Page 51 of Hearts at Seaside
Chapter Sixteen
PETE HADN’T EVER thought much about love or marriage. He’d attended friends’ weddings over the years, and he’d still never given the idea a second thought. He watched Jenna standing with her hands on her hips, her face pinched into a scrutinizing leer as she stared into her closet Wednesday morning.How did I go so long without you?With Jenna, he was possessive and jealous. She had her own quirks, but somehow they worked well together. He might think he was nuts if they hadn’t been silently courting each other for years, but during those years their emotions took hold and finally had the space to bloom.
“How can it be that difficult to pick a pair of sandals?” he said with a tender smile as he touched her cheek. He loved that she went to such great lengths to make sure things were just as she liked them to be. He knew she was nervous about her mom’s arrival, but he also knew that she took great pains like this every time she dressed. Bella and the others often teased her about it, but watching her in action gave him a whole new appreciation for Jenna and what she needed to feel comfortable, and he loved her even more for her Jennaisms. He couldn’t believe he’d almost let her slip away. It killed him to think he could have lost her before they’d ever had a chance, and he’d do anything—everything—within his power to ensure she knew how much he adored her.
Jenna slid her eyes to Joey, lying on her doggie bed a few feet away. “How can I explain this to a man?” She wore her green bikini and a pair of cutoffs, and she looked amazing. Her lower lip came out in a little pout that drew his arms around her. “I need to match my cover-up to my flip-flops. And it’s very important. If I pick the wrong ones, I might realize it when it’s too late and I won’t be able to change them.”
“Why won’t you?”
She sighed, with the cutest pout on her lips. “Because what if we’re already out?”
He wrapped his arms around her. “So we come back for them. I will never understand how that brilliant mind of yours works, but I love how you see things that no one else does. The beauty of rocks, the way you pull things together until they calm your obsessions. I want to be your obsession, Jenna.” He smiled—though he was only partially teasing.
“You have been for years.” She went up on tiptoes, and he met her halfway for a sweet kiss. “So you don’t think my OCD will drive you crazy?”
“Never.”
“I’ll make us late to get-togethers.”
He shrugged. “Being on time is for losers.”
“I’ll make you come back home if I decide my earrings aren’t the right ones, even if we’re already late.”
He kissed her forehead. “And I’ll turn the truck around and come back without hesitation. Right, Joey?” He leaned down and pet the pup’s head. Joey rolled over so he could scratch her belly.
“I’ll organize your entire house and you won’t be able to find anything.” She bit her lower lip, her cheeks plumping with her smile.
“I’ll make you a key today.” He planned on paying a visit to his father’s store today, and he’d make her a key while he was there. He sealed his promise with a kiss.
Jenna took his hand and led him into the living room. Sun streaked through the window, warming the room. Pete’s chest tightened with the memory of their lovemaking on the sofa and their admissions of their feelings.
She took her keys from the hook by the door and removed the key to her cottage. “Make one of these for you, too. But I will warn you, there’s a price to pay.”
He arched a brow.
“Darn it. I wish I could think of something sexy to say.”
“Baby, you don’t have tosayanything. You’re always sexy.” After another heart-thumping kiss, Jenna returned to her closet to choose a pair of sandals while Pete cooked breakfast.
She came out of the bedroom wearing a white tank top over her bikini. She flung her arms up in the air and thrust her hip to the side.
“Ta-da!” She lifted each foot and wiggled her toes.
His eyes never left her face. “Sheer perfection.”
She swatted his stomach, then reached into the cabinet for plates. “I meant the sandals, not me.”
“Wait, you have feet?” He dodged another swat and glanced at her tan leather sandals with white embellishments. “They’re perfect, too.” He filled their plates with scrambled eggs and toast.
“What time is your mom arriving?”
Jenna’s smile faltered. “Soon.”
He reached for her hand and felt tension in her movements as he held her against him. She took a deep breath and melted against him. Tension relieved. He loved that he could have that effect on her.
“Babe, if you want me to stick around for the morning, I’m happy to.” He’d planned on talking to his father this morning with the hopes of convincing him to get help without having to force the issue, but if Jenna needed him, he’d remain by her side.
“I’m fine. Really.” Her words were stilted.
