AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No! You asked if I could honestly tell you that I didn’t want a big wedding – I was answering that no, I can’t honestly say that.”
“Okay.” He grinned. “Subject closed.”
“Excuse me?”
He chuckled. “I believe I have all the information I need – for now. We can revisit the matter again some other time. For now, we have guests to prepare for.”
She searched his face. “That’s it? We’re just going to drop the subject?”
His expression softened and he nodded. “I had to know if it’s what you want. Now that I know it is, I want to do things right – and doing it right, in my mind, doesn’t mean planning it all out while we’re standing in the kitchen, getting in Elena’s way.”
Becca looked up to see Elena hurrying back down the hallway toward them. “Oh.”
Jacob chuckled and pulled her into his side. “Yes, Becca. Oh.”
~ ~ ~
Jacob couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself so much. He felt a sharp stab in his chest when he realized that it was probably when his parents were still alive. He glanced up at the photo of them on the wall above the fireplace and smiled. He still missed them. He wished that he could introduce Becca to them. He knew his dad would love her. He chuckled. His mom probably wouldn’t approve – she’d expect him to marry someone from their social circle.
He looked around at his friends. He was grateful that so many of them had managed to make it this afternoon. Even though there were quite a few people here whom his mom had known, there wasn’t anyone who would fit the bill in her eyes. Well, except maybe Willow DuPont – she came from the right kind of family. Jacob shook his head. She wasn’t someone he’d ever thought of in that way. She was attractive and intelligent, but she was Bentley’s younger sister. Even apart from that, she was a tough cookie. He smiled to himself as he watched her exchange a look with Slade. He’d put money on the fact that she was another one who was interested in someone who came from a different background. He’d heard the rumors about those two hooking up whenever she came home to visit. It’d be interesting to see what happened now that she was home to stay. He couldn’t imagine Alexandria DuPont being any happier than his own mom about her children getting involved with … outsiders.
“I have to hand it to you – she’s awesome.”
He turned to see Bentley standing beside him. “She is, isn’t she?”
“Yes. I was worried about the thought of you with a schoolteacher. I just couldn’t see it, but now that I’ve met her – now that I’ve seen the two of you together – I get it. You’re a lucky man.”
Jacob cocked an eyebrow.
Bentley laughed. “Don’t worry, I don’t mean that I’m after your lady. I mean you’re lucky that you’ve found …the one.” He shrugged, looking embarrassed. “I always thought that was a stupid term when my sisters used it. But I get it now. It makes sense. There’s no doubt that Russ isthe onefor Mom.” He smiled and nodded to where Hannah and Grady were talking to Cameron Hamilton. “Grady’sthe onefor Hannah. Piper’sthe onefor Cam, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Becca’sthe onefor you.”
Jacob nodded happily. “I always thought it was a strange expression, too. But I get it now. What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Are you ready to findthe one?”
Bentley laughed. “Yeah … err, no. I don’t even make the time to date. It’s just not worth it, as far as I’m concerned.”
“I know you don’t, but why?” He frowned. “I feel like a shit that I’ve never asked you that before.”
Bentley laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about it; I always thought you knew why.”
“Enlighten me? I’ve always thought that we were in the same situation – eligible bachelors, running big businesses. You could have your pick – if you wanted.”
“Our situations are similar – but different.” Bentley gave him a grim smile. “Everything changed for you after your folks died.”
“Yeah. I was with Sophie before that.”
“True, but that’s not what I meant. What I mean is … you don’t have Alexandria DuPont breathing down your neck. Can you imagine how my mom would react if I screwed around the same way you do – did?”
Jacob had to laugh. “Ah. Yeah. I see what you mean.”
“I don’t want to say that I’ve envied you – because I know that you’d give anything to have your parents back, but …”
“No, it’s okay. I understand what you mean. It didn’t occur to me before, but it can’t be any fun for you.”
Bentley shrugged. “It’s fine. I’m used to it. And it’s changing now anyway. Mom’s hardly ever here; she spends most of her time in Summer Lake with Russ.”
