Tara Randel - Magnolia Bride

She sat up straight, shifting into professional mode. If his manly presence hadn’t already jolted her, this piece of news did the trick.

“How bad is it?”

“Pretty dire, but some quick damage control can fix it, though I don’t want Juliet to know. We can handle it without involving her.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I’m going to lay down the law with your mother. This is my hotel, my reputation. I just wanted you to know in case there’s fallout.”

Nealy eyed him, intrigued by his take-control attitude. She’d forgotten how relentless he could be when he wanted something. And right now, he wanted and had her undivided attention.

“Do whatever you have to do to keep things going smoothly.”

“Good.” His gaze locked on hers. She couldn’t seem to break the connection. She caught herself fidgeting and made herself go still. Had he noticed how he affected her?

Amusement, and a dash of rakish interest, flickered in the depths of his eyes. Darn. He noticed.

“Since we’re getting along so well,” he said, taking advantage of the spark between them, “now’s as good a time as any to have a personal conversation.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Not until you hear me out.”

“Why does it matter so much to you? You ended things, not me.”

“And I owe you an explanation.”

“I’m not asking for one. I never have.” She pushed back the frustration. “There’s nothing to talk about. We were young and stupid. I was in love when I married you. Apparently you weren’t.” More like he realized what he’d gotten himself into and couldn’t run fast or far enough away.

“I realize you were hurt, but—”

“But what? Do you think I’ve spent twelve years pining over you?” she asked through a laugh that sounded forced, even to her. “I have a good job. A good life.” She paused and her chest grew tight. “A boyfriend.”

“Yeah, I heard.” A faint hint of disdain filled his voice. “Made your mother’s day rubbing in the fact.”

“Look, there’s no point bringing up the past.” She’d lived through years of dealing with the heartache, wondering why he’d wanted out of their marriage, if twenty-four hours could be considered a marriage. Did she want to relive it? No.

“I’m here for Juliet.”

Silence settled between them. The only other sounds were the nighttime serenade of crickets and the surf lapping onto the beach. She glanced his way just in time to see the raw emotion flashing in his eyes before he blinked it away. Maybe she wasn’t the only one thrown off balance by her visit.

Voices from the banquet room could be heard, cutting short the awkward moment. The party was breaking up, Nealy thought with relief. Dane’s intense gaze remained on her. She shivered, and then rubbed her arms, as if trying to erase the heady sensation.

He leaned forward, his breath, so close to her ear, sending more shivers cascading over her skin.

If she moved ever so slightly, they’d be close enough to kiss. She swallowed hard. The youthful longing she’d quelled now threatened to surface with a vengeance.

As she racked her rebellious brain to come up with something witty and carefree to say, Juliet called out her name.

Dane sent her one final knowing glance before he stood and walked away, his long-limbed stride moving him out of her line of vision. Despite the pain of the past, and her resolve to not let Dane have any kind of hold over her, she’d liked his close proximity.

Disgusted with her own weakness, she groaned and lay back against the chaise lounge, trying to block his image from her mind. She so hadn’t signed up for this when she agreed to help her sister.

“Was that Dane?” Juliet asked as she stopped beside the chaise.

“Yes.”

“What did he want?”

“To bother me.”

“Looks like it worked.” She heard the smile in Juliet’s voice.

Nealy playfully gave her sister the evil eye. “It won’t happen again.”

“What won’t happen again?” Lanie asked, leading the group as the family moved her way.

“Dane. Bothering her,” Juliet answered.

“Think he’s trying to win you back?” David asked as he brought up the rear.

“Of course he is,” Lanie answered in a sharp tone. Her husband sent her a puzzled look and Nealy wondered what was up with her usually peaceful sister.

“Who is doing what?” Nealy’s mother asked.

“Dane. Talking to Nealy.”

“I knew this would happen,” her mother said, sounding resigned. “Didn’t I tell you this would happen, Marshall?”

Nealy silently counted to ten.

“Yes, you did,” her father said. “And I spoke to Dane about it.”

Nealy jerked upward and swung her bare feet onto the patio. “You discussed me with Dane?”

“Yes. Told him you were off-limits. It’s no secret you’re seeing Sam.”

She jumped up. “You did what?”

“You’re my daughter. I’m looking out for your best interests.”

“Again,” Anita chimed in. “You always were weak-kneed around him. We had to ensure your protection.”

Trying to control her exasperation Nealy said, “I appreciate the concern, but I can handle Dane.”

“Please,” her mother scoffed, brushing off Nealy’s concern. “You never were reasonable when it came to Dane. We couldn’t take the chance he might try to lure you into his lair again.”

“Lair?” Nealy spat. She would have laughed at her mother’s overactive imagination except this wasn’t funny. “Trust me, he hasn’t tried anything nefarious.”

Her mother drew up to her full height, although she was still shorter than Nealy. “You’ve got a good thing going with Sam. Please don’t blow it.”

“Don’t worry about my life.”

“Someone has to,” her mother countered.

“Are you kidding me? I can assure—”

Her grandmother interrupted as she broke through the crowd. “Time to say goodnight, everyone. Nealy, will you please drive me home?”

Nealy clamped her mouth shut, retrieved her shoes and went with her grandmother to collect her purse. She couldn’t decide if she should scream or cry. Her father had spoken to Dane? How embarrassing. And way over the line.

“They mean well,” Dorinda said and laid a calming hand on Nealy’s arm.

“There’s a reason why I stay clear of this family of buttinskies.”

“I know, dear.”

Nealy swallowed her bitterness. “I know I disappointed them. Do they have to throw it back in my face?”

“Despite their bluster, they love you, Nealy.”

“I just wish they’d back off.” She shook her head. “Let’s go, Grandmother.”

Needing to walk off her temper, Nealy headed to the lobby. The chilly marble floor under her bare feet did little to cool her down. Hopefully Dane had left for the night because she didn’t want to see him. Not after learning what her father had said to him. Her family might mean well, but it wasn’t their call to make. Her past mistake involved Dane. Her mistake and hers alone. She’d work with him for the sake of Juliet, then she was gone. As she’d told him, she had a life. A great job. A future.

None of which included Dane Peterson.

* * *

AS SOON AS she was back at her grandmother’s house, Nealy settled into the guest room. Her parents had downsized when all the kids moved out, leaving no room for her to bunk there, which suited her just fine. To be honest, she felt more at home here. Juliet had asked her to stay at her apartment, but Nealy declined. Being at Grandmother’s always kept her grounded and centered. She needed some peace with everything going on right now.

After changing into sleeping shorts and a tank top, Nealy sat cross-legged on one of the two twin beds, ready to flip through a scrapbook she’d set on her lap when her grandmother, having changed into her gown and robe, joined her.