Page 29 of Coming Undone

“Thanks.” Jack’s expression grew serious again. “But you know, I might not be here now if not for some very savvy advice you gave me a year ago, sitting on the back porch of the house. You remember?”

Danny nodded. Jack had been flipping out after giving Alicia the deed to the bed and breakfast. He’d returned to Chatham without making a commitment to her, unsure where he stood with her since she’d been hurt that he bought the inn without telling her.

“I told you not to let her slip away.” Hell, Danny even remembered what he’d been thinking at the time he doled out that brilliant piece of wisdom. He’d figured if he ever had a second chance with Stephanie, he sure as hell would hold tight with both hands.

“Exactly. It was good advice then. It’s good advice now.” Jack turned in his chair as a small band of musicians started tuning up their instruments for the party. “Crap. We’d better go get dressed for this thing. Especially you. You’re the man of the hour.”

“I suppose I am.” Shoving to his feet, Danny knew he didn’t dare be late after his parents went to this much trouble to welcome him home. He would find his suit and try to enjoy the party.

Maybe tonight would help show Stephanie he could still lighten up and just have fun. He could introduce her to the family. Surprise her with a few moves on the dance floor. Play a tune with the band if the chamber orchestra was willing to share a stage.

Everything would be fine just as long as he could forget the clock ticking in his head. And the fear that if he didn’t make every second count with her now, he might never have a second chance.

Chapter Ten

“I’m so nervous,” Stephanie whispered in his ear as they walked across the lawn toward the homecoming party his parents were throwing for him.

“You belong here,” he told her firmly. “My family has all been eager to meet you for years. I guarantee you’re going to get more of a hero’s welcome than me.”

“That’s what makes me nervous.” She stopped in mid-stride on a cobblestone path winding down from the main house to the lawn that led to the beach. “What if I don’t live up to their expectations? Or what if they resent the fact that I’ve been MIA from your life for years-.”

“They would never judge you like that.” He had realized over the past few days with her that her mother’s sky-high expectations of her had done a number on her, something he hadn’t really seen in their time together when they’d first met. “They’re going to be glad to have you here because I’m so freaking glad to have you here. Okay?”

She looked so incredibly beautiful in a hot pink dress she’d shopped for the day before back in Norfolk. Strapless and embroidered with tiny glittery bits, the dress glowed just like she did in the light spilling out from the house onto the lawn. She wore a ring in the shape of a kitten on one finger, a nod to her whimsical side. But her dark hair was pulled back in a glittery clip, a picture of sexy elegance. As much as he’d rather pull her back to the gatehouse and take her hair down, he knew this night was as important for her as it was for him. Her chance to get to know his family.

“Okay.” Nodding, she allowed him to lead her down the steps near the rock garden where he used to play hide and seek as a kid. “Sorry to be so anxious when this night is a chance for your family to welcome you home.”

“About that.” He’d seen all his family members privately this afternoon at one time or another. “They’re welcoming out of town wedding guests who are spending the week here as much as me, so don’t think I’m going to ditch you to hang out with my Aunt Gladys or anything. I’m your date and I’m not going anywhere.”

Not unless she chased him off anyhow. He still couldn’t believe she was here with him. That she’d looked him up after all these years. God, he’d dreamed about her so often. Blown off so many opportunities to date other people, and when he had it had been half-hearted at best. He lifted her hand with the silver kitten ring and kissed the backs of her fingers while the chamber musicians switched to something a little livelier. The tune was a soft counterpoint to the laughter gaining volume from the scattered canopies that sheltered the food and the bars.

“There’s my brother Kyle. We’ll start with him so you know someone before we make a big entrance.”

“We sort of met on the plane, right?” Her blue eyes went to Kyle, the tallest one of his brothers except for their foster brother Axel who was huge.

“Right.” Danny flagged down Kyle and the guy’s girlfriend Marissa Collins. “Stephanie, this is Kyle, your friendly neighborhood power forward for the Philadelphia Phantoms. Kyle, this is Stephanie.”

Heaven knew she needed no introduction. Kyle especially had reason to recall exactly who she was from that old argument they’d had. His eyes flicked over his brother’s nose at the memory and damned if it wasn’t straight again.

“Nice to meet you,” Kyle was Mr. Debonair in his tuxedo and real haircut, an obvious upgrade since he’d met his girlfriend. “This is my girlfriend Marissa Collins. She’s a matchmaking guru back in Philly, so if you guys want any relationship advice-”

Marissa stepped forward to shake Stephanie’s hand, a pair of retro glasses perched on her nose. “Despite what Kyle says, I’m not here in an official capacity. How lovely to meet you.”

“I love your outfit,” Stephanie commented on the silver lace dress the other woman wore. “It looks like something from a red-carpet premiere in the fifties.”

Marissa smiled. “I like shopping for vintage pieces. I usually find great things, and it fits the budget.”

“What budget?” Kyle teased.

“Not all of us rake in money for advertising endorsements,” she reminded him dryly, although she winked while she did so.

Danny was interested in the dynamic there. Kyle seemed utterly taken with his new girlfriend and he’d heard they’d moved in together shortly after meeting. How had the guy managed it so fast? If Danny didn’t start making progress with Stephanie soon, he might have to quiz his brother. He’d waited for her for too long not to make major strides forward in his limited time home.

He was about to introduce Marissa to Axel when the chamber music suddenly came to a halt. A hiss of microphone feedback filled their air and Danny had the feeling his time to escort Stephanie around was about to get interrupted.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention please?” An unknown speaker took the mic, probably one of the dudes in the orchestra.

“I might have to go shake a few hands,” Danny whispered in Stephanie’s ear, hating to leave her side.

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