The past year had been derailing, stressful, and uncomfortable. For as long as he could remember he’d made a plan and stuck to it, spoke up for what he believed in, argued his points without backing down. Lately, nothing had gone as planned, despite his efforts, and change had become inevitable, even when it wasn’t on his terms.
Feeling tired, he straightened up some paperwork and tucked a copy of his latest contracts into a file folder, sitting at his desk to open the bottom drawer.
His hands paused on the knob when he saw the framed photo that had once sat on his desk in the law firm, the one of him and Lisa at their official engagement photo shoot—one of many boxes they had checked as part of their plan to have a perfect wedding.
He shut the drawer abruptly and turned on his laptop before his mind could wander again. Work had always been his driving purpose, just like grades had once been. It was something he was good at, something that came easily to him and made him feel like he was on a path, even if it wasn’t always the one he’d wanted to follow. He’d never been one of the popular kids, never all that athletic, at least not when it came to team sports. Back then it had bothered him, but eventually, he’d thought it had paid off. He’d gone to his first-choice college, then law school, and then started up with a reputable firm, eventually making junior partner.
But when Lisa called things off, he felt directionless for the first time in his entire life.
Even now, after coming back to his hometown, he still felt a little lost and unsure. Of his future. His business. And his heart.
Chapter Eight
The McBride wedding was one of the bigger events that Gabby had on her list for the summer—both the bride and groom came from money, and she supposed she wasn’t completely surprised that Doug had handled their prenuptial agreement, even if it did contradict her romantic notions. Ever popular, the reception was again held at the Yacht Club. Gabby watched the ferry boats come and go as she finished setting out the centerpieces. Rather than a tent, the couple had opted to use the on-site pavilion, and the bright pink roses set on the crisp white tablecloths looked beautiful against the lush green grass and white painted building.
The weather had held up too—blue skies that would result in a clear night that would guarantee stars twinkling above.
The water lapped at the rocky shoreline as Gabby adjusted some votive candles, even though they wouldn’t be lit until dusk, and by the waitstaff. Her duties were officially over, and from a distance, she could hear the cheer of the crowd from the other side of the docks where the couple had decided to hold an open-air ceremony. No doubt, the bride and groom had just been pronounced husband and wife.
Gabby sighed to herself and then made the round to the singles table, where she saw that her name card was already positioned between Doug and— She blinked, not quite sure she was reading it correctly. But it was right there, in pristine, black calligraphy. Chad. Her old crush. Soccer captain, teen heartthrob, barely seen in Blue Harbor since he’d gotten that athletic scholarship to a college out east after graduation.
And evidently, he was still single.
Her heart began to race as the guests began their walk over from the docks, coming around the side of the building that divided the two spaces. She scanned the people, looking for a hint of dark hair, baby blue eyes, a grin that made her weak in the knees, and a swagger that could make any girl swoon.
No one fit the description.
Disappointed, she wondered if he hadn’t shown at the last minute. It was known to happen, and it would be just her luck too. Determined not to let her hopes get too high, she walked across the grass to the open bar and happily accepted a glass of chilled white wine.
She needed to keep a clear head if she was seeing Chad again after all this time, but she was also so nervous her heart was pounding, and her eyes kept darting over the gathering crowd, finally resting on Doug.
He gave a little smile and crossed to her. “Looking for me?”
“Actually, I saw at the table that Chad Johnson is here. Do you remember him from school?”
As if anyone could forget him! Not only was he the most popular guy back in high school, but he was also the most attractive. He was prom king both junior and senior year, which he attended with Nina Payne, head of cheerleading, of course. Gabby had solaced herself with this cliché when he hadn’t asked her both years in a row, even considered trying out for the squad, but it wasn’t her thing.
Doug, however, didn’t look impressed. “Ugh. Always a bit of a jerk, wasn’t he?”
Gabby stared at him, taken aback. “That’s not the impression I had of him.”
“Impressions have no facts to back them up. They’re rather loose opinions, if you ask me.” He was having fun with her, she knew, but she was too nervous to bother with banter at the moment.
She gave a little smirk. “Good thing I didn’t.”
He narrowed his eyes on her for a moment, as if there were something he wanted to counter that with, but seemed to let it drop when he accepted a glass of wine from the bartender.
“Who else is at the table?”
“I didn’t look much beyond that. And I’m afraid I didn’t recognize the woman on the other side of you, so there’s no telling what you’re in for,” she added.
Doug’s brows shot up. “Thanks
