Page 49 of Free to Believe
I shake my head. “It’s a family thing.” I, more than most people, get that.
Jenna’s irritation with her family ends. Her lips tremble. “But you have to come, Em. I called the restaurant and told them six. I want everyone important to me to be there.”
Stepping up to Jenna, I cup her face. “Sweetheart, I wasn’t invited. It isn’t right for me to crash your party,” I say gently, though my heart warms at her words.
Then I hear him. And the hair on the back of my neck raises. It’s a good thing I left it down this morning so it covers my reaction to just his voice. Despite my best efforts, I can’t get that damn kiss out of my head. I’m even starting to dream about it, which really sucks because I’m no longer waking up refreshed first thing in the morning.
I’m waking up frustrated.
“Actually, Em, that’s what I was coming to talk with you about.” Jake comes up behind me. Laying a hand on my shoulder, he looks around. “It seems my family beat me to it.”
“Beat you to what?” Turning around slowly, I try to prepare myself for the impact of seeing Jake.
Really, I do.
But there’s something inside me that clenches when I see his tender smile directed at his daughter. And it isn’t in my stomach.
Shit.
27
Jake
Standing back, I’d been watching Em interact with my family for a while before I made my presence known. Her complete lack of awe in Brendan’s presence as well as her obvious affection for Dani and Jenna make her even more appealing to me than she simply is for being a knockout with a smart mouth that kicks me in the gut.
But there’s something else that I just can’t quite put my finger on.
Whatever it is, I know I’m not feeling it alone. Despite her cool facade, I feel the tremble ripple down her slight frame when I lay my hand on her shoulder, the most innocent of touches. I address Brendan. “We’re going to Cru. Remember the last time Dani took us there?” I give my future cousin-in-law a rakish grin. The two of us had to escape out through the kitchen to avoid the hordes of people who descended on the restaurant after the two of them were recognized. She hadn’t been too happy.
“Seriously? We’re going back there?” Dani’s frustration is evident.
I chuckle, knowing I’d get a rise out of her. “Relax, brat. I reserved the private room for us. The only fans you two will have to deal with will be the waitstaff and Jenna’s new bestie.” I tack on the last as a warning in Brendan’s direction. He waves his hand, dismissing my concern. He’s used to handling adoring fans after shows. And the one or two that are welcome into our private circle he’ll gladly take on for an occasion like this.
Emily’s held herself stiffly without saying a word. Deliberately, I jostle her. That gets me an elbow to the gut I do my best to hide my reaction to. “What? You don’t like seafood? It has some of the best on the island,” I ask innocently.
“I shouldn’t intrude. It’s a family thing,” she repeats softly. There’s a note in her voice I can’t comprehend. Lowering my head, I try to read her face, but it’s closed off.
I wonder what I’d have to do in order to rip it off permanently. Since the thought of that is now more tantalizing than worrisome, I ask, “Did I do something to offend you?”
Her brows winging up immediately cause me to laugh uproariously. Clarifying, I add, “I mean recently.”
“No,” she says begrudgingly.
“Then come with us,” I coax her. “More than anything I could give my daughter, you sitting around the dinner table yakking on about fashion will likely make her birthday.” I wait for the explosion.
It doesn’t take between one heartbeat and the next.
Pulling herself from the curve of my arm, she stands in front of me. Her fists are clenched at her side. “I do not sound like a boorish animal when I talk about design, Mr. Madison.”
She rips off her sunglasses, and I’m treated to the whipping fury in her eyes. In some ways, I almost wish I could paint instead of playing every instrument I’ve ever touched. I’d love to capture her eyes right now. The dark blue is swimming with nature’s untapped fury after a storm has been unleashed. I should know. I’ve memorized what the sea looks like at those hours. That’s when I most ache for a woman in my arms. And knowing I can find that look in Emily Freeman’s eyes, I don’t know which one of us in more trouble.
“I know. I’m teasing. Please, come with us,” I say softly. “Not because you’re being pressured, but because you want to. Because you feel something for my daughter. And maybe you’re starting to understand that I have no idea what’s happening between us either.” I’m probably going to scare the hell out of her with that.
The war is visible on her magnificent face. She’s fighting something within herself. I’m anticipating her denial since I can see she’s fighting something even though it’s in complete conflict with the longing I read in her eyes. So, it’s a shock when I hear the whispered “Yes” come from her lips.
Stepping farther away, she bunches her hands and mutters, “Shit,” before ignoring me. Turning toward my family with a smile, she says, “I guess I’m coming.”
Jenna lets out a whoop I think they can hear in Madaket. Dani leans back and throws her hands in the air. Brendan just gives me a knowing look even as he stands and applauds. Emily shakes her head. “Jesus, it’s just dinner, y’all.”
