The Bartender's Daughter (9 page)

Joanna was cornered. Their sisters, Miranda and Janice, were standing in front of her. Miranda gestured to the dress while Janice
’s mouth tightened, as if she had bitten into something bitter but was too polite to spit it out. Interrupting meant putting himself in the line of fire but, after confirming that Dylan’s hands weren’t anywhere near his wife, he joined the two. He could survive the rest of the evening, as long as he could keep one eye on Sam and know that tonight she’d be his.

He walked up to his sisters and gave the older two kisses on their cheeks.
“You both look beautiful. Doesn’t Joanna look great?”

“
How could you let her leave the house with that dress on?”

“
Despite the fact that she looks too good? No, I did not tell her to change. I’ll just stand here and dissuade any man from coming near her. Isn’t that what every big brother is supposed to do?” He coaxed a smile from Joanna with a wink.

Miranda didn
’t even crack a smile. “No, but this is just one more reason that she shouldn’t be living with you. You’re a bad influence.” She changed the topic, while scanning the room. “Where is Melissa? I didn’t see her when I walked in.”

As if she didn
’t already know that he hadn’t invited her friend as his date. “I wouldn’t know.”

Janice leaned forward.
“Here she is.”

The tall raven-haired beauty entered the tent-covered patio and headed straight for him. She gave Miranda and Janice air kisses before enveloping him in her perfume-scented embrace. The kiss she gave his cheek lasted a little too long. She slid her arm around his waist and kept it there when she acknowledged Joanna.
“Always nice to see you.”

Joanna nodded.
“You too. I need another drink.” She walked off without a look back.

Lee watched his traitorous sister walk away, leaving him literally in his sisters
’ and their friend’s clutches.

“
LJ, I’m so sorry I never called you back. I’ve been so busy with the foundation. Time just got away from me.” Melissa turned her charm on. Each of her words slipped delicately from her pouty mouth.

He tried to ease back and put a little space between them but she followed him. He caught Sam
’s eyes just as the crowd opened up between them. Pink spots bloomed across her cheeks just as she turned away from him and gave her friends her full attention.

He had to go to her.
“Excuse me, ladies. I see Dylan St. James and I’d like to say hello.”

Miranda and J
anice nodded but Melissa followed. She removed her hand from his waist, only to snag his arm with it. “I’ll go with you. I haven’t seen Serena in ages. I wonder who that woman is with Dylan.” She kept a steady stream of inane conversation as they walked to the other side of the patio, occasionally stopping to talk to acquaintances.

He had to forcibly slow his step to keep himself from breaking loose of her grip. They finally reached the small pergola at the end. Melissa hugged Dylan and Serena and then waited with wide eyes for Dylan to introduce Sam. He and Dylan barely acknowledged each other while Serena narrowed her eyes in his direction.

Melissa didn’t seem to notice the tension pinging around the small group. “I’m so glad you both decided to come back for the party. It’s always so dull at these things.” She slipped her hand back around Lee’s waist and turned to look up at him. “Isn’t it?”

Sam looked everywhere but at the two of them. He wanted to explain that this wasn
’t his idea, that Melissa had simply showed up, without any kind of encouragement from him, but then Dylan took up the same position, placing his hand on Sam’s bare back.

He gritted his teeth, remembered that her lips were still plump from his kisses, and released the tension from his shoulders.

“Sam, are you from New York?” Melissa leveled her gaze on Sam.

She finally turned to Melissa, giving her full attention.
“No. I’m originally from Oldport.”

“
I am, too. I’m surprised we’ve never met before. Is your family a member of the club?”

Lee caught the quick flare in her eyes before she tamped down on it.
“No, my father would have rather been on his boat than out golfing.”

“
Since when was the club just about golfing?” She laughed and Sam only smiled in return.

He looked around, hoping Dylan or Serena would save the conversation but they all centered their attention on him. He tried to come up with something to save the uncomfortable moment but
, as he opened his mouth, his mother stepped up to their little group.

She waited for Lee to give her a kiss on the cheek before leaning in to Melissa and giving her arm a light squeeze.
“I’m so glad you could drag LJ away from work. He’s been much too busy for his own good.”

His mother scanned the others and then smiled at Serena. Again he watched as his mother air kissed another cheek. Sh
e gave Dylan an expectant smile and stared at Sam, waiting for an introduction.

Dylan hesitated, giving Lee a quick look before putting his arm on Sam
’s back. “Mrs. Stone, this is our friend, Samantha Pierce. Sam, this is LJ’s mother, Meredith Stone.”

He knew he needed to say something when Sam eyed him accusingly
, but she opened her mouth before the words came to him. “It’s nice to finally meet my business partner’s mother.”

Chapter Nine

He smelled good. Some kind of designer cologne surrounded them as she stuck the key in the lock and turned. Dylan had been keeping his distance since she returned from the ballroom with Lee. The smile hadn
’t slipped from his face, but he watched her closely as she worked her way through the rest of the night. She opened the door and slid her hand across the wood paneling to flick on the light. She didn’t need to see Dylan’s face as his eyes roamed over the ratty interior.

“
So this was your father’s beach house?” He stepped forward and touched the pictures on her dad’s bookshelf. He focused on the one of her holding a striped bass by the mouth. She was nine and the fish was almost as big as she was.

“
It’s not as fancy as all that. My father was devoted to the bar, but he still wanted to fish whenever the weather was ideal. During the summer, he’d sleep here and head out early in the morning. He’d get in a few hours of fishing before having to be at work for deliveries and set up.” She walked away and dropped her bag on the coffee table. She ached to take the dress off, but, with Dylan here, she hesitated to change. They were headed toward an awkward moment and she didn’t want to rush it along.

He put the picture down and ran his fingers through his hair, tousling it in the process.
“You still love him, don’t you?”

Her heart sped up, leaving her breathless while she tried to find the words to keep things right between them.
“I never stopped, but I know there’s no future in it. He’s like a virus, maybe an immune disorder you never really recover from.” She threw herself down on the couch.

Dylan
’s voice was tight and he didn’t move from the spot he was standing in. “What are you going to do?”

“
I’m going to move on. Somehow.” She outlined a hole in the couch with her finger while she worked up the courage to look him in the eye. When she did, she saw that he had walked a few steps closer.

He dropped down to his haunches and faced her.
“Do you know how long I’ve cared for you, Sam? I knew you felt awkward in New York. I knew Serena had no idea how hard it was for you to live up to the life she led. You avoided the parties with lame excuses about being tired or not feeling up to it. I saw through that. I did everything I could to make you feel comfortable and to show you that you belonged in our lives.”

She closed her eyes to the pain of hearing Dylan lay out their friendship like that.
“I know and you’re a great friend.”

He winced and stood up.
“Right. We’re friends.”

She grabbed his hand.
“Come on, Dylan. I don’t know what you want me to say. I thought we were very good friends, but you never gave me any indication that you wanted more until a few months ago. You can’t expect me to change gears like that. My life is too complicated.”

“
I thought I was giving you time to recognize what could be between us.”

Anger surged now, giving her room to breathe. Dylan had no idea what her life had been like.
“Please. Up until a few months ago, you were playing the field and dating one hot chick after another. Don’t pretend like you’ve been waiting years for me.”

“
Okay, so I’ve just realized that I want more than just a friendship.” He stood and walked toward the door.

She waited for him to walk through
, but he stopped just as his hand landed on the doorknob. “You’re right. I dated. I dated a lot. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t care for you, Sam.” He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair once more.

“
I’m sorry. I’m not judging you. I don’t know where things went wrong. I never promised you anything. I never thought there was more between us and then you threw this on me. I wish I could be with you, but I can’t and not only because of Lee.”

“
It’s because of the money, right?”

She nodded. It was more than just that though. There was the way they all lived their lives, like nothing could possibly come between them and anything and everything they could ever want.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“
You have it so you don’t see what a difference it makes. Look around you. This is my life. I’m wearing a borrowed dress and borrowed heels. I had to, to fit in with your group.”

“
It’s his group, too.”

“
I know.” Didn’t she see it for herself an hour earlier when she introduced herself as Lee’s business partner and saw the look on his mother’s face? “I don’t belong in either of your lives. Maybe I don’t fit anywhere but in this tiny cottage and that broken down bar.” She threw her hands up and walked over to the back window to peer out over the bay. Lights on the opposite shore winked out at her. This is how it felt to be always looking in at a life she could never reach.

“
This is ridiculous.”

She spun around at his words.
“Which part? My life? This place?”

“
The way you’re acting is ridiculous. You’re worth more than any of those other women at the party tonight.” He hesitated for a second as if he wanted to say something and then closed his mouth. “Forget it. This isn’t my battle to fight. I’m your friend. That’s never going to change. I want what’s best for you. I don’t know if LJ is going to be it, but, for God’s sake, don’t bury yourself here. Don’t tie yourself to that bar if it’s going to sink with you in it.”

With those parting words, he walked out, closing the door softly behind him. She stayed still another moment. She was more worried about being pulled under by her love for a man that could never understand her, never truly want the life she lived than by the failure of her father
’s business. She turned toward the bedroom. She could worry about Dylan and Lee and the bar just as much in her pajamas as she could in the white gown.

****

Bright red nails scored the material of his white shirt. He had ditched the jacket as soon as they reached the Jeep. Melissa needed a ride and so Joanna the Traitor had taken the back seat.

Melissa took every opportunity to keep her hands and nails on him. He had stopped her forward assault on his thigh with strategic use of the gear shifter. Now she kept her hand on his upper arm.

“Can you drop me off first? I’m exhausted.” His sister tapped him on the shoulder.

Melissa still lived at home with her parents. A drive up into The Bluffs would take another twenty minutes up and back. He did pass by his house and it wouldn
’t be hard to make a stop, except he didn’t want the time alone with Melissa.

“
Do, LJ. You can come in for a drink.” She squeezed his arm again making sure he understood she wanted alone time with him.

He nodded his head and took a right to head down to the center of town. He couldn
’t come up with an excuse and, in turn, he’d be free to stop at Sam’s cottage without explaining anything to Joanna.

She jumped out of the Jeep as soon as he came to a stop and barely waved goodbye as she walked through his front door.

“Your sister’s still heartbroken over Pat, isn’t she?”

He nodded. The story was well known. An engagement could hardly be broken without the resulting gossip.

“She should have known he would cheat. It’s not like any man can keep it in his pants when tempted otherwise.”

He caught a glimpse of her face in the glow of a streetlight. Her eyes were unusually glossy, her cheeks a bright red. It was the first time he saw more than studied nonchalance on her features. Unease crashed over him. He never made any promises but that didn
’t mean his mother hadn’t been making them all along.

“
Mel, we need to talk.”

This time her hand tightened harder around his arm to leave miniscule nail prints. He could feel each one through his sleeve. She crossed her arms across her chest. She sounded almost disappointed when she said,
“You’re not gay.”

It took him time to process her words along with the look on her face.
“No, I’m not gay.” The words came out softly because he knew the rest of the conversation was only going to hurt her.

“
I know. I never really thought you were, but I didn’t know why else you were using me to placate your sisters and mother.”

“
I’m sorry.” He looked out through the front window, regretting this whole conversation.

“
It’s your business partner, right?”

“
Who?”

“
Dylan’s date. The one you couldn’t keep your eyes off of.”

He blew out a breath and squeezed the steering wheel.

“There’s more than just business between the two of you.” She kept her eyes on him and continued when he didn’t reply. “I think we’re a good match. I can be more than just a convenient date. I can be your partner. You need to let me in. Show me that side of your life.”

“
I’m not available like that. I haven’t been available in a long time. I shouldn’t have let my mother put us in this position, and I’m sorry that I gave you the wrong impression.”

“
Because you’re screwing that woman? That doesn’t mean you’re not available for what I need. It only means that you need to learn some discretion.”

“
My relationship with Sam isn’t any of your business. We’ve never made any promises. Hell, we’ve never even kissed.”

She winced at his words and tapped her fingers on the bag in front of her.
“Just bring me home.”

He threw the Jeep in
to drive and continued their ascent into The Bluffs. He didn’t break the silence again until they reached the gatehouse at her parents’ house. Melissa gave him the code and they waited while the wrought iron doors slowly opened. “I’m sorry that I led you to believe there was more to us. Am I wrong? I always thought I wasn’t the only one that had reasons for keeping things the way they were.”

She stared off at the imposing house in front of them. Her hand dropped to the button on her seat belt but she didn
’t rush out of the Jeep when they pulled in front. “I used you just like you used me. I need an escort to keep my family happy. I don’t know what I’m going to do if you’re no longer available.”

“
We’re friends. If you need a date, I’ll be there for you.”

Melissa opened the door and the light above illuminated the front seat.
“She’s going to be okay with that? Are you sure? She didn’t look too happy to have me by your side.”

He thought about Dylan
’s hand on Sam’s bare back and the way he’d leaned in close to whisper in her ear. He remembered the times she’d laughed out loud, her head thrown back and the cords of her neck exposed to Dylan’s lips. He watched them studiously, knowing if Dylan kissed her, he was going to dive across the patio and rip him off her. “It’s not a problem. Give me a call and let me know that you need me. I’ll be there.”

****

Well, that was painful. Sam stepped out of her heels and walked into the bedroom. She unzipped the dress, hung it in her closet, and pulled out a worn T-shirt from the wobbly dresser. Slipping it on, she reflected on the night. In the last two years, she’d learned that all that glitters was not the kind of gold she wanted. The club’s summer gala was a beautiful, sparkling affair but without the kind of substance she craved. The men and women were gorgeous, the food delicious, the drinks strong, and the conversation dull, the laughter hollow.

Then there was Dylan. She had no doubt that making love with Dylan would have been incredible. God, he was gorgeous and sweet. She
’d be signing on for more than one night with him. He thought he was offering his heart. She wasn’t sure if he really was. Dylan wasn’t showing any of the signs of being truly in love. The urgency, the desperation, and the almost searing pain of it all. She knew what it was like to love with her entire being.

And therein lay the problem. She couldn
’t let go of Lee. Not even when his girlfriend was wrapped around him, less than an hour after they almost made love up against a wall in the ballroom. Lee was her drug. He wasn’t good for her, only heartbreak and disappointment could come of her need of him. Two years of cold turkey ruined because she kissed him again. Now she needed to detox.

The knock on the door gave her heart a sudden turn. She had told Lee not to come with her eyes and then the not so subtle comment about a headache.

Without a thought to the short T-shirt and no bottoms look, she ripped open the door. There he stood. She had just seen him an hour ago, and yet he still took her breath away.

Was it Melissa that ruffled through his hair leaving it tousled? A hot streak of jealousy shot through her. Was it Melissa that loosened his tie and rumpled his shirt?

“What are you doing here? I thought I made it clear that I wasn’t up for a visit.”

He pulled a bottle out of his pocket and handed it to her.
“For your headache.” His eyes roamed her body before he opened the door wider to step around her. “I assume by the absence of lover boy’s car that you got rid of him.”