Page 12

CHAPTER 12

A wkward silence fell between them, and Raven searched for something to say.

Finally, Jake cleared his throat. “Have you eaten anything since you got here, Raven?”

Forgetting to eat was one of many of her bad habits. Did he remember that? She had no reason to think he would.

“No, I haven’t,” she told him.

“You need to eat to keep your energy up.”

She shrugged. “I’ll grab something later.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Did you bring any groceries?”

Good point.

Begrudgingly, she answered, “No.”

His gaze darkened. “It’s not safe for you to go out. Let me order something.”

Jake was making a big fuss out of nothing. “You don’t have to do that. Besides, they probably don’t even have any food delivery here on the island, except for maybe pizza.”

“You’d be surprised. There’s actually a woman here who takes odd jobs. She talked to a couple of restaurants about doing meal delivery for them, and they agreed.”

There went that argument.

Raven shrugged. “Now that you mention it, I suppose I’m kind of hungry.”

“I’d suggest the grilled cheese with peaches from The Crazy Chefette.”

He was just full of ideas, wasn’t he? But were they good ideas?

“Grilled cheese and peaches?” she repeated. “That doesn’t sound very appetizing.”

“Believe me, it’s delicious. You might want to order two. One for later.”

He sounded very convincing. “If you insist, then I’ll try it. But I only need one.”

He grinned as if triumphant. “Fair enough. I’ll make the order for you now.”

Raven watched as he grabbed his phone and called in the order.

Then he turned back to her, and she waited for more awkwardness to set in. Instead, she realized she had more questions for him. Questions about him that felt safer than any questions he might ask her.

“Do you live on Lantern Beach now?” she asked him.

His expression sobered. “I do. I’ve been here about three months. I got out of the military, and Cassidy’s husband, Ty Chambers, recruited me to work for him at Blackout.”

“What exactly are you doing for Blackout?”

“It’s a growing organization. I was hired with four other guys. We’ve all worked on various bomb squads or as explosive experts. We’re on hand when Ty needs us for that. But we take other assignments also. Private security and the like.”

“Sounds like the perfect position for you.”

He offered a half shrug. “I have to say I’m in a pretty good place right now.”

Raven couldn’t help but think there was more to the story. She wanted to ask but didn’t.

Asking would be too personal.

“I’m glad you found a life you’re happy with.” Raven’s throat ached as she said the words.

It wasn’t because she didn’t mean them. She didn’t wish any harm to Jake. In fact, she thought she’d forgiven him. But being around him now made her question if that were true.

As he shifted in his seat, she knew what conversation was coming.

It was a conversation she wasn’t prepared to have.

“Look, Raven—” Jake started.

She held up a hand, cutting him off before he went too far. “I don’t want to talk about what happened.”

“But—”

“I really don’t. Especially not when I have so many other things on my mind.”

Jake stared at her, his eyes crinkled at the edges.

She knew he wanted to talk to her about their past. About what had happened between them. About how he’d never called.

But she had to protect her own emotions, as hard as that could be sometimes.

Instead, she cleared her throat and said, “Let’s just put the past behind us and see what we can do to work together while I’m in town.”

He gave her that stare, his eyes swirling abysses of emotion, until he finally said, “Okay, if that’s what you want.”

It was what she wanted. Logically speaking, at least.

But emotionally it was an entirely different story.

Jake would be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed that Raven had issued a cease and desist on their conversation. They needed to clear the air. Needed to talk about what had happened between them.

He knew Raven was still hurting. So was he.

Pretending like the issues between them didn’t exist wouldn’t make any of this easier. But he couldn’t convince Raven of that, especially if she didn’t want to listen.

For now, he’d stay quiet and respect the boundaries she’d put in place.

Before he could think of anything else to say, the sound of digitized music playing outside hit his ears. “She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain” to be exact.

Numerous people had asked Serena Lavinia not to play music on her ice cream truck late at night. But she never listened.

Serena even went as far as to blame the truck—which was named Elsa, after its original owner—for playing the music randomly on its own.

Jake had a hard time believing her until Cassidy backed up the claim.

A knot formed between Raven’s eyes. “What is that?”

“It’s your food,” he explained.

She squinted. “The delivery driver plays music?”

“She drives an ice cream truck, and she works as a part-time reporter. Before you came in, she was actually at the site of the blast for an article.”

“Interesting . . .” was all Raven could seem to mutter.

“I’ll grab your food.” Jake rose, ready to be away from Raven a moment so he could compose himself.

Raven had always had that effect on him, and he didn’t foresee that changing anytime soon.

He stepped outside, the kid-inspired music louder as he opened the door.

Before walking toward the ice cream truck, he glanced around.

He didn’t see anyone—but he’d still need to be careful, especially until they had more answers.

He hurried toward the truck. As he approached, Serena rolled her window down and stuck her arm out, a brown bag in hand. “One delivery for a Mr. Jake Laudner.”

“Thanks, Serena.”

She grinned and raised her chin. “No problem. I aim to please. You want some ice cream while I’m here? Two for one deal.”

“Buy one get one?”

“No, I deliver food and sell dessert. What more could you ask for?”

A smile started to curl part of Jake’s lip. The woman was quite the salesperson and a real fixture here on Lantern Beach.

Then he realized that some ice cream actually sounded pretty good.

“I’ll take a Nutty Buddy.” He stared at the product chart on the side of the vehicle. “And give me a . . .”

Bomb pop? That seemed like it would be in poor taste considering these circumstances.

What would Raven like?

“Drumstick ice cream cone,” he finally said.

Memories of the two of them getting ice cream together in New York during their five days together filled his thoughts.

Memories of her laughter. Of the light in Raven’s gaze. Of the affection in her expression.

Memories that would never be recreated.

His heart thudded with disappointment.

However, he did remember that Raven had loved vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup and nuts.

Maybe she’d also like a drumstick.

“Coming right up.” Serena disappeared into the back before reappearing with the ice cream.

Jake handed her cash for the ice cream, plus a tip. Then he headed back inside.

He’d probably been too impulsive. He wasn’t sure if Raven still liked ice cream. Even if she did, the fact he remembered that she liked vanilla ice cream with chocolate and nuts and was bringing it to her now could be taken the wrong way.

He briefly thought about sticking the ice cream in a trash can as he passed it outside.

But he changed his mind.

He wouldn’t make a big deal of it, and hopefully Raven wouldn’t either.

However, this entire situation felt entirely more complicated than it should.