Page 47 of Reclaimed Dreams

Chapter15

1 year ago

Jo looked around the party, glittering with Edison bulbs and laughter, in celebration of a season well done. Million-Dollar Starter Home had wrapped. Everyone from the cast and crew was there, decked out to the nines.

She had hoped this would be a celebration of the end of this madness, but Dom had signed on for another six-month stretch of a new series. She’d had time to come to terms with it, and she couldn’t deny that the show had brought many blessings with it. She’d made her peace, with the show if not with her husband. Seeing Jake standing by himself, she decided to deliver the apology she’d come prepared to make.

She sidled up behind him and spoke. "You know, it's okay to join in the fun."

She surprised his beer into going down the wrong tube. He coughed and wiped his face, tears in his eyes.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you." She tried, and failed, to hide her laughter.

He waved away her apology and laughed along with her. "Enjoying the party?" he asked once he could speak.

"We never get into the city. It's nice to have an excuse."

Her eyes sought out and fixed on her husband. She tried not to be resentful that the show was the thing that had brought her into the city on a pretty spring night. She tried not to feel bitter that this was exactly how she’d pictured their retirement date nights, minus the thirty other people milling around, and she’d yet to be able to enjoy one with her husband. She tried not to feel angry that she and Dom were still not back to where they had been five years ago, despite celebrating the end of the second season of the show he’d claimed would solve everything. She failed on all counts.

She had no idea what of that cocktail of emotions showed on her face, but it had Jake staring at her. No matter how complicated her feelings were surrounding her husband, she’d been unfair to take them out on this man and his professional obligations. "It's good to have something to celebrate."

"I'm glad you came." Jake sipped his beer with exaggerated care, giving Jo the moment and the laugh she needed to collect her thoughts.

"Jake, I want to apologize." Jo fiddled with the rings on her left hand, while she stared at his shoes and tried to find the right words.

"Jo, there's no need—"

"No, let me get this out. I'm sorry I haven't made more of an effort with the shows. You might have noticed my husband can be impulsive. When he signed on for these, I was ready for us to retire. These shows seemed like a hell of a lot more work."

"They are," Jake said, but Jo held up a finger. She would not be deterred from getting this all out. Like lancing a wound, she had to get it all out at once, so it could heal clean.

"I hated you and this show for taking Dom farther away from me."

"Ouch." Jake rubbed his free hand over his chest. "Tell me how you really feel."

"I'm trying to." Jo chuckled. She hated to admit it, but the show really had done some wonderful things for her family and the business. Part of her could admit that Dom’s plan was working, even as the other part of her wanted to cry that it was taking so long. "Over these two seasons, I've seen the changes that have come to our business and to Dom's state of mind. Your project has strengthened them both. He needed something to work on to get him through the worst of his grief, and the business is booming. My kids have found love and are starting families. Your work on this show played a big part in that."

Jake held his tongue, and Jo pushed on.

"I won't say I understand why Dom needs to renovate a vineyard for someone, but Frankie is very excited for her chance to run the build. You've done so much for my family. So, I don't hate you anymore. I still want Dom to retire, but for the rest of it, thank you, and I'm sorry. If you need more from me on the vineyard project, I'll try."

Jake chuckled. "I will keep that in mind, though Frankie has things pretty well in hand. I might ask you for some design help once Sofia is out with the baby."

"Whatever you need." She was surprised to find she meant it. She’d learned valuable lessons from her “break.” She’d discovered that she still wanted to be married to Dom and still wanted the family they’d built together, especially now that grandbabies were on the way. She still wanted her retirement dreams, but she’d learned they’d lost their luster without Dom by her side. Christmas had renewed her hope that Dom was taking this seriously, but here it was early spring, and they were launching a new show. She’d learned that she could be mad at Dom and not sabotage the rest of her family. If she could help Fi and Adrian or Enzo and Natalie ease into parenthood, she’d be there.

"Thank you, Jo."

"Tell me more about this vineyard. I know Dom bought it to flip for a client, but I don't have any of the details."

Jake suddenly found everywhere to look but at her. For an actor, he wasn’t very good at lying. What on earth was he hiding?

"We are still nailing them down. That's probably why he hasn't told you anything. Actually, you just reminded me. I need to talk to Frankie about something. Have you seen her?"

So he was going to use Frankie as his get-out-of-jail-free card. "She stepped outside for some air."

"Great, thanks. And thanks for what you said too. It means a lot."

"I'm trying to own my mistakes better, and I think I was wrong about you, Jake Ryland."

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