“Because he’s a man, and they’re sometimes incredibly stupid and insensitive. They don’t mean to be. It just happens.”
“Does Jake know you hold him in such high esteem?” Liz inquired, amused by Bree’s assessment.
“My husband is an exception,” Bree declared at once, but then her expression turned thoughtful. “Now, anyway. There was a time when he fell into that category, too.”
“So it’s thanks to what, your training, that he’s evolved?”
Bree grinned. “Pretty much.”
Liz sat back with a sigh. “I envy you,” she admitted without thinking.
Bree looked startled. “Why?”
“Because you have this perfect marriage and an adorable little girl, plus an amazing career as a playwright. Not to mention a flower shop as a side business that you love. You grew up in this incredible town, surrounded by family.”
“Oh, sweetie, believe me, it wasn’t always that way. I couldn’t wait to get away from here and out into the world. When I came home from Chicago as a failure after an apprenticeship at a regional theater, I thought my life was over. Jake hated the sight of me because I’d let him down on so many levels. It took us a long time and a lot of patience and hard work to get where we both are today.”
Liz was startled. “I thought you were childhood sweethearts.”
Bree nodded, her expression nostalgic. “We were and then I blew it. I won’t go into all the ugly details, but when I got back to town Jake didn’t trust me and rightfully so, though of course I didn’t want to admit I’d done anything wrong.”
“How did you get through that and turn things around, because you obviously have?”
“Like I said, it took patience, hard work and a whole bunch of meddling to get us to admit that we still loved each other. We had to figure out whether our priorities meshed. I needed to get my feet back under me, personally and professionally. Jake needed to figure out if he could trust me again.”
She gave Liz a knowing look. “Are you and Aidan having trust issues? Jake’s something of an expert in that area, if you need to talk. He got through to Jenny when she was up in the air about giving Caleb another chance.”
“How’d you know that trust was at the root of my issues with Aidan?” Liz asked, startled by her insight.
“Because you have this big Keep Out wall up around yourself. You’ve denied to anyone who’d listen that you have feelings for Aidan. It’s clear to all of us how hard you’re fighting the attraction. What I don’t understand is if this is really about Aidan or more about you.”
“It’s me,” Liz conceded. “Mostly. He hasn’t exactly been reassuring, though. There’s something he’s keeping from me, something big. I don’t want to get close with another man, only to discover he’s been deceiving me about something important.”
“Another man? Is that about your marriage?”
Liz waved off the question. “Not now, okay? The point is I won’t risk my heart again, not when there are clear warning signs that something’s not right.”
“Have you confronted Aidan about your concern?”
“Sure. And he doesn’t deny that he’s keeping a secret of some kind, but he refuses to let me in on it. He says he’s made a promise and he has to honor that.”
“Well, that sounds fair,” Bree said.
“Unless it’s a convenient lie,” Liz said.
Bree looked startled by the distrust in her voice. “Oh, sweetie, if you think he’s capable of lying to you, then you’ve got bigger problems to worry about. Trust is essential to any relationship.”
“I know that,” Liz said in frustration. “Probably even better than you can possibly imagine. So it seems we’re at a stalemate.” She sighed. “It’s probably for the best. I don’t need the complication of a relationship, anyway. I need to focus on Pet Style and building a life for myself here.”
“A life without a man in it?” Bree concluded. “Even if there’s one right here who makes your toes curl?”
Liz smiled. “I don’t know that he does.”
“Liar. The two of you set off more fireworks when you’re in the same room than the town does on the Fourth of July.” Her expression brightened. “That’s coming up soon. There will be chaos down here on the green, but we can see them from my dad’s, so there will be a huge barbecue there that night. You have to come.”
“Is this another opportunity for you to throw Aidan and me together?”
Bree chuckled. “The party will happen whether either of you is there. I just don’t want you to miss your first big fireworks show in town. You should celebrate with friends.”
Liz couldn’t deny that it sounded like exactly the sort of small-town celebration she’d been envisioning when she’d chosen to settle in Chesapeake Shores. Why deny herself that just to avoid a situation that might never happen?
“I’ll be there,” she promised. “What can I bring?”
“Just yourself, or you’ll insult my grandmother. Nell’s already started baking. Dad’s in charge of burgers and hot dogs. It’s a pretty simple menu. Add some sliced tomatoes and potato salad and we have a major picnic.”
“What about your mom?” Liz asked curiously. “Does she make the potato salad?”
“Actually we take turns trying to keep her out of the kitchen,” Bree said with a laugh. “Cooking’s not her strong suit. Besides, she’ll be working at the gallery all day. She’ll get home just in time for a bite to eat before the fireworks.”
Bree glanced at her watch. “Oops! We both need to run. Time’s gotten away from us. Only ten minutes till our stores open.”
They paid quickly and hurried out. On the sidewalk in front of Pet Style, Bree gave her a quick hug.
“Don’t write off Aidan just yet,” she advised. “The O’Brien consensus seems to be that he’s one of the good guys, and, if nothing else, I do trust my family’s judgment.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Liz promised.
“I also trust the sparks he puts in your eyes,”
