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When Tanya stepped onto the upper deck, the sun was fierce after the shadow of the lower deck and she slipped her sunglasses back on before turning to Jay. “Thanks for the help with my bag.”
He stared at her, his brow creased. “How long are you staying?”
Tanya faced the ferry terminal that approached at a terrifying speed. “A while.”
“A while? As in weeks?”
“Maybe more.”
“Tanya?”
Tanya took a breath and turned. “What?”
He hooked a finger over the nosepiece of her glasses and eased them down her nose slightly. “Does Liam know you’re back?”
Surprise jolted through her. “No. Why?”
He dropped his finger from her glasses and lifted an eyebrow. “You haven’t told him...haven’t warned him?”
“Warned him?” She jabbed her glasses back onto her face, huffing out a laugh. “You make me sound like the Creature from the Black Lagoon.”
He didn’t return her laugh. “Liam’s quite the man around town now. One of the county’s top criminal lawyers, in fact.”
Pride washed through her and she smiled. “I know.”
His gaze softened. “Been keeping tabs on him, huh?”
Yes, but I’m not about to admit that to anyone, including you. “I’m happy for him. I’m sure my coming back won’t immediately fill him with happiness, but in time—”
“He’ll get used to the idea?”
She frowned. “I hope we’ll be friends.”
Jay glanced toward the terminal. “He pretty much keeps to himself these days. Much to the annoyance of more than a few women in town.”
She followed his gaze, fighting her nerves as her stomach lurched. “Well, Liam’s personal and professional lives are none of my concern. It’s a free country, Jay. If I want to come back here, no one can stop me.”
If the protectiveness in Jay’s eyes was anything to go by, his friendship with Liam had grown since she’d last been at the Cove. She swallowed. What else had changed? Had Liam?
Jay studied her a moment longer before lifting his shoulders. “Fair enough, but if you’ve come back to the place that never seemed good enough for you, I hope you’re going to at least try to build some bridges.”
Tanya’s heart picked up speed as she struggled to keep her nerves under wraps. “Meaning?”
“Meaning, you left Liam high and dry when the guy thought things were going well between you. Meaning, you and I had our fair share of arguments in the past, too. I’d rather not go down that path with you again.”
She pulled back her shoulders. “You weren’t always the man you are today, Jay. You’ve messed up, too. Isn’t anyone else allowed to do the same?” His gaze darkened and Tanya resisted the urge to step back. She squeezed her eyes shut. “Give me a chance, okay?” She opened her eyes. “I’ve changed. I just need people to give me the opportunity to prove it.”
“You broke Liam’s heart, Tanya. Badly. Who’s to say you won’t again?” A muscle in his jaw clenched and released. “You should’ve let him know you were coming back.”
“I wasn’t the only one in that relationship, you know. Things had been building up between us for a while.” Irritation rose behind her rib cage in a hot rush of indignation. “Besides, I don’t have to do anything. I’m back and I plan to stay for a long time. This isn’t just about Liam. It’s about me and what I need.”
The boat shuddered and groaned, its sides knocking against the marina boundaries as it eased into port. Tanya stumbled forward and Jay gripped her elbow to steady her. She regained her footing, but Jay didn’t release her.
Instead, his gaze bored intently into hers. “If I see him, I’ll have to tell him you’re back. It’s only fair.”
Tanya snatched her arm from his grip. “Fine. You do that.” She took her bag from his hand. “Thanks for your help.”
She marched away and joined the throng of people heading toward the exit. Her heart beat with trepidation at what would happen next, but she kept her chin high and her resolve firmly in place. She was back because Templeton was where she needed to be; the only place she wanted to be after the mess she’d gotten herself into since leaving.
Whether Liam Browne wanted her there was none of her concern. Sooner or later, he would know the woman who took his love and tossed it away like trash was back for good...she only hoped he didn’t look at her with the same derision Jay had.
Tanya stepped onto the boardwalk. Hurrying through the terminal, she kept her gaze cast downward until she emerged through the sliding doors and out into the sun-baked courtyard. The long line of taxis was as welcome a sight as an oasis in the Sahara. She rushed forward, opened the back door of the nearest cab and climbed inside.
“Hi. The Beachcomber Apartments, please.”
“No problem, love. You here for pleasure or business?”
Tanya looked through the side window. “Both, I hope.”
* * *
THE JURY FOREMAN stood and the usual burst of adrenaline rushed into Liam Browne’s blood. Tension radiated from his client beside him, but Liam didn’t as much as glance at Philip Turner, fully focusing on the foreman instead.
Judge Susanna Burnside cleared her throat. “Have you and the other members of the jury reached a verdict?”
“We have, Your Honor.”
She nodded. “What say you?”
“We, the jury, find the plaintiff innocent of all charges.”
Liam released his held breath and grinned as the cry of success rippled through the gallery and all around the courtroom. He turned to Philip and gripped his hand, slapping his shoulder. “Congratulations.”
Philip vehemently shook his hand. “Thanks, Liam. Thanks so much.”
Liam laughed. “You’re welcome. Nothing better than justice being served.”
“I’ll see you soon, okay?”
He brushed past Liam toward the aisle. Philip was lost in a mass of hugging arms and teary kisses from his wife and two teenage daughters. The man accused of fraud and negligence could now go on with his life.
Liam gathered his papers and tossed them into his briefcase. He pulled it closed and locked it with a satisfying click. Another case won. His professional life continued to go from strength to strength, even if his personal life remained a lonely, failing mess. Glancing toward Philip and his family a second time, Liam pushed his self-pity into submission.
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