Page 22

“The stiletto is a feminine weapon that men just don't have.”

– Christian Louboutin

“I’m going to kill him.”

Sierra watched her sister pace back and forth in the kitchen. Her body vibrated with fury as she shook her fists and muttered to imaginary voices in her head. Montgomery peeked out but didn’t like the stressful vibe, so he ditched them immediately.

Sierra sat on one of the stools at the granite counter and drank wine. After her break-down, she’d decided to call Aspen. Even though she hated bothering her so soon after the engagement party, Sierra knew her sister was the only one who could help.

“What is he trying to pull—some awful third act break-up? This is not okay. This is bigger than a usual black moment in a romance. This man literally stitched your heart back together, vowed his undying love, and told you the next morning he was going to destroy your store? Personally? The store that means everything to you?”

Sierra kept drinking and didn’t answer. She knew Aspen wasn’t looking for answers to her questions. It was her way of processing the mess.

“I swear, I’m putting him in my next novel and he’s going to have a tiny dick!”

She couldn’t help the laughter that burst out of her. God, she loved her crazy-ass sister.

“Good. Make him ugly, too. With awful shoes.”

“The worst. When I get done writing his character, the whole town won’t have anything to do with him.”

Aspen paused and glanced over. They giggled, breaking the tension. With a sigh, Aspen took the stool opposite and poured more wine.

“Okay, I’m calmer now. Tell me what the current situation is.”

Sierra shrugged.

“I told him I need time. I cried all night, and today I called you. He’s reached out twice but I texted him not to bother until I want to talk.”

“Good. This is on your terms, not his.”

She shook her head in wonderment.

“What planet is he from where he believed this would all end up okay?”

Sierra snorted.

“Not sure. He kept saying I’d lose Flirt anyway, so if he was the one in charge, it’d be—better? Does that sound bizarre to you?”

“Yes. How many relationships has this man been in?”

“None.”

Aspen blinked.

“Zero? A man as hot as that? Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I am. He told me he’s never been in love and has no idea how to navigate a serious relationship. I guess my first lesson should have been communication instead of a thousand orgasms.”

Her sister rolled her eyes.

“Who could blame you? You were hard up and the man is obviously a God in bed.”

Sierra groaned and rubbed her forehead.

“What am I going to do, Aspen? I’ve grown this store and just started doubling profits. How do I start over? Will I need to close permanently? Get a real job in some cubicle?”

“Now, who’s dramatic? Listen, you will find another place. Maybe it will be smaller or a less perfect location but look at what Marco did with his souvenir shop. It’s about thinking outside the box. Yes, a beach shop is better with walk-in traffic but it’s not a deal-breaker. You’re just depressed. Your lioness spirit will kick in soon and you’ll find a way to move forward.”

She looked up and nodded.

“Yeah. I guess. Kane kept saying he looked everywhere, like if he solved my problem of a new location, I wouldn’t care he’s the one closing the deal. How can I ever trust him again?”

Aspen nibbled at her lip.

“He fucked up, but hear me out. What if he honestly didn’t think this was a deal-breaker? I mean, I’d rather plead for his stupidity than his manipulation. The man is obviously in love with you. Is there any way you can forgive him?”

“You’re thinking of the way Brick forgave you, right?”

Her sister sighed.

“Yeah. I did something like Kane because I was so focused on my crap. Who I’ve always been. I forgot to realize how I’d changed and wanted something different. Kane may have the same stuff going on.”

“It’s a good point. For now, I booked a meeting with Benny under a fake name, saying it was about the sale. It’s the only way I can get a face-to-face.”

Aspen laughed.

“You’re such a badass. What about the other tenants?”

“I called and told them both what was going on. Carlos said he’d probably retire because he was tired of selling toys, and Deanna said she could find another place for the café. Neither of them want to fight it now. They weren’t happy but took it pretty well. “

“So, there won’t be any protests like chaining yourself to the demolition site?”

Sierra threw a napkin at her.

“No, this is reality. Kane texted me a spreadsheet of other sites for the store with all these stats.”

“Too soon. He should’ve begged for your forgiveness and kept his mouth shut.”

“Men.”

They drank and sat and eventually Sierra felt more like herself. Still broken-hearted over Kane’s choices. Still angry at him keeping the truth and trying to control the situation. Still scared he’d never be able to be the man she could trust and lean on without fail.

But better.

“I wish Mom was here.”

Sierra refilled her glass and gave her sister a sympathetic look.

“I know, babe. But I told you, Mom would be really proud of you. And I’m here for anything you need.”

“Not for me, silly. For you. I know you’re still mad at her.”

Startled, she stared at her sister. Sierra tried not to show Aspen how Mom’s death affected the way she lived her own life. She’d always disapproved of the way her mother lived bold and carelessly, not caring about her responsibilities. Aspen was more like her, with big dreams and stars in her eyes. The outcome of dying in a plane crash chasing some off-track adventure showed Sierra it was better to keep her feet firmly on the ground. So, she’d married her first serious boyfriend and tried to do the right things. She surrounded herself with safety and lived a full life, but without risk.

When she told Kane she loved him, she’d taken the leap. Finding out about his deceit only confirmed her doubts. Sierra now worried she’d been wrong to believe she could have a happily ever after on Mom’s and Aspen’s terms.

Sierra tried to wave off the remark.

“It’s psychology 101. I felt abandoned so I turned to anger. Nothing for you to worry about, Aspen.”

“No, it’s not that. You’re more like Mom than you think. But you never got a chance to explore that part of you.”

Frustration gleamed in her brown eyes.

“I remember when you were younger and how vibrant you were. You lit up a room and everyone wanted to be around you. Boys swarmed for dates, and all the popular girls loved you. Your laugh was the loudest and most joyous. God, I was so jealous of you. To have such a bright light like Mom did.”

Her jaw dropped.

“I was never like that!”

Aspen smiled sadly.

“Yeah, you were. You just forgot. After Mom and Dad died, you changed so much. You became so adult and more serious. I was happy, too, because it meant I didn’t have to take care of anything. I was so wrecked and then I met Ryan in college and had that awful affair. And believe me—I know things happen for a reason and we both made the best of ourselves. I love who we are and turned out to be. But I can’t help being a little sad I never got to see that part of you blossom.”

Her sister paused, allowing the words to sink in.

“I also think being with Kane brought back your spark. You’re different with him. Freer. Less careful. So, even though we both hate him a little now, I don’t want you to give up if there’s a chance you can forgive him. Okay?”

Emotion washed over her. She reached across the counter and grabbed her sister’s hand. Tears stung her eyes. God, she was crying all the time now. It was so annoying.

“Thanks, Aspen. I’m so happy you moved to OBX. I hated doing life without you.”

Aspen squeezed her hands.

“Me, too, babe. Me, too.”

“Dude, you fucked up. Like, seriously.”

“I know,”

Kane said glumly.

“I seem to be doing that a lot.”

They sat in the Jeep together, staring at the empty parking lot. The tours were over for the day, and Kane had sought out his best friend for help. Usually, he’d try to figure crap out alone, but Brick’s words kept filtering through his brain. The suggestion he needed to reach out more and share in relationships. Maybe if he’d taken his advice, Kane would have done better with Sierra.

Brick shook his head.

“I mean, this is bad. You literally said you love her, shared your past, then a few hours later, announced you’d be the one demolishing her store.”

Kane rubbed his palms over his face.

“That sounds terrible. I swear, I planned this better. I intended to tell her after your party, but I got distracted.”

“Sex is not the way to fix issues, dude.”

“Really? Like you didn’t spend your whole summer avoiding issues with Aspen by taking her to bed?”

“Totally different. Plus, I learned. I’m kind of evolved now.”

Kane groaned.

“Spare me the details. I’m here asking for help. This isn’t easy for me!”

“Sorry. Take me through the whole thing again.”

He did. His friend tapped his lip, obviously deep in thought.

“Men and women think differently. You’re looking at this with a purely rational perspective, but you need to consider the emotional part. Stealth was going to buy out that property anyway—you were just the means to an end. As an outsider, you were also a plus. People get stirred up around here and that will raise some blowback.”

“I expected that. I don’t mind playing the role of bad guy. I’m used to it.”

Brick gave him a long look. Unease made Kane shift in his seat. Why did he sense some hard truths coming he wouldn’t like?

“You may be used to it, but do you still want that role?”

“Huh?”

“Listen, what John did to you? That was a betrayal most of us wouldn’t get over easy. It makes so much sense now—I knew you’d never turn dirty.”

“Thanks.”

“Welcome. You’re used to doing this job and looking at black and white. It’s what you know. But Sierra only sees the man she loves betraying her. She doesn’t give a shit about logic or explanations. You’re the one leading the charge to destroy her store.”

“I know.”

Brick was right. Who cared how he tried to make it seem if the result was the same.

“I hoped if I gave her time, and found her a new place, she’d see I didn’t take this job to hurt her. It was simply bad luck.”

“I guess I’m wondering how bad you really want this job with Stealth in the first place?”

Kane didn’t stop to think about his answer.

“It’s what I do. It’s my career.”

“I had a career in New York, too. Built my whole world around being a top finance executive. Now, I’m running Ziggy’s Tours and happier than I’ve ever been. You’ve never given yourself a chance to imagine a different type of career.”

Kane paused. His friend was right. Once, they’d planned on making a huge mark in the industry, but Brick had pivoted and created a new life. A better life.

But Kane was different. He loved the game and the risk, the big money and deals to be made. Without it, he’d be bored.

Right?

“Hey guys. What’s up?”

They both turned as Marco joined them. He opened the back door and climbed in the seat, comfortably settling in. His shaggy hair hung in his eyes. He wore jeans with holes in the knees that were real and not cut for style. His orange t-shirt said Salt Water Cures All Problems.

“Hey,”

Kane said.

“What’cha talking about?”

Brick hesitated.

“Relationship stuff.”

“Cool. I’m good at that. Need help? Or I can ditch if it’s personal stuff.”

Usually, Kane would be polite but change the subject. Other than Brick, Sierra, and Derek, no one knew too much about him or his past. Surprisingly, he wanted to open up more. Something about this place stirred an urge to stretch his comfort zone and invite more people to his inner circle.

“I’m in love with Sierra, but I got an opportunity for a big job which forces me to be the main guy who buys out the property Flirt is on and destroys her business.”

“Oh, shit. That’s a pretty big problem.”

“I know. Brick was giving me some advice.”

“What’s in it for you?”

Marco asked.

Kane cocked his head.

“You mean the job? Well, a lot. I’ve been trying to get back to the high stakes deals where I can make a lot of money. This company—Stealth—offered me a big contract if I finish the deal. I can pretty much re-create what I had in the city.”

Marco nodded.

“Money, power, health benefits, status. Right?”

“Yeah.”

“But if you do, Sierra feels betrayed.”

“Yep. But I’m thinking I can get her to understand. She’s a businesswoman. She knows how these things work, and that it’s separate from my feelings for her.”

Silence settled over the Jeep. He figured Marco would just offer him some sympathy, some support, and some weed. Kane still felt good about sharing.

“Any advice?”

Brick asked Marco.

Marco scratched his head.

“Usually I’d cite romance novels but this screams movie. Either of you see You’ve Got Mail?”

Kane looked at Brick.

“Is that the one with Tom Hanks?”

“Yeah. And Meg Ryan. It’s a female fave.”

“I never saw it,”

Kane said.

“Do I have to?”

“No, I’ll explain. The plot revolves around a small bookshop owner—Meg Ryan. She inherits her mom’s place and seems super happy but then Tom Hanks opens up a big chain bookstore right down the block. It’s got more inventory and discounts and coffee. So, Meg is really pissed and tries to fight the store, but she can’t compete and ends up being forced to close her mom’s shop.”

Kane didn’t like the way this whole dialogue was going.

“So, I’m Tom Hanks?”

“Right. Sierra is Meg. While this is going on, they’re falling in love with each other over the Internet but don’t know who the other is. And in real life, they’re enemies, but there’s also this weird chemistry between them and they like each other, too, but the circumstances are really messed up.”

Brick snapped his fingers.

“Yeah, I remember now! Hanks finds out who she is first, right? And sets up some meeting?”

“That’s right. They finally meet toward the end of the movie—oh, he takes care of her when she’s sick which is a big turning point—and he reveals he’s the one she’s been talking to.”

Hope stirred.

“Wait—they end up together?”

Marco nodded.

“Romcoms always have a happy ending.”

“This is great news. You’re saying Meg realizes Tom had no other choice and it wasn’t personal, and forgives him? And accepts she had to close down her bookstore and it wasn’t his fault because he was just the man behind the company?”

“Yes.”

Kane grinned, his spirit lighter.

“Marco, this is great news! So, you think Sierra will accept this eventually? She’ll find a new location for her store, forgive me, and we all win?”

Marco let out a long sigh.

“No. Sorry. That’s just how the movie ends. But almost every woman I ever spoke with hates the end of that movie.”

His heart sank.

“What are you talking about!”

“They all told me Tom Hanks should never have been forgiven because each time Meg thinks about her mom’s bookstore, she’ll think of Tom destroying her legacy. Basically, Meg should’ve told Tom Hanks he was an asshole and just left him behind and started a new life.”

Kane dropped his head.

“This is the worst pep talk I’ve ever had in my life.”

Brick patted him on the shoulder.

“I know. But it’s truth.”

Marco shrugged.

“Sorry. I’d say you shouldn’t take the new job and fight for your woman. Love is more important than business. Right?”

With one swift movement, Kane got out of the Jeep and shut the door behind him.

“Marco, don’t go into counseling. I’ve never felt crappier. I’m out of here.”

“I can go with you,”

Brick offered.

“We can watch basketball and eat Duck Donuts and drink beer with Dug?”

“No, thanks. I need to be by myself and get my head together. Then go see if Sierra is ready to listen.”

Marco waved goodbye.

“Maybe we can get together this weekend?”

“Maybe not,”

Kane muttered, walking to his own car.

He heard Brick’s voice in the background.

“Give him some time, Marco. I kind of agree with you on that movie. Tom was an asshole.”

Yeah. Maybe Kane was better not to share next time.