Chapter 11

The following week, Jack listened to his voicemail on his cellphone and smiled to himself. Word about his new business was spreading fast—this was Blushing Bay after all—and someone had called with an offer for more work. Chris would’ve insisted that this called for a night out for drinks at Castaways tonight. Jack couldn’t argue that. Too bad Chris wasn’t here to celebrate. Grace was here, though.

He headed toward the Sawyer Seafood Company to see if she was free. It’d been a couple days since he’d gotten to see her in private. Between her mother and his overbearing family, all they’d managed was a few stolen kisses. As he pulled into the parking lot, he noticed Noah’s truck parked beside her car. Disappointment swirled with aggravation. This secret was putting a damper on things. Jack wanted to be able to shout his feelings to the world—though he hadn’t even shouted how he felt to Grace yet. After their date on the boat, his feelings had only grown stronger. In the past when he’d dated someone, the opposite usually happened. Dating usually made him miss his alone time. Now, when he was alone, he missed hearing Grace’s voice, seeing her smile, touching her skin.

“Hey, man,” Noah said, coming down the steps toward him. “What brings you here?”

Jack stopped and looked at his brother. He should just tell Noah the truth, man to man. That’s what they both deserved. It was also what he and Grace deserved.

“Actually, I’m here to see Grace,” Jack said, bracing himself in case he decided to lay everything out there.

Noah’s brow dipped. “Yeah? She seems to be holding down the fort pretty good in there. Hate to burst your ego bubble, but Grace doesn’t need any more help from you.” He clapped a hand across Jack’s shoulder.

Jack shook his head. “No, I know she doesn’t need me.” Not in the office at least. “She’s doing a great job as our new manager.”

“Even Dad thinks so. Says it’s like he found his long-lost daughter.”

Jack frowned. Not his father, too. Next thing he knew, Sam would also be calling Grace sis.

Noah started walking toward his truck.

“Where’re you going?” Jack called after him.

“I have a date tonight. Not sure if you even remember what that is,” Noah teased. “Oh, wait. You’ve been seeing some chick behind people’s backs. Everyone knows it. Either she’s so hot you don’t want anyone to steal her away, or she’s so ungodly ugly you’re embarrassed to be seen with her in public.” Noah waggled his eyebrows.

Jack ignored him. “I was thinking we should take the Summerly out with Grace tomorrow morning. What do you think? We could do another trial run before the tournament and actually catch some fish this time.”

Noah stopped walking and shoved a hand on his hip. “Yeah? First you agree to do the tournament. Now you’re willing to go out on extra runs just for kicks? This is progress.”

“Not for kicks. To show Grace what it looks and feels like to hook a hundred-pound tuna. We didn’t fish the other day, remember?”

“Right.” Noah grinned and pulled the sunglasses on his head over his eyes. “Well, count me in. See you tomorrow morning, bro.”

Jack watched his brother get into his truck, then proceeded up the steps. He hadn’t laid everything out there just yet, but he’d wanted to. “I’m tired of keeping this thing between us quiet,” he said as soon as he opened the door.

Grace whirled around in her desk chair to look at him. She quickly glanced around the room as if to make sure they were alone. “Only until after the tournament. I thought we agreed.”

“And then what? Until after the holidays, so we don’t ruffle feathers during the merriest time of the year?”

Grace shook her head. “Where is this even coming from?” She laughed, then got up and crossed the room to kiss him lightly. “We’ve barely had our first date, Jack,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Who says we’ll even be together at Christmas?”

Gut punch.

“I don’t like sneaking around.” He felt needy, which was not his usual MO. He didn’t want to need anyone like this. Especially someone who was likely to run from him. He inhaled and started backtracking. “You’re probably right. Christmas is a few months off. We might not even be—”

Her eyes narrowed. Damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. “We should focus on winning the tournament first.”

She nodded. “Do you think we have a shot at actually winning?”

“Not with a captain who’s never caught a fish.”

A frown settled on her mouth. “I’ve caught pinfish.”

“Come out with Noah and me tomorrow morning. We’ll show you what it means to catch a real fish.”

Her eyes lit up. “But what about the office?”

“It can stay locked up for a few hours. We have voicemail. Say yes.”

Grace smiled, still wrapped snugly in his arms, exactly where he wanted her. “Sounds like fun. I can’t wait.”

“Good.”

Grace started to glance worriedly around the room, but he stopped her and kept her face directed at him.

“Don’t worry, we’re alone. So now that we’ve planned for tomorrow, I was wondering if you had plans for tonight. I got an offer for another job this afternoon.”

“That’s terrific, Jack.”

“It is. I’m stoked. So do you feel like going out to get some celebratory drinks with me later? I know it’d be out in a public place. We can keep our hands off each other for a couple hours, though, right? Celebrate as friends and then celebrate afterward as…” He lowered his voice. “More than friends.”

Grace removed herself from his hold and walked back over to her desk chair and plopped down. “Tempting, but I actually have plans with Krista and Abby tonight. It’s Thirsty Thursday.”

“Krista Nelson and Abby Sawyer? You’re ditching me for a couple of girls?”

Grace reached out for him to take her hand. Just that simple touch tugged on his heart. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had time for real friends. I can’t ditch them just because I found a sweet, handsome, amazing lover.”

He waggled his eyebrows, then gestured to the corner of her desk. He recognized the pale yellow box. “Is that from Aunt Mira?”

“Uh-huh.” A large smile swept across her face.

“Chocolate fudge?” he asked hopefully.

“Yep, and it’s all mine.” She laughed out loud.

“No. No, no, no, no. That’s not how friendship works. Friends share with each other.”

“Friends with benefits have different rules.” She laughed as he tried to reach past her for the fudge.

“Friends with benefits, huh? Is that what this is?” He stopped reaching and allowed himself to hover over her. If anyone walked in right now, their cover would be blown. He couldn’t seem to resist this woman, though.

“What would you call it?”

“I’m not sure. It’s unprecedented for me, that’s for sure.”

“You mean you don’t hook up with your ex-stepsisters all the time?”

“You’re the only one,” he said, landing a soft kiss on her lips. That was as close as he’d gotten to telling her how he felt. “Now hand over the fudge,” he said, teasing her.

After work, Grace headed home to get ready for her night with the girls. As she waited for Krista’s brother, Joey, to come pick her up, she stared at her computer screen and the email that she’d just written to Garrison Tomlin. Her finger hovered over the Send button. She’d considered calling the Beatrice’s owner to ask if he was interested in selling her the boat. An email was better, though, because it would give him a chance to get beyond his initial knee-jerk reaction. Garrison could say no on the phone, and then what? With an email, he had time to think about her request. If she won the tournament, she’d be able to offer him good money to buy back the Beatrice.

Joey’s cab honked outside of Grace’s apartment. Taking a deep breath, she hit Send, then grabbed her purse and hurried out the front door. She’d spent a ridiculous amount of time getting dressed tonight, even though she’d eventually settled on a fitted pair of jeans and a black stretchy top. Her mother was right. She really had needed to get a life. Only a month ago, she’d worked every night at Dewy’s, then come home and catered to her mother’s needs. Nothing in her life had been about what she’d wanted or needed. Now things were different. Her mother didn’t seem to need her anymore. She had Mrs. Smith. And Grace had friends, too.

“Hi, everyone!” Grace scooted in beside Abby in the backseat of the cab. Krista sat up front with her brother.

“Hey, Grace,” Krista said over her shoulder from the front passenger seat. “Ready to go have some girl fun?”

Abby groaned. “You make what we’re doing tonight sound like a kindergarten playdate.”

Grace laughed. “Whatever it is, I’m definitely ready.” The same could be true for Jack. Whatever was happening between them—friends with benefits or much more—she was ready for it.

Probably.

A few minutes later, Joey dropped them off in front of Castaways. “Call me when you’re ready for me to pick you up,” he said.

“Have I ever told you that you’re the best brother in the world?” Krista leaned across the center console and kissed his cheek.

“Yeah, yeah. And you’re the lousiest tipper in the history of cabby tippers.”

Krista grinned and stepped out beside Grace and Abby. “Here’s a tip,” she said, leaning over to talk to him through the window. “Keep the windows rolled up when you’re driving around the ladies and they’ll tip you more. We spend a lot of time working on our hair, only to have it wind-tossed by the time we get where we’re going.”

Grace smoothed a hand down her straight locks. “Can’t argue with a free ride, though.”

“I can because he’s my brother.” Krista waved at Joey in the car. “Love you, mean it!”

He pulled away and the women headed inside the bar. It was always packed on Thursday nights.

The women walked toward the back and sat at what Grace realized was their usual spot. A waitress came to the table.

“What can I get you ladies?”

Grace’s mouth fell open. “Tina! What are you doing here?”

Her ex-coworker at Dewy’s shrugged. “I told Dewy I couldn’t work there anymore after what he did to you. I also told him he was a lowlife and a creep.”

Grace shook her head. “You left your job on account of me? I feel terrible.”

“Don’t. The tips are better here.” She leaned in closer. “And the guys are hotter.”

All the women at the table laughed.

“Guys, this is Tina. We worked at Dewy’s together.”

Abby and Krista waved.

“Hi! Glad you’re here!” Krista said.

“Thanks.” Tina pulled out a notepad. “So what’ll it be? Dollar drinks on tap?”

“Perfect,” Grace said, beyond thrilled to know she’d be seeing her friend here regularly.

“You got it.” Tina headed behind the bar. As she did, Grace caught the sight of a familiar face. “Hey, look. There’s Noah.” She pointed at the youngest Sawyer crossing the room.

Krista whipped around to watch. Her crush was obvious to the whole Blushing Bay world, except to Krista and Noah themselves.

Noah sat down at a table, pulling his chair up close to a beautiful woman with long blond hair.

Grace’s heart did a free fall in her gut. Oh no. She looked at Krista just in time to catch the momentary look of devastation on her friend’s face. It was quickly replaced with indifference.

“Looks like he’s found a new Barbie to keep him company for the night,” she said.

Grace pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “Sorry for pointing it out.”

Krista waved a hand and looked between Abby and Grace. “Why is it so hard for you two to believe that Noah and I are just friends?”

Abby rolled her eyes. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’ve been wearing that twisted fishing hook he gave you when you were ten around your neck for decades.”

Krista’s hand immediately went to the charm on her necklace. “It’s cute. And it’s not just a fishing hook. I paid good money to have it plated in gold. It’s valuable.”

“The question is why did you spend good money to plate an old fishing hook?” Abby lifted a strawberry blonde brow.

“Because I like it,” Krista huffed.

Tina returned with their drinks and placed them on the table in front of them. “Holler when you need more.”

“Oh, just keep ’em coming,” Krista said, pulling hers to her.

Grace grabbed her drink and took a healthy sip, too. A little pang of regret ran through her for her friend. Unrequited love was the worst. Not that she would know. She’d never been in love.

Jack crossed her mind. No, she wasn’t falling for him. With their family history, it would never work. Even if his family had warmed back up to her, he would never warm to her family—her mother.

“Excuse me.” A handsome, clean-cut man approached the table, his gaze solidly on Krista. “I’ve been watching you across the room since you walked in.”

Krista smiled back up at him. “Oh yeah? If you weren’t so handsome, that would be kind of a creepy thing to say.”

He grinned. “Would you care to dance?”

Krista shrugged, tossing a glance in Noah’s direction. “Sure. Why not?” She took another sip of her beer and scooted back from the table. “See? I’m not hooked on anyone.”

Grace peered after the two.

“She’s crazy.” Abby laughed, staring after them. “I’m going to go sit at the bar. Want to come?”

Grace shook her head. She’d had enough of sitting in front of and behind a bar for one lifetime. “I’ll save the table.”

“All right.”

Left alone, Grace stared into the blur of dancing couples on the open floor. A wave of nostalgia crashed over her as she watched. No one had asked her to dance in years. Yeah, at Dewy’s she’d been invited to screw, but that wasn’t quite as romantic.

A hand touched her shoulder, followed by the warm breath of someone leaning in to speak into her ear. His voice was low and familiar. Her body responded immediately.

“Grace, would you care to dance with me?”

Jack hadn’t been able to help himself. He’d gone home to a dark, lonely house. Too big for one man. Then he’d proceeded to have a beer and think about Grace—which was pretty much all he did these days anyway.

“A dance? But—”

Jack pulled Grace’s chair out and helped her stand. “But what? We’re just two friends enjoying a little space on the dance floor. I can keep my hands to myself. Can you?”

Her brown eyes narrowed, even as a smile curled at the corners of her mouth. “Of course. I’d love a dance, actually.”

He placed his hand on the small of her back as he led her over to a vacant spot. As if the universe was aligning with his wishes, a slow song came on over the speakers, something jazzy and romantic. The perfect excuse to pull her even closer, his parts flush with hers in the dark.

“If you keep acting like this, people will notice,” she whispered, the sound of her voice and the heat of her breath making him want to drag her off into one of the empty rooms he knew existed in this place. He’d been a teen once, looking to get a little action when no one was looking.

“No one’s watching us,” he said, angling his cheek toward her ear. “I could even—”

Grace stiffened as his hand fell on her bottom. “What do you think you’re doing?”

He laughed, enjoying playing with her. She removed his hand and placed it securely on the small of her back.

“You’re being very bad right now,” she said.

“I can be badder if you want.”

She pulled back and looked at him. “You are in rare form tonight, Jack Sawyer.”

“Imagine how much fun we could have if we were alone.” His gaze flicked to her mouth, which formed a little O. “Are you imagining it?” he asked.

“Maybe. Keep talking.”

Other couples crowded the floor as they clung to each other. It felt like it was just her and him, though.

“A glass of wine. Or two. Maybe I’d take my time kissing every kissable inch of your body. That sounds like a good way to spend the night. Watching you arch and squirm as I crawl up your body starting at your toes.”

Her throat constricted as she swallowed. Her eyes widened.

“I wouldn’t stop until you were begging for me to enter you.”

Grace’s lips parted. She started to glance around again, but he tugged her back to look at him.

“And by every kissable inch, I mean every kissable inch.”

Her chest lifted as she inhaled sharply. “How do I leave here with you?” she asked.

Jack smiled. “You look like you’re feeling a little sick, I think. Maybe you’ve had just a touch too much beer,” he suggested.

“But I only had one.”

“Okay. Well then, you’ve got an excruciating headache. No time to wait for Krista’s brother to come pick you up.”

“How did you know—?”

“Small town. Krista and Abby have been using Joey for a good decade.”

Grace nodded as the song ended. “I’ll tell Abby. She’ll tell Krista. You’re just being a nice guy by taking me home.”

“Exactly.”

She pulled her lower lip between her teeth. Jack wanted to nibble on it himself, but he’d wait until they were out of the public eye, for Grace’s sake. Then there’d be no holds barred.

Jack followed Grace to the bar and tried to look the part of a good friend, nothing more, as he stood beside her.

“Hey, Abby. I’m not feeling well all of a sudden.”

Abby turned and frowned at Grace. “Really? What’s wrong?”

“Monster headache,” Grace said.

Jack stared down at his hands on the bar, trying not to give away the lie.

“I’m going to head home, I think,” Grace continued.

“What? Are you sure?” said a young blond bartender standing in front of Abby. Jack had never seen her here before. “I have ibuprofen in my purse if you want some.”

“No, thanks. Jack said he didn’t mind driving me, so…”

“Let me do it,” Noah said, stepping up beside her.

Jack looked up. Where was everyone coming from?

“It’d be an excuse to end my date early.” Noah drove his gaze to the side, gesturing at the table behind them.

Was he serious? Jack had put up with his younger brother cramping his style and his sex life when they were young, but tonight he needed Grace in his bed. As soon as possible.

“Your date isn’t going well?” Grace asked, looking concerned.

“No. Every word out of that beautiful woman’s mouth is about how wonderful she is. I swear, finding a down-to-earth girl is like discovering a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. You might be the last good catch out there,” he told Grace. “If you weren’t my sister…”

Grace punched his shoulder. “Eww! That’s gross.”

“Definitely.” Noah laughed.

“And I’m sitting right here, you know,” Abby complained. “You don’t think I’m down to earth?” she asked.

“You’re gross, too. You used to be my sister-in-law.”

Jack massaged the throbbing spot in his left temple. “So I’ll just take you home now,” he said, reaching for Grace’s hand and pulling her away from the newly formed clique.

“Right.” Grace winced. “My head does hurt. Sorry, Noah. Maybe Krista needs your help,” she offered as Jack led her to the door. When they were outside, he took a deep breath. “Finally,” he growled.

Grace laughed.

Taking her hand, he led her to his truck. “What is it with you throwing Krista at my brother?”

“They both want more than friendship. It’s written all over them when they’re together. I wish they weren’t so stubborn.”

He opened the door for her and she stepped inside. “Tonight we’re just focusing on us, all right?”

She smiled. “Right.”

“Good. Now let’s go fix that headache of yours,” he said, wishing he could lean in and kiss her before closing the door. No PDA, though. He had to wait until they’d at least cleared the parking lot.

He pointed the truck toward his house and stepped heavily on the gas.