"That part's true," Angie says for Mia's benefit.
"So you turned and drove away," Angie says, trying to finish my sentence, to finish my story.
But I'm not done yet. "Wrong," I say with no small amount of satisfaction. "I refused to leave. That’s when he pulled a shotgun on me. I guess you could say it was the opposite of a shotgun wedding. He pulled a gun on me and told me to leave town. Gave me the whole speech. You're not good enough for my daughter, now get the fuck out of this neighborhood. I never want to see your sorry ass again. Because if she gives up her full scholarship to vet school because of you, I'll shoot so many God Damn holes in you, they'll be firing that football jugs machine right through your left pec, son. Is that what you want?"
Angie’s face turns white. She turns and sits down with a pout on her face that's threatening to bring out an even bigger tent in my jeans.
After a pause, her voice is softer. "Damn it. That sounds exactly like something my daddy would do. He told me he was going fishing that day. Don't wait up, sweetheart,” he said, “I should have known better."
"Whoa," Mia exclaims while excitedly looking down at her cell. "A new blog post says you two are back together. There's a super-hot pic of you cavorting on the beach and everything. The picture’s real, right? Because I have to tell you, it doesn’t look photoshopped."
Mia's gaze leaves her phone and roams over Angie and I before a smile crosses her face. "You two look good in paparazzi photos. But you don't seem like you're back together to me."
"We're not," Angie snaps.
God, she's infuriating. Then I remember the Pirate Ball. Unfortunately, this meet and greet is the last thing Angie and I have to do for publicity purposes. I won't see her again, and the thought of walking out that door without another opportunity feels awful. I need her. The one woman in this little town who won't even give me the time of day.
"Now, hold on a minute, Angie. Since everybody thinks we're back together anyway, why don't you come with me to the Pirate Ball?"
"Sorry, I already have a date."
"You hate those things. Have since we were kids. You'd never go to a dance unless forced to."
"Things change, Jake," she stares me down again, or at least she thinks she is. Only those angry brown eyes turn me on, and the curve of her lips bring back the best memories. I studied her face for years. I know every inch of her. And I want more.
And now I feel a surge of anger wash over me and feel like punching something, anything. Jealousy. Holy shit. I haven't felt jealous since before I left for college.
"Do you really have a date?" I ask suspiciously.
"That's what I said, Jake. Why are you going to the ball? They never seemed to be your thing either."
She has a point. They weren't then and they aren't now. "I have to go because I'm a Quartermaster, remember?"
"Oh yeah," she smirks, "well, I guess I'll see you there."
"Great, I guess you will."
Chapter 15
Angie
The flickering lights of the Beaky Tiki are a welcome sight after the afternoon's events. Of course, I'm late again. Actually having lots of clients is a good thing, but it means extra time spent closing up.
Getting anything done today was nearly impossible anyway, since I spent the entire day thinking about Jake. I can’t believe he really did try to say goodbye. In a way it changes everything. And in another way, it really doesn’t. He’s still Jake, after all. It’s a lot to process.
And thanks to my big mouth, now I have to find a stupid date to that dumb pirate ball.
The familiar silhouttes of Fi and Kaylee sitting at our favorite table along with the ocean breeze puts me at ease for the first time today.
I get to the table with a big smile on my face. Fi and Kaylee get up and give me a hug.
Abigail comes over and joins in, only she has an eye patch on and a new skull and crossbones nametag. Ah, Pirate Festival week. I love it.
“Arrr.” I tell her.
"Arrr, yourself,” Abigail answers before raising an eyebrow at us. “Looks like you guys could use a pitcher of Beaky Tiki Punch and the usual appetizers."
“Oh yes, please. I so need that punch.”
We sit down.
"What were you two talking about?" I ask, sitting and scooting my chair across the sand and closer to the table.
"Wedding stuff," Kaylee says.
"Oh, I love wedding stuff. What'd I miss?"
"You'll never guess," Kaylee says, taking a moment to finish her sip before putting the glass down. I can tell by the gleam in her eyes that it's good news. "We got the Maldives Wedding Venue we wanted."
Fi and I squeal in delight. “That’s the venue that has the little huts over the beach, right? Oh, I’ve always wanted to stay in one of those huts over the beach.”
Kaylee nods. “Damn right. That’s the one.”
I grab a chip. "I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to your wedding, Kaylee. In fact, let me know if you need anything. I'm getting sick of my own personal drama lately and I'd love to join you in your happy drama."
Kaylee smiles, very much aware that she's known for drama. "Speaking of which, girl, how did your meet and greet go? Did you confront Jake? What did he have to say for himself for showing up unannounced after leaving you high and dry?"
Oh boy. That’s a lot of questions. "About that. He kind of has
