Page 18 of The Cottage on Plum Island
“As long as Harriet keeps donating to the clinic,” Daniella said, raising her glass to Harriet, “I don’t mind stealing the odd bottle of champagne that costs more than some people make.”
As the night went on, the group enjoyed each other’s company as their laughter echoed through the cabin, mingling with the lively sounds of the band playing tunes across the decades. Harley started to relax as he soaked up the atmosphere—the tension and disagreements of the day momentarily floating away into the ocean on the gentle breeze that blew in through the open doors.
As they tucked into the meal, Harley joined in the camaraderie of his friends, and while their eyes clashed during various table conversations, Harley and Jennifer managed to avoid direct conversation, opting to speak around each other rather than reigniting the sparks of temper that always seemed to flare up between them. Harley couldn’t remember ever having a conversation with Jennifer that didn’t end in a heated argument and where one of them, usually her, stormed off in a huff.
Finn arrived late, as usual, and took center stage in the group. Within an hour, Finn had everyone heading for the dance floor as he got the band to play his favorite medley of dance songs. Harley started to feel awkward once again as everyone at the table began partnering off for a dance until only he, Jennifer, and Harriet were left.
Harley breathed an inward sigh of relief as he couldn’t possibly dance with two women, and, even though they were nemeses, it would be rude to leave Jennifer sitting alone. He was about to offer to go to the bar and get the ladies a drink when an old friend of Harriet’s ambled over to their table and asked her to dance.
Drat!Harley thought, eyeing the bar.If I ask Jennifer if I can get her a drink, it will avoid the pressure of asking her to dance as I escape to the bar, where I’ll take my time.
Harley was about to carry out his plan when Harriet trapped him like a rat in a glass cage with nowhere to hide.
“Come on, you two!” Harriet said. “On the dance floor, or you’ll have Alex over here dragging you there.”
“I don’t dance,” Harley said. At the same time, Jennifer said, “I can’t dance in these heels.”
They stopped and looked at each other, wide-eyed. They couldn’t help snorting as they realized they were making excuses to avoid dancing together.
“No excuses,” Harriet said, refusing to leave until they joined her on the dance floor.
Knowing Harriet wouldn’t let up, Harley asked Jennifer, “Would you have this dance with me?”
“Sure,” Jennifer said, mumbling as they stood up. “At least this moment of awkwardness will take my mind off my aching feet.”
“And you may get the added bonus of stomping on my foot with one of those lethal spikes,” Harley whispered.
“Now there’s a thought.” Jennifer surprised him by grinning, which softened her features and made his breath catch in his throat.
“You could always take them off,” Harley told her. “These deck floors are gleaming likediamonds. They are so clean.”
“Believe me, I’ve had my shoes off up until now,” Jennifer admitted as they walked onto the dance floor and faced each other.
They stood, trying to figure out how to approach each other, until Brad and Caroline danced over to them.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, you two,” Caroline said for their ears only. “Getting up close and personal for one dance won’t kill you.”
“It might,” Harley said, his eyes meeting Jennifer’s and then pointing to her shoes. “Have you seen those heels?”
He was struck by the mirth that highlighted the silver flecks that glistened like crystals in her deep blue eyes. Jennifer had beautiful eyes. There was no doubt that she was a gorgeous woman with a lithe figure and a natural grace. Harley swallowed as his throat suddenly felt dry, and Finn’s words at the Beach Hut flashed again through his mind.
Harley shook them off and made himself remember how infuriating she was with her red-hot temper. Jennifer was also judgmental and mistrustful. She was what Harley considered a high-maintenance career woman who expected everyone to conform to her ridiculously high standards and get in line behind her work for her attention.
“I can assure you, Jennifer will not throw a shoe at you.” Caroline glared at her friend. “Right, Jennifer?”
“What if I stand on his foot?” Jennifer looked at Caroline sweetly. “You know how clumsy I can be?”
“No foot stomping either!” Caroline pointed her finger warningly at her friend before turning to Harley. “And no tormenting Jennifer.”
“I’ll try!” Harley answered Caroline, grinning at Jennifer as they stepped toward each other. They took the dance pose but held each other stiffly at arm’s length. “I can’t make any promises, though, just in case Jennifer stomps on my foot or kicks me in the shin.”
“I wouldn’t give Jennifer any ideas, Harley,” Brad warned. “Now, please, can you two start dancing instead of standing there like you’re posing for a portrait painting so I can continue enjoying dancing with my fiancée?”
“Good grief!” Caroline rolled her eyes, stepped away from Brad, and approached Jennifer and Harley. “There you go.” She shoved them closer together. “See, now all you have to do is sway around the floor.”
As Jennifer’s warm body collided with Harley’s, her perfume tantalized his senses, and his heart thudded in his chest as if trying to reach and embrace her. He cleared his throat, readied himself to start dancing, and nearly tripped over her foot as their feet weren’t yet in sync.
“Sorry,” Harley mumbled.
