Page 45 of Mic Drop (Passionate Beats #3)

Bennett

“You go ahead. I’m waiting for an email.”

Luke collects snorkeling gear from the chair next to mine. “Join us when you can, B.” He takes off.

I refresh the screen on my cell, waiting to receive the florist’s confirmation.

Somehow, opening these emails as soon as they arrive makes me feel closer to Jenna.

I tap my cell on my thigh, waiting for the message.

Did she hear our new song yet? Did she watch the news, like I told her to?

Does she know the threats from both Lissa and Michelle are over? She hasn’t responded to my texts .

The florist’s email finally arrives. My heart sinks at the first line. “ I’m sorry, Mr. Hardy. Mrs. Hardy wasn’t at home today, so I was unable to complete the delivery at its usual time. I promise to try again in a few hours. ”

She wasn’t there. Or, more likely, she refused to open the door and accept delivery, knowing it was more flowers from me.

Today’s card had the iconic The Godfather line, “I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse.” I need to make her see reason, that we’re meant for each other. I didn’t propose to make her mother happy. We love each other, dammit.

Luke returns to the chairs, dripping. “Let’s get you into the water.”

“Nah. Not in the mood—Jenna wasn’t home to get my flowers today.”

“She must’ve been out.” Picking up a towel, he rubs it over his body, ending by wringing out his shoulder-length hair.

“I guess.” I toss my cell onto the foot of the chair.

“She’ll come around. Maybe she didn’t hear your song yet.”

My stomach constricts. Singing our new song almost undid me, but Luke encouraged me to sing those stanzas a capella .

I was raw. Bared my soul for her. While it’s been radio silence from Jenna, her divorce attorney is still on my tail.

Or at least she was when I was in the States.

I’m too well protected to be served over here, thankfully.

Soon, Tris joins us, followed by the rest of the band.

Over the past few days, I’ve done the unthinkable and let them in more than ever before.

007 plops down next to me, bumping his shoulder against mine.

We’re still navigating rocky waters over how he treated Jenna, but he’s been solid for me over here.

These guys truly are my friends. They’ve rallied around me, especially once Luke shared all the details about Lissa and Michelle’s illegal plots. They’ve also commiserated with me over the state of my so-called marriage. Urged me to hold on. I’m trying.

Tris’s chin points toward Luke. “How’s our new song doing in the charts? ”

“We’re climbing. Sitting at number three right now. Considering it only dropped two days ago, I’d say you have another hit on your hands.”

If only Jenna would hear it.

The guys cheer. Río returns to our huddle, directing a few women carrying bottles over to us. “I asked these lovely ladies to join us, considering they have nice beverages and nowhere to go with them.”

The guys grab the beers and snag the chicks.

I do neither. Doesn’t stop a few bikini-clad ladies from coming over to me, plying me with drinks.

Remembering Luke’s assessment of me as using alcohol or sex to soothe my hurts, I decline both.

The latter because none of them are my wife.

The former because I don’t want any of them to start looking like her. Not that they ever could.

Coop leaves two possible companions and comes over to my chair. “Dude. She’s going to come around. Give her time.”

“All I can do.” I check out his two ladies. Just because I’m not interested, doesn’t mean he shouldn’t partake. “Go on, enjoy yourself. I’ll be fine here.”

“Are you sure? I can send them packing and we can play some volleyball on the beach.”

I smile at his generosity, especially after his history. “No. You go ahead and have fun for both of us. They look like they’ll give you a run for your money.”

He chuckles. “We’ll see about that. Talk later.” Our fists bump.

Music soon filters from the pool area, which overlooks the beach, where everyone’s paired off in twos, threes, or more.

Across the way, Luke’s gaze catches mine.

He raises his hands as if to ask if I want to join them, I shake my head, and his head tilts.

I raise my palm. He gets the hint that I don’t want to join them, simply enjoy the sun.

Standing, I pick up a bottle of water plus my towel and walk down to the beach.

At least no uninvited guests can get past our security here. I drink and walk the shoreline, calmed by the waves while picking up shells and tossing them into the water. When I’m far enough away from the bacchanalia at the mansion, I lay my towel onto the sand, sit, and stare out at the waves.

Where is Jenna?

Why did she refuse today’s delivery?

How much longer can I derail her plan to get a divorce?

These questions play on a loop.

From behind me, a woman says, “It’s beautiful out here.”

I must be imagining things—the voice sounds just like my wife’s. I check the bottle to confirm I’m only drinking water. Without moving a muscle, I reply, “It is.”

“But not as gorgeous as you.”

It’s her. Dropping my water, I leap to my feet and spin around. Jenna stands on the beach about ten feet away, wearing a dress blowing in the breeze and holding her sandals. Her loose hair blows free. I’ve never seen a more unbelievable sight.

“Jenna?” My eyes dart to confirm she isn’t flanked by a process server, and that her hands are devoid of any papers. Nope, only her sandals. Elias stands behind her several feet, awaiting instructions from me.

“Hi, Bennett.” Her cheeks pinken. Her throat moves as if she’s trying to swallow.

I cross my arms across my naked chest and widen my stance. I nod at Elias to give us some space. My gaze shifts above him, to where the entire band watches what’s happening on the beach. They’ve let her come to me but are watching to make sure I’m okay with it. I revel in their solidarity.

“How did you find me?”

She tucks some flyaway hair behind her ear. “I, well, after I found out the band’s in Nice, I used Google translate to find out where you were staying. The locals are very excited that UC is here.”

With a hint of disgust at the lax security, which could’ve welcomed her process server, I say, “Guess we should make sure our whereabouts are more locked down. ”

“I’m glad I found you. My backup plan was to scalp tickets to the concert tomorrow.”

Does she mean this? Why is she here? I want to wrap her in my arms so bad. “How are you doing?”

“I’ve been better. You know, Ma passed away, my clinics were accused of being a front for prostitution, and I picked a massive fight with my husband.”

My arms drop my sides and I will them to remain motionless, even though they’re itching to hold her. “I heard he exposed the people behind the accusations and they’re going to jail.”

She takes a few steps closer to me. “Yeah, he’s pretty awesome that way.”

I lick my lips, aching to taste her again. “I also heard your husband has a new song on the radio he wrote for you. Even sang a part of it a capella .”

She inches closer. “It was breathtaking.”

“I also heard he sends you flowers every day.”

“Because that’s the type of man he is. Even if he can’t be nearby, he always wants me to know he loves me.”

At my sides, my hands fist. “Yet, you’re divorcing him.”

“Actually, that’s why I flew halfway across the globe.” Her head tilts. “No, not that far. Nine hours.” She shakes her head. “Listen, Bennett, I was wrong. Ma’s passing left me so very angry. At God. At the doctors. At nature. I took it all out on you.” She swipes her cheeks.

She’s saying the words I’ve needed to hear ever since Faith died. I want to tell her I forgive her. My mouth drops open, yet the words don’t come. I loved her with my whole heart, and it still wasn’t good enough to keep her at my side and let me comfort her. I close my mouth.

Jenna either doesn’t see my indecision or refuses to believe we’re over.

In any event, she takes a couple more steps toward me, then stops.

“I was wrong. I wanted Ma to live and railed at the universe for taking her away. And by ‘universe,’ I mean you. I blamed you. Shut you out. Pushed you away. You didn’t deserve this, especially when you were being nothing but amazing. You were being you, Bennett.”

She runs the final distance to me, landing with a thud against my chest. I long to wrap her in my arms, yet my limbs remain lifeless at my sides.

“I’m not going through with it, Bennett. I called off my attorney. When I went to her initially, I was out of my mind with grief. Still am. But you make everything easier. Truth is, I want you in my life, as my husband, forever.”

I need more. “Because I got rid of the women saying your clinics are a prostitution front?”

“No.” She takes a step backward, easy since I never hugged her. “Well, thank you for that, but that’s not it.”

“Then why?” I’m not sure what I need her to say, but I haven’t heard it yet. Despite what my body begs me to do.

She tucks her loose hair behind her ear, but it springs free again.

“Why?” She swallows. “Because you sang that song to me a capella , and only I know what that truly means. Because you’re the last person I want to speak with at night and the very first one I want to hear in the morning.

” She offers a wan smile. “Whether it’s true morning or rock star morning.

” She continues, “I want to be a buffer between you and your mother because you never deserved the way she treats you. You’re such a good man, Bennett.

I’m sorry I kicked you out of my life. I never want to be the cause of you being abandoned again. ”

I grasp everything she’s said. However, my arms remain motionless. “Thank you.”

She looks all around the beach and blurts, “Because I love you with my whole heart. And more.”

This. This is what I needed to hear . “Thank fuck.”