Page 16 of Island Homecoming

“Let’s not go there. I’m content as a temp for now.” Then she blurted out the bigger issue she’d been wrestling with. “I need this time to make sure staying a cop is the right decision.”

Frasier’s eyebrows lifted. “All right. I won’t push. But if you need anything, if you get twitchy in the wrong way, just tell me.”

“You’ll be the first,” she promised.

Relieved when he let her go, Jess finished her shift and made the exchange when her relief arrived. At her car, she locked her gun in the trunk and headed home. She could’ve avoided it, but she drove by the Billings nursery and noticed Nash’s truck already in the lot. Or maybe it was just a random company truck.

Either way, her thoughts were all on Nash and what he might be planning for their upcoming dinner date.At the Inn.She needed to find a dress. No way could she show up to the fancy dining room in her normal off-duty attire of graphic tees and shorts. They’d toss her out on her ear.

That would definitely set tongues wagging.

Best not to give the gossips more ammunition. Although being seen with Nash, knowing talk would follow, didn’t bother her as much as it should. He was right about her owing him more than an apology and she would follow through in good faith.

Maybe, with a little compassion and effort, they could find some healthy closure and reclaim a sliver of their old friendship.

Chapter 5

Whentheirdatenightfinally arrived, Nash was on edge all day waiting for Jess to cancel. He’d been practicing his best snarky replies and arguments to force her into keeping her word.

He wasn’t exactly proud of that, but he was determined to prove that he was over her.

She’d stomped all over what they’d had and his dream of what they could be. And he was sure the only way forward was to get some closure where Jess was concerned.

Maybe then he’d want to get serious about finding someone new. Someone to build a future with.

It was just past three o’clock when he returned to the nursery and sent the crew home due to more heavy rain rolling in from the ocean. In the office, he moved things around on the big board so they wouldn’t miss any clients this week. While he worked, he could almost hear a timer in his head ticking down to the minute when he’d knock on Jess’s front door to pick her up. He felt that same anticipation, the eagerness to see her big smile and bright eyes. Just like it had been when they were kids.

So much for being over her.

He tossed the dry erase marker on his desk and heaved out a sigh.

“Did someone quit?”

He glanced up to see his sister in the doorway. “Didn’t hear you come in.”

“Obviously.” She shoved a hand-tied bouquet at him. “Take these with you tonight.”

He noticed the fresh bandage on her hand. She was always nicking up her hands with various thorns or her knife while she worked. This looked more serious and he wondered what had distracted her. “You okay?”

“Fine.” Her lips pursed and he didn’t believe her.

“What are these for?” He stood the bouquet on his desk.

Nina rolled her eyes. “Don’t play dumb. I know you have a date. With Jess. Take the flowers with you.”

“Uh-huh.” He admired the flowers. His sister had amazing skills and an excellent eye for color. “It’s not a real date. I’m just getting even.”

His sister shook her head, her disappointment clear. “Of course you are.” She glared at him. “Go on and get even then. You’re such a coward. I’m still going to be her friend.”

He overlooked the insult, his mind circling those flowers and how to use them. Would it throw Jess off if he showed up with a bouquet for her? He didn’t plan to be outright mean about things tonight, but he wouldn’t mind making a point of what she’d missed.

Maybe she’d had to leave to find herself and her calling. Not him. He was proud of the business, of carrying on a legacy right here at home. Year by year, they grew a little bigger, took on new projects and clients, and invested in the community. That kind of effort mattered. To him and to the entire town.

And, yes, a significant part of him wished it had mattered as much to her.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Not his place to tell her who her friends could be. Nina lingered in the doorway. “You need something else?”

“We both know that’s not it.”

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