Anna rolled her eyes as she walked around the main house and turned as Annette called her name.
"You're leaving already?" Annette asked from the swing on the inn's front porch, rocking slowly with Henriette and her brood of chickens clustered near her feet.
"I've been ordered to clean up for the event," Anna snarked and held out her arms. "Apparently this is unacceptable attire for the evening."
"Okay!" Annette grinned. "See you in a bit. It'll be fun!"
Anna waved as she hopped in her truck. Forcing out a sharp breath through her pursed lips, she considered sending a text to James, wondering if it would be a mistake to invite him to the potential disaster of an evening. She shook her head as she pulled away from the curb. It was going to be a long month with her aunt in town.
James heard the music the moment he stepped from his car. The corner of his mouth lifted. The party had started without him. He jogged up the porch stairs and the door swung wide as he lifted his hand to ring the doorbell.
"You finally made it!" bellowed Cornelia as she stumbled sideways in a diagonal, swaying precariously on her feet. From the looks of it, he guessed she was at least three cups of sangria in, maybe more.
"We've been waiting forever," she slurred with a swat of her hand. "There's a certain someone, our guest of honor—” Cornelia blurted a massive belch. “Whose been waiting allllllll night to meet you," she continued without a beat, throwing her arms wide to emphasize the group's displeasure.
James glanced at his watch, the smile never leaving his face. It was five fifty-five. He was technically five minutes early since Annette's text said to be at Paradise West at six o'clock if he wanted to join the party.
He’d pouted that he hadn't been invited by Anna. In fact, there had been no messages at all from her in the last few days. No 'I've missed you, James' or 'I can't wait to see you, James' or 'I’d like you to come over and meet my aunt, James.'
Just silence. It had been three days—and he’d counted every damned one—since he'd last seen her and he was getting a little antsy. It was a tough balance to give her enough space to get comfortable with him without letting her withdraw completely. And he’d fought the instinct to drive to her warehouse and hover over her until she acknowledged his existence.
By the time he’d received Annette’s text about the party, his pout had spiraled into a full-fledged grump. And after his last meeting ended, he'd decided to call it a day. He’d been in no mood for further negotiations or presentations and decided to expend his frustrations in a grueling workout. The release of endorphins was great, but it hadn’t made a dent in his melancholy from Anna’s absence.
His mood was still borderline, but it was picking up. She was here—he could feel her. What he needed to soothe his inner beast was Anna by his side, holding his hand, and not shying away from his affection.
He constantly worried she was fighting their relationship or trying to build up more walls even as he tore them down. It was driving him crazy. There had to be a way he could convince her they were meant to be.
His gut told him she'd pull away if she had too much time to think about it logically rather than with her heart. So he had to make his move soon.
Hell, after she'd stayed the night that first time, he was ready for her to move in which was not like him at all. She slept over a couple more times, but then the excuses began: too much work, back logged, deliveries, or pickups. It seemed she was doing everything she could to stay away.
Or maybe I’m just being sensitive and sulking because the girl I really want isn't throwing herself at my feet.
The irony was not lost on him. He'd always kept his girlfriends and dates at a distance, only giving them the minimal time and attention required of him before they became too demanding.
It was starting to feel like a complete role reversal with Anna.
Just when it seemed he'd made a breakthrough, moving two steps forward, she'd balk and move three steps back. Maybe this was the Universe sending him a huge heaping plate of Karma for the way he’d handled relationships in the past.
Whatever it is, it's frustrating as hell!
Regardless, he wasn't giving up. Ever. She could try to hold him off, but he'dneverlet Anna go.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Come in!" Cornelia huffed, stomping her foot. "We don't have all night."
"Cornelia, quit pestering the boy and let him through the door," Miriam shouted out over the music.
With a chuckle he followed the tipsy woman into the main room, and what he found stopped him in his tracks.
Holy shit!
They reallywerethrowing a party. A real party. He'd assumed this would be a small get together of just the Royal Conch Society, Anna’s aunt, and a few close friends, but as he scanned the room, he noticed most of Key West's Who's Who were crammed into the inn's main room. Luckily there were several familiar faces as well.
Jack and Charli stood in the far corner, chatting with the mayor. Their baby, Amelia Dorothea or Dottie to everyone, played with Gus and Annette on the large couch. Several of the Royal Conch ladies danced on the small dance floor in front of the DJ booth. Waiters and waitresses ran in and out of the kitchen with platters, and the bar on the far wall had a crowd at least five deep at all angles pestering the two bartenders.
He smiled, taking in the scene. This felt more comfortable than any posh New York party he'd been forced to attend.
His gaze swept the room for the one person he wanted to see, and frowned when he didn't spot her. There were only so many places she could hide in this house.
