“That wasn’t her plan. She always wanted to go into her dad’s practice outside LA, but I found out today he passed away not long after I left.”
He sobered at the thought, knowing she’d probably been dealing with their breakup at the time of her father’s death. He hadn’t known. They’d agreed not to keep in touch because they knew it would be too hard.
“And you both ended up not just on the East Coast but here in East Hampton,” Sasha mused. “Talk about fate.”
He fucking hoped so.
Chapter Three
Tara’s last appointment for the day cancelled, and she was able to leave the office early, giving herself extra time to get ready for her date with Axel. When she’d woken up this morning, she’d never expected to see her ex-boyfriend and first love stride into her office with a borrowed dog as a ruse to see her again. Never mind accepting a date with him tonight. Nerves fluttered in her stomach at the thought.
Her doorbell rang, and she walked through the small gatehouse on her mom and stepfather’s property where she lived, to find her stepsister at the front door.
“Amy, hi! What are you doing here?”
Her stepsister, a strawberry blonde with a curvy body and bubbly personality, strode past her and into the house. “We have to talk, and I need to help you pick out clothes for your date tonight.”
“Good God, word travels fast,” Tara muttered.
“Your mom is beyond excited.”
Tara closed the door. “I’m sure she is.”
Her mom wanted nothing more than for Tara to settle down with a nice man. With Axel’s return, that desire would be magnified. Her mother had always liked him and felt bad about his home situation, being raised by his grandma after his parents died when he was young.
“It doesn’t help that you’re five years younger than me and getting married soon,” Tara said, laughing. Because she was happy for Amy, she truly was.
“Marsha loves you. Don’t mind your mom’s pushiness.”
“Says you because you’re not the one she’s pushing,” Tara muttered.
“Is it true your ex is Axel Forrester? As in Caged Chaos’s and now the Original Kings’ drummer?”
“Yes. That’s him.”
Amy’s blue eyes lit up at her confirmation. “That is so cool. I can’t wait to meet him.”
Tara didn’t tell her to slow her roll, but she thought it. She had to get through this first date. She certainly wasn’t planning on family meet and greets.
“Let’s go pick out clothes!” Amy grasped Tara’s hand and pulled her toward her bedroom, obviously determined to be in charge. “You’re still coming to my bachelorette party Saturday night, right?”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Tara assured her stepsister.
Was she looking forward to hanging out with Amy’s younger friends who still liked to party and drink the night away? And who’d likely hired a male stripper as the night’s entertainment?
Not really. But when Marsha and Amy’s dad, Glenn, married, Tara had had a difficult time feeling like a part of the family. It was Amy who’d latched on to Tara and pulled her into their new family unit. Tara would show up to the bachelorette party because she loved her stepsister.
“If you want me to help you choose an outfit for that, too, I’m happy to help,” Amy said, leading the way into Tara’s bedroom.
She couldn’t help but laugh at Amy’s enthusiasm and excitement. “Okay, you can help me choose both outfits.”
Amy flopped onto the bed. “Show me what you were thinking about wearing.”
Half an hour later, they’d come up with two outfits that Tara felt good in, then she caught up with her sister until Amy announced it was time for her to get home.
Once alone, Tara took a shower and shaved everywhere, not that she planned on exposing herself to Axel tonight, but better safe than sorry. She applied some makeup, including a light coat of foundation, blush, mascara, and a peachy-pink lip gloss, and she used her beach waver to curl her hair.
Keeping it casual, she put on the outfit she and Amy had chosen. Her favorite pair of skinny jeans and a not-quite-sheer light pink off-the-shoulder blouse, held up with slender, halter-like straps. The top had a breezy feel Tara loved. She zipped on a pearl-colored pair of chunky-heeled booties, paired them with a black lightweight faux-leather motorcycle jacket, and added some jewelry.
She set her quilted cross-body bag by the front door before heading to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine to calm her nerves.
Then she settled in to wait for Axel.
* * * *
Axel picked up Tara up at the address her mom had written down, which turned out to be a guesthouse with a private driveway on the property of another large estate home. He pulled his Corvette into the driveway and parked, drawing a deep breath before climbing out. He was nervous but amped up, like before a concert.