Saltwater Secrets - Amelia Addler Page 0,19
say something about his botched kiss? Or would that just make it worse?
She hadn’t said anything…but when he tried to kiss her, she’d made it perfectly clear that she immediately wanted to get away from him. He got the message loud and clear.
“No – I want to help, if you’ll have me. I think it’s a great idea, and I want to be a part of it.”
A smile spread across her face – a genuine smile. “Really?”
“Yes, really! Please put me to work.”
“Okay!” Jade sat next to Morgan. “But listen, Corporal. There’s no backing out now.”
Chapter 7
By the next weekend, Jade needed a break from planning her fundraiser and was excited by the chance to see what Burke Development put together for their event. Just before she got ready, she decided to spend a little time cleaning up the kitchen.
“So don’t get mad at me,” said Morgan as she popped her head into the room.
“Why?” Jade said slowly.
“I kind of, sort of, think I’ll be a little bit late to the event today.”
Jade frowned. “Why, what’s going on?”
“I’m really sorry, but this client got back to me and the only time that she can meet is right at five. I’m hoping it won’t take too long and I can still make it at some point.”
“Oh. That’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”
Jade didn’t want Morgan to feel guilty; she’d already dedicated a lot of time to their plan for Colby Farm, and the entire committee didn’t need to go to this party.
Jade wasn’t even sure if she should go. The developers who wanted to buy the land invited the entire county to the event in Friday Harbor. When Jade initially told everyone about it at the committee meeting on Wednesday, Morgan and Matthew both volunteered to go and they made plans to scope it out.
Now it’d just be her and Matthew.
Jade frowned.
“Don’t look so sad!” Morgan pleaded. “I promise that I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
“Oh – it’s not that. It’s not your fault at all. I understand.”
Morgan crossed her arms. “Then what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Jade said, raising her voice a bit too high-pitched.
“Come on, I’m really sorry!”
Jade shook her head. “I swear, it’s fine! I’ll see you there later?”
Morgan studied her for a moment before responding. “Yeah, definitely. I’m sure they won’t even know who you are.”
“I didn’t even think of that.”
“Unless…” Morgan tapped her chin. “What if they’re the ones who’ve been terrorizing you all this time?”
Jade laughed. “I don’t think so. Nothing else has happened. I think Matthew was right – someone broke into the car and tried to get a two-for-one deal with the garage door opener. We’re probably fine now.”
“Maybe. But hey, at least Matthew can go!”
Jade nodded. “Yeah.”
“Hopefully he doesn’t try to bring his girlfriend. I don’t buy her ‘I’m so cute and everyone’s my friend’ routine at all.”
“Morgan!” Jade said sternly. “She seems nice. We can’t be mean to her because…”
“Because what?”
Jade sighed. She might as well come out and say it. “Because I thought that Matthew might like me.”
“I think he does like you. Just because – ”
“No, stop. I’m not doing this,” Jade said. “I will go to the party with him, and if Laura is there, I’m sure she’ll be a nice addition. And when you come, you’ll be nice to her and we’ll be one big, happy family!”
“Speak for yourself!” Morgan replied with a smirk. “I don’t have to be nice to anyone.”
Jade laughed. “You’re right, what was I thinking?”
She decided that she wasn’t going to change any of her plans just because Morgan couldn’t make it. She wanted to get there early, take a look around, and leave. Simple.
She’d see Matthew whenever he got there. And if he didn’t come, that was fine too. Jade knew how to blend into a crowd.
Just before five, she made her way towards Friday Harbor. The event was being held at the Brickworks Event Center, and she didn’t want to have a hard time finding parking. Unfortunately, despite thinking that she was planning ahead, there was almost no parking by the time she got there. It looked like the entire island was coming to this thing.
They were officially calling it “A Meet and Greet with Burke Development.” Jade scoffed. What a ridiculous name for an event that was clearly just an advertisement for their business.
It took her almost ten minutes to find a parking spot; when she finally found a place, she wasn’t even sure if it was legal. She made sure