Page 23 of Impossible Rapids
Ugh. She was a mess. It was probably better that Shawn had been keeping his distance from her since the funeral. She’d rather feel like she’d lost both of her friends than feel guilty and second guess every look, word, and touch she and Shawn exchanged.
Flinging open the front door, she stopped and stuttered on her heels.
Shawn pivoted to her, the morning sun highlighting the manly angles of his face and well-built body. It was the appreciation and yearning in his eyes that stole the oxygen from her lungs.
“Jules.” His voice was husky, raw, filled with a longing that had her stepping closer to him. “I didn’t think there could be an improvement from the robe, but wow.”
She laughed unsteadily. “Stop. Can you even imagine the photos leaking to the press of me at the wedding in a robe?”
“The press would only be so lucky to see you in your robe.” He smiled. “But lucky for us, Jagger and Belinda will have no press at their wedding.”
“Unless the paparazzi sharks follow the new ‘world’s most eligible Viking billionaire’ there,” she teased. She’d seen that headline last night and hated it. He wasn’t eligible. If he was, she wanted to be the sole bachelorette pursuing him. Neither was happening.
“I’m used to that with the paparazzi always after Mercedes. I’m boring enough they’ll leave me alone soon.” He looked her over. “Unless they think I’m with you.”
She drew in a sharp breath and saw his eyes widen.
“Apologies,” he murmured. “I shouldn’t have. There are so many reasons to stay away. Your bag?” He nodded to her, took her bag from her hand, and gestured toward the parking lot.
She managed to walk in front of him without tripping.
Unless they think I’m with you. There are so many reasons to stay away.
Up and down like a seesaw. Of course he needed to stay away. His beloved wife had barely floated up to heaven.
She and Shawn were not happening. She needed to stop fantasizing about it and pray he didn’t look at her with those alluring blue eyes of his again.
The flight was much better and much worse than their thrilling interactions on the porch. Shawn didn’t say any semi-flirtatious lines to her with Franz there, though she caught him looking at her and thought Franz noticed as well. The prayers for Shawn not to look at her were silly and unrealistic.
Julie worried the generous and kind father of her dearest, deceased friend would think she was trying to move in on his son-in-law. Franz was a buffer between them. That was good. Though he wore his sadness like a cloak, he was still kind and interested in everything in Shawn and Julie’s world.
The two of them seemed more bonded than ever. Mercedes’s death had brought them even closer.
There were eight security men on the plane with them. Franz and Shawn must’ve been concerned about Franz’s cousins who thought they deserved Mercedes’s inheritance.
Franz drew Julie out about all the work she’d been focused on with the reality show, charities, and responding to the many media, businesses, and stars who expressed condolences about Mercedes.
Shawn shared about all the legal ‘junk’ they’d been dealing with and all the business meetings he’d been part of. It oddly fit him. The young and powerful billionaire. He ran his fingers through his hair occasionally, as if shocked it was gone. He looked so good it was a conscious effort not to stare. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair like she had on the porch.
Shawn was extremely concerned about doing the reality show and leaving Franz unprotected. Franz balked every time he mentioned it. They had great security and the famed Captain Aiden Porter had sent half a dozen of his top operatives to them.
There was some reason they were so worried about security that made Julie uneasy. When she grilled them, they both said Franz’s cousins Lucas and Arianna Belle were going to try something because they assumed they deserved the family fortune. She was still upset those two snakes had gotten past her at the funeral reception and agreed they could try something underhanded.
It hurt that Shawn was trying to get out of the rafting trip. She shouldn’t want to spend that week alone with him, but she did. Cash and Brylee would be there and it would be fun. Julie knew all about that five-day adventure. She and Mercedes had set it up with a rafting company out of Buena Vista Colorado months ago. They’d bought up all the guided tours for the week, but Mercedes shifted the date when she came up with her plan. They should have the gorgeous stretch of river to themselves. The company would be providing all the meals, setting up the cameras at camp, as well as showers and beds for them. It would be intimate and wonderful to escape with Shawn.
And he didn’t want to go.
They made it to the beach house on Kauai’s gorgeous Anini Bay. Julie, Shawn, and Mercedes had stayed here a couple times. Unreal spot. Fun memories.
Could they make more memories? Without Mercedes? Julie hated even thinking about it.
Shawn held the car door for her, and they walked behind Franz up to the front door. The second vehicle full of security guys filtered out behind them and started ‘sweeping the area’ as Shawn would say. The door flung open before Franz could even tap the handle.
Jagger burst out, holding vivacious and beautiful blonde Belinda’s hand and tugging her with him, his face bright and happy. As soon as he met Franz’s gaze, the smile disappeared. They embraced. Shawn and Julie stayed back a couple steps. They both smiled at Belinda, who smiled back but didn’t move as she also watched the two men embrace. Julie couldn’t hear their whispered conversation.
The men released each other, and Jagger looked emotional. Shawn had relayed to Julie the ultra-emotional conversation he, Jagger, and Hays had with Mercedes a few days before she passed. She’d been incredulous that Jagger could cry and promise to pray, but his texts confirmed it, and now she could see with her own eyes that their friend was indeed softening.
“Bee.” Jagger took his fiancée’s hand and looked at her with worship in his eyes. “This is Franz Belle.”