Be with Me (Return to Haven 2)

Jade flipped him the one-fingered salute and remained silent as she held her bottle of water in the other hand. Wow. It took quite a bit to get on Jade’s bad side. She tended to just strike someone down with her witty banter, but Cash must’ve really pissed her off.

Cash let out a laugh and looked to Melanie. “You’re always the nicer one,” he joked.

Melanie had no idea what had happened between Cash and Jade, but who knew with those two. He seemed to always know how to push her buttons and he totally took advantage of that.

Jade was a live wire, never taking anything from anyone, and she always let people know where they stood. Apparently Cash didn’t stand in a good spot with her. Melanie didn’t recall any mention of a past between them. They’d grown up in Haven and had gone to school together. Maybe Cash didn’t like that Jade wasn’t tripping over herself to gain his attention. Poor Cash. Maybe he’d finally met his match.

“Hey,” Livie complained. “I’m nice.”

Cash snorted. “You’re marrying Jax, so you lost points by default.”

Melanie listened to her friends’ chatter, but mostly tuned them out, hating how she kept glancing over her shoulder for any sign of Tanner. He’d said he’d be here, but clearly something had come up.

A niggle of disappointment settled deep. He’d been adamant he’d be around, yet she hadn’t seen him for a few days. Maybe he’d changed his mind or perhaps he just decided a baby wasn’t what he saw for his future.

Regardless, she wished she’d stop holding her breath at every damn noise. What happened to the “I am woman, hear me roar” mantra she’d engrained in herself during and since her divorce? Tanner had a life before her, before the baby bomb had been dropped in his life.

Melanie had no idea what he did with his evenings. The secrets he obviously kept weren’t coming to light anytime soon. Flashes of Neville’s infidelity kept creeping through her mind. But they’d been married. She and Tanner were . . . what exactly? Melanie didn’t really feel she had a right to ask him about his disappearances. He technically owed her no explanations.

What were the boundaries when it came to personal info from your baby daddy? She’d told him she didn’t expect anything from him and she hadn’t been lying. He didn’t have to tell her his plans or his schedule. She’d pushed him away from getting too close. Part of her wanted someone to lean on during this scary time, but she had Jade and Livie. Her gal pals had gotten her through a rough patch before. No way would they leave her now.

“Right, Melanie?”

Escaping her thoughts, Melanie turned her attention to Jade and smiled. “I’m sorry. What?”

“She said the restaurant should have a classic theme, like fifties retro with the chrome and teal and white.”

Cash shook his head as if that were the most preposterous notion. “I said this is a small town, and it should be more down home and simple.”

“Retro is in right now,” Jade threw back. “And since when did you care so much about designs and décor?”

“Since I had a stake in this airport, too.” He glared at her over his beer as he took a hearty swig before going back to making his plate of food.

“What stake is that exactly?” Jade asked, her tone sweet as honey, but her eyes shot daggers.

Melanie was rather enjoying this show, and they’d clearly forgotten they’d dragged her in for an opinion. At least watching them she wasn’t stewing over the fact that one of their members was missing.

“I have a plane there, too, you know,” he reminded her. “And Jax is like a brother. I want this to succeed just as much as you all do. Don’t be mad at me simply because I tried to warn you away from the jerk you’re dating.”

“My social life is none of your concern,” Jade spouted back.

“Cool it, guys,” Jax interrupted. “Piper, honey, back away from the fire. You’re getting too close.”

Piper had been in her own little world, roasting marshmallows, and sneaking some of the chocolate bar when her dad and Olivia weren’t looking. She obviously didn’t mind the adults arguing, because she didn’t even glance toward Cash or Jade.

“Anyone want a marshmallow?” Piper asked. “I can make them real burnt if you like them crispy.”

Melanie laughed. “I actually love them that way. I’ll take one, please.”

Piper squealed and ran to grab her roasting stick.

“I’ve gotten a few design ideas.” Livie wrapped her arm around Jax’s shoulder and leaned her head against his. “I like too many, that’s my problem. But with the higher-end clients coming through, I’m leaning toward the classic style. I want something that will not look dated in five years. I thought about asking a professional, but I’m pretty sure between all of us, we can come up with a solid plan.”

“Whatever you choose will be fine,” Jax stated as he patted her hip.

“I know, but then I think Haven does have so much small-town charm, I should stick to the down-home feel like Cash mentioned.”

“Because I’m brilliant.” He carried his plate and beer over to the vacant seat next to Melanie. “Let me know when you want me to choose paint colors.”