Reckless Hearts (Oak Harbor #2)(45)

“That sounds perfect.” I try to stay cool. “I can’t wait.”

We see them out, and I manage to keep up my casual act, but the minute their car disappears down the drive, I bounce in the air and fling my arms around Will in a hug. “Oh my god, do you realize who those guys are?” I cry, feeling giddy. “Only the best developers around. Super exclusive, high-end, not just here but in every city around the world. To even get a meeting . . .” I inhale fast. “This could be massive for me. Imagine if Marcie comes back and I tell her I’ve secured the whole development. She’ll sell me the business for sure! Thank you!”

“I didn’t do anything,” Will replies, looking amused.

“Yes, you did.” I kiss him again. “You always support me, especially with my career. It means a lot to me.”

Will smiles down at me, his eyes clear. “Any time.”

Part of me wants to drag him upstairs right now and show him how grateful I really am, but the other part of me decides to be practical. “We should go get food,” I suggest.

Will looks confused. “It’s early.”

“Yes, but once I get you into bed, I’m not going to want to go hunt and gather,” I point out. “And I’m guessing all you have is some stale crackers and beer in back.”

He laughs. “You’re not wrong there. Alright, what do you want?”

“Pizza,” I declare, heading for my car. “Let’s stop by Franny’s, too. We can pick up breakfast for tomorrow.”

“You really are a girl scout.” Will smiles over at me. “You think of everything.”



In town, I send Will to get dinner while I go take care of breakfast. I buy enough Danish pastries to feed a small army, and get coffee too—since microwaving Franny’s delicious Columbian roast still beats that instant stuff Will’s got molding out on his porch. I’m just waiting back by his truck when I hear a whistle from across the street.

“Dee, baby, where you been?”

It’s Brody, a guy I’ve known since high school, and maybe hooked up with on a couple of nights too. What can I say? It’s a small town, and sooner or later, if you’re single and shooting some pool at Dixie’s, sparks will fly.

“Hey you,” I greet him as he crosses the street and comes over. “What’s up?”

“Nothing special, you know how it goes,” Brody says, looking me up and down. “Damn, you’re looking good these days.”

“Thanks.” I smile, holding up the bakery box. “I owe it all to my healthy diet.”

He laughs, and his gaze turns suggestive. “We should get a drink sometime, you and me. We always had a good time.”

“Thanks, but I’m seeing someone,” I tell him easily.

“You? You’re kidding me.”

“Believe it.” I shrug, and he shakes his head.

“Damn, well, if you ever get bored . . .” He winks, and I laugh.

“What, you’re going to take time out from all your other girls to woo me?”

“Ouch,” Brody laughs, clutching his chest. That’s when I catch sight of Will walking towards us, a pizza box in his arms. I wave, but he doesn’t look happy.

“Hey baby,” I say when he reaches us. “This is Brody.”

“Hi.” Will’s voice sounds kind of curt, and he drapes an arm possessively around my shoulders. I give him a look, but he’s too busy staring down Brody to notice.

“Ready to go?” he asks me, still glaring.

“Um, sure. Good to see you, Brody.” I smile. “Say hi to your mom.”

“I will. You were always her favorite,” he grins.

“Shame you don’t have her good taste,” I laugh, and he says goodbye and saunters off.

Will’s grip on my shoulder doesn’t ease. “Who was that?” he asks, looking tense.

“I told you, Brody,” I reply, confused. “We went to high school together.”

“I’m guessing that’s not all you did,” Will mutters, and I blink.

“Whoa there.” I shrug out of his embrace, annoyed now. “What’s with you?”

“Nothing.” Will turns away, depositing our food into the truck. He climbs into the driver’s seat, and I pause before joining him, trying to figure out this weird mood switch. I’ve never seen him act weird or jealous like this—and I don’t like it.

Will doesn’t say a word as we drive back to his house, but the whole ride, my annoyance grows. When we pull up outside his house, he shuts off the engine and reaches for the door, but I stop him.

“I’m only going to say this once,” I tell him, looking him straight in the eyes. “And then I don’t want to hear about it again. I don’t cheat.” I say each word slow and firm. “Have I hooked up with some of the guys around here? Yes. It’s a small town, we’ve all known each other for years. Do I like to party and have a good time? Also yes. But I’ve never cheated on anyone, and I never will, so don’t you ever feel like you need to stake your territory or whatever was going on back there. After everything you know about me, about my family, you should know that’s bullshit, and I won’t take it, OK?”

Will stares back, and then exhales in a rush.