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“Surely since you have no interest in running the estate, you can no longer care about the decisions I make regarding who inherits it.” Dad crosses his arms over his chest and leans back in his chair, leveling me with his onyx gaze. “I knew you’d come back.”
“I don’t believe you,” I say.
“I thought you didn’t care what I believe,” Dad replies.
He’s right—I don’t. He never confided in me before, never treated me as anything except the future CEO. Not a son. Why would I expect anything to be different?
“Whatever, Dad,” I say, stalking toward the door.
“Caden, wait.” I turn and see my father’s face has changed. Some of the coldness has left his eyes. He seems to be struggling with his words. “I…your mother would be glad to have you back.”
I stare at him blankly. Is he trying to use Mom’s memory to manipulate me? I wouldn’t put it past him. But I won’t let him draw me back into his web. I won’t let him put puppet strings on me again.
“I’m not back,” I remind him.
Then I storm out of the office.
CHAPTER SIX
ISLA
I lie in bed the morning after seeing Caden, with my stomach tangled up in knots.
When I got back to the bar, Caden and Noah were gone. Alistair was talking to Jake, and I was able to pull Charlotte down to the other end of the bar to tell her what had happened. I tossed and turned all night. Every time I closed my eyes, he was there. I can still feel that molten gaze, hear the growl of his voice, see the vines snaking up his left arm. The scent of him seems to cling to me, different than before and more intoxicating—simpler than the cologne he used to wear. Like leather and soap and fresh air.
My phone buzzes. It’s Charlotte.
Checking in,she writes.Do I need to get my dueling pistols? I will fight Caden if he hurt you again.
I crack a smile for the first time since I woke up.
I’m okay,I promise her.No pistols necessary.
I’ve faced him now—surely that’s the hardest part, right? I’ve faced the big scary monster that’s been hiding under my bed for five years. He said himself he’s not staying. So he’ll do whatever he needs to do to get Marion’s case going again, and then he’ll leave. Go back to Argentina. I try and picture him there, but the images are fuzzy. He was always such an integral part of Magnolia Bay. I can’t imagine him living anywhere else in the world.
My phone buzzes again but it’s Luke this time. I sit up so fast I feel dizzy.
Good morning my queen! Mom says you two are going over the seating arrangements today?
Yup!I reply.Are you going to be there?
I’ve got another golf game with Dad and some clients. But bring a swimsuit and some sunscreen—let’s take the boat out this afternoon
The boat is really a yacht—I had been picturing something much smaller and more economical when Luke first mentioned it to me. But a day on the water with my fiancé sounds like just what the doctor ordered to banish the last of these Caden cobwebs from my mind.
I would love that,I say.See you soon!
Luke sends back a couple of kissing faces and a crown emoji. Feeling decidedly lighter and with a more positive outlook on this day, I hop out of bed and head to my kitchen to make some coffee.
“And of course we’ll have to keep the Rosenbergs and the Montgomerys on opposite sides of the room,” Lucille says with a chuckle as she puts the names at the appropriate tables.
I smile politely, though I have no idea who the Rosenbergsorthe Montgomerys are. But a familiar name catches my eye on the seating chart, and I frown.
“Mrs. Richards,” I say.
“Darling, you’ve got to start calling me Lucille.”
She’s said this before, but it just feels weird—I don’t think she’s the kind of woman who likes being called by her first name. I suppose I should get used to it though. I clear my throat. “Lucille,” I say, “You’ve put Charlotte in the wrong place.”