CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

"I'm stuffed," Leilanisaid as Jacob took her plate. "I've eaten more this weekend than I have in ten years."

"You burned a few calories out on the jet ski today," he said, darting her a look.

"Are you jealous, Jacob Dufort?"

"No."

Yes. He had been fucking jealous and hated it. It was as foreign a feeling to him as romantic love. Except that one time.

"You could've joined us."

"On the same ski? Princess, you know he's my brother, right? Even I have boundaries."

She coughed and spluttered, glancing around and nudging his ribs. "Jacob!"

Making this woman laugh was one of his favorite things in the world right now. He leaned in and kissed her lips. "Yes, I was jealous. Okay? There I said it. Do not wrap your legs around other men."

Jesus.

He needed to control himself. But the way she smiled at him right then had his chest pounding.

"For the weekend," he added, and her smile vanished.

Fuck.

"Lani," Jacob dropped the plates and leaned his arm behind her.

"No. You're right. Anyway, I'll be busy with Mom when we get home. Who knows how long she has left?" she said, nodding and glancing out across the fire as it hissed and crackled. "This has been amazing. Thank you for inviting me."

Christ.

There were so many things he should be saying. Like how he couldn't imagine being here this weekend without her. How he loved waking up with her in his arms and watching her little lashes flutter as she dreamed.

How he hadn't been able to fall asleep last night until she tucked her feet up against his legs and he'd been able to feel every part of her.

How he'd still not made an offer on the house despite wanting to buy it—because he knew she wouldn't be in it—felt wrong.

He'd spent way too much time imagining her puttering around in the kitchen or snacking on popcorn in the movie theater.

Or skipping down to the beach in one of her little bikinis...with their fucking dog, which they don't have, because they weren't a couple and Jesus fucking Christ he was losing his goddamn mind.

Inviting his Sailor Club friends wasn't the vibe he wanted in this home.

She was.

Which had Jacob questioning his entire life.

But his words remained stuck in his throat because what if she rejected him? Or what if she said she liked him a hell of a lot too, but it was really about her being scared to be alone?

Leilani had admitted as much to him already.

He didn't want to be someone she clung to as her mom died and then rejected him when the grief had passed.

Yet, seeing her with Knox today had made him so damn jealous, it had unsettled him.

Giving away your emotions and power like that was extremely vulnerable. He'd done it once and look how that had turned out.

Plus, he had enough emotional shit to deal with right now. He had to work out what he was going to do about his father when they returned home.

So he kissed her nose and said, "You're welcome. Thank you for being here with me."

Then he scooped up their plates and carried them to the trash can by the table. He cursed silently to himself as the image of her disappointed eyes stayed with him.

Jacob poured himself a glass of Macallan and turned to lean against the table and watch his family. He hadn't noticed Knox heading his way.

"Hey." He nodded his head, then reached into the ice bucket and added some to his empty glass. "More ice?"

"Thanks," Jacob said and held out the glass. "So, how long are you staying?"

Knox smirked as he poured vodka over his ice. "Keen to get rid of me?"

Jacob shook his head. "Shit. No. Sorry, that came out wrong. I guess I don't know how to do this."

Knox was quiet as he finished making his drink, then he rested on the table next to him.

"I get it. You gained a dad and three more brothers." Knox shook his head. "That has to be a giant surprise."

Knox, Bella, and their brothers had also gained a brother they didn't know about and lost their mom a few years ago. Jacob realized that everyone was dealing with something.

This wasn't just about him.

Although he needed to do the right thing for him, perhaps he'd been a bit shut off.

"Ditto. You all found out about me the same day."

"Yeah." Knox laughed and took a sip. "Listen, while we all want to talk and work this out, we know it"s more important that you and Dad deal with it first. So, no pressure from us."

Jacob turned.

"That's the thing. I don't know how to do this."

"Look, I know there are a million ways to look at this, but losing Mom changed me. Dad could suddenly die and if that happened, you'd never know him. I mean, I fucking hope that doesn't happen." Knox added. "You don't have to love the guy. Or even like him. Do it anyway you want, but don't wait too long that you have regrets."

Jesus, that was heavy, but he had a point.

"Shit, man." Jacob shook his head, then glanced at his new brother. "And what do you want?"

"To be able to stand here like this and talk. To be in my sister's life without her worrying."

"You're very protective of her."

Knox smirked at him, and he frowned.

"What?"

"Like you are of your little girlfriend?"

Jacob glanced over to where Leilani sat, her arms resting on her knees as she chatted to Bella. Her long dark locks flickered in the small breeze and the fire reflected off her sun-kissed skin.

She was so goddamn beautiful.

"She's not mine."

"Yeah?"

Jacob shot back to Knox. "Or yours!"

The way he grinned like a Cheshire cat had him wanting to punch the guy in the jaw.

"Winding you up, brother." Knox said, clasping him on the shoulder with a laugh, then caught himself. "Literally. My door is open for whatever relationship you want."

"Appreciate it." Jacob nodded.

He let out a breath as Knox walked away.

Perhaps it could be easier than he thought if he stopped overthinking it. It wasn't like they had to blend families and live under one roof.

They were adult men and could have adult relationships.

––––––––

LEILANI STRETCHED OUTher legs and stared up at the sky. It was filled with a million stars, though the lights around them made it difficult to see clearly.

Unlike Hawaii.

Many of the less touristy places allowed you to view millions of them, which took your breath away.

Perhaps she'd move back there when her mom passed away. Return to her roots and make a life there. Reconnect with old childhood friends and maybe meet a nice Hawaiian man.

Who didn't frequent sex clubs.

Jacob flopped back down beside her. "Want to head back inside?"

"I'm not really tired," she replied.

"Good. I wasn't thinking of sleeping, princess." He winked at her.

Leilani smiled and turned away. When he didn't say anything else, a pang sliced through her chest, and she knew what they had was coming to an end.

She realized she'd gotten wrapped up in the romance of the whole weekend. Easy to do with all these loved up couples.

Had he forgotten it wasn't real also?

No, Jacob had asked her here for one purpose, and while he was certainly a possessive and slightly jealous lover, that didn't mean he had romantic feelings for her.

She didn't want him to know she was having feelings for him that went deeper. Heck, she wanted nothing more than for Jacob to wrap his arm around her and pull her against him, to feel his warmth and affection. As he had all weekend.

But he didn't.

And that was her answer.

Leilani glanced up, and she saw the tension on his face. Their eyes connected and there was a sadness between them that was new.

What was he thinking?

Olivia suddenly stood and waved out her hands to get everyone's attention. Fletcher stood and joined her.

"We just wanted to say thank you all for coming this weekend. This is the first time we've had all the Dufort family—this generation anyway—here together. Knox, next time we'd love to have all the Montgomery's here," Fletcher said. "Apologies for the mess up in communications."

Everyone murmured agreements.

"You bet," Knox said.

"Tomorrow there's a festival on in town with markets and more wine." Olivia grinned. "Then a band will play down on the beach a little farther along from here. I hope you'll all stay for that."

She had work on Monday but wondered if they'd be able to at least go to the markets. Leilani turned her face to Jacob, and he smiled softly at her.

Did he want to stay or leave?

Leilani had noticed him speaking with Knox and if he was uncomfortable, she would support whatever he wanted.

"You want to go to the festival, princess?"

"Only if you do, otherwise I'm happy to go home earlier in the day." She shrugged, not wanting to pressure him.

Jacob glanced away and her heart deflated a little more.

They both looked up as Hunter climbed to his feet. "We're going to leave tomorrow morning."

"What?" Addison gasped, looking surprised by his announcement as she twisted to look up at him. "No, I want to go to the festival."

"Boooo," Harper said as Hunter reached for Addison's hand and pulled her to her feet.

"You"—Hunter pointed at Harper—"zip it."

"Hey," Daniel growled.

Fletcher and Olivia sat, and Leilani bit her lip, wondering if there was going to be an altercation.

"Holy shit." Jacob leaned into her side as Addison brushed the sand off her dress.

Leilani glanced at him. "What?"

"Look." He nodded with his head over at Hunter.

As she turned back, the entire family let out a loud gasp.

"No fucking way!" Harper cried, and then a hand clasped around her mouth.

Hunter had dropped to one knee.

Oh, my goodness.

"Is he fucking with us?" Amelia asked, just across from them.

"Shh," someone else whispered.

Leilani watched as Hunter lifted his face to Addison and snapped open a small box.

Addy gasped, and her hands flew to her mouth.

Both of them.

"You and I both know that I had to do this in front of all these idiots." Hunter said, and Addy let out a shaky laugh. "I love you. I love you more than dragging this out and tormenting Harper, so I think that proves just how much."

Addison nodded, her hands still over her mouth.

Weird, but okay. Leilani was sure there was a whole bunch of history about this long-awaited engagement that she wasn't aware of.

"There is no one on the planet more perfect for me than you. I'm not romantic, but what I do know is that you complete me. Marry me, sweetheart. Please marry me and shut my family up."

"Yes." Addy threw herself at Hunter, wrapping her arms around his neck, while he simultaneously stood and spun her around.

"The ring!" Harper cried and scrambled to her feet as everyone cheered.

Hunter held the closed box in his hand and shook his head at her. Daniel pulled Harper back down and repositioned his hand over her mouth.

Leilani giggled as Jacob chortled beside her. "God, she's a menace."

Hunter released Addy, dropping her back to her feet and then opened the box. As he slid the diamond onto her finger, Leilani's hand flew to her chest.

He was romantic, even if he said he wasn't.

Tears built in her eyes as the happy couple kissed.

"Oh, God, that was so beautiful." Leilani wiped her cheeks as everyone erupted into applause and jumped to their feet.

When she did the same and felt Jacob stand beside her, she smiled tearily at him and found him scowling.

At her.

"So happy for them." Leilani slid her hands into her pocket and dropped her eyes to the fire.

God she hoped he wanted to go home tomorrow.

She wasn't sure she could handle more of this because it was becoming more and more obvious that she had let her guard down and was falling for the beautiful man beside her.