Blayne would have laughed in the face of anyone who told her they could see hearts floating about her head, but with each step across the gala dance floor in Jamie’s arms, she swore, she could see the little pink shapes out of the corner of her eyes.

As it turned out, honey was quite the aphrodisiac, and they’d yet had a chance to talk, but they had time. She wasn’t leaving until the morning.

Another heart came into view. Or maybe she was high on life, or Jamie’s kiss, his touch, his love…

“You look happy,” he whispered against her ear, sending a shiver up her spine.

She raised a brow. “Don’t get cocky.”

“Me? Never.” Feigning a look of innocence, he slapped his chest.

“Truthfully? I can’t remember the last time I felt this good,” she confessed, though it was only partially true.

Jamie winked, sending a thrill that raced along her nerve endings, reminding her she was quite naked under her dress. “I can. About fifteen minutes ago, as a matter of fact.” His tone was decidedly suggestive.

“Fifteen minutes ago?” She tapped her chin. “I’m confused.”

On a low grumble, he gathered her close to show her, beyond a shadow of a doubt, exactly what he was talking about.

The hard length of him burned through his tuxedo pants and her dress as if nothing separated them at all. There was no getting enough of him.

Never was.

Which was why she’d tried with such determination and persistence. Larkin once joked about her never having a relationship longer the length of a man’s dick, and she was right. But that was only because Blayne had never found anything interesting beyond that point.

Except with Jamie.

Always Jamie.

Claire glided up, gorgeous in an ice blue, floor-length strapless dress that set off a tiny waist that defied physics and would entice even the most steadfast man.

Stepping between Jamie and her friend, she teased, “Don’t you be coming up here, seducing my man with those big blue eyes and rockin’ bod, my friend.”

A decidedly unladylike guffaw escaped Claire’s lips, and she slapped her gloved fingers over them. Rolling her eyes, she said, “Knock it off.” She jabbed a thumb at Jamie. “This one’s never had eyes for anyone but you, even when he was propositioned with every possible temptation in every possible manner down at the rink a couple weeks ago.”

Town gossip spread fast and the Van Buren Roller Beauties were a gorgeous bunch. So much so that Blayne joked about switching teams more than once. But they were a crazy lot, too. When it came to those ladies—men were safer.

But knowing he went looking for her warmed her in an unexpected way. She refused to look at him for fear that he’d see just how hopelessly, head-over-ass in love she really was. For fuck’s sake. She literally crossed an ocean for the man.

“Anyway, I was in the house and your phone kept ringing. I answered. Your sister’s been trying to get a hold of you. Something with your dad?” Claire’s gaze wavered in concern.

Fear twisted in her stomach. If Emma was calling, and it had to be Emma because their older sister, Ruby, had barely spoken ten sentences to her since she’d left, she must have news.

Which also meant it was time she and Jamie had that talk. No more interruptions, no more distractions.

“Thanks, Claire. I’ll go call her right away, just give me a minute with Jamie.”

“He’ll have to wait, she’s waiting on the line.”

Jamie moved to go with her. “I can come with you.”

“No.” She patted his chest. “Go find Ryker, have a drink. I’ll find out what’s going on, then come find you.”

“Are you sure? I’m here if you need me.” His gaze showered love on her in a way she’d never tire of.

With a smile, she nodded. “I’m fine. Go. We’ll have another honey tasting when I’m through.” She winked.

His eyes dilated immediately, and he stepped toward her.

Throwing both hands up, she laughed. “Go!”

“Fine. But that wasn’t fair.”

She gave him a saucy grin. “And you love it.” Sliding her arm through Claire’s, she headed toward the house.

“There’s a honey tasting?”

Blayne laughed. “I’ll explain later. Thanks for letting me know about the call.”

Claire nodded. “Of course. I was worried since the same number kept calling, otherwise I wouldn’t have bothered you on such a special night.”

“It really has turned out to be magical, hasn’t it?” She looked across the lawn. Now that the sun had dropped below the trees west of the town, the cape was blanketed in the velvet of night but bedazzled with strings and strings of white globe lights. Music was in the air, the waves crashed off the shore, the scent of the ocean mingled with the sweet and savory foods along the perimeter of the dance floor.

And to top it off, Jamie had shared the donor report to start, and it was beyond anything she’d ever imagined.

All the dreams she never dared to dream just might come true.

Turning to Claire, she nodded toward the dance floor. “Go dance. I know there’s no shortage of Van Buren men out there just itching to get a little attention from the sex-pot Claire Adams.”

Claire’s eyes grew wide then narrowed. “You’re as awful as you’ve ever been. I like it.” On a laugh, she made her way to the party.

Blayne hesitated, worried about how she was going to tell Jamie, worried about what news her sister could possibly have for her.

Slipping her heels off at the door, she walked barefoot into the large kitchen to settle in at the island, comforted by Puzzle’s purring, furry presence as the cat jumped to the table top and rubbed his whiskered face against her arm.

Arranging her silver mermaid skirt to accommodate the stool, she picked up the phone. It was 2 a.m. in Ireland, so either it was important, or her sister was bored. She’d been calling Blayne all hours of the day and night since she’d learned how to use a phone.

“Blayne?” Emma’s whisper floated across the line.

“Em, I’m here. What’s up? Why are you awake?”

“I was waiting to call you until Ruby fell asleep. She didn’t want me to bother you.”

“Typical.” She rolled her eyes. Her older sister would probably rather not claim the relation at all if she could help it. “What’s so important that you couldn’t tell me once I got in? I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Da fell and broke his hip.”

Blayne straightened in her stool. “What? When, how…I mean.”

“He was pruning the ivy along the front of the house and fell from the ladder. It’s pretty bad. He’s having surgery tomorrow. A hip replacement.”

Hip replacement? That’s what happened to old people, grandparents, not her father. Noah MacCaffrey was a bull of a man. Big, strong, and more capable than anyone she’d ever known.

Hell, he raised three daughters and a son all on his own after their ma had passed.

He was a saint.

He was all they had.

And she’d left him.

Tears stung behind her lids and she ached with shame. “Is he going to be okay? Can he walk?” Her voice rose with each word.

“Calm down. He’s okay. It’s just…I knew you’d want to know. There’s no way to get you here earlier at this point, so you’ll miss being here to see him when he gets out of recovery. But I wanted you to be prepared.” Emma’s voice wavered.

She swallowed hard. She walked toward the front of the house, to the large window that overlooked the party. Searching through all the townspeople, she spotted the broad, steadfast shoulders of the man she adored. He was laughing, enjoying a toast with Ryker if the tap of their glasses was any indication. Her heart swelled with love and squeezed with agony at the same time.

The intensity of it all was an impossibility, and she grabbed a chair for support. Everything was here, but everything was also in Ireland.

She’d finally found a love that was ready for forever, but her father deserved more from her than a get-well card, and there was no telling how long he’d need her to be there.

Sometimes the universe spoke—it was about time she listened to the needs of her family instead of her own desires.

This was the true bitch of karma.

“Of course. I’m coming home, Em.”

* * *

Jay accepted the glowing praise from Ryker as they toasted once more to a successful launch. The gala was still in full swing. He’d had some of the hottest sex in his life amongst the greatest edible gift of nature—apart from Blayne, that was.

He grinned.

Ryker tossed back his drink. “What’s that look for? I’m getting a little uncomfortable if it’s directed at me. I mean, I know we’re close, but I’m a married man.”

“I’m gonna ask her, and I want you to be my best man.”

Ryker slowly lowered his glass from his lips. “Are you fuckin’ with me?”

“No. And I’m not fuckin’ this up again. I let her go once and lost ten years with an amazing woman. I refuse to lose another second.”

“That’s the smartest thing you’ve said since returning to the Cape.” Ryker said.

Shaking his head, Jay shook him off. “Please, I outlined a strategy for a donor program that has already accepted enough in gifts to keep the center in the black for the next five years.”

His buddy dipped his dark head in agreement, then accepted two more glasses of Scotch from a passing waiter and handed one to Jay.

“Damn right. And yet this proposal is still the smartest damn thing you’ve ever said.”

“You approve?”

Ryker’s dark brows furrowed. “She’s family.”

“You yell at her all the time.” Jay laughed.

“Because she’s a pain in the ass. And we wouldn’t have her any other way. Do you know she never left Larkin’s side when Archer died? She stayed, she pushed, she persisted. Hell, when Larkin would have run from me, Blayne encouraged her to stay and fight. She’s changed our lives.”

They clinked glasses then sipped from the rims. “Besides, she’s your pain in the ass, and she suits you.”

They turned to see the object of their conversation approaching them from the house, and Jay raised his glass to her. “Yeah, she does.”

“Now you need to convince her to stay.”

“Wait, what?” He wanted to question Ryker further, but he didn’t get the returning grin or wink from her as he’d expected.

“Fuck.”

Ryker followed his gaze. “What happened?”

“I don’t know, but the look on her face tells me it isn’t good news. Something’s happened in Ireland.”

His buddy clapped him on the back again. “Then you’ll help her through it.”

Jay threw Ryker a look of bewilderment. “Help Blayne? Are you crazy? When she’s vulnerable, she pushes people away as if her life depends on the isolation.”

He tried to decipher the resigned set of her expression. “God damn fucking hell,” Jay whispered fiercely as he held the engagement ring inside his jacket pocket like a lifeline. Everything he ever wanted was going to come together in this great culmination of fate tonight, but the scared and reserved look in the love of his life’s eyes had warning bells clanging in his head.

His gut grew heavy with dread.

“Calm down, man. Let’s see what’s going on.”

Jay stepped toward her, but she stiffened. “Bean? What’s wrong?”

She studied his face as if in pain. “I, uh…” She swallowed hard on the waver in her voice.

“Let’s go talk in private.” Jay slid his hand up her arm.

She eased away with a shake of her head. “No. I need to tell you here.” She waved toward Larkin and Claire to join them. “I’m afraid if we talk in private you’ll try to change my mind, making this harder than it already is.”

The blood drained from Jay’s head and the roaring grew louder.

Larkin and Claire stepped into the circle of friends with worried looks in their eyes.

Blayne lifted her chin. The quiver in her lower lip told Jay the news was worse than he expected. “My da’s hurt. I’m leaving tomorrow, but I need to go home and pull myself together.”

Both Larkin and Claire broke into a barrage of heated denial, but she shook her head until they stopped. “You guys. Come on. Don’t make this worse.” She looked at Larkin. “You’ve given me the greatest gift as a friend and opportunity as a business partner. And it kills me that I won’t see this sweet baby the day her face is first warmed by the sun.” She gently placed a hand on Larkin’s round belly.

“You can’t be serious. What about the grand opening? I kept hoping we’d have more time or that you’d change your mind.” The pain in Larkin’s eyes was obvious and Jay could relate.

“Larkin, you knew I was leaving.”

What the fuck?

His heart split in two and a pounding started slow and low in his skull building with each passing second of this new revelation. “What the hell do you mean, she knew you were leaving?”

“I’d decided before you came to town. It was my plan all along. But then—”

“When the hell were you going to tell me? What the fuck has this all been about, Blayne?” He’d never felt so much pain in his life, and he squeezed the engagement ring box so hard in his hand that the corner of it dug painfully into his palm. He welcomed the burn.

“Jamie, I’d been trying to tell you. You know that I love you, but it’s my da.”

He tried to reach for her again, but she stepped away. “Why the hell are you pulling away from me? If it’s something with your dad, let me help. We can do this together.”

Tears welled in her eyes and his heart broke in another way. Her voice was thick with emotion and regret and something that sounded too much like good-bye. “I can’t let you touch me. If you do, I might not go. Can’t you see? This is killing me, but I have to go. He broke his hip and is having surgery in a few hours.”

She swallowed hard. “And you can’t come with me. We hurt my da…no.” She swallowed and clarified. “That’s not fair. I. I hurt my da when I left home. I abandoned him and our family and broke the trust between us. I can’t go home to his side with you by mine. I don’t know when I’ll be back. And I can’t ask you to wait. I want to, but it wouldn’t be fair.” Her voice caught. She was hurting, but he was in agony.

Shoving his fingers through his hair, he tried to subdue his panic. “This is crazy. This doesn’t have to be the end.”

“But it does. If I go home, knowing you are waiting for me to return, I won’t be able to focus on helping him recover, helping him heal. I’ll always have one foot in the Atlantic ready to swim back to you.”

She grabbed his arm, her eyes begging him to understand. “These past few days have been everything I’ve ever wanted. I wanted more time to explain but… My da, he deserves more than a half-assed attempt to help him and try to mend what I broke ten years ago.” She sniffed, her tears falling freely now.

Her touch was more than he could bear, and he shook her from his arm.

Larkin wrapped her arms around Blayne. Claire stood with her own wrapped around her middle as if she didn’t know what to do or how to help.

Jay could relate. What the hell was happening?

“I’ll wait. There is no rush. No pressure. Don’t you understand? I can’t lose you again.”

She winced as if in pain. “I should never have moved here in the first place.”

“That’s it? Your family calls and regardless of what we have together, you’re done. You’re leaving. Just like that?”

“Jay, calm down.” Ryker grabbed his arm, but he yanked away.

“It’s not just like that.” She shook her head. “I’ve been planning to return after the launch. Everything between us was unexpected and new. I’d hoped to have a chance to talk about it, figure it out, but it’s too late. Don’t you see? Every time we try, the world tells us we shouldn’t.”

He ignored the tears running down her cheeks, they meant nothing in the face of reality.

She was leaving him.

It was everything he’d already done to her being thrown back at him, and irrational anger burned through his chest. “Was this your plan all along? Is this your payback?”

Her eyes grew wide with shock. “What? Planned? I’d never—”

Jay scoffed. “You’d never what? Lash out? Fight back? Make someone pay? That’s been your whole M.O. since we’ve met.”

“I’ve grown up. Clearly, I can’t say that for all of us. This has nothing to do with you.”

He yanked his hand from his coat pocket. That was the final straw and the truth of it all. Her life, her terms. None of it had anything to do with him. He’d fucked that up ten years ago when he left. Apparently, there was no going back. “Of course, the fuck not. It never does, does it? The truth of the matter is you don’t trust me…you don’t trust us. And you’re running away.”

She lifted her chin. “No, I’m going to help my da. Running away is your job.”

His mother stepped up to the group. “What is going on? You’re causing a commotion.”

Jay ignored her and threw the engagement box at Blayne’s feet along with his fucking hopes and dreams and sorry-ass fool of a heart. “Sincerely, I hope your dad’s going to be okay. But if you can’t see that we could get through this together, that you can trust me to be there, there truly isn’t anything between us worth fighting for.”