Czytaj książkę: «Bidding On The Bachelor»

Chapter One

Carissa could not believe this was her life.

She glanced around the nearly empty apartment—excuse her, the luxury condo that until recently she’d shared with her husband. Now the condo was on the market, her marriage was over, and she was left standing in a deserted room, with stacks of boxes the only thing to keep her company.

Of course, most of those boxes didn’t even belong to her. As she’d packed up almost a decade of her life, she realized that she had very few belongings. Strange, since she’d been surrounded by mountains of items before she and Preston signed on the dotted line.

Even now, she took a moment to peruse the neatly packed and labeled cartons.

China—Preston’s grandmother’s.

Jewelry—Preston’s mother’s.

Antique desk—Preston’s father’s.

Only the kitchen gadgets and appliances, clothes, and some old high school yearbooks belonged to her now. And she didn’t even want the yearbooks. She ran a hand over the maroon cover from her senior year. Good old Bayside, Virginia. Maybe she should move back home.

Carissa snorted. Yeah, right. She’d vowed to never return to Bayside, a promise easily kept after her parents moved away while she was in college. Except for her aunt Val, she hadn’t stayed in touch with anyone from the town where she went to high school. Not her group of girlfriends, not her favorite teachers, not even...

“Jasper Dumont,” she said aloud, and then sighed.

Her fingers itched to open the yearbook and search for his picture. She knew what she would see. His blond hair and dazzling blue eyes. That handsome face and devastating grin. They’d known each other most of their lives but for one spectacular year, they’d dated. Their relationship had been amazing and fun and passionate and...she’d gone and ruined it.

Carissa put the yearbook down. “That was a long time ago,” she whispered. Ten years. A whole decade. She hadn’t communicated with him since, but she did hope his life was going better than hers. She’d broken up with him and headed straight for college. Then she’d married Preston right after graduation and they’d made their life in Chicago.

We made his life, she thought with another glance around the room.

Even so, she did need to move somewhere. Chicago was far too expensive. As she’d quickly learned after they announced their separation, most of “their” friends turned out to really be “his” friends.

Carissa wasn’t much of a crier, nor was she someone who gave in to sulking or whining. But after everything that had happened over the last year, she needed a moment. Just one moment to grieve the loss of her marriage and her life.

Maybe the problem had been marrying so young. She’d only been twenty-two when they got engaged and twenty-three when she walked down the aisle. But in her defense, she’d dated Preston all through college at Northwestern. His family had been nice and welcoming to her, and Preston graduated with an offer to work at his father’s media company. That made him steady, reliable and stable.

Three traits missing from her own father, who’d barely worked a day in his life, choosing to live off her mother’s inheritance instead. Well, trust funds dry up, and so did all of the promises people make to each other when they stand at the altar.

She’d worked in the beginning. Nothing fancy and not directly tied to her business degree. But she’d put in a couple years at an event-planning firm. While Carissa thought she’d done a pretty good job, her heart hadn’t been in it completely. When Preston suggested she quit so she could help him entertain colleagues and clients, she’d jumped at his suggestion. She’d wanted to make him happy, and besides, she’d always loved planning meals, searching different grocery and specialty stores, puttering away in the kitchen. Watching a handful of ingredients turn into scrumptious meals with amazing aromas made her happy.

In fact, she’d enjoyed planning and hosting dinner parties so much that she’d taken countless cooking classes. Moroccan dinners, making pies from scratch, holiday baking, Italian basics...any time she got wind of any type of lesson involving food, she made sure to be the first one in line.

From Preston to his parents to all of the clients and friends they entertained, everyone raved about her cooking. Soon, she found herself enjoying the kitchen of their luxury condo much more than any other room. Including the bedroom.

Especially the bedroom.

Of course, Preston continued to adore that room. Why wouldn’t he, when he was bringing so many different women there to receive a very personal tour?

Carissa sighed and kicked one of the boxes, cringing when she heard the indelible sound of breaking glass. She checked the label and winced. Figures she’d picked one of the few boxes that held her stuff instead of the mountains of Preston’s belongings.

She’d signed a prenup, which entitled her to a tiny bit of money. Apparently, the fact that Preston broke their marriage vows did nothing in the way of changing the terms. Oh well. She wouldn’t want someone else’s money anyway. Carissa knew she needed to move on. Now she had to figure out how, why and where.

She’d already decided that there was only one job she was qualified for. Caterer. Only, that seemed crazy. Who was she to start her own business? Sure, she’d cooked for two to fifty people multiple times a week over the last couple of years. And she did have her business degree. But she didn’t have any practical experience. Not to mention references. It wasn’t like she could go to Preston’s clients or family and ask for their testimonials.

She also didn’t have a home. She had to be out of the condo by the end of the week. It was going to be tough to cook for anyone when she didn’t even have a kitchen to use.

She took another glance around the beautiful space and let out another sigh. Preston had surprised her by buying this place. At the time, she’d thought it was romantic, that Preston was taking care of her. Now those idyllic shades from her early twenties had been lifted. Her husband’s buying a condo without so much as consulting with her on any aspect was controlling. Her opinion on the neighborhood had never been sought. Her name had never been added to the mortgage. The moment she’d taken the spare key from Preston’s hand had been the moment she’d lost the first part of her independence.

She heard a little chirp. Her cell phone. Someone must have left a message. She’d been so engrossed in her thoughts that she hadn’t heard the phone ring.

Digging her phone out from under a mass of Bubble Wrap, packing tape and newspapers, she saw her aunt Val’s name and number on the display. Carissa quickly held the phone to her ear to listen to the familiar and comforting sound of her favorite aunt’s raspy voice.

Hey, gorgeous. You better not be moping in that monstrosity you call a condo. Never did like that place. Who puts marble in their bathrooms? And why do two people need four bathrooms? Anyhoo, I’m taking a little trip over the next couple of months. So if you need a place to stay, my cottage will be free.

Carissa always thought she got her strength and her levelheadedness from Aunt Val. She wasn’t one for mushy scenes or histrionics and neither was her aunt. So she was surprised to hear her aunt’s voice soften.

I know you have your reasons for staying away from Bayside all these years. Hell, I even understand some of them. But honey, sometimes when life kicks you in the hoo-ha, there’s no place to go but home.

Carissa didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Since she wasn’t a crier and she didn’t feel like laughing at the moment, she put on her thinking cap.

Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined herself returning to Bayside. Back in high school, she’d told everyone who could listen that she was meant for bigger and better things. And those things did not include the tiny Mayberry-esque town situated on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. To return now, divorced, humiliated, broke, lost...well, that wasn’t exactly appealing.

She crossed the room and entered the kitchen. After pouring a rather large glass of wine, she leaned back against the quartz counter she’d always loved and considered the kitchen tools she still needed to pack.

At almost twenty-nine years old, she’d been both married and divorced. She’d heeded her husband’s bad advice and stopped working. She may have a college diploma, but she had no professional experience or useful contacts.

She eyed her beloved KitchenAid mixer. Cooking was the one thing she was good at. But starting a catering company in Chicago was damn near impossible on a financial level.

Bayside, on the other hand, could be doable. Many people considered Bayside to be the Hamptons of the South. The town boasted both a healthy working class and an old-school elite who lived in sprawling mansions with immaculate lawns. And the latter group loved throwing parties.

And people at those parties liked to eat.

She’d grown up as part of that upper class. The money ran out just as she reached the end of high school thanks to her deadbeat and financially challenged dad. Thank God she’d been able to keep that little secret. Small towns always seemed to have the longest memories when it came to scandals. And Bayside was a town that loved its gossip.

Carissa’s heart began beating faster. She had a free place to stay, which meant she could put what little money she had into her business. If she did well, she could acquire some much-needed references. Then, if she wanted to branch out and go to DC or down into North Carolina, she could.

She took a big gulp of wine and then rubbed her hands together. Her aunt’s message was exactly what she needed to hear.

Carissa still might not know the how or the why. But she finally knew the where.

Bayside, Virginia, here I come.

* * *

Here I come, Jasper thought.

After months of proposals, number-crunching, presentations, research, wining and dining, not to mention good old-fashioned face-to-face meetings, Jasper was going in for the kill. He needed Arthur Morris to agree to his terms. Since Jasper had taken over Dumont Incorporated, he’d done well. Numbers were up in all divisions, but a deal like this would really go far in persuading the board that he was the right man for the job.

He rolled his shoulders. The fact that he still had to prove his worth stuck in his craw. But Jasper wasn’t one to dwell on the negative. The board wanted him to bring in more big deals. Game on.

He’d come so far. Especially considering that he wasn’t supposed to be here at all. His older brother, Cam, should have been heading up the family company, but Cam had decided to buck tradition and started a construction company instead. That opened the door for Dumont child Numero Dos and Jasper had barged right through. He’d always wanted to head up the company. Unfortunately, most of his life he’d been under the impression that he would never get the chance.

He thanked Cam every day for following his heart. His brother was happy, which made Jasper extremely happy. Because he was now at the helm of Dumont Incorporated and ready to impress everyone.

“As you can see, Mr. Morris, Bayside would offer you everything you’re looking for.” As they walked around the waterfront, Jasper pointed out landmarks to Arthur Morris. “There’s a lot of tradition in this town. When it’s not the height of tourist season, there are still festivals, charity events and a lot of other town activities. We’ve recently built up the area to the west of the bay and put in a great park. They hold farmers’ markets on Sunday and an artisan and craft fair every Saturday that brings in people from all over the state.”

He noticed Arthur working his jaw and jumped in before he could object. “At the same time, Bayside is an up-and-coming hot spot according to Virginia Magazine. Also, the Washington Post recently named the town one of Virginia’s best-kept secrets.”

Jasper fanned his hands out in front of him and made a box to highlight the site. “Putting the apartments here is a prime location, central to the town square, shopping, nightlife. Not to mention, it’s an easy jaunt to both the elementary and high school for anyone with kids.” He turned and put an arm around Arthur’s shoulders. “And then there’s this.”

Arthur nodded. “It is one hell of a view. I’ll give you that.”

And Jasper had timed it to make sure they got the peak sunset with its array of colors blending into the water of the bay. The docked boats were bobbing along as tourists and citizens strolled along the man-made walkway that circled a good portion of the water.

Jasper was an expert negotiator and he knew he’d made his case. Still, after he’d learned of Arthur Morris’s love of crabs, shrimp and lobster, he added one last detail. “And the seafood is pretty out of this world, if I do say so myself.”

Arthur turned to face him. “After the dinner we had last night, I’ll agree with that.” He patted his round belly. “Still full from it, but don’t think that will stop me from getting more before I head out of town later tonight.”

Jasper smiled, but on the inside his emotions were having a dance party. “I thought you’d like that restaurant.” He’d also managed to arrange the best table, with the best view, and had the chef prepare a special menu just for them. That was a definite perk that came with the Dumont name.

“Listen, kid,” Arthur began, and Jasper folded his arms in front of him, intent on the next couple of sentences. “This has been a great pitch. But honestly, it comes down to the other numbers you put together for me. After that amazing dinner, I studied every sheet cover to cover. The prices you’re offering go a long way and I think the return on investment is worth the risk.”

Jasper nodded, reining in his excitement. He’d been working on this deal for two years and he wasn’t going to rush now.

“So I’m saying yes,” Arthur finished after what felt like ten minutes of silence.

“Great to hear it, sir.” Jasper shook his hand and continued to play it cool. “We’re thrilled to welcome a Morris complex to Bayside.”

They spoke about a couple other details for the next several minutes as they walked toward Mr. Morris’s rented car. Before he could drive away, Jasper had to know one thing.

“One last question. What made you say yes?”

Mr. Morris nodded as if he’d been expecting this very question. “Your father met with me regularly over the years. He gave me some great pitches.”

“And yet you never said yes.”

“He nagged me the same way you did, that’s for sure.” His smile came fast and brief. If Jasper had blinked, he’d have missed it. “But you went the extra mile.”

“By plying you with the best seafood on the East Coast.”

“By showing me the town. Really showing me. You love Bayside. That came across clear as day. I feel like I know the people who live here. They’re not just numbers and stats in a spreadsheet. That made my decision easy.”

Now it was Jasper’s turn to smile. Only he held it in. He kept his usual calm business face.

“I have to say, though, I used to hear stories about you. Heard you were quite the little party kid back in the day. Weren’t we all as teenagers? Happy to see you’ve grown out of it.” Then he shook Jasper’s hand, got in the car and drove away.

Only when he knew he was completely alone did Jasper let the grin out. And a fist pump for good measure.

Today is a good day. Jasper could feel the spring in his step as he made his way toward the center of the town and The Brewside Café, the addictive coffeehouse he frequented on a daily basis. While he walked, he took in the town he’d lived in for most of his life.

He’d always loved Bayside. He’d only left for college, business school and a couple years of working for another company to gain credentials. All that time, he’d missed the large bay with boats of varying sizes going in and out, the picturesque town square with the identical white siding and inviting blue awnings and shutters.

He reached for his phone and quickly scrolled through some text messages before seeing Simone’s name. He grinned. Simone Graves was a feisty little redhead he’d been noticing at the gym for the last couple of months. She liked to go to Zumba classes and Jasper enjoyed seeing her shimmy around the room in her tight-fitting clothing. He’d finally asked her out, but they hadn’t set a date and time yet.

Up for a drink tonight? he wrote to her.

It only took a minute for her to write back.

Wish I could. Stuck at work. This was accompanied by multiple sad emoji. But she proposed a different night to meet and Jasper accepted.

Whistling, he continued toward The Brewside. But before he entered the coffeehouse he decided to take a moment. So he changed course and headed toward the water, Mr. Morris’s parting words ringing through his head.

I used to hear stories about you. Heard you were quite the little party kid back in the day. Happy to see you’ve grown out of it.

Well, he had been a lover of parties and the original good-time boy. But he’d also been just that—a boy. A kid. A teenager who’d been told from birth that his older brother would take over the family business. Sure, he’d been expected to work for Dumont Incorporated but he’d never been groomed to be in charge.

After all, he was the “second” son, after Cam. Overlooked and undervalued at every turn. His mother had always said he was the most good-natured child she’d ever seen. Jasper liked to think he’d held on to that his whole life. He enjoyed seeing the glass as half-full, excelled at finding the positive. He’d never harbored jealousy toward his big brother. In fact, he’d worshipped Cam. Still, being the younger child had hurt. So he’d lived it up in high school. Why wouldn’t he? He knew he’d get into a good college thanks to his parents’ connections. Likewise, he knew he’d be employed after college.

But as Mr. Morris said, he’d grown out of it. He’d been forced out of it, really.

Thanks to Carissa.

At the mere thought of her name, Jasper halted. Standing on the dock, he looked out at the bay, gripping the railing hard.

When was the last time he’d allowed himself to think about Carissa Blackwell? He shook his head.

Oh please. You think about her all the damn time.

Of course he did. She’d been the single most beautiful female he’d ever laid eyes on. She’d also been his first love. And with one cutting remark after graduation, she’d changed the course of his life.

Like most of the kids from his graduating class, they’d all known one another since birth. Bayside was a small town. About 90 percent of the classmates he walked with to “Pomp and Circumstance” at eighteen had been in his nursery school class, too. Carissa was no exception.

They’d continued to run in the same crowd throughout high school. They had both been popular. They were both involved in sports—he in baseball and she in cheerleading. Their parents had been friends and enjoyed the same kind of lavish lifestyles. They’d even lived on the same street.

But they hadn’t crossed that line of romance until the summer before senior year.

Jasper turned and gazed toward the beach. It had happened over there. Down on the sand after one of the town’s big festivals. A bunch of kids had built a bonfire. They’d both been hanging out, having some beers. Carissa used to drink wine coolers, he thought with a laugh.

Jasper started walking toward that spot on the beach. He’d always thought she was gorgeous. Who hadn’t? She was like the quintessential California girl come to the East Coast with her long legs, golden skin, perfect pink lips and full blond hair that fell halfway down her back. Plus, she had those really intriguing gray eyes. To this day, he’d never seen eyes quite like hers.

That night she’d been wearing sexy jean shorts and a little red tank top. They’d shared a glance, then a head nod. Next thing he knew he was sitting next to her on a log sharing her s’more. Didn’t take long for them to move their party of two farther down the beach where they’d shared one hell of a make-out session.

Just like that, they’d become hot and heavy and completely inseparable during senior year. Until about a month after graduation. Carissa had been accepted to Northwestern and he was going to UPenn, just like his father. He could never think of Carissa without his mind going to that last fateful conversation.

“Jasper, you aren’t serious about anything.”

“What are you talking about? I’m serious about you.”

She shook her head. “That’s not enough. You party all the time with your friends.”

“So what? And anyway, they’re your friends, too.”

“I know. But I’m just saying that there’s more to life than keg parties in the woods and making out in someone’s basement.”

“I think we did a little more than make out.”

She pointed at him. “See, you can’t even be serious now. Just like my dad,” she said under her breath.

“I know you’re upset because your parents want to move away from Bayside...”

“That doesn’t bother me. I want them to move away, actually.”

“Why?”

“Never mind, that’s not the point.” She flung her long hair over her shoulder.

“Okaaaayyyy.” He would never understand girls. “Then, what is the point?”

“You are relying on your parents’ money and connections to get you through life. You have no ambition and no drive. Do you think I want to be with someone like that? I don’t.” She looked at the ground.

He felt like someone had slapped him across the face. “What are you saying?”

“I don’t want to ever come back to Bayside. I’m so done with this town. I want someone who has goals and like, initiative and stuff,” She bit her lip. Even as she insulted him, there was sadness in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Jasper. You just don’t.”

With that, she’d walked away with his heart.

He’d tried to call her but she’d never answered. Her parents said she went to a prefreshman-year program at Northwestern. She’d wanted to get a jump on classes. Then her parents had moved away later in the year and she didn’t have a reason to return to Bayside anymore. He never saw her again.

It was Jasper’s nature to find a bright side. But in truth, Carissa’s words stung. Not only did she break up with him, but she insulted his very character.

It had taken some time. A lot of time. But eventually, the memory of Carissa’s words had kicked his butt into gear. She wanted someone with ambition and that’s what he’d decided to give her. Even if they weren’t actually together.

His father’s name may have gotten him into college, but he worked his butt off once he got there. He joined a fraternity but when it was time for midterms or finals, he’d camp out at the library to make sure he kept his GPA up, finally graduating with honors. He never told his parents about applying to grad schools so they couldn’t influence the process.

He’d come a long way from the irresponsible, somewhat reckless, carefree kid who was always the life of the party. Some people had called him foolish, but in Jasper’s mind he’d always been underestimated.

At some point, though, all the hard work stopped being just for her. He’d become obsessed with doing the very best he could and in the process he’d become the head of Dumont Incorporated. If Carissa were here maybe he’d thank her. Especially after his victory tonight. But the odds of ever seeing Carissa Blackwell in Bayside again were slim to none.

His phone made a little ding alerting him to a text message. He looked down to see his brother’s name. How’d it go with Morris?

Jasper began texting back but something caught his attention. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a woman standing at the same location where he’d been before his little walk down memory lane. Fingers still poised over the keypad on his phone, he didn’t have time to text Cam back before his brother added, Either way, come over tonight. Let’s hang out and watch the game.

Again, he began typing a reply but the woman reached her arms above her head and stretched. She was really beautiful. He peered closer and got a chill up the back of his neck.

She looked familiar. Too familiar. Jasper gripped his cell harder and began walking faster. Closer. But as he rounded the corner, she was heading away from the dock toward a black car.

He would know that sashay of hips anywhere. After all, the last time he’d seen a movement like that had been her swaying body walking away from him.

No way. No freaking way.

“Carissa?” he said into the silence around him. Luckily, no one was there to hear him talking to himself. Likewise, no one was there to see him step to the side to ensure he was actually seeing his first love and not some late-summer apparition brought on by too much work. In any case, he slipped, hit the railing with too much momentum, and before he could say Carissa is back in Bayside, he’d fallen over the metal divider and into the bay.