27. Aaron

27

AARON

“Let me know what you think of our offer,” I say to the owner of a small building that would work well as one of those popular wellness studios. I can envision it—the space, the soothing colors—but my heart isn’t in it, and if I don’t snap out of it soon, Rocco might throttle me.

I slide into my car and head to our office in the city. The office was Rocco’s idea. One I was on board with at first, even though the traffic can be a bitch.

Since Jack’s departure, I’ve been feeling out of sorts. Like there’s an emptiness I can’t fill without being able to interact with him every day, face-to-face. Something changed between us when he stepped out of his comfort zone to visit me. And the way he asked me to fuck him that night did things to me that I can’t fully admit. Except…I’m pretty sure I’m in love with Jack McCoy, which might not sit well with him. Not with this physical distance between us. The fact that he even put himself out there for me speaks volumes. I know he cares about me too, but any little deviation from our status quo might send him running the other way.

And it again strikes me that I wasn’t in Aqua Vista very long, and despite that, I feel connected to that sleepy, coastal town in a way I haven’t most other places. I can’t help thinking that’s telling. And not just about Jack.

My cell ringing startles me. It’s a number I don’t recognize. “Hello?”

“Uh, Aaron?”

“Speaking.”

“It’s Chuck, Jack’s uncle, from Aqua Vista?”

“Hey, how’s it going?”

My gut churns as I wonder if the call is a good or a bad one. Has something happened to Jack or someone in the family? Listen to me, buying into all that curse bullshit.

“I told you I’d let you know if there were any properties available, and one just went on the market.”

“Awesome.” I’d nearly forgotten. “What’s it like?”

“Well, I’m here now. Want me to video you in?”

“Sure! But hang on, I’m almost at my office.”

“No worries. Hope I didn’t catch you in the middle of something.”

“Nah, just driving. How are all of you?”

“We’re hanging in there.”

We make small talk about his beehives as I pull into my paid space in the garage, and then I hit Accept. “Okay, I’m all set.”

He smiles and waves, then flips the screen. “Okay, so here it is.”

It’s an A-frame cottage, with maybe even less square footage than Jack’s, but there’s something so charming and inviting about the design.

“Might be a little small for you,” he says, moving up the walk toward the porch. “And it needs a lot of work.”

“Why are the owners selling?”

“Mrs. Martin passed away, and her children decided to put it on the market.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

He steps inside, and we’re transported back in time. But around the brocade pillows and awful green couch, I can see the charm of the place with its arched doorways, built-in bookcases, and crown molding.

“It has good bones,” Chuck says, knocking on the wall. “But it would be better to see it in person.”

“Not sure when I can get away again,” I admit. We have a few big deals to close in the next couple of weeks. “Do me a favor and let me know if anyone else puts in an offer?”

“Will do.”

I’m distracted all the way inside the building, past our receptionist, whom I grunt hello to, and to my desk. And then something clicks inside me that feels so dead-on, I can’t shake it. And it’s about more than the quaint fixer-upper cottage.

“You all right?” Rocco asks, bringing me out of my thoughts. He throws himself into a chair across from me.

I study him. “From the looks of you, I could ask the same.”

He pushes a hand through his hair. “Long night.”

“Why is that?”

“Another argument.”

I wince. “I’m sorry.”

“I…I think we need to postpone the wedding.”

“I’m assuming that won’t go over well.”

“No, but the way we’ve been arguing about every little thing is making me…” He trails off and shakes his head, a miserable expression on his face.

“You’re having second thoughts?”

“Yeah, I am.” He frowns, and I’m struck by how dejected he sounds. Rocco doesn’t enjoy failure in his professional or personal life. “But I don’t want to ruin anything while I’m thinking things through.”

“Taking the time to figure out how you feel sounds like a good plan.”

He nods. “So, how about you? You were in another world when I walked in here.”

“Oh, I got a call from Chuck in Aqua Vista.”

His eyebrows knit together. “Chuck?”

“Jack’s uncle. Part beekeeper, part real estate agent.”

“Oh, now I remember. Though not about the bees part. I would’ve liked to see that.”

“Right?” I think back to my discussions with June about the family businesses. “Apparently, that’s how Honeycomb—the general store—got its start.”

“Will wonders never cease,” he says, awe in his voice.

“Anyway, he called because there’s a property available, and I’m thinking about purchasing it.”

“A business idea? Something that might work for our?—”

“It’s personal.”

He inhales a sharp breath. “Y…you plan on moving?”

“No…well, I don’t know yet,” I admit. Though an idea has been forming in my brain for quite some time. “I miss working with my hands, and this place needs work. I just thought, maybe it could be a second home.”

He stares at me. “You’re serious.”

“I am.”

“Does Jack know about this?”

“Hell no. I wouldn’t want to put pressure on him or…disappoint him.”

“Pretty sure that wouldn’t happen.” He barely keeps from rolling his eyes. “Dude, he is all about you.”

Hearing him say that makes my stomach feel funny. But Rocco doesn’t know Jack’s history, though he’s certainly gotten a taste of how stubborn the man can be. “Except we’re long-distance. Who knows what would happen if we were in the same city.”

“You have been. And he visited you too.”

“But we always knew there was an end date.”

“Which made the sex all the hotter?” he teases.

I flush. “Maybe.”

Maybe that’s what I’m afraid of. That somehow we’re fooling ourselves. But my gut tells me differently.

“Anyway, I might drive up there next weekend with my mom.”

I can leave right after we close our deal on Friday afternoon.

“Your mom?”

“She’s been requiring more oxygen lately, especially after a long day at work, so I thought maybe getting out of the city would do her good.”

The only good thing about her office job at the nursing home is that she’s surrounded by nurses and doctors who will easily offer medical advice if she needs it.

“It might.” He stands and raps his knuckles on my desk. “Just…keep me in the loop.”

I drive straight to Mom’s house after work.

“Well, this is a surprise,” Mom says when I let myself inside.

Seeing the oxygen tank again only solidifies my decision.

“How about a weekend away in Aqua Vista? There’s an art fair coming up.”

“I’d love to,” she replies without hesitation.

I sit across from her. “There’s also something else. I’ve been looking at properties in Aqua Vista.”

“Something you and Rocco can invest in?”

I shake my head. “Something I want to do for me.”

Her eyes light up. “That’s a fantastic idea. You’ve been relatively happy in San Jose, but there are times we all need something more or different.”

“That tracks for you too,” I point out.

“I know…” She sighs. “I took yoga at your suggestion, and I enjoy it. It’s true that I need a little kick in the pants from time to time, so maybe that’s an assignment for both of us.”

Doubt and fear balloon in my chest. “I just don’t want to make any rash decisions or get anyone hurt, including myself.”

“That makes sense. But how will you know unless you try?”

Right on cue, Minnie wakes, stretches, and leaves her corner pillow to come sniffing. “Can I bring her with me?”

“You’re a package deal. How can I say no?” I lift Minnie to my lap, noting yet again she’s practically weightless. “Besides, their accommodations allow dogs.”

“That’s right!” She claps her hands excitedly. “My sweet girl will love it.”

“I can’t wait to introduce you to Mae and show you the rescue and, oh, the bakery with the dog cookies too.”

I want Mom to like the town and the people, but I don’t know why it matters so much. It just does.

“I love how excited you are.” She smiles. “I look forward to meeting your grumpy Jack too.”

“He’s not my?—”

“Honey, relax. I’m only teasing.”

I puff out a breath because I’m acting hypersensitive.

“I may not know him yet, but there’s an obvious, undeniable pull between you two. I’m sure he’s a good man.”

“He is.” Of that, I’m certain. He’s protective and trustworthy, loves his family, and works hard. “But that doesn’t mean any of this will work out.”

“Oh, honey. You haven’t been lucky in love, but maybe this time will be different.”

I’ve never felt this way about anyone. The last serious boyfriend I had was years ago, only lasted a year, and I didn’t feel like my heart would crumble from sheer longing if I didn’t see him again.

“I don’t want to make any wrong moves. He’s been burned before, and I…well, I have a business here, a life…”

“You used to live in San Francisco,” Mom points out.

“But I always knew I was coming home after graduation.”

“What if you hadn’t, though? What if life there had suited you better?”

“I’d feel guilty and a little sad.”

“Because of me?”

I nod. “And Rocco. We’ve built a business together.”

“You can’t live your life like that. I’ll be just fine. And so will Rocco.”

I screw my eyes shut. “We’re getting ahead of ourselves here.”

She chuckles. “Maybe a little. I’m looking forward to our trip. I bet Jack will too.”

Unless I decide to surprise him. Might be better that way. No room for excuses or emergency cancellations.