Chapter 19

A week before Thanksgiving, Gwen and Jocelyn headed to Luke Wright’s place. They planned to present their business plan for the restaurant they would call Lyn’s Eatery. The name was a play on Gwendo~lyn~ and Joce~lyn~’s names. Jack would also meet the two of them at Luke’s for the presentation.

Gwen’s palms were sweaty as she drove the winding roads up to the Wright house. She’d never been there. She’d heard about it—everyone on Hazel Island knew how huge it was—but she’d never had a reason to be invited. When she’d asked Jack what it was like, he’d only said, “It’s big.”

It didn’t help that the roads were narrow, and it was raining. And there were no guard rails, either. Everyone had heard horror stories of tourists driving too fast and careening off the roads.

Gwen slowed down further. The car behind her honked impatiently.

“You know we need to get there before noon,” said Jocelyn, her tone joking.

Gwen shot her a glare. It was currently only ten AM. “You want to switch places?”

“Not particularly.”

Gwen returned her focus to driving. The car behind her eventually passed her, flipping her off in the process. Great. That was surely a good omen for this presentation this morning.

“Then again, it might be preferable to end up on the side of a cliff instead of going to the Wright’s,” muttered Jocelyn.

Gwen ignored that comment. She didn’t much care that Jocelyn disliked Luke Wright. Gwen had asked Jocelyn to keep any snarky comments to herself when they arrived. Jocelyn had looked offended, replying sarcastically that she’d keep things completely professional.

They arrived to see Jack parking his truck. They hustled into the house, the rain coming down harder now. The housekeeper ushered them to the mudroom, where they could hang up their coats. They were then given slippers to wear in the house.

~No outside shoes in the house~ said a large sign inside the mudroom.

“I wonder if they throw you in the dungeon if you track mud inside,” joked Jocelyn as she slipped on some house slippers.

“They just toss you into the ocean,” was Jack’s deadpan reply.

Gwen shot them both glares. “Behave yourselves. We’re trying to get money here, aren’t we?”

Jack and Jocelyn just looked at each other, as if wordlessly agreeing that Gwen was in a strange mood.

Gwen forced herself to take a deep breath. She wiped her hands on her pants, wishing she’d brought something to put her hair up. Whenever she got nervous, she got sweaty. She hated the thought of getting all red and sweaty in front of Luke Wright.

Jack passed by Gwen as he left the mudroom with Jocelyn behind him. Gwen caught his eye, but he didn’t stop to say anything. She’d expected him to at least give her a pep talk, in his stoic way.

Then she heard a voice that she assumed was Luke’s. Taking another deep breath, she went to face the music.

* * *

Luke sat back in his leather office chair, considering Gwen and Jocelyn. Gwen’s heart was still pounding, even though they’d officially finished the presentation.

Finally, Luke glanced at Jack, then said, “I like it. I’m in.”

Gwen gaped at him. “What?” She’d expected he’d grill her with all kinds of questions.

“I’m in. Like you pointed out, every year we get more tourists. The more attractions the island has, the better. We have all of ten restaurants currently and having yours linked to the bed and breakfast is brilliant. Your clientele already exists, too. I’m only surprised you hadn’t opened something before now,” said Luke.

Jack had been silent for the entire presentation. He’d paid attention, of course, but now he sat in continued silence.

He’d been strangely aloof the last week, Gwen had noticed. When she’d asked about spending time together, he’d always had an excuse to decline. They hadn’t been together in two weeks.

Gwen felt her stomach turn with anxiety. Was she just overthinking Jack’s behavior? Or was he starting to pull away already?

Jocelyn, for her part, had presented the menu and everything food-related with the utmost professionalism. If she didn’t look Luke directly in the eye, well, Gwen decided that that had just been nerves.

“As I mentioned before,” Luke was saying, “I’m funding a handful of new ventures here on the island. I currently can offer you ten thousand in seed money. The rest you’ll need to procure via a bank loan or through friends and family.” He looked at Jack. “Jack? Your thoughts?”

With both Luke and Jack giving her twenty thousand combined, that money would be a huge help getting the building remodeled. The ten thousand alone, though, she knew wouldn’t be enough.

“I don’t have any questions,” said Jack. “I would like to discuss the funding with Luke. In private.”

Gwen glanced at Jocelyn. Jocelyn’s eyes narrowed. But Luke showed them to another room across the hallway, a smaller office.

He said cheerily, “Just a second, ladies. If you’d like anything to drink, there’s a mini-fridge in the corner.” He gave them his most winning smile and shut the door.

Jocelyn immediately went to the tray of liquor, picking up one bottle after another. “Want a drink?” she said.

“It’s eleven AM,” said Gwen.

“Eh, it’s five o’clock somewhere. Besides, I think you could use it.”

Jocelyn made them a quick gin and tonic, with tonic water she pilfered from the fridge. Gwen drank hers without tasting it. The alcohol did calm her anxiety to some extent. She hadn’t realized how on edge she was until that moment.

She and Jocelyn waited in silence. Any attempt at speculating about the guys’ conversation ended quickly. Gwen wondered if she and Jocelyn were afraid that they’d jinx things. Or maybe Gwen was simply all out of words. Her throat had been dry from talking so much. After she finished her gin and tonic, she found herself sucking on the ice cubes just for something to do.

Luke returned ten minutes later. He saw the empty glasses and smiled wryly. “Drinking already?”

“Are you judging us, Wright?” said Jocelyn, her hands on her hips.

“I’d never judge you for anything. You’re spotless.” He spoke solely to Jocelyn, who blushed a little and looked away.

When they returned to Luke’s office, Jack was standing up and looking out the large window at the rain. It pattered against the glass, the rhythm of it soothing to Gwen.

Luke gestured for Gwen and Jocelyn to sit down. They did, reluctantly. Luke followed them, but Jack remained standing, his back to them.

“Jack, can you stop brooding and come and talk?” Luke rolled his eyes. “And he claims I’m dramatic.”

That remark made Gwen smile. Jack grunted and sat down across from Gwen. He wouldn’t look at her.

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I’m withdrawing funding for your venture. It has nothing to do with you or your presentation, however,” said Jack in hollow tones.

Gwen felt her earlier anxiety return. Jocelyn’s mouth fell open. It was Gwen reaching over and squeezing her hand that kept her from saying anything she’d regret.

“May I ask why?” said Gwen.

Jack finally looked at her. “It’s private.” Then, more quietly, “I’m sorry.”

Gwen felt like someone had cut her off at the knees. ~Why hadn’t he told me before this morning?~

Luke cleared his throat. “The unfortunate side effect of Jack withdrawing funding means that I’ll have to put this venture lower on the list.”

Spreading his hands, Luke explained, “It simply makes more sense to give money to ventures that have individuals or firms willing to match this seed money. It’s mostly about getting the best return on investment. As Jack said, your restaurant is a great idea. But I have to balance between what seems great and what seems likely to succeed. Does that make sense?”

“So this entire thing was a waste of time,” said Jocelyn.

Gwen didn’t have the energy to stop Jocelyn this time. She couldn’t help but agree, too. Why had Jack had them come up here if he was just going to change his mind?

Luke steepled his fingers. “I can’t agree with that assessment. It’s been very useful for me—”

“Oh great. As long as it was useful for ~you~.” Jocelyn shook her head. “You brought us up here, getting our hopes up, and then you tell us to go to hell. Typical. I should never have let Gwen talk me into this.”

Now Gwen was flushing to the roots of her hair. “Jocelyn,” she hissed.

Jocelyn at least had the grace to look embarrassed. “Sorry. It’s not your fault. If it’s anyone’s, it’s Jack’s.” She tipped her chin up. “What the hell happened, Benson?”

Gwen wanted to know the same thing. What had happened? She felt tears prick her eyes, but she refused to cry in front of everyone.

“Can I talk to you in private?” was all Jack said to Gwen.

“This seems to be a theme,” muttered Jocelyn.

Gwen nodded and then she found herself back in the same room she and Jocelyn had been in. This time, though, Gwen was seriously considering making herself another gin and tonic. If not to drink, then to splash in Jack’s face.

“Why?” was all she could get past her lips.

Jack began to pace like a restless, wild animal. Back and forth, back and forth. The room was small enough that his movements made Gwen a little dizzy.

“This isn’t going to work,” said Jack.

“You’re going to have to be more specific.”

He spread his hands. “Us, Gwen. I’m stepping aside. I realized that I was getting in too deep. I never should’ve offered to fund your restaurant. It was idiotic. For that, I’m sorry. I’ve let you down.”

Gwen licked her dry lips. “Why didn’t you tell me before today?”

“I should have. I hoped that Luke would still offer you funding. In fact, I assumed he would.” Jack gripped the edge of the wooden desk, his knuckles turning white. “I fucked up.”

“Okay. Okay.” Gwen had to sit down. Her brain was going a mile a minute. “It’s your money. I’m not entitled to it. I’m not going to blame you if you needed to change your mind.”

“You should blame me,” he growled.

“I do for not telling me sooner. For not talking to Luke, too.” She sighed. “Honestly, I don’t care about the money.”

He turned so he was gazing straight at her. He looked stunned. “But this is your dream.”

“I have a lot of dreams. But I’ve realized, in the weeks we’ve spent together, that spending the rest of my life with you is what’s most important.”

Jack just stared at her, motionless.

“I love you. I do.” She let out a sob. “I know we agreed to avoid ‘catching feelings’ for each other, but I have to be honest with you. I probably fell in love with you before we even kissed. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself.”

“Christ, Gwen...”

“Restaurant or not, you’re what matters to me.” She stood up and took his hands. “And I think you feel the same. I know it’s not just my imagination. No man who didn’t care deeply would’ve done what you’ve done for me. Would’ve waited for me. Tell me I’m wrong.”

He said nothing for a long moment. The only sounds in the room were the rain falling against the glass of the windows and the wind whistling.

Jack hadn’t squeezed her hands or intertwined his fingers with hers like he usually would. His hands were limp against her own. When he let go of her, she felt ice drip down her spine.

“This isn’t going to work,” he repeated.

Gwen felt her heart disintegrate into a million pieces. Tears fell down her cheeks. “You don’t love me.”

“I told you this was only a fling.” He sounded almost apologetic.

She nearly hated him right then. She knew he was lying. He wouldn’t look into her eyes, and he wouldn’t let her touch him.

“I never took you for a coward, Jack Benson,” she snapped. “But I guess I was wrong about that. You want to walk out that door and destroy what we could have together? That’s your choice. But I know you’ll regret it.”

That stubbornness of his she knew all too well crossed his face. His jaw was tight, his nostrils flared.

“I’m doing this because I know it’s right,” he rasped.

“I’m not going to convince you otherwise.” She hastily wiped away the tears that wouldn’t stop. “And I still love you, anyway.”

“I don’t deserve that.”

“That’s not for you to decide. For too long, I’ve let fear dictate my entire life. I’m not going to keep being that girl who’s too afraid to take a chance. So even if you can’t love me back, well, at least I tried.”

Suddenly the tears were too much. She couldn’t talk anymore, only sob. Jack reached out, like he wanted to embrace her, but then he stopped himself.

“What is going on?” Jocelyn burst into the room. “What did you do?” She whirled on Jack, and Gwen half-expected her to deck him.

“We had a discussion,” was Jack’s numb reply.

“That made her cry? Your discussion skills suck.” Jocelyn took Gwen’s arm. “Come on. We’re going home. I’m tired of this stupid place.”

Gwen couldn’t disagree. As Jocelyn led her away like a mother hen, Gwen let herself glance back at Jack.

His back was turned. And Gwen knew that they were over.