California Dreamin' Collection Read online

  Jack leaned closer, and Gwen caught his scent— sand, sweat, and spice. “I do,” he said in a thoughtful voice.

  “Does your job stress you out?” Gwen looked up into his eyes; they weren’t quite brown, but not quite green, either.

  “Does my job stress me out?” he repeated. His mouth lifted into a half-smile. “That’s one way of putting it.” He scrubbed his hands through his dark hair, and Gwen glanced away so she wouldn’t be caught staring at the flex of the muscles in his arms.

  Would it be a bad thing to take another picture of him?

  “I hear that running is good for stress,” she said, when he didn’t offer anything more.

  “Running is my only sanity,” he said quietly, staring at the ocean.

  “Sorry about your dad.”

  He glanced at her and gave a short nod. “Thanks. I never thought I’d live here again. But life has a way of changing plans.”

  Gwen had never heard truer words. “I hear you. This time last year, I was happily engaged and had my own photography studio in Oregon.” She clamped her mouth shut, her face growing hot. She’d sworn to keep her past completely in the past, especially around strangers.

  Jack was silent for a few moments, and just when Gwen was about to tell him she had to get going, he said, “What happened?”

  Gwen fiddled with her camera settings. “His ex-girlfriend came to the rehearsal dinner. He seemed really happy to see her, but I ignored the signs, and two months later, Paul annulled the marriage.”

  “Ouch,” Jack said. “Must make it hard to shoot weddings.”

  Gwen smiled, even though she was starting to feel sorry for herself again. “I just try to do my job— it’s not like I’m bitter— but yeah, I’m constantly surrounded by love and marriage.”

  A seagull screeched past them and landed a few feet away. The water sparkled behind the bird, making it look like it was surrounded by tiny pricks of light. Gwen lifted her camera and took a shot.

  “Do you ever go anywhere without your camera?” Jack asked.

  “Sure,” Gwen said. “But I always regret it.”

  Jack laughed; it was a good sound.

  “So where are you from?” she asked.

  “I grew up mostly in California, but I went to school back east and haven’t been home for a while.”

  “Your dad’s company is here, then?”

  “The corporate offices are in San Francisco. But I had to consolidate a few things, and I couldn’t part with the beach house down here.”

  Gwen nodded, as if she understood perfectly, but her mind was racing. To own some of the most expensive real estate in California, Jack’s dad must have run a major company.

  “So you really do live on the ridge.”

  He grinned. “Like I said.” He touched her shoulder and steered her to look at the ridge looking over the ocean. “The white one with all the windows.”

  “Wow.” Gwen really couldn’t say anything else. When her brain started to work again, she asked, “Have you ever rented it out for weddings? I mean, it would be a spectacular venue.”

  “No,” Jack said with a laugh. “It’s my home.”

  “Yeah, but—” Gwen rubbed her forehead. “Ignore me. Sometimes being a photographer distorts my perception of reality.”

  Jack’s hand had dropped from her shoulder, but she still felt the warmth from his touch. “I can take you on a tour of it sometime,” he said, “and then you’ll see why it would be a horrible wedding venue.”

  Gwen looked up at him, surprised at the bold invitation. She involuntarily took a step back. Maybe he was one of those rich guys with a dark side, and—

  “Look,” he said, raising his hand. “I am completely normal, despite what others might say.”

  Had he read her mind? “I’m thinking that normal in your world may be different from normal in mine.” Gwen gave him a smile to let him know she was teasing... although she wasn’t.

  “Then maybe we should go to dinner or something first, so we can see if that’s true.”

  There it was. He’d asked her out. Gwen exhaled, not feeling as unsettled as she’d expected. Sure, she was intrigued by Jack, not because he owned the mansion on the ridge— well, maybe she was curious about his life— but because he did seem normal, and pretty amazing. His eyes weren’t bad either.

  Chapter Four

  On his walk back home, Jack realized he had no idea why he pointed out his house to Gwen and then asked her out. As he had with every other woman who discovered who he was, he’d seen the information click in her expression.

  But instead of smoozing him, she’d suggested that his house could be a backdrop for a wedding. Which was kind of funny. His mother would absolutely die if Jack ever let the public into one of their homes.

  As the wife of a business tycoon, his mother had quickly learned that the more private she kept her life, the better. She even used a pen name for the children’s books she published. Now, walking away from Gwen with her number in his phone, Jack knew that she and his mom would get along great.

  Why that thought had suddenly appeared in his head baffled him.

  But the fact was, he’d just asked a woman out for the first time since his father’s death. It had been way too long, yet standing on the beach in the early-morning light, with Gwen’s green eyes practically singeing his skin, he’d given in to the impulse. He was probably an idiot for doing so; he didn’t have time to date or entertain any sort of significant relationship. And he wasn’t looking for a one-night fling, either.

  He climbed the snake path from the beach to the back of his house. Once inside, he grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and settled on a chair on the upper balcony, where he had a good view of the arriving wedding party.

  Gwen was already at work placing groups of people together and taking pictures. She moved easily among the guests. Graceful. That was the perfect word to describe her. While Jack felt as if he were constantly barreling through thick doors of red tape, Gwen’s job was to observe others and capture their many layers on camera.

  Her picture of him frowning had been startling. In a photo that captured one split second, he’d seen the toll of past months of trying to keep it all together and somehow make his family proud.

  His cell rang, but on seeing the caller ID, he hesitated before answering it. His sister could easily talk for an hour, and she was impossible to hang up on. But he had no good excuse not to answer. “Hey, Silv.”

  “Jack! It’s a miracle,” Silvia said. “You answered the phone!”

  “I always answer if I can—”

  “Which is almost never for your sister,” she said with a laugh.

  Jack smiled, despite the guilt trip she’d just sent him on.

  “Look,” Silvia went on. “Mom and I are flying in on Friday to meet the organizers of her favorite charity. Can you meet Mom and me for dinner? We’re staying at the La Valencia. Mom wants to fly back Saturday morning, so that doesn’t give us much time.”

  “Why don’t you stay here?” Jack suggested.

  “You know Mom. She wants to get in and out without inconveniencing anyone. So how about dinner?”

  He was about to say yes until he looked out over the beach again, remembering Gwen. Their date was Friday night.

  “Jack?” Silvia’s voice came through the line, her tone curious. “Don’t tell me you’re putting me on hold.”

  “No,” Jack said, trying to think fast. If he gave so much of a hint about plans for a date, Silv’s questions would be endless. And if his mother found out, she’d hire a detective agency to investigate Gwen. “I just have something I can’t get out of that night. Can’t you stay longer on Saturday? We could do brunch.”

  Even as he suggested it, he knew that a date one night with brunch the next morning would only pile on the stress. As it was, he didn’t have enough time to do the final proposal review for the QTech sale. Then again, it might be nice to discuss some of the specifics of the proposal with his mom and sist
er.

  “Jack,” his sister was saying. “You’ve got to take breaks once in a while. I saw the QTech sale in the paper, so I know things must be crazy right now. If you’re anything like Dad was, working to make big things happen, you’ll need to be dragged outside to see that the sun is still rising and setting.”

  Jack scrubbed a hand through his hair, a reminder that he still needed a shower. After that he had to conference in with the board of directors. “I’ll have you know, I just came back from a run— and I watched the sun rise.”

  And I spoke to a beautiful girl, who is shooting pictures a few hundred yards away.

  “You’ve been running? I told you, you’re exhausting yourself.”

  “No, running is great for relieving stress,” he countered.

  “Okay, you’re right,” Silvia said, her voice softening. “But Mom and I really miss you— we miss hanging out.”

  Had he really ever hung out with his mom and sister? Maybe as a teenager on family vacations. His father had usually holed up in the office of their vacation home while the rest of them went sight-seeing. “I miss you guys too,” Jack finally said. “I wish I could make it work, but—”

  “Fine. You’re off the hook this time,” Silvia conceded. “But once the deal with QTech is done, we’ll put a weekend together.”

  Jack was nodding, although his sister couldn’t see it. He was still looking down on the beach, where the minister had shown up, and wedding guests were settling into chairs. Gwen shook hands with the minister, and then she moved off to the side and snapped more candid shots of the seated wedding guests. Her green eyes returned to mind. What was she seeing right now through her viewfinder?

  “Hello? Jack?” Silvia said.

  “What do you think of beach weddings?” Jack asked before he thought through his question.

  A pause. “Who is she?”

  Finally, Jack snapped his attention back to the phone and his sister. “Who’s who?”

  “You have a woman on your mind.”

  Jack silently groaned. “There’s just a beach wedding going on below the house right now.”

  His sister was silent for a moment, something much more dangerous than her nonstop talking.

  Jack felt obliged to cover for her silence before too many ideas popped into her head. “I mean, Mom and Dad got married in a church. That used to be the traditional way, but traditions don’t seem to hold anymore. The couple getting married right now has to be in their sixties.”

  “Maybe they’re renewing their vows,” Silvia said. “And for the record, I think beach weddings are romantic— as long as it’s not too hot or windy.”

  “Yeah,” Jack said absently as he watched the groom/husband take his place next to the minister. The bride/wife began her short walk down the aisle. Gwen was deftly capturing it all on camera.

  “What’s her name?”

  “Gwen,” he said automatically. Then he let out an audible groan.

  “I was right!” Silvia sounded triumphant. “Who is she? What’s her last name? What does she do?”

  “Don’t go detective on me, and please don’t tell Mom,” Jack said. “We’re only going on one date.”

  Silvia sounded breathless. “Wow, Jack. I mean, wow. What does she look like? Where did you meet?”

  “Slow down,” Jack said. “This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you anything.”

  “You’re going out on Friday, aren’t you?”

  His silence was his answer.

  “Just tell me something about her— just one thing,” she said, “and then I’ll shut up.”

  “That’s like promising not to breathe.”

  “Jack!”

  “All right. She’s a photographer.” He could practically see Silvia putting the rest of the pieces together.

  “A wedding photographer?”

  “Look, I’ve got to go. I need to shower before the board’s call.” He didn’t trust himself on the phone with his sister for even a minute longer; he’d already said way too much.

  Standing, he finished off his water bottle, then watched for a moment while the older couple exchanged vows. Only when the wedding guests were clapping, and Gwen was taking pictures of the kissing couple, did Jack turn away.

  Chapter Five

  Friday took forever to come, yet it arrived all too fast for Gwen. She had stayed busy, though, trying not to think about Jack Mead. On Friday afternoon when that proved nearly impossible, she downloaded his picture onto her computer and played with the hues and contrasts until she was happy with it. She spent longer than planned toying with the picture, then realized she had only half an hour to get ready to meet Jack at the hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant he’d suggested. She was sort of surprised at the choice, given his house, but then, Jack didn’t seem like the typical rich guy. Not that Gwen knew a bunch of rich guys— she wasn’t exactly a stunning catch.

  She was average looking, a bit on the short side, and didn’t stand out from women who spent a lot of time on their appearance. But tonight, Gwen fussed with her hair— she had it down and let the natural waves take over— then leaned close to the mirror and added another layer of mascara. She didn’t wear much eye shadow but wasn’t opposed to thick mascara and a bit of lip gloss.

  Her phone buzzed, so she checked it. Leisa. The call likely meant that she’d be working tomorrow. She rarely had a Saturday off, and Gwen had looked forward to it. But she couldn’t ignore her sister, who was also her boss.

  “Hey,” Gwen said, leaving her bathroom and walking down the short hallway of her apartment.

  “You home?” Leisa asked.

  “Just leaving, actually.” She hoped she wouldn’t have to elaborate; Leisa was always overeager to set Gwen up with some new single guy. “What’s up?” She snagged her keys from the kitchen counter and opened the front door.

  “David wants to take me out tonight, so I was wondering if you could come over and watch Ella.”

  While Gwen’s niece was an adorable two-year old, she was also full of more energy than anyone should have a right to. She was glad she had a valid excuse, even if it meant confessing that she had a date.

  Bracing herself as she headed to her car, Gwen said, “I have a date tonight. I’m leaving now.”

  “Ooooh.” Leisa didn’t sound in the least put off that Gwen couldn’t babysit. “When did you meet him?”

  “Ha-ha. Very funny. I’ll give you the scoop after the date.” Gwen climbed into her car and started the engine. “Hey, I’ve really got to go—”

  “You are not hanging up on me, Gwenie,” Leisa ordered. “Not until you at least tell me his name.”

  Gwen sighed. “All right. It’s Jack Mead. But I really have to go. I’ll call you tomorrow to tell you what a disaster it was for me to start dating again. Bye.” She hung up before Leisa could drill her with a million and one questions.

  What does he look like? How tall is he? Where does he work? Where did you meet? Does this mean you’re over Paul?

  Gwen backed out of her parking space and pulled onto the adjoining street. Her phone buzzed again; Leisa calling. Gwen turned her phone to silent, feeling proud of herself for dating again. She wouldn’t let her sister badger her. So far so good.

  Her confidence diminished, however, as she pulled into the parking lot of the Mexican restaurant that Jack had suggested. The place was fairly run down, and only one other car— an older Audi— was in the lot. The restaurant didn’t look too popular, which probably meant the food wasn’t great.

  So much for practically starving herself all day so she could justify eating a bunch of delicious Mexican food.

  Gwen parked and walked across the lot, then pushed through the doors of the restaurant. The first thing that hit her was the wonderful smell of hot food. It was a like a comforting, warm balm that made her stomach grumble like crazy.

  The second thing that hit her was Jack, standing in the waiting area, and how good-looking he was dressed and showered. He was leaning on the ho
stess counter, wearing a half-smile he watched her walk in. He had on worn jeans and a button-down shirt with the top button of the collar undone and his sleeves rolled up.

  His hazel eyes met hers, and she flushed. Not exactly an unwelcome feeling, but then, she wasn’t about to put her faith in another man any time soon. Yet walking into the heavenly smelling restaurant and seeing Jack in a more civilized setting than running on the beach, she no longer cared if the food was awful.

  Enjoy yourself for once, she thought, echoing what Leisa had told her over and over.

  “Hey, you made it.” Jack’s deep voice sent a wave of heat through her. Had his voice always been so deep, his eyes so watchful?

  “So did you,” Gwen said.

  One side of his mouth lifted. “I did invite you, you know.” He straightened from the hostess desk.

  “That’s true.”

  Would their conversation ever progress from inane words? But she realized that even if it didn’t, she wouldn’t mind. Just talking to him about nothing at all was enough. Tonight she would try to enjoy herself and not think about all of the broken promises in the past.

  Jack flashed her another smile. “You look great.”

  “You look different,” Gwen said, then wished she could take back her words. “I mean, you look great but different. It’s just that you’re dressed.” She closed her eyes and exhaled. “That came out wrong.”

  Jack only laughed. “Come on, our table’s ready.” He grabbed her hand and led her through a room of tables all set with plates and utensils, but without a single customer at any of them.

  He’s holding my hand. What does that mean? Okay… Don’t over-analyze it. Just relax.

  “Do you come here a lot?” she asked, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

  “Yeah. You’ll love it.”

  Gwen still couldn’t believe there was no one else here— on a Friday at 6:30 p.m. “Is it usually this slow?”

  Jack stopped, released her hand and pulled out a chair for her. As she sat down, he said, “No, it’s actually quite popular.” He came around the table and sat opposite her then picked up one of the menus on the table. “I thought it would be nice if it was just us.”