were growing up. You were able to leave your problems and parents in New York and come here, where you were safe and free of worry. But you’re not a little boy anymore. And it seems that running from your demons is no longer an option. They have followed you here this time. And until you face them head on, you, my love, are only living half a life.”