Page 20 of The House on Blueberry Lane

“I think it has. Obviously, you didn’t mind being seen with him today.”

Velvet pursed her lips and then said, “Have you forgotten I live on Blueberry Lane where there’s only six houses on the block? In addition, this house is the only one in the cul-de-sac and Jaye and I were sitting at a picnic table in the backyard.” She stood when she felt the need to stretch. “Besides, I’d think people would expect me and Jaye to get to know each other, given the proximity of our residences. The last thing I want is for people to assume Jaye and I have any romantic interest in each other.”

“Who gives a royal flip what anyone assumes? You know the mistakes I made with Vaughn in caring what anyone assumed or knew. It’s your life and you should live it for you and nobody else. And you still haven’t answered my question, Velvet. How was it? How was it spending time with Jaye, the man you once loved?”

Velvet eased back down on the sofa as she thought about Sierra’s question. “I was hoping it wouldn’t feel like old times, Sierra, but...”

“But what?”

“Some parts of it did, although I think we were both trying not to let it. I might have placed him in an awkward position.”

“How so?”

“Jaye doesn’t love me, I know that. On the other hand, he knows why I left and I don’t want him to pity me. That’s why I’ve decided to start dating. The last thing I want is to give Jaye the impression that I haven’t gotten over him.”

“And you’re honestly going to start dating?” Sierra sounded surprised.

“No reason why I shouldn’t enjoy some fun dates. I’m not looking for any serious involvement, but it would be nice to go to the movies or out to dinner with a guy occasionally. Only problem is that no one has asked me out in months. Do you think I’ve scared the guys off?”

Sierra paused before answering. “No, but I believe someone else has.”

Velvet raised a brow, confused. “Who?”

“Webb Crawford. I heard he’s made it known around town that he wants you for himself and has pretty much told the other guys to back off. That means they won’t be approaching you for dates.”

That angered Velvet. “Webb had no right to do that when I made it clear over a year ago that I’m not interested in him. I don’t like his entitled attitude, and he would be the last guy I’d go out with.”

“I don’t blame you for feeling that way, but I’ve known Webb a lot longer than you have, and he was the same way in school. He felt he had a right to have whatever he went after. I guess he figures with none of the guys asking you out, eventually he will be your only prospect and you will go out with him.”

“When hell freezes over.”

“Well, I’m just telling you how he thinks. Vaughn is at the door, so I will chat back with you later. And promise me no more pity parties.”

“Okay, I promise.”

“Good.”

Velvet clicked off the phone, angry at what Sierra had told her about Webb. If the men in Catalina Cove were such wimps that they would do whatever Webb told them, then they weren’t worth going out with, anyway.

Velvet stood and was about to go into the kitchen when she heard a noise outside in the back. Moving to the dining room window, she saw Jaye was cleaning up the grill site. She drew in a deep shuddering breath and let it out slowly as she watched him.

Well, she knew at least one man in Catalina Cove who wasn’t a wimp. Too bad he was off-limits to her.

CHAPTER SEVEN

JAYE STOOD AT the window in his office and looked out. Although this was the middle of the week, memories of last weekend still dominated his thoughts. And he figured that they would for quite some time. Just the idea that he and Velvet had shared a meal together still overwhelmed him because it was something he’d feared would never happen. Hopefully, that meant he was making progress.

Once she’d gone inside her home, he hadn’t seen her again until Monday morning when she’d left for work. As usual, after his morning jog, he had stood in his kitchen and drank a cup of coffee, waiting to watch her leave before he jumped into the shower. She always looked good, although he wished she would wear her hair flowing around her shoulders more. However, he understood that she preferred wearing her hair up in a bun while in the classroom.

The buzzer on his desk sounded and he crossed the room to press it. “Yes, Ms. Carter?”

“Webb Crawford is here to see you.”

Jaye lifted a brow. He recalled meeting the man the night of the town hall meeting a few months ago. He also recalled that Webb was Laura Crawford’s brother. The same Laura Crawford who’d shown up at Shelby by the Sea to see him, basically saying she was interested in him and for that reason they should date. He’d had no problem letting Ms. Crawford know he pursued women and was put off by any woman who pursued him. She hadn’t liked what he’d said but he didn’t care. And that night at the town hall meeting, the one thing he had picked up during his short conversation with Webb was that both he and his sister had an entitlement complex. Jaye was always put off by people like that. “Does Mr. Crawford have an appointment?”

“He said he doesn’t need one.”

Jaye shook his head. Obviously, Larson Barrows had had an open door, a visit-anytime-you-want, come-and-sit-a-spell policy. Jaye didn’t. Sure, he wanted to get to know his customers, but this was a financial institution and there were guidelines and protocols to be followed. Respecting his time was one of them.

---