Worth the Wait Read online

  ALSO BY JAMIE BECK

  In the Cards

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Text copyright © 2015 Jamie Beck

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Montlake Romance, Seattle

  www.apub.com

  Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake Romance are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.

  ISBN-13: 9781477820445

  ISBN-10: 1477820442

  Cover design by Mumtaz Mustafa

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2014913356

  For my parents and late stepfather. Thanks for always seeing the best in me.

  CONTENTS

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  EPILOGUE

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  PROLOGUE

  Wilton, Connecticut

  Thirteen Years Ago

  By the time Vivi turned thirteen, she’d learned not to expect much from life. Tragic accidents could wipe out half your family and then drive your dad to live in the bottom of a bottle. Bullies could ruin a perfectly good day by picking on your cheap clothes or the awkward things you occasionally blurted out. Loneliness could sometimes wrap itself around you so tightly you could barely breathe.

  But accepting the plain truth of it—that life is hard—also helps you enjoy the little things more. To appreciate the small moments, like eating raw cookie dough right from the yellow package, or waking up with your old dog curled up on your bed, or making a new friend when you simply dreaded the first day of eighth grade in a new town.

  That last fluke was how she came to be sitting at Cat’s kitchen table, at her first-ever sleepover, concentrating on the final strokes of a sketch she’d been asked to draw. Cat had been bragging to her mother about Vivi’s artistic ability, and Vivi didn’t want to disappoint her new friend.

  She took one last look at the image of the ceramic rooster she’d copied before holding up her work for inspection. Mrs. St. James’s eyes widened as her hand flattened against her breastbone. “Oh, Vivi, this is wonderful. May I keep it?”

  “Sure.” Vivi nodded, delighted by the praise.

  Cat passed the bag of Oreos back across the table. Vivi snatched three more and sat back in her chair. Contentment washed through her, prompting a happy sigh.

  But her peace of mind fell apart as soon as Cat’s two older brothers burst through the kitchen door, both sweaty from lacrosse practice. Although Vivi hadn’t yet met them, she knew David was the brainy high school senior, Jackson the rowdy sophomore.

  Like Cat, they’d inherited their mother’s Spanish beauty. All three siblings boasted glossy dark hair, soulful brown eyes, and an olive complexion. The total opposite of Vivi’s wide-set blue eyes and fair hair.

  Vivi noticed David kissed his mom hello on the cheek before he went to the stove, lifted the lid off a pot, and sniffed its contents.

  Jackson flashed a friendly smile when introduced to Vivi, but then immediately turned his attention to Cat. “I need to steal you for a sec, sis.” He jerked his thumb toward the living room.

  Cat rolled her eyes and leaned toward Vivi. “What do you want to bet he’ll ask to borrow my allowance tonight because he already spent his?”

  Vivi shrugged, completely out of her depth. Since her mother’s and brother’s deaths seven years ago, she had no siblings or semblance of normal family life to go by. She must’ve been frowning at her thoughts when she dunked another cookie in her milk, because David asked, “Something wrong with those Oreos?”

  “N-no.” She swallowed—hard. He was more handsome than any boy should be. Honestly, it really wasn’t fair to all the other boys. Or the girls.

  “David, look at this drawing Vivi just made. Isn’t she gifted?” Mrs. St. James stood up, offered her seat to David, and began fixing him a bowl of paella.

  David studied the sketch and then scanned Vivi from head to foot—which didn’t take long—apparently cataloging the pink streaks in her hair, her Hello Kitty pajamas, and her scrawny limbs.

  A grin curled the corners of his mouth. “This is really good. You must take art lessons.”

  His intense eyes seemed genuinely curious, which left her terribly flustered and overheated. Still, she couldn’t look away.

  “Not really.” His gaze riveted her to her chair. Did he really want to talk to her? “I mostly teach myself by reading books or renting videos from the library. Sometimes I stay late after school with the art teacher.”

  “Impressive.” He looked at her with respect. “Do you paint, too?”

  Vivi sat up straighter, eager to discuss her favorite subject with him. “Yes, and I do collage. Sometimes I work with clay, but I’m not very good yet. I take photographs, too.”

  “You just moved to town, right? You should check out Silvermine Arts Center, a top spot around here for any kind of art class. It’s just over the border, in New Canaan.”

  “Sounds awesome.” Vivi pasted a smile on her face even though she knew she’d never set foot inside that studio. It sounded expensive. More importantly, it would require her dad to get involved, and that just wouldn’t happen. She had taken care of him since the accident, not the other way around. It was probably just as well because, on the rare occasions he made an effort, he usually embarrassed her with his drinking.

  David tilted his head, narrowing his eyes slightly, as if he could see her thoughts. Then his expression lightened. “Do you do portraits?”

  “Not very well.” Vivi grimaced and then popped another soggy Oreo in her mouth, growing increasingly disoriented by his attention.

  “I’ll be the judge of that.” He pushed the pad of paper toward her and then leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Draw me.”

  “Now?” Half of her cookie plunked back into the milk.

  “Why not?” He twisted in his chair and tipped his chin up. “Profile?”

  Consumed by an exhilarating mix of panic and fascination, she ignored the mess in her glass and picked up the pencil. “No profiles.”

  David turned back toward her and sat motionless. His eyes glanced at the paper.

  “Eyes up,” she instructed, and when he looked at her, he smiled.

  Her fingers tensed at first, her initial marks too heavy, but within a minute or so, she became absorbed by the project—for the most part, anyway. Granted, she couldn’t ignore the way her heart kicked an extra beat every time they made eye contact, which, under the circumstances, happened pretty often.

  Mrs. St. James placed the bowl of paella in front of hi
m and then quietly left the kitchen. David set the food aside and continued watching. Several minutes later, Cat returned and plopped down in the chair beside Vivi. “Why are you drawing David?”

  “Because I asked her to,” he replied before Vivi could answer. “Shhh. Don’t distract her.”

  “Seriously?” Cat heaved a melodramatic sigh while looking at Vivi. “You don’t have to draw him, you know.”

  “I don’t mind.” In fact, Vivi rather liked the good excuse to memorize every detail of his perfect face.

  He winked at her just then. Had he read her mind again?

  Heat raced to her cheeks.

  “I’ll go find something for us to watch on TV.” Cat stood, peering over Vivi’s shoulder. “Come find me when you’re done.”

  After she left, David asked, “How do you like Wilton so far?”

  “It’s nice . . . prettier than Buffalo.” Darn it, she’d messed up his jawline. She erased a bit and concentrated on the page in front of her.

  “Does sticking the tip of your tongue out of the corner of your mouth help you draw better?” David teased in a good-natured way.

  Wincing, she sucked her tongue back inside her mouth and glanced at him. “Apparently.”

  He crossed his arms, chuckling, and continued to watch her work. Within another few minutes, she was finished. She examined the image, wearing a scowl. Portraits were a lot harder than ceramic roosters.

  David reached across the table and tugged at the pad. “Let me see.”

  Reluctantly, Vivi released it and watched for his reaction.

  “It’s amazingly good for such quick work.” A slow grin spread across his face as he intently studied her drawing. “You made me much better looking than I really am.”

  “I did not!” She hadn’t, had she? Oh God, how embarrassing.

  “You did, I think.” He tore the drawing from the pad and set it to his left before sliding the previously discarded bowl closer. “Thanks.”

  Vivi reached out for the picture, but he swatted her hand. The contact sent tingles up her arm.

  “That’s mine.” He then spooned saffron rice into his mouth. “In fact, sign it so someday I can prove I knew you when.”

  Although Vivi knew he was kidding around to be nice to his baby sister’s friend, she loved every minute of his undivided attention. Unfortunately, it lasted only seconds longer, thanks to Jackson.

  “Hey, bro. Hurry up, or we’re going to be really late.”

  David glanced at the clock with surprise. “Sorry,” he said to Jackson. “I’ll be quick.”

  He set his bowl in the sink and then took the drawing from the table. “Nice meeting you, Vivi. Thanks for this.”

  “I think Cat is in the family room waiting for you,” Jackson told Vivi as he followed David out of the kitchen.

  “Oh, thanks.” Vivi meandered out of the kitchen, feeling a bit light-headed.

  She sank onto the sofa cushion beside Cat, who had chosen the movie Sabrina, starring Harrison Ford. Vivi couldn’t remain interested in the story, because her mind kept fantasizing about seeing David again at breakfast.

  “What’s with the goofy grin?” Cat asked.

  Oops. Vivi covered her private thoughts with some version of the truth. “I’m happy you invited me over.”

  CHAPTER ONE

  Block Island

  Present Day, Late July

  The choppy water of Long Island Sound pitched the ferry, but Vivi knew that wasn’t why she was in danger of losing her lunch. Her fingers gripped the edge of the bench seat while her knee jiggled at the pace of a hummingbird’s wings. It had been eighteen months since her heart experienced this particular kind of workout.

  “You look green,” Cat said. “Are you feeling okay?”

  Snapping from her daze, she turned toward Cat, who had extended Vivi the last-minute invitation to vacation with her and her brothers at their family’s Block Island summer home.

  “I’m fine.” Vivi quelled her nerves and sat upright. “Just really ready for this ferry to dock.”

  And even more ready to see David, who’d been the object of her affection for more than a decade. The accumulation of years of correspondence, movies and museum outings, afternoons in Central Park, and private jokes had convinced her of their destiny. Until recently, the fact that her sentiments had been unrequited had never deflated her hopes. No surprise, considering life with her dad had taught her not to demand much of love.

  Cat leaned toward her. “I’m sure you’re eager to see David, but he’s different now. He’s distant.”

  Vivi stared at the floor. When he’d moved to Hong Kong after his mom’s death eighteen months ago, she’d noticed a change. A sudden, mysterious withdrawal from everyone.

  “He’s never explained his radio silence, not even to your father?” Vivi asked.

  “Especially not to Dad. Ever since Mom died, they barely speak to each other, although neither will tell us why. Maybe things will improve now that he’s home.” Cat grimaced. “Who would’ve guessed I would’ve missed him so much?”

  Vivi would have. While others might describe both Cat and David as somewhat aloof, she knew them to be fiercely committed to and protective of their close friends and family.

  She glanced out the window, over the ocean. The last time she’d visited Block Island had been several months before Mrs. St. James’s cancer diagnosis. A lifetime ago, now. “Thanks for inviting me this week, Cat.”

  “I’m glad you could come on such short notice.” Cat smiled.

  “The big perk of being a teacher—a wide-open summer schedule.”

  “What about your singing gigs?” Cat asked.

  Vivi shrugged. “Seeing that I’m maybe one step above an anonymous coffee-shop performer, I doubt I’ll be missed this week. There are a handful of singers who rotate through the schedule at the bar, so I’m covered.”

  “You’re at least two steps above a coffee-shop guy,” Cat teased. “But I’m glad you made it work. I’ll have much more fun with you than I would’ve with Justin.” Cat’s expression turned grim at the mention of her tumultuous relationship, which had apparently just gone south yet again.

  “For sure!” Vivi winced as the words left her mouth, realizing they weren’t the most compassionate.

  “My life is so screwed up lately, it’s driving me crazy. I really need this time away from work and Justin. I don’t want to think of either for the next several days.” Cat clamped her hand on Vivi’s thigh. “Promise you’ll help keep me sane.”

  “God, Cat, if you’re counting on me for sanity, you really are screwed up!” Vivi laughed.

  “Good point,” Cat joked. Then her phone rang. She frowned at the screen and then pouted. “Justin.”

  “Don’t answer.”

  Cat frowned, then mouthed “sorry” as she answered his call. She immediately stood and walked away, which left Vivi free to anticipate seeing David again.

  He’d barely kept in touch with anyone after his move. She recalled the final letter she’d sent him on the first anniversary of his mother’s passing. His cryptic reply had politely warned her to leave him be, so she’d given up and started pushing him from her mind, determined to finally get over him.

  She’d nearly succeeded, too, by throwing herself into the many other things in life she loved—her elementary school art teaching job, her photography hobby, her weekend singing gigs. Then, three weeks, three days, and seven hours ago, Cat had casually mentioned David’s unexpected move back to New York. Vivi had feigned nonchalance until she’d been alone. Then she’d been unable to concentrate on anything else.

  The next day, he’d sent her a brief e-mail promising to get together as soon as he’d settled into work and his new home. Somehow she’d since refrained from calling to welcome him home, or worse, from wandering around his Manhattan neighborhood hop
ing to “accidentally” bump into him. But nothing had prevented her from fantasizing about seeing him again.

  Cat reappeared, looking irritable, and shoved her phone into her purse.

  “Forget about Justin.” Vivi patted Cat’s thigh twice. “Move on.”

  Cat’s chocolate-brown eyes fixed on Vivi. “Easier said than done. Surely you know that as well as anyone.”

  Vivi’s eyes dropped to her hands, clasped together and resting in her lap. Yes, I sure do. Today’s anticipation of the long-awaited reunion unleashed a million thoughts and emotions. Might he finally see her as more than his friend, his muñequita, a little doll? Or had the prolonged absence from each other’s lives diminished the closeness that had once existed?

  Experiencing the feelings was challenging. Concealing them from Cat—clearly impossible.

  The ferry horn’s blast pierced the air, ripping Vivi from her thoughts.

  “Grab your bag. We’re docking.” Cat hopped off the bench and proceeded to the deck. The breeze whipped her waist-length hair around her face. She traipsed off the ferry with her Louis Vuitton suitcase in tow.

  Other passengers appeared to be admiring Cat’s long legs, luminous hair and eyes, and finely chiseled features. Even when not working the runway, Cat looked every inch the high-profile fashion model.

  Vivi sniffed the air and wrinkled her nose in response to the pungent stench of fish and engine fumes in the harbor. But nothing destroyed the romantic notion of a bygone era evoked by the National Hotel, a white-clapboard Victorian-era structure that dominated the landscape.

  Following behind Cat, Vivi heaved her no-name duffel over her shoulder and ambled down the gangway. She tugged at the bottom of her cutoff denim shorts while discreetly searching the crowded parking lot for David.

  As a teen, Vivi had been prepared to wait forever for him. Of course, forever had proved too ambitious. Now, on the cusp of letting those dreams die, she’d see him again, here on a crowded dock.

  “Hey, Cat!” David waved his arms above his head. “Over here!”