The Sapphire Affair (Jewel #1)(59)

“You’re all I thought about under the stars,” Penny said brightly, the dog bounding up by her side.

Steph laughed. “Girl, we need to do something about the fact that you’re thinking about me while camping.”

“I know, but I couldn’t wait to see you. I made s’mores in honor of you. With my main man, Chase.”

Steph wiggled an eyebrow. “I see no one has replaced the golden retriever.”

“And no one ever will. Speaking of main men, what have we got here?” she asked, tipping her forehead behind Steph. Penny’s gaze landed briefly on Jake, who walked toward them.

“That’s my friend Jake,” Steph said, pointing at him with her thumb, trying to keep it casual. “Met him snorkeling.”

As Jake arrived next to them, Penny eyed him up and down. “Hello there. You’re mighty handsome,” Penny declared.

“And your hair is a lovely shade of pink,” Jake said with a smile.

Jealousy flared in Steph. Out of nowhere. “What are you up to these days?” Steph asked, changing the subject. “I heard you worked for Eli and helped with his club, but Marie said you’re using that green thumb of yours now at a flower shop.”

“I did a little bit for Sapphire, but I helped out at the gallery, too. That place was crazy busy when I was there.”

“They’re expanding it now,” Steph said nonchalantly.

“Probably because they need room for all their precious gems.”

“What?” Steph’s head bounced and boinged like a cartoon character. On coiled springs. Eyes popping out of their sockets.

Penny waved a hand in the air and emitted a pshaw. Like this was no big deal. Like they were talking about the weather. “He was always moving diamonds in and out of that gallery. Said he didn’t want to leave them at home.” She adopted Eli’s over-the-top tone. “The gallery is the safest spot for them.”

Penny laughed, and Steph worked on picking up her jaw from the wooden dock. Rearranging her features. Affecting a laugh. This was the easiest fact-finding mission ever. She didn’t even have to ask. Penny had simply offered the delicious intel.

“Like in a safe? Behind the art or something? Like they do in the movies?”

Penny shrugged. “Hell if I know. I just overheard them talking. But let me tell you. He spent a lot of time checking out the frames of the art in the office at the gallery.” She tipped her forehead to the boat. “Let’s get the party started.”

As the pink-haired woman walked ahead, Steph turned to Jake and pumped a fist in victory.




Four hours later, the sun had fallen, the moon had risen, and more than a half dozen women had flirted with Jake on the boat. As if he were the only man around. Sure, he was the most handsome, but Steph couldn’t act like he belonged to her, because, well, he didn’t.

She hung by the edge of the boat, bobbing in the water by the marina. Watching the inky black sea at night, she spent the party chatting with Sandy, Penny, and Reid, and sometimes Jake. With his eight o’clock shadow, ripped arms, and charming smile, he was a magnet. Women flocked to him.

Steph didn’t like it. Didn’t like it one bit. She pursed her lips and gritted her teeth.

By the time 10:00 p.m. rolled around, she’d had enough. She said good-bye to her friends; tapped Jake on the shoulder, since he was in the midst of a long chat with Reid; and told him she was taking off. Whatever sweetness she’d felt in the water earlier had fizzled. She was foolish to have entertained thoughts of trysts, and trust, and letting the man gunning for Eli into her heart.

He shot her a quizzical look, beer bottle in hand.

“I’m tired,” she muttered, and headed onto the dock.

Seconds later, he caught up with her. “Hey. You OK?”

She shrugged.

“That’s a no,” he said.

“Maybe it’s a yes,” she said, offhand.

“You seem annoyed.” He kept pace next to her as she walked toward land.

“You’re observant.”

“What’s wrong?”

She waved a hand dismissively. “I just need to call it a night,” she said, practically race-walking. “We can come up with an art gallery plan tomorrow, right? Isn’t that what’s important?”

“Sure. Of course.”

Her frustration peaked over how easily he shifted gears. “Did you enjoy the party?” Before she could stop the words from tumbling forth, she added, “And the way all the women flirted with you?”

He stopped in his tracks and grabbed her arm. Wrapping a strong hand around her. “What are you saying?”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t notice. Everyone had her sights set on you.”

He shook his head. “Didn’t notice.”

She scoffed. “I don’t believe you.”

He let go of her arm, held his hands out wide. “What else is new? You never believe me.”

She parked her hands on her hips. “Do you blame me? You haven’t been entirely forthcoming.”

“All right. Let’s come forth now. Ask me anything and I’ll tell you.”




Maybe that was too risky a suggestion. But Jake thrived on risks.

She might throw a question at him that he’d want to dodge and dart. But the fact was, he wanted her to trust him. He needed her trust.