Page 52 of Sunsets at Seaside
The roses were gorgeous, but it was the thoughtfulness of the color roses he’d chosen and the meaning behind them that made her swoon like a schoolgirl.
Jamie drew her into his arms and kissed her.
“Come on. I am right here, you know.” Mark turned away, crossing his arms over his chest.
Jessica stepped back, feeling her cheeks pink up. “I’m sorry.” She turned to finish putting her instrument away as Jamie and Mark joked around about their kiss.
“Babe, I’m going to help Vera with her violin. I’ll be right back.” He turned to Mark. “Behave yourself.”
“Me? I’m not the one playing tonsil hockey.” Mark laughed as Jamie walked away.
Hearing them joke with each other made Jessica feel a little better. Maybe Mark wasn’t as crass as the girls thought.
“You were good,” Mark said in a hushed tone as his eyes darted around the tent. Their friends were gathered just a few feet away.
“Thank you.”
“Working for the BSO is an important job,” he said in a voice that sent an icy chill down Jessica’s spine. Gone was the joking smile he’d flashed so easily when Jamie was with them, replaced with a manipulative look in his eyes, even as they jumped from person to person, to the beach across the street, and to the tennis courts to their right—everywhere but where she stood.
“Yes. It is.”
“You know who Jamie is, right? Of course you do.” He moved closer to her, pressed his shoulder to hers as she closed her cello case. “You also probably know that he needs to focus on his billion-dollar business and all this playing around is just that.Playing around.”
Stunned into silence, Jessica held her breath.
“Jamie’s not a knight in shining armor. He’s not going to swoop you off your feet and make everything in your world flowers and bunnies.”
She froze, unable to think. Her limbs trembled, and it was all she could do to grab the edge of the table to remain erect.
“Jamie Reed can have any woman he wants,” he said in a low growl. “You’re no different from any of the others he’s been with, no matter how pretty you are. He needs to focus, and unless you want to be the cause of his empire’s demise, I suggest you back off.”
Ohnoohnoohno.She couldn’t even begin to process the things he’d said.You’re no different from any of the others…Back off.
“Smile pretty. Here comes Mr. Reed.”
Jessica couldn’t face Jamie. She couldn’t move at all. She felt his hand on her hip. His cheek brushed hers and she closed her eyes.
“Hey, babe. The gang’s going out for drinks. Want to go?”
She opened her mouth, but no words came. The world was spinning out of control, draining her of her strength. She felt dizzy and reached for Jamie’s hand.
“Babe?” Jamie whispered.
“She’s probably tired. Come on. Let’s go grab a few hours of fun before I go back to the Sheraton.” Mark grabbed Jamie’s arm.
“Hold up.” Jamie shrugged him off and moved around Jessica so he was facing her.
She kept her eyes trained on the ground.Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.If she looked at him, she’d cry.
“Babe, are you okay?”
She nodded. “Just…not feeling too well.”
“Then we’ll stay in. We don’t have to go,” Jamie assured her.
“I’m here for one night and you’re going to blow me off?” Mark’s voice was light and carefree, as if he hadn’t just shattered Jessica’s world.
“You’re a big boy, Mark. I think you can handle a night alone,” Jamie said.
