Incumbent(58)

“I’ll miss you.”

His head bobbed slowly in acknowledgment. “I’ll miss you too. But we can Skype, and I want you to come out to visit me once I get settled.”

“I will. I promise.” A thought struck me, and I smirked. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me with those bitchy women at school.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, sorry about that. Can’t say I’ll miss them. But I have a feeling you’ll be just fine. Follow your heart, and it will lead you exactly where you need to be.”

? ? ?

Once I’d pulled myself together and touched up my makeup, Mason and I headed over to Juno’s, which we considered our place. The happy-hour crowd was there, and cocktails were flowing. I hadn’t been sleeping well since Memorial Day and had been so stressed out, I needed this to try to take my mind off my situation with Drake.

Mason and I had just sat down in a booth when I heard my name. Startled, I glanced around to see Gretchen and Jack walk over to join us.

Gretchen looked beautiful in a cute summer white dress and wedge sandals. Jack was in a suit and tie. He was ruggedly handsome, and a number of female patrons who stared at him didn’t go unnoticed.

“Lucy!” Gretchen pulled me into a hug. “It’s so good to see you.” She looked at Mason and smiled.

A man wearing chinos and a golf shirt buttoned up to his collar walked up to us. He looked very uptight, and Jack tensed as he joined our group. When the man linked his hand with Gretchen’s, I assumed he must be the elusive boyfriend.

Gretchen made the introductions. “Lucy and Mason, this is Scott. Can we join you?”

We nodded, and Mason and I murmured polite greetings as we shook hands with Scott, although Mason’s seemed even less welcoming than mine.

We scooted into our booth to make room. Jack sat next to me and placed his arm on the back of the booth behind my shoulders. His cologne wafted by me, but it wasn’t Drake’s, and that made me miss him more. They looked a lot alike, but there was only one Prescott who made my pulse beat faster.

Gretchen sat between Mason and Scott, and she seemed a little subdued, almost sad.

“How have you been?” Her voice was sweet, filled with genuine concern for me.

“I’m really sorry I left North Carolina without saying good-bye to you or your family. I just couldn’t stay any longer. I hope you understand.” I glanced at them both, and Gretchen nodded her understanding.

Jack, on the other hand, frowned at me. “My brother is a mess.”

I didn’t expect him to say that, and by the gasp his sister let out, she was just as surprised.

“I don’t want to make you feel worse about things,” he added, “but I’ve never seen Drake so lost and confused. He’s a take-charge guy and doesn’t let his emotions cloud his judgment, but right now my big brother has a storm raging in his head.”

“Lucy.” Gretchen’s voice was compassionate, the opposite of her brother’s. “I don’t know the entire story, but I want you to know if you need anything, I’ll be here for you. We all will, won’t we, Jack?” She gave him a pointed look, and even I could see her nudge him under the table.

“Yes, of course.” He took a swig from his drink, but I wasn’t convinced that he was totally on board.

Scott glanced at his watch. “Gretch, I can’t stay long. I have work to do.”

His voice wasn’t as deep as I expected, nor was his demeanor. Gretchen was so outgoing and bubbly, but Scott was a dud. All she did was nod, and Jack shifted in his seat, frowning.

“You can leave now if you’d like to. I’ll take my sister home.”

When I looked up to who said that, Dane was standing at the end of the table.

Is this a Prescott reunion or something?

Scott slid out of the booth and leaned over to kiss Gretchen on the cheek. “I’ll catch you later.”

Dane took his spot and shook his head as he watched Scott hurry away. “He’s such an *, Gretch. I really think you need to reevaluate your standards.”

Mason chuckled as he tried to flag down a waitress. “Are there any other Prescotts lurking around?”

I automatically looked up toward the door, half expecting Drake to walk in, but found myself disappointed when Dane shook his head.

“Where’s Drake?” The question came out before I could stop it.

Dane motioned to a passing waiter and asked him to bring us a pitcher of beer and five glasses. Glancing at me, he said, “He’s on his way back home. I just talked to him.”

My phone buzzed, and my eyes widened when I saw it was a text from Drake.



DRAKE: I’d like to see you tomorrow.





I glanced around the table before typing out a response. Thankfully, our pitcher had arrived and everyone was too busy pouring glasses to notice.



LUCY: Okay. When and where?



DRAKE: Can you meet me at the National Harbor around six? The dock near the Capital Wheel?





What an odd place to meet. Maybe he wanted a neutral meeting place. Whether he meant to tell me his decision or wanted to hear mine, I wasn’t sure, but I’d be there regardless.



LUCY: Okay. I’ll see you then.