Page 117 of Reckless King

I blink rapidly, willing the tears not to fall. He would have been so proud. Tonight is bittersweet, tinged with sorrow and joy in equal measure. I’ve found my purpose in the place he loved most. This is as much a new beginning for me as it is for True Brew. My chest aches with how much I wish Dad could be here to see it. But deep down, I know the truth. He never really left. His memory, along with Mom’s, lives on in these walls, and in my heart as well as Mark’s.

Despite the pride filling me, I can’t shake the hollow ache that lies just underneath. For weeks, I’ve envisioned Tate here,sharing this moment with me. Yet while I’m here, pouring everything I have into this place, he’s out there, back to living the life of a carefree playboy. The thought makes my stomach churn.

Jarrod catches my eye from behind the counter and gives me an encouraging smile, as if he senses my turbulent emotions. I nod at him, grateful as always for his support, then turn my attention back to the customers eagerly awaiting more samples. Keeping busy will help me get through this.

As the night draws to a close, I’m surrounded by the remnants of the successful event—empty cups, used napkins and crumbs from the pastries we offered. A feeling of accomplishment washes over me, but it also brings a wave of tiredness. I sag against the counter, exhaustion seeping into my bones. “We did it.”

“We did.” Jarrod steps up beside me, bumping my shoulder with his. “Your dad would be really proud of you, Violet. I know I am.”

His words make my nose sting and my chest tighten. “Thank you. That means so much to me.”

He flashes his dimples at me. “The turnout was even better than I expected. And the feedback was fantastic. All night, people asked when we were planning the next one.”

Several customers asked me as well. It’s incredible to think they enjoyed the event so much they’re already excited for another. With a smile, I survey the now-empty shop. What a mess, but oh so worth it. “Thanks again for all your help. I couldn’t have pulled this off without you.”

Jarrod grabs a damp cloth and gets to work wiping down tables. “We’re a team, right?”

I nod, pulling out a garbage bag and clearing the leftovers.

As we clean up together, I’m grateful for the easy camaraderie we share. When we’re finished, we step out of the shop together, and I lock the door behind us.

I let out a tired sigh, exhaustion really kicking in now that it’s all over. And with the exhaustion comes the pain I’ve mostly been able to distract myself from for the last few hours. I don’t want Jarrod to see it though. Not when I should still be on a high from the night. I muster another smile. “Thank you again, Jarrod. For everything.”

He studies me, his mouth thinning as he sees straight through me. “I’m sorry you’re hurting, Violet. You deserve better.”

I’ve tried not to let on how sad I’ve been since things ended, particularly considering the short statement that Tate released to the press said the split was amicable, but there’s only so much pretending I can do. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“I was surprised when you told me it was over,” he says thoughtfully. “Especially since he was so possessive of you. Even before you started dating.”

I frown at him. “What do you mean?”

“He was jealous of me,” Jarrod says, a small, slightly smug grin curving his lips. “I could sense it every time he came in.”

I give my head a disbelieving shake. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

He snorts. “It was amusing. And to be fair to him, it’s not like I’m not attracted to you. Maybe if we’d met under different circumstances…” He shrugs, still with that half smile on his face. “But I’m well aware there’ll never be anything more than friendship between us. So yeah, he never had anything to worry about when it came to me.”

I stare up at him, struggling to take in what he’s saying, not only about him being attracted to me, but that apparently Tate was jealous of him. I’m not sure if I believe it. Tate was protective while we were together, but nothing more than that. Then again, does it really matter if he was jealous? Being jealousdoesn’t mean you want the thing you’re jealous over. Sometimes it just means you don’t want anyone else to have it.

My mind flashes to Eric and how he used to quietly seethe if I spoke to other men, taking it out on me later in passive-aggressive arguments I could never win. That was never Tate though. Maybe he was jealous, maybe he wasn’t, but he never took it out on me. He never blamed me for how my relationship with Jarrod might have made him feel.

I inhale shakily. Jarrod is still watching me, his brows drawn together. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

I shake my head, tasting the tears I refuse to shed. Moved by his genuine care for me, I wrap my arms around him, finding comfort in the warm bulk of him. “Thank you. For being my friend. For being here for me.”

He hugs me in return, a hard squeeze, then lets go. “Any day, boss.” With a wink, he shoves his hands into his pockets and takes off down the sidewalk.

I sigh and head in the opposite direction, toward home, my mind drifting back to Tate—his smoldering eyes, his cocky grin, the way he made me feel so incredible. For a short time, I felt like the center of his world, and it was… beautiful.

But in the end, it was clear. Tate may be prepared to risk a lot, but never his own heart. He was only prepared to be reckless with mine.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

TATE

“Please fucking tell me you have good news this time.”

Reid looks up at me, a grim smile crossing his face. “Sit down, and I’ll fill you in.”

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