Page 52 of Hearts at Seaside
She was definitely not fine.
He kissed her forehead. “Every time I’ve seen you with your mom, you got along well. Is she really that different now?” He’d met her mother several times over the years. She tended to dote on Jenna, and her pride in her daughter was apparent in the things she said and the look in her eyes. He couldn’t imagine how much things had changed for Jenna to look so conflicted. Then again, he never would have imagined his father changing so much, either.
“We still get along.”
“Why do you look so worried? I know she’s going through a hard time, but you were so sure of how we needed to be there for our parents.” He ran his hands along her hips, letting her know she wasn’t alone with her worries. “What are younottelling me?”
Jenna lowered her eyes to his chest. “She’s acting really weird. She talks about things I definitely don’t want to talk about with my mother, it’s…nothing. Forget it. It’s nothing.”
Thatnothingwas filled witheverything. He lifted her into his arms and set her on the counter, then stood between her legs so they were eye to eye. “Babe, you don’t have to tell me what’s bothering you, but I’m here if you want to. Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.”
Her brows drew together. “I’m fine. Really. She crosses lines these days, so I’ll just be careful how much I tell her.” She picked up a fork and filled it with egg, then offered it to Pete with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Let’s eat before she gets here.”
They took their breakfasts onto the deck, and within minutes, Bella, Amy, and Leanna appeared, mugs in hand, wearing their bathing suits under sundresses. Amy dropped to her knees and loved up Joey.
“It’s about time.” Bella sat across from Pete. “Usually Jenna’s up early.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
Amy swatted her leg and then went back to petting Joey. “Ignore her. She has no manners.”
Pete met Bella’s teasing stare with one of his own. “Shewasup early.” Jenna’s cheeks pinked up as she set her hand on his thigh.
“Finally, a man who can give it right back to you, Bella.” Leanna sipped her coffee and smiled at Bella from behind her mug.
“Ha-ha. I’m so glad you two are finally together. I swear, Pete. I thought we were going to have to hang a banner out front spelling it out for you.” Bella held her palms up, pressing them forward with each word. “Jenna. Likes. Pete.”
He laughed and finished his breakfast.
“Jenna, I was thinking that we should take your mom over to the library with us today.” Amy glanced at Jenna’s plate with an arched brow. “You cooked?”
“Petey did.”
“If I call you Petey, will you cook for me, too?” Leanna asked.
“No.” Jenna leaned in to his side. “I told him that I wasn’t the best cook around.”
He draped an arm over her shoulder. “But you’re the best at a million other things. Teamwork.” He shrugged to make it seem like he was well versed in relationships, when the truth was Jenna made everything feel natural. They’d fallen into sync so easily that he was beginning to think he wasn’t meant to have a meaningful relationship until they came together.
“Aw, you guys are so cute.” Amy sighed.
Pete rose to carry their empty plates inside, and Jenna reached for his hand.
“I’ll get them. You cooked; just relax.”
He smiled down at her. “It’s okay. Visit with your friends. This will only take me a few minutes, and then I need to take off.” He glanced out at the road. “I was hoping to see your mom before I left, but I can catch up with you guys later.” Joey followed him inside the house.
Pete glanced out the window above the sink as he washed the dishes. Jenna tucked her feet up under her as she leaned forward and whispered to Amy and Bella. He couldn’t hear a word they said, but the smile on Jenna’s lips told him that she was as happy as he was. After he washed the dishes, he went into the bedroom to gather his things in his overnight bag. Joey trailed his every step. Jenna had made the bed with hospital corners, and it made him laugh a little under his breath.Jenna. Several paperbacks were stacked neatly, and upon closer inspection, alphabetized by author, on the bedside table, and he noticed that even the rocks she kept on the floor by the door were perfectly lined up. He grabbed his bag and went into the bathroom to collect his toiletries.
Jenna was on the deck with her mother when he went outside, bag in hand, Joey on his heels. Miranda was taller than Jenna by a few inches. She wore her hair shoulder length, and she wore a tight red dress that barely covered her thighs. Jenna had mentioned that she was going through a hard time and dressing younger, and still Pete had to mask his surprise with a fake cough. If the short dress wasn’t enough to tip him off, the heavy makeup on a face that he’d always seen almost bare would have.
“Pete? I didn’t know you were here.” Miranda embraced him, and her smile lit up when she noticed Joey sniffing around her feet. She crouched to pet her.
He shot Jenna a look over her shoulder.Didn’t know? What is going on?It never dawned on him that Jenna wouldn’t tell her about them.
“Were you fixing something?” Miranda’s eyes bounced between Jenna and Pete as she ruffled Joey’s head.
Jenna nibbled on her lower lip and set a pleading gaze on Pete. Bella and Amy had the same look in their eyes. He got the hint, but it pissed him off—and royally confused him.
“Yeah. The sink.” He touched Jenna’s arm. “You should be all set now. Call me if you need anything.”
