All That Jazz (Butler Cove #1)(88)

I was out on Allen and Dave’s boat enjoying a rare day off in South Africa’s midsummer. Their boat rivaled the one we’d spent the day on with Jack Eversea when we went over to Daufuskie to ride horses. I was sunbathing on the top deck, and my WhatsApp dinged with an incoming message.



Jay Bird: Today on President’s Day, it’s winter and it’s depressing as all hell. So to really wallow, I decided to think of the ways I was disappointed by you. You already know my best image of you. But here’s the most disappointing one: You remember the day you jumped off the top of the boat into the Calibogue Sound? I was really hoping you’d lose your bikini top that day. I was extremely disappointed you didn’t flash me. I mean, you couldn’t have even flashed one? Just one boob?



I grinned, brought my phone up and snapped a cleavage shot, not a nipple to be seen in my bikini top. I was still wearing my pink cowgirl boot necklace, so I hoped that made up for it.

“Why do I always catch you taking pictures of your boobs?” Allen’s head emerged up to the top deck at exactly the wrong moment. “Are you sure you don’t want to give the poor guy just a whiff of nipple this time?”

“No. Trust me. That would be even meaner.”

“I disagree. I dare you.”

I looked down to my balconette type bikini top. It wouldn’t work if it had been a triangle one. Too obvious. But I could maybe scoot one of these cups down ever so slightly. It was pretty low cut anyway. I’d have to put my face in the picture though, to make it really look accidental, otherwise he’d know what I was up to.

“Okay,” I told Allen and handed him my phone. “Let’s do this.”

I put my sunglasses on so I didn’t squint but let my hair down into a wild untamed mess, especially in the wind. Then I put my back to the magnificent view of Table Mountain behind us and tugged down one side of by bikini top.

“Okay, that’s enough,” said Allen. “Don’t make me squeamish.”

I burst out laughing, and he took the shot.



Jay Bird: That’s just mean. You just took my breath away. And who the f*ck took that picture?



I had a split second of temptation to make him jealous, but I couldn’t do it.



Jazzy Bear: He’s gay, twice my age and my second best friend in the whole world.





A SMILE TUGS my mouth at the memory. The plane jolts again. Ugh. I hate small planes.

I have an assistant manager position set up and waiting for me at one of the smaller resort hotels on Hilton Head Island. It’s a position I’ve been trying to zero in on for months. My experience in Cape Town the first three months, plus Allen’s contacts, landed me in one of Cape Town’s top luxury hotels. The Cape Grace. It was hard to make the decision to stay in Cape Town after being there my allotted three months, but to be honest, I wasn’t sure I was ready to see Joey again. And I knew I’d never have an opportunity like the one being offered again.

I worked my butt off in the luxury hotel, a more high end establishment than anything Hilton Head Island had ever seen, earning a promotion in four months. Only then did I start applying for coveted positions back home. I applied, knowing I’d only go back for the right thing, and willing to keep living in Cape Town for as long as it took. As it happened, it didn’t take long.

I absolutely adore Cape Town. I hope I’ll go back there to visit a lot. Especially for Allen and Dave’s wedding next January. But it turns out I’m really a Lowcountry girl at heart. I miss my friends. And I miss my mom. I miss the marshes, and I miss the dark soupy ocean that’s actually warm enough to swim in. The ocean in Cape Town is blue, clear, and beautiful. But also freezing. It is close to Antarctica after all. The penguins on Boulders Beach are cute, but they smell. And I miss looking for sea turtle nests.

The day is so clear and we’re at just the right altitude that I can see for miles. Hilton Head Island comes into view ahead, and I trace the coastline south until I find Butler Cove Island nestled in just near Savannah. I spot the Tybee Island lighthouse in the distance. My eyes come back to Butler Cove and my heart thuds heavily with happiness. Home.

As soon as we land, my phone beeps with an incoming message from my mom. “Can’t wait to see you.”

Smiling, I grab my carry on bag, smooth my shorter, shoulder length hair and head down the steps and out into the soggy humid heat. It’s uncomfortable as hell, but I love it.

Entering the small airport building, my eyes adjusting from the bright sun outside, I’m greeted by cheers and whistles from Keri Ann and my mom. They’re holding a banner with the words, “Welcome Home, Jazz.”

I laugh at them and drop my bag so I can grab them both into a massive hug. The banner crumples between us. “Hey, I worked hard on that,” Keri Ann grumbles.

“Dork. Can’t believe you made a banner.” I shake my head, matching her grinning face.

Mom is smiling and crying. I wrap her up in another hug. “I’ve missed you so much,” I tell her.

“Don’t ever go away for that long again,” she answers me and pulls back. Her hands cup my cheeks. “I missed your beautiful face.”

Keri Ann’s gaze wanders to the left and I turn my head.

Joey.

My heart lurches against my ribs.