Secrets Whispered from the Sea - Emma St. Clair Page 0,42
don’t believe it because you don’t think I have the taste to appreciate it or the money to afford it, but both are offensive. Goodbye.”
And before he could say another word, I shoved my way through the door. An awkward exit with the big, bulky painting. But I hoped I made my point. Which was … what, exactly?
All I knew was that Alec’s bad behavior seemed to draw out my own.
“Clementine, wait!”
I ignored Alec, precariously balancing the painting in the back seat and hoping it didn’t fly away. I still hadn’t put the top up or retrieved my doors from Ann’s. The gorgeous painting barely fit in the cramped back seat, and I had to hope it wouldn’t fly off during the drive home.
I really wished I had a door to slam, though. It was incredibly disappointing to hop behind the wheel without that sound of finality right in Alec’s face. He was upon me as I turned the key in the ignition, both hands in his luscious dark hair
Luscious? Come on, Clementine. Be better.
“You can’t just—” he started.
“I can’t just walk away from you? Yes, I can. I most certainly can.”
“No. You can’t just drive off with a painting like that hanging out of your back seat. It’s going to get ruined.”
The painting? He cared right now about the painting? I swore—the man became more infuriating every single time I saw him. And I didn’t even know how that was possible.
“I bought it. If I feel like dropping it in the street and running over it in my car, I will.” I gunned the engine, just to make the point I couldn't make by slamming the nonexistent doors. Not that I would run over this painting. I loved it too much. Plus, I’d dropped more money on it than I’d ever spent on something to hang on my walls.
Alec’s mouth gaped open, and he seemed to dig his hands further into his hair.
Casey chose that moment to dash onto the deck with a to-go cup in hand. “Alec, I've got your usual. Just the way you like it!”
Even from down here, I could read the adoration in her eyes. “You’ve got your usual waiting. Just the way you like it,” I said, giving him a wicked grin. “Goodbye, Alec. Have a lovely day.”
And with that, I drove out of the parking lot as quickly and reasonably as I could to make my point without losing the painting out of the jeep. Alec simply stood there, watching with something like horror.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so satisfied.
16
When I arrived back at Nana’s cottage after the slowest possible drive to keep the painting from flying out of the back, it was to find three most unwelcome guests: Dad, Nadia, and … Chuck?
I’d already had enough of today. I most certainly did not have the energy or emotional bandwidth for this.
And then, to just put the whipped cream, cherry, and sprinkles on top of this delicious surprise, Alec’s SUV zipped up to the road and he climbed out, eyeing the motley crew standing in the driveway.
Chuck grinned widely at me, if a little hesitantly. Alec glared, per the usual. Dad kept his hands in his pockets while Nadia gave me a little finger wave.
I parked the jeep, wishing I had time to compose myself or consider the proper way to handle this. But I doubted there was an answer on Google for what to do when your dad, his wife, your ex, and the man you couldn’t stand all showed up unannounced.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise,” I said, climbing out of the jeep, not sure who to look at.
Shockingly, Dad was the first to speak. “We just met your boyfriend.”
“Ex-boyfriend,” I said automatically, regretting the quick response when hurt flashed across Chuck’s features. But come on—he broke up with me. “Sorry.” I ran a hand through my hair, which was a tangled mess. I needed to buy a hat or something if I kept driving around in the jeep with the top down and doors off. “It’s been a long day.”
“It’s only ten o’clock,” Nadia said, tilting her head.
“It feels so much later. Where are my manners? Let’s do introductions. Dad, Nadia, you already met Chuck, who was my boyfriend until recently. And over there is Alec. He’s …” I trailed off, staring at Alec. A tiny hint of a smirk graced his lips.
“A new friend,” he supplied, that tiny smile turning into something bigger, almost wicked.