Page 19 of Bayside Heat
After Harper was all set to start working Saturday and had left the office, Serena got busy with the music store designs. Rick and Dean stormed out of Drake’s office, startling her. Dean blew past and walked directly out the front door. Rick paced like a hungry tiger beside her desk. Serena glanced into Drake’s office and saw him standing with his back to her, arms crossed, staring out the window. Was he thinking about last night, too? Wondering why she’d turned into a fumbling dork around him?
“He’s in a crappy mood,” Rick said.
Tell me about it. “You all survived. That’s a good sign.”
“For now.” Rick stopped pacing, his face a mask of irritation. He had the same dark hair as Drake, though he wore his short. They both had dark eyes, like their father, but until Desiree had come into Rick’s life, his eyes had always seemed tortured. Rick had been only fourteen when they’d lost their father, and while she knew Drake and Mira had long ago dealt with their grief, Rick had bottled it up until he’d wanted a shot at a future with Desiree. Desiree and Drake had finally helped him through his grief, and he’d been a different man ever since.
“How many more candidates do you have lined up for tomorrow?” he asked.
They’d interviewed several people for her position, and Drake had found something wrong with each and every one of them.
“Two. But don’t worry. Harper agreed to work from eleven until three each day until we find someone. That’ll get you through the busiest hours. I’ve contacted temp agencies, but Drake doesn’t seem very receptive to that idea.”
He nodded. “Harper’s fine. Thanks for all your hard work. Listen, I know you’re crazed, getting everything done for the music store and the resort and trying to figure out how to move your life to Boston, but I just want you to know how much we appreciate all that you’ve done here. Don’t let Drake’s pissy mood mislead you. You know how he hates adjusting to new things. This is hard on him. He’s going to miss you a hell of a lot. We all are.”
“We both know that’s not true,” she said quietly. They’d made major design changes at the last minute when they were redecorating the cottages, and he’d never flinched. “Drake has no trouble adjusting to change. He has issues with me leaving him in a lurch. But thank you for the kind words. I know how much you appreciate my helping out. I’ve loved every minute of it.” She stole another peek into Drake’s office. He was sitting at his desk now, watching them. His eyes were sad, and the smile that appeared was clearly feigned. She quickly shifted her attention back to Rick. “I’m going to miss all of you, too. Even the growly one in there,” she said more lightly than she felt.
“Desiree said the girls are helping you finish packing tonight. Is there anything us guys can do to help?”
“Other than showing up for the goodbye party tomorrow night? That’s all I really need. A happy send-off, because I know I’ll cry all the way to Boston despite being excited to start my new job.”
“That I can do, but no tears, please. You’ll only be a short drive away, and I have to deal with my brother losing his mind. I’m not sure I can deal with both.” Rick stepped around the desk and embraced her. “I’m going to miss your smiling face.”
Serena breathed deeply, trying to ease the emotions bubbling up inside her. “Thanks. Now my makeup will smear.”
“You don’t need it anyway,” he said as he dug his keys from his pocket. “I’m heading down to Yarmouth for a meeting. Text if you need me.”
“Okay. I hope your day gets better.” She inhaled deeply, grabbed the design swatches and catalogs she’d collected for the music store, and her laptop, steeling herself before heading into Drake’s office.
He was standing by the window again. She wanted to confront him about last night, to get it all out in the open like they usually did when something was bothering them. But her pulse was racing just thinking about actually saying it out loud. And if it hadn’t been an almost kiss, she could do without another dose of mortification.
