The Boyfriend List (16 page)

“Hey.”

Jenna turned and came face to face with her sisters, Christina and Francesca. Chessie looked nervous, but Tina looked mad. Really mad. “Well, you really upset Mom and Dad this time, Jenna. You couldn’t even invite them to your wedding?”

“Well, hi there, Tina! How am I? I’m great. Yeah, I’m feeling terrific. We’re very happy. How are you? How’s work?”

“Don’t be a bitch,” Tina paced, snarling like a rabid dog. It wasn’t a good look for her big sister, who was, when she wasn’t biting off heads, a raven-haired stunner.

“Oh, for God’s sake, Tina.” Chessie lunged at Jenna, arms extended, and wrapped her in a bear hug. “Don’t listen to her. I’m so happy for you. Worried, but happy.” Chessie, sweet as always, touched Jenna’s belly with the flat of her hand. “You’re going to be a mommy? I can’t believe it. You’re going to be the best mother.”

Sweet Chessie. When her mother brought her little sister home from the hospital, Jenna thought the baby was just for her. Almost nine years apart, she and Francesca had an unbreakable bond. Jenna felt better just knowing one of her sisters was in her corner. “Thank you, Ches. You are going to be an amazing aunt.”

Tina was glaring at both of her sisters, not liking the feeling of being dissed. Jenna didn’t care one single bit. Not at all.

“Tommy would kick Nate’s ass for getting you pregnant.”

“Oh, are you really going there? Invoking our dead brother’s name?”

“Why not? He was a good man. Can you imagine what he would think?”

“Tom was a brave marine, but I don’t think a guy who cheated on his fiancée should be your moral compass.”

“Don’t speak ill of the dead,” Tina snapped. “What if Mom heard you?”

“Then she’d cope.” Her brother had been engaged to Kim and his cheating was discovered right after he was killed in action in Afghanistan. Tom was a good marine, who did his duty honorably, but he wasn’t honest with the woman he’d asked to marry him. “Besides, I think Tom would have liked Nate. If you think about it, you know I’m right.”

For once, Tina didn’t argue. No one could argue with the facts.

“Whoa. Who is that?” Chessie was staring toward the food tent, and when Jenna focused on the figure walking toward them, she smiled. Her gorgeous husband was decked out in a pair of blue shorts, boat shoes, and a soft red plaid button-down shirt, that he’d left untucked and rolled up the sleeves. He was a preppy dream come true. His short golden-brown hair caught the sunlight, as did his lightly bronzed skin.

He was wearing a pair of wayfarer sunglasses to finish off his look, which exuded class, wealth, and confidence. If he made it look easy, it’s because it was who he was born to be.

Nate pushed his sunglasses up on his head and he looked at her with the knowledge one has of someone they know intimately.

“Holy crap, Jenna, that’s Nate?”

“It is.” Chessie had been away in Europe finishing her semester when Kim and Owen were married, so unlike the rest of the Albanese clan, she had never met Nate.

“Oh, my God. You’re sleeping with him?” she blurted out.

“Francesca!” Tina scolded.

“What? He’s like a freaking movie star.”

He was. And the best part was the beauty on the outside was reflected within. And Jenna knew he loved her without any reservations. He walked right to her, grabbed her around the waist, and kissed her soundly. “Hello, Wife.”

“Hello, Husband.” The way he looked at her, the way she felt when she was with him, had Jenna falling a little more in love with him every moment. “I want you to meet someone.” Jenna reached out and grabbed Chessie by the wrist, dragging her close. “This is my sister Francesca. We call her Chessie for short. She’s amazing, and she’s happy for us.”

Nate smiled his killer smile and hugged her little sis hard. “Jenna talks about you all the time. I’m really glad to meet you.”

He glanced over and caught sight of Tina, who hadn’t stopped scowling since she’d gotten there. It made her sister, who was only thirty-three, look much older than her years. Jenna was going to tell him to leave her alone, but he must have seen something, a crack in the armor, that had her darling husband reaching out to her big sister.

“Come on, Tina. You know you’re not mad. You’re hurt.” Shockingly, Tina let Nate fold her into his arms. “Am I right?”

“You married my little sister.” She sniffled. “We didn’t even know she was that serious about you.”

“I know. But I will take care of her. I promise.”

Tina smacked his arm. “You’d better. She’s special. Not like the rest of us.”

Jenna was stunned listening to her sister’s words.
She was special?
Tina was protective? What the hell?

“I know she’s special. I know. I’ll take care of her. I promise you that.”

“Good. If you don’t I’ll have to hurt you. I’m a doctor—there will be no evidence.”

Nate nodded. “Noted, and thanks for the warning.”

He stole a quick look in Jenna’s direction and winked. “Let’s get a burger.”

“A burger?” Tina asked.

“Yes, we have food here. Burgers make everything better.”

Tina stopped and narrowed her eyes at the man who had been manipulating her to his will. She was wise to him.

“You’re trying to sweet talk me with a hamburger?”

“Uh. Hmmm. Grilled shrimp? Lobster tail?”

“Food doesn’t do it. Tell me you’ll love my sister forever.” Tina’s eyes were full, the tears threatening to spill over.

Nate nodded. “Without a doubt.”

There was quiet as the two of them considered each other. Nate, his face open, and accepting. Tina, more skeptical and suspicious. Finally, there was a softening in her sister. An acceptance, and Jenna couldn’t believe it.

“I might try to like you,” Tina grumbled.

Nate grinned and took a long pull on the beer bottle he was carrying. “I’m irresistible. You’ll love me before long.”

“Don’t be so sure,” she said.

Nate and her sister challenged each other. They were both brilliant, both quick on their feet. Jenna had no idea what to expect next, but simply walking arm-in-arm with her little sister and seeing her oldest sister spar with Nate was worth all the aggravation of the day. He was so easy with everyone. Not one person who arrived that day felt anything but welcome. Jenna counted her blessings. He was amazing.

Right now the only person who was really putting a damper on the party was Leah. And for the life of her, Jenna couldn’t figure out her problem. Maybe it was something as simple as worrying about Nate’s money. Leah was an attorney and being cautious and protecting people was part of the job. Additionally, Jenna was a fairly low-paid teacher. To Leah, it looked like Jenna was after Nate’s fortune, as well as the status being part of the Bayard family provided. So, if that was Leah’s thought process, she couldn’t fault the logic, except for the fact that Jenna didn’t care about money. She cared about people.

Jenna always cared about people first, and it tended to bite her in the ass from time to time.

Walking with Chessie, Jenna relaxed for the first time since the party began. Her sister chatted away, telling her all about her semester abroad and asking a dozen questions about Nate and the baby. Talking with her sister helped take her mind off any discord about the marriage and her nerves about being the center of attention at the party.

Yawning as she sat on a deep, comfy chair on the patio, Jenna wished she could go back to bed and take a nap. Suddenly so tired she was afraid she’d fall asleep, she was jarred into full consciousness when she heard a very smooth, very distinct voice. It was deep and a cross between a Boston accent and English; she knew immediately who it was.

Royce was here, and this officially became the worst day ever. There was no way to describe to anyone what she was feeling, but as the bile rose in her throat her flight reflex was kicking ass, and not in a good way.

Royce. The man who’d stolen more than just money from her, was back in her space. Why was he here? Last she heard he was in Boston, no doubt living quite well. She hoped he wouldn’t notice her, that the Bayards’ party was just one of many he was attending that day and that he’d be leaving, but knowing her luck that wasn’t going to happen.

Just then, he turned in her direction. They locked eyes and at first, he looked nervous, but then his unshakable confidence kicked in, and he started toward her.

“Jenna?” Frozen in place, Jenna didn’t know why he’d dropped back into her orbit. Nate, who was close by, came over when he heard her name.

“Oh my God, of all the places to see you. How are you?” Royce’s blonde head dipped slightly and kissed her on the cheek. “You look gorgeous. Are you photographing the horse set now? Good plan.” He leaned in, so only she’d be able to hear him. “These folks have money to burn. I can only imagine what they’d pay to have a picture of little Buffy on her pony.”

Still slimy. Still a money-grubbing bastard. Jenna’s skin crawled being close to him.

“Royce. What are you doing here?”

“Oh, my company has a marketing consultant working with Reliance and another company on the Island, so when the invitation came in for the party, I volunteered.”

“Of course you did.” Could her luck be worse?

“I’ll hang here, glad-hand a few folks, and then head out to my friend’s house in East Hampton.”

“You’re working with Reliance?”

He nodded, raising an eyebrow. “Top-secret,” he whispered. “They’re looking to grow the company in the big way. But let’s stop talking about me. What have you been up to since California? I’d love to see you for a drink, maybe. For old times sake.”

“I don’t think so.” What an asshole. For old times’ sake? The last thing she wanted was any reminder of the time she spent with him.

“Come on.” He sat on the arm of the chair and got close enough for her to smell the liquor on his breath. “We were good together.”

Was he kidding?

“Hey there.”

Nate. Now she’d have to introduce them.

“Nate Bayard! I’m Royce Camden. I work with Rigsby Consulting.”

Nate shook Royce’s hand and Jenna felt a little ill. Two completely disparate parts of her life were crashing together. It could not have been worse. “It’s a pleasure, Royce.”

Yeah, not a pleasure.
Nate was being cordial, that was all. He’d already figured out her connection to Royce. “I see you know my wife.”

If someone had dumped ice water on Royce’s head, he could not have been more surprised. “Excuse me?” Royce turned his head toward Jenna. “Did you say your wife?”

“Yes.” Nate’s hand settled on the small of Jenna’s back. “Very recent. We just got back from Italy yesterday. We were married there.”

“Well,” Royce said as he ran his hand through his perfectly coifed blond hair. “That’s just stellar. Congratulations to you both. Thank you so much for your hospitality, Nate. It’s a great party.”

Royce swept off to try to charm another group of people, which included Piper Lansing and her new husband. Jenna wished the world would just open up and swallow him. He was at the root of the worst chapter of her life. Not only had he brought all kinds of misery down on people she knew in California, now he was here, with a connection to Reliance.

“You want to tell me about that? Your ex?” Nate didn’t look angry, but he sure as hell wasn’t happy Royce was there. “How did he get an invitation? And is he really working for one of our contract firms? That’s not going to last.”

“Is there someplace we can talk? I have to tell you some things.”

“Sure. Haven’t you told me most of it?” Never breaking contact, he guided her toward the guest house. No one would be there at this point in the day. At least that’s what they thought, until they entered the house and heard voices. It was Jason and Owen, and the topic of conversation made Jenna a little sick.

They were talking about her.

“He’s made a huge mistake,” Owen said. “He married her without a pre-nup. With everything he has to lose, his family has to lose, if she goes after them? No document. He’s going to lose his shirt.”

“Why do you think she’d do that? I like Jenna and she’s been good for Nate.”

“She’s an Albanese. I don’t trust those people. Kim may have forgiven them, but they caused her more heartache and pain than anyone should have to endure. I won’t forget.”

“I don’t think that’s fair,” Jason said. “That would be like blaming me for my father’s dick moves over the years.”

“She’s going to go after his money. That’s all she wants. According to Piper, Nate’s ex, she’s used an alias.”

“An alias?” Jason couldn’t sound more annoyed than he did.

“Gia Albanese or something like that. He’s been pining for her for a year and all of a sudden they’re madly in love? Are you fucking kidding me?”

“You need to calm down, man. Nothing has happened. I don’t know what kind of bug has crawled up your ass, Owen, but it’s not really any of our business.”

“It is if it can hurt Reliance.”

Jenna never realized how much Owen disliked her. Now she was so hurt and humiliated she didn’t know how she’d face anyone. Is that what he thought? That her husband was a money grab? Jenna turned away from Nate and pressed her fingers to her lips.

“I did a background check,” Owen continued. “Do you know she was implicated in a possible fraud scheme? Nothing could be proved, but her ex took off, and left her with almost two million in debt. She’s still paying it off.”

Nate looked down at her. “Why didn’t you tell me? It’ll be gone tomorrow.”

“The amount was significantly lower once I sold everything, including the condo,” she whispered. “Royce had been in charge of our finances, and when he left, I found out he hadn’t paid a single bill. It’s almost paid off.”

“Jesus, is that what we were going to talk about?”

Jenna nodded. “Yes, but there’s more. You can’t let Royce near Reliance or any of the people. He’ll bleed the company and the employees.”

“Okay. I’ll need details.”

“Of course. I’ll tell you what I can, but I’d be better off giving you the number of the lawyer at the SEC who questioned me for ten hours.” Jenna focused her attention back on Owen and Jason. “I can’t believe how much Owen hates me and my family.”