Page 26 of Island Homecoming

“We’ve got live music now on Fridays and Saturdays,” Reed explained to her. “Helps us winnow the entry list for the music festival.”

She’d forgotten all about the annual music festival Brookwell hosted. Historically, the event was all the best parts of a big beach party combined with a pig roast and an incredible, eclectic list of live performers.

“That sounds like a great time, right Jess?”

Jess nodded along. He was all but telling Mr. Davis they were a couple. But protesting would be impolite and she didn’t wantthatgetting back to her mother. She had plenty of practice deflecting Donna’s matchmaking efforts where Nash was concerned.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Jess said. “It was great to see you again, Mr. Davis, but I need to get on to work.” She smiled at both men. “Thanks for the ice cream, Nash.”

She hustled off before he could offer to walk her to her car. On the way, she reflected on those days when she’d thought she would end up with Nash. Not for a formal dance, but forever.

They’d been good together. Until she’d blown it, losing her perspective about him due to fear of fallout. She’d known better and still managed to sabotage their relationship.

Telling herself it was for the best hadn’t eased any of the heartache. Because she couldn’t know for sure that they would’ve imploded. The only truth she understood right now was that the boy she’d been in love with back then was a man she wanted to fall in love with now.

Did she even have the right to want that? After the way she’d treated him, probably not.

He deserved someone who valued his integrity. Who trusted his word without needing proof.

Besides, the timing was all wrong. Maybe she was just allowing all the personal stuff to serve as a great distraction from her professional crisis, but she had to be careful. She still didn’t know who she was if she wasn’t a cop.

It sure wasn’t Nash’s job to answer that core question.

She made it to the warehouse with plenty of time to change into her full uniform. Including the gun holster at her waist. For a long moment she stared at the gun. Then Caldwell’s voice floated through her head:Carrying is not negotiable.

With deliberate, heavy motions, she slid the gun into place and snapped the loop.

If the drug runners tried to recover the product or the boat, she would need to defend herself. The rest of the protection team was counting on her to not only carry, but to use her weapon if necessary.

For them, she could manage this.

But after? Well, that was a bridge she’d cross when she got there.

Chapter 8

Jess’sphonehadbuzzedin her pocket a time or two, but she managed not to pull it out and check the messages until her first break. And she told herself she wasn’t disappointed that the messages weren’t from Nash. They weren’t actually a couple anymore. And he’d known she was working, so why would he message her?

Besides, once she replied to her mother’s normal check-in, she spotted a text from Gabby. She texted back to confirm it was okay to call. A few seconds later, her phone was ringing.

“Hey,” Jess answered.

“Hey, girl!” Gabby replied “How’s life back home?”

Jess wasn’t sure how to answer. On the one hand, she wanted to tell her friend everything about Nash and all the weirdness circling that entire situation. But how was she supposed to start that conversation? She couldn’t possibly take a chance and discuss it when someone might overhear her.

Especially not Frasier. He’d known her back when she’d been all about living happily ever after with her high school boyfriend. He’d watched her falter at the first sign of doubt and focus on what moved her closer to her career goals.

And now she was back, her career effectively on pause and her heart doing a happy dance whenever she thought of Nash.

“Things are good,” Jess finally replied. “My old bedroom feels pretty dang small.”

Gabby laughed. “I cannot imagine. Supposedly that’s what happens when we turn into adults. Everything we thought was bigger than life is just normal.”

“I can confirm the theory.” Jess chuckled. Gabby was in her forties and as far as Jess knew she’d never gone back to the house where she’d grown up. Work in Key West had brought them close, and shared experiences along with a strong friendship had narrowed the age gap.

“Tell me your mother didn’t turn it into a shrine to your youth,” Gabby sounded horrified by the idea.

“No. Mom’s too practical when it comes to the house.” With her daughter, she was all flights of romantic fancy. “It’s a pleasant guest room these days. She does have a couple of shelves devoted to my greatest childhood accomplishments, but it’s very tasteful,” she joked.

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