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“Duke,” his mother said. “That isn’t nice and it’s the truth.”
He rolled his eyes and looked at his father who only grinned at him. “Sorry. They are right. You do tend to be one of those do-gooders but don’t like other people to know.”
“I’d hardly say that,” he said.
“Women don’t think it,” Kelsey said. “At least not women you’ve dated because you put work first. But maybe dating someone you work with will make a difference. She can see the best of both worlds with you.”
“Now I’ve got two good worlds?” he asked his twin.
“I didn’t say good worlds. Just the best of those two worlds,” Kelsey said, winking at him.
“Whatever,” he said. “There is nothing wrong with trying to bring the best out of people. More so if you want to be surrounded by them. You all own and run businesses so you understand.”
“We do,” his mother said. “Your sister is only picking on you as she loves to do.”
“Tell me about it,” he said.
A few of his cousins came over to the table to talk at that point and they ended it. He didn’t want anyone else to know about Hadley and hoped his family kept it that way.
Hours later, the wedding was winding down and he and Kelsey decided to take their leave. They’d spent most of the wedding socializing with family that came to talk to them. He’d get up and move some, but why bother when so many were with dates or walking around too.
“How come you didn’t ask Hadley to come with you today?” Kelsey asked when they were in his SUV. His jacket and tie had been removed a long time ago and he tossed them in the backseat now.
“Why would I?” he asked. “We’ve had a few dates and I rsvp’d to the wedding months ago.”
“So?” Kelsey said. “You could have added another person within the last two weeks or so.”
“I could have but wouldn’t have,” he said. “We aren’t making this public. It’s been a few dates. Nothing more. I’m not in the habit of bringing a date for the hell of it to a family event. Neither are you.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Kelsey said.
“You know I am. Why are you even asking this?”
Kelsey shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I have this feeling there could be more to it with you two. Or I’m hoping.”
He wasn’t even going to bother to address that statement and just started the SUV and pulled out to leave. He’d done enough talking about his personal life tonight in his eyes.
21
Independent And Proud
“Thank you for scheduling me off today,” Hadley said. She didn’t normally have Wednesday off, but rather Tuesday. Duke had Wednesday off and she hoped he’d done it so they could have the day together.
“I thought it might be a good way to spend some time outside of work,” he said. “Are you sure you’re good with going off the island for it?”
“Always,” she said. “The weather is nice and I can’t wait to do something other than work or walk the beach.”
“Now you get to hopefully see a whale. You haven’t, I’m assuming?”
“No,” she said. She was getting excited as they boarded the ferry at Juliet Port. They were going to Provincetown and getting on a whale-watching boat for several hours. “I’ve always wanted to do this, but when I came to visit there just didn’t seem to be time. My parents did it once years ago and loved it.”
“Then I’m glad we could do this and hope you see one. It’s not guaranteed, but there is a good chance.”
“Just having the day off the island and not working is more than enough.”
Even on her day off she was usually still doing some kind of work. Whether it was testing recipes, working on the marketing for the two restaurants or doing stuff around her little place she was calling home.
This was going to be a day with nothing but fun. The night too since she was staying at Duke’s. She’d told her mother to not expect her home. She hated that she had to do that but didn’t want to worry them either. It was easier to say it to her mother than her father.
