Built To Last (Sweet Contemporary Romance) Page 6

  “Hey squirt.”

  “Hey, big brother. Try not to be so excited your favorite sister is calling you.”

  Their typical banter elicited a laugh, but he just didn’t feel the humor. If this is how he felt after one weekend with Erin, how would he feel if she left him after six months? Or longer? “You’re my only sister.”

  “That’s why I’m your favorite. Why so down?”

  He kicked his feet up on the desk and leaned back in his chair, the hinges squeaking as he did. “Well, um…”

  “Oh boy, this sounds interesting. Wait, let me get comfortable.” He heard shuffling through the phone and imagined his sister tucking her feet underneath her and leaning back on her couch, her dachshund puppy tucked in her side. “Okay, go ahead. I’m ready now.”

  Typical Nicolle. Knowing his family had his back helped him relax a little. “Well, I met a girl. A woman.”

  “Oh, Jakey. That’s so exciting. You must really like her if you’re telling me about her.”

  “I do. I don’t know what it is. From the minute I saw her, it was just different. She’s so easy to talk to. I love to listen to her laugh.” He knew Nicolle could hear the happiness in his voice. She’d been on the other end of many phone calls after his breakup with Lindsay. She’d even threatened to come down here and have words with his ex-girlfriend.

  His fierce little sister.

  “Wow, this sounds serious. How long have you known her?”

  “Three days.”

  Silence.

  “Nicolle?”

  He heard a huge draw of breath. “I’m just sitting here stunned. I don’t know what to say. My big brother is in love.”

  “What? I’m not in love. I can’t be. It’s only been three…” He paused. “Besides, I’ve been in love before. Maybe you’ve forgotten about Lindsay.”

  “Oh, Jakey. I know she broke your heart. Or you think she broke your heart. But none of us thought she was right for you. We all saw what you couldn’t see. You still may not agree, but her turning you down was the best thing she could have done for you.”

  “Wow, okay. I’m not sure what to do with that information.” He’d wallowed in self-pity for a long time after Lindsay’s rejection, convinced he would never have the dream he’d envisioned for his life. “Did anyone think to tell me this at the time?”

  “Would you have listened?”

  Maybe if they had shared their opinions, he could have spared himself some heartache. Probably not. He wouldn’t have wanted to hear them say anything negative about Lindsay.

  Enough about his ex-girlfriend. He didn’t want to think about her anymore. “Is there a reason you called?”

  “Nope, no reason. Just wanted to check in with my favorite big brother.”

  “I’m your only big brother.”

  “I know. That’s why you’re my favorite.”

  There it was. The relationship with his sister that he cherished. He had so much to be grateful for. A good business, a great house, and the potential of a relationship with a wonderful woman. His cup was way more than half full.

  “I love you, Nikki.”

  “I love you, too. Talk to you later, Jakey.”

  Jake clicked off the call, but what his sister said lingered much longer. He turned back to his papers, but the words swam in front of his eyes and the figures didn’t compute. He leaned the chair back, propped his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes.

  He had a lot to think about.

  * * *

  Three loud thumps sounded on the trailer door. Jake had been so wrapped up in what he was going to do about Erin, that he hadn’t heard anyone approach. He dropped his feet to the floor and spun around. Before he could answer, the door swung open and Austin poked his head in.

  “You busy?”

  Jake stretched his back and twisted from side to side. Sitting too long in the chair didn’t help his recurring back problems, but if anyone could appreciate that, it was Austin. “Nah man, come on in.”

  “I come bearing gifts.” Austin extended a bag from Zinc Cafe. “Lunch.”

  “Great, I’m starved.” And since his plans with Erin had fallen through, he hadn’t considered what he was going to eat.

  “I figured you’d probably be free, since Erin is having lunch with Abby.”

  Jake breathed a silent sigh of relief. Abby, not a date. He shouldn’t feel that connected to anyone after three days, but he couldn’t help it. Jake grabbed the bag from Austin and unpacked deli sandwiches, chips, and cookies. “Dang, Austin, how many people did you plan on feeding?”

  Austin laughed and snatched up a sandwich. “I guess I went a little overboard. I can never decide what I want so I just get it all. “So, you and Erin…”

  Jake choked on the huge bite he’d just taken and grabbed for a bottle of water to wash it down. That didn’t take long.

  Austin laughed at Jake’s discomfort.

  “Laugh it up, buddy.”

  Austin raised his hands in surrender. “Sorry, man. Tell me about your weekend.”

  “What makes you think there’s anything to tell?” Jake wasn’t sure what Erin wanted her boss to know. Besides, their date felt like something private, just between them, and he didn’t want anyone else to intrude on that memory.

  “I saw Erin this morning. There’s definitely something to tell.”

  He couldn’t help but grin. Maybe she’d let the cat out of the bag herself. “I like her.”

  “Of course you do. Everyone likes Erin.”

  “No, I mean I like her, like her. Why haven’t you introduced me to her before now?”

  “Oh, well that’s a different story.” Austin’s brow furrowed and he paused, as if considering his response. “I guess with her being so busy with school and taking care of her family, I didn’t think about it.”

  Speaking of family. “I met her father.”

  Austin’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

  That reaction surprised Jake. What didn’t he know about Erin’s family?

  “She’s been really great with her father and sister. I don’t know how much she told you. I don’t want to betray a confidence.”

  Jake figured it was safe to talk to Austin. She’d clearly opened up to him about her private life and her family struggles. “She told me a lot. Told me her mother died when she was eighteen and she’s basically raised her sister ever since.”

  “That’s right. Her father has been in a bad way for a long time, and Erin had to step in and be mother and father for her little sister.”

  The pride in Austin’s voice mirrored his own. “Not every eighteen-year-old would do the same.”

  “Family is really important to Erin. She wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

  Jake pondered what Austin said, and ran almost every minute of their two dates through his mind. Erin’s family was important to her. Like his was to him. That’s what had been missing when he was with Lindsay. In the two years they dated, he’d never met her family. Granted, they lived on the East Coast, but Jake didn’t think she’d even seen her parents more than once or twice in the time they were going out. And while he wished he could see his family more, they stayed in touch through phone calls, texts, and FaceTime when he couldn’t visit.

  Maybe he’d finally found someone who felt the same way he did. But that raised a new concern. Austin had a professional relationship with Erin and Jake didn’t want to jeopardize that. “Is this going to be a problem, me dating Erin?”

  Austin scrubbed his mouth on a napkin. “No, man, I think it’s great. She just finished up her degree. I only hope I don’t lose her right away.”

  Jake nearly choked again. “Why would you lose her?”

  “I can’t imagine she wants to spend the rest of her life working as my office manager. She got a degree in social work. There are a lot of options for her now.”

  Jake pondered that fact. Erin getting her degree meant she might find a job outside of Laguna Beach. And then he’d be right where
he was when Lindsay left him. But he wasn’t ready to give up on Erin just yet. He’d just have to give her enough reasons to stick around. “Her family is here. I imagine she’ll look for something close to home.”

  “Or you can give her a reason.” Austin wiggled his eyebrows and they both laughed. Little did Austin know how close to the truth he’d come.

  They finished their lunch and Austin headed back to his office, leaving Jake alone again to ruminate on Austin’s advice. He had certainly given Jake plenty to think about. Most importantly, he wasn’t going to let the grass grow under his feet when it came to Erin.

  He pulled out his phone and pressed a few buttons. How was lunch?

  Erin answered almost immediately. Great. Enchiladas at Adolfo’s. I think I’m going to sleep my way through this afternoon.

  He chuckled. Nothing beat a good food coma. Will you have dinner with me?

  Three dots flashed on his screen for several minutes before a response finally came. I’d love to :).

  After making arrangements to pick her up, Jake shoved the phone back in his pocket, a silly grin plastered on his face for the rest of the day.

  Chapter Nine

  ERIN SHOULDN’T HAVE accepted another date with Jake, but she’d been powerless to say no when he’d texted her. She needed to talk to him. She would talk to him… tonight. Tell him about her plans. Then she’d be free to head out of town and start the life that had been delayed ten years.

  No matter how much Dad and Melissa reassured her that they could take care of themselves, she couldn’t help but worry? And then there was Jake. She’d only met him three days ago, had only been out on two dates… or was it one? Could she count dinner on Friday night as a date since she had just met him?

  The number of dates didn’t matter. The instant connection, the stories they shared, that’s what was important. And what had turned her entire plan sideways.

  She stepped into the house after work to change before dinner, but something felt different. Something looked different. “Dad? Melissa?”

  Her father turned into the living room from the hall. His eyes sparkled a little brighter than normal, his clothes hung a little neater. “Hey, honey. How was your day?”

  She masked her shock and kissed him on the cheek. “Hey, Daddy. Today was great. How about you?”

  “Good. Really good.”

  Erin’s eyes widened. She had stopped asking him about his day a long time ago, because his answer was always so depressing. She’d never heard Daddy answer that way. At least not since her mother had died.

  “I planned to grill some chicken for dinner. Are you staying?”

  And he was cooking dinner? She hated to miss out on Daddy feeling better. A chance to spend quality time with him. “Sorry. I didn’t know you were going to make dinner. I made other plans.” She reached to pull her phone out of her purse. “I can change them.”

  Daddy placed his hand over hers. “No, honey. Don’t change your plans. Are you seeing Jake again?”

  She couldn’t help but smile. He certainly was persistent, asking her to dinner after she’d turned him down for lunch. “I am.”

  “Good. I liked him.”

  “Me too.” Knowing Daddy approved of Jake was important to her. “Where’s Melissa? Is she home for dinner or out with her friends?”

  “She’s at work. She got a job.”

  Erin about fell down from the shock. Was she really that out of touch with what was going on with her family? “Wait, what? When did she get a job?”

  “About two weeks ago. She didn’t want to tell you until she knew it would work out. She’s working at the Surf and Sport. Right on Coast Highway. She’s so proud of herself for scheduling the interview and getting the job. I’m proud of her, too.” He wrapped his arm around Erin’s shoulder, his comfort enveloping her. “I’m proud of both of my girls. I don’t tell either of you enough. Melissa and I would not have made it through your mother’s death without you. I know you gave up a lot to take care of me and your sister.”

  Erin hugged her father as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Oh, Daddy. I love you. I only did what anyone would have done.”

  He squeezed her tight, his arms firm around her. Stronger than he’d been in the past. She was so happy that he was doing better. And Melissa had a job. Maybe things were finally falling into place for her to move forward with her plans.

  Except for Jake.

  That certainly put a damper on her happiness. “If you’re sure you’re okay, I’ll go get ready. Jake’s coming in about half an hour.”

  “Go, scoot. Get ready. You don’t need to worry about me.”

  “I always worry about you.”

  She left Daddy in the living room and headed down the hall. Jake hadn’t said where they’d be going, but she wanted to look nice for him. She grabbed her favorite deep pink floral sundress, the one that always gave her confidence, and pulled it on.

  The doorbell rang as she strapped on her platform sandals.

  “I’m coming,” she yelled down the hall. She collected her purse and rushed to the living room. When she rounded the corner, her father was shaking Jake’s hand. He stepped further into the room and stopped short.

  “Wow, you look fantastic.” The intense look in Jake’s eyes confirmed his words.

  She blushed and brushed her hands down her dress, all of a sudden self-conscious. “I don’t know what you planned. I hope this is okay.”

  He slid in beside her. “It’s perfect.”

  The intensity of his words had heat creeping up her cheeks. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been complimented by a man.

  “Daddy, I won’t be late.” She kissed her father’s cheek and then Jake guided her out the door, his hand on her lower back. His gentlemanly gesture comforted her and his closeness gave her a sense of security. After feeling like her life was out of her own control for so long, the feeling was welcome.

  They walked in silence to his truck and her nerves crept in. When was the right time to bring up her plans? Jake was a nice guy. A really nice guy. He didn’t deserve to be strung along. She didn’t know what her future held, and it wasn’t fair to give him a false impression.

  She’d talk to him tonight. And they would likely go their separate ways after that.

  After helping her up and climbing in the driver’s door, he leaned over the console. Could he tell that she had a lot on her mind? That she was about to put the brakes on what was starting out to be a great relationship?

  But he didn’t question her. He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.

  “I missed you today. I was afraid that this weekend was a dream and I had woken up to my normal life without you in it.”

  She sighed. Hadn’t she wondered the same thing? “It wasn’t a dream. I feel the same way.”

  He threw her another one of his amazing smiles and then cranked the engine and backed out of the driveway.

  In the meantime, Erin lost her nerve. She opened her mouth but closed it again. She couldn’t tell him now. Not after those wonderful words that so accurately reflected how she was feeling. Maybe it would be better to talk to him at dinner, when she could look him in the eye.

  “Where are we headed?”

  “Ristorante Rumari.”

  One of the upscale restaurants in town. One that her classmates at LBHS raved about but her neighbors in the valley only dreamed of. “I’ve never been there.”

  “Really? It’s one of my favorite places. I used to…”

  Erin filled in the blanks. “You used to go with your ex-girlfriend.”

  Jake’s shoulders hunched and his voice softened. “Yeah, sorry. I didn’t think.”

  “Don’t be sorry. We haven’t really talked about her much.”

  He turned to her. “How about we talk about Lindsay over dinner? I want to be able to see you, to look in your eyes.”

  Funny he said the same thing she was thinking. This dinner was going to be a lot more serious than either of t
hem planned.

  He returned his attention to the road but he reached out and wrapped his fingers around hers. Their joined hands rested on the console for the rest of the ride.

  They pulled up to the restaurant and Jake easily found parking. After helping her out of the truck, he escorted her into the charming foyer of the restaurant. The relaxing, intimate décor was inviting, the dark floors contrasting the lighter-colored walls. White linen tablecloths draped on each table gave the setting an air of elegance. Large crystal chandeliers suspended from the exposed beam vaulted ceiling and single hurricane candles on each table cast an ethereal glow over the entire room.

  The perfect romantic restaurant.

  Jake looked up to the ceiling and her gaze followed his. “I know why you come here. You love the architecture, don’t you?”

  He chuckled and rested his hand on her arm. “Well, the food’s good, too.”

  A minute later, the hostess led them to a quiet table in the corner.

  “Madam.” Jake pulled out her chair in a grand gesture.

  “Thank you, kind sir.”

  Jake took the seat across from her, the small table the only barrier between them. He stretched out his hand and she placed hers in his. Who knew something as simple as holding hands could take on so much meaning? The silence was comfortable but a thread of tension stretched between them.

  When the waiter arrived, they ordered dinner and a bottle of wine to share. She was sensitive to drinking alcohol, not wanting to become what her father had. But she would enjoy a glass of wine from time to time, and tonight was one of those times. Hopefully a glass of wine would give her strength for the conversation they had to have, both about Lindsay and her own plans to leave.

  After they ordered, they still didn’t talk. She scanned the room, spying other happy couples laughing and smiling while her stomach started to churn. The waiter delivered their wine and presented a sip for Jake to taste and he nodded his approval. After pouring glasses for both of them, the waiter left them alone again.

  But still they didn’t speak. After taking a long sip of her wine, she set her glass down, ready to confront the elephant that had joined them at the table. “So, about your ex-girlfriend.”