Page 77 of Bayside Heat
He rolled out the rug she’d ordered—a funky mix of faded blues, reds, golds, and about a dozen other colors in bold shapes—and centered it between the furniture and the display of music books. Then he stepped back and took it all in.
This location was more than twice the size of his first store, despite the fact that more musical instruments were being purchased online than ever. Drake was constantly adapting his businesses to the ever-changing consumer buying habits, offering online fulfillment as well as school instrument rental programs, on-site repairs, and lessons for beginners. He and Serena had lined up the instructors and marketed to the schools in the surrounding areas months ago. Through his deals with distributors, he was able to offer a wide selection of products in all price ranges. After opening the second store, Serena had suggested he offer only a small collection of vintage instruments that customers could request to have sent to their location. That allowed him to keep fewer of the more expensive, rarely purchased items in stock and ready for purchase within forty-eight hours. She was great at cutting expenses without cutting corners, and it had paid off. He’d gained a solid reputation for high-quality goods at affordable prices.
We’ve gained the reputation.
The doors opened, and Serena breezed in with a shopping bag dangling from each hand, all sexy bronze skin and a luminous smile just for him. “Sorry I’m late! We got ice cream after lunch and then stopped in to chat with Lizzie and Brandy about the wedding. Brandy had to delay the tasting for a week because of a scheduling conflict, but don’t worry—I confirmed the catering for the grand opening. She’s all set. Then we went to the sex sh—” She stopped cold midway through the store, and her bags dropped to the floor as she looked around at the instruments on the walls, laid out just as she’d suggested. Violins at the front of the store, horns in the middle, and guitars in the back to draw the most customers through. Drums were in the left rear corner beside the counter. The perfect spot for eager young children to get the bug and try them out.
“It’s…done?” She schooled her expression so fast, if he didn’t know her so well, he might have missed the hurt that had first appeared. “You’ve been busy. It looks amazing.”
“You were right about everything.” He closed the distance between them. “The shape of the couch, the layout. I think it’s our best store yet.” He put a hand on her hip and brushed his thumb over her warm skin beneath her shirt. “Our best store.”
He realized that was how he thought about everything when it came to Serena, as theirs. She’d been there from the very start, when he’d found his love for music, when he’d lost his father and that love of music had turned to a fierce few months of songwriting. She’d been there after college, when he’d been touting his dreams to buy a store, and she’d encouraged him, never once doubting his abilities or afraid of the risk he was taking. Every time someone raised a concern, she’d sing “Don’t Stop Believin’,” until he heard it like a mantra in his mind. And later, when he’d thought about opening the resort with the hopes of bringing Rick back to the Cape, back into the fold of the family, she’d offered to stand by his side before he’d even brought up the idea to Rick or Dean. She had become his best friend, his business partner, and now his lover. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her in any way.
“I think so, too,” she said. “I can’t get over it. You did everything.”
“Except the feature displays. We’ll figure that out Saturday morning, like always.” He lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes. She was trying so hard to be supportive, he wondered if he’d done the wrong thing after all. “I’m sorry, babe. I had all those nights alone. Working here made me feel closer to you. And then I got it into my head that if I finished before the weekend, we’d have more time for us.”
She wrapped her arms around him and said, “I love those reasons. I was just surprised. That’s all.”
“And hurt.” He kissed her tenderly. “You don’t have to hide your feelings from me. I didn’t mean to hurt you, but now I see how it might feel like I’m pushing you out or saying I don’t need your help. That’s not it, though. I hope you know that. This is me being selfish. I want time for us more than I want anything else.”
