Bidding on the Bachelor Page 11

  Carissa groaned. “Please don’t ask me to go up for auction. I’m damaged goods right now. Seriously, I don’t think you would get fifty cents for me.”

  Riley frowned. “You’re not damaged goods. You got divorced. Half of the people who get married end up splitting.”

  Carissa relented. Riley always did have a way to cut to the chase. “I suppose you’re right. But I’d still rather not have people bid on me.”

  “Don’t worry. The auction is for the men of Bayside. So bring your wallet. Jasper’s going to be up on the auction block.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

  Carissa almost let out a sigh at his name. Then she silently admonished herself. Since when was the mention of Jasper enough to have her stomach twisting into knots and leave her with the idea to keep sighing over and over like some Victorian-era damsel?

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Anyway, did you need some help with the high school fund-raiser?”

  “Yes.” Riley’s emerald green eyes were practically sparkling. “Would you mind doing some baking? We can’t pay you, of course. But I’d really appreciate it. Usually, Myrtle, who owns the bakery in town, makes hundreds and hundreds of cookies. But since the tourist season is over, she’s taking a long vacation.”

  “No problem. I’d love to help out.”

  They chatted a little longer, agreeing to meet up later that night with Elle for cocktails. Then Carissa made her way back to the kitchen to begin the arduous task of cleaning up.

  “A job very well done.” Carissa looked up from packing the utensils she’d brought from her personal collection to see a glowing Mrs. Dumont enter the kitchen.

  “Thank you.”

  “I had several women ask me for your information, so I suspect you’ll get some jobs from this one.”

  Carissa crossed the room. “I can’t thank you enough for trusting me, not once, but twice. I appreciate it so much.”

  “My pleasure.” Mrs. Dumont peered deeply into her eyes. Then she pushed a strand of Carissa’s hair behind her ear in a very maternal and comforting gesture before cupping her cheek. She stared into Carissa’s eyes for a long time, a caring expression on her face. “You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”

  “No more than other people,” Carissa admitted honestly, even though she wanted to scream, yes, I’m hurting.

  She patted Carissa’s cheek. “True, everyone goes through hard times. But it’s different when it happens to you. I’m always here if you need to talk.”

  After a long look, Mrs. Dumont started walking away and Carissa was left standing in the kitchen wondering what in the heck had just transpired between them. Without overthinking it, she called out.

  “Mrs. Dumont,” she waited for the woman to turn back to her. “There’s a reason for it.” Mrs. Dumont cocked her head to the side. “There’s a reason why my parents left town. I’m sure you’ve been wondering. You were all so close.”

  Lilah seemed contemplative before speaking. “I always suspected there was.”

  “There’s a reason why I broke up with Jasper, too.”

  Lilah nodded. “That’s not a surprise, either. I also suspect that the two things are connected somehow.” She pinned Carissa with a stare. “Am I right?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m not really ready to talk—”

  Mrs. Dumont held her hand up. “If and when you’re ready, you know where to find me.”

  “Thank you. I just wanted you to know that, because you’ve been so kind to me.”

  And because I kissed your son again the other night. But she didn’t dare say that out loud. Instead, she accepted Mrs. Dumont’s kind smile as she continued out of the room.

  Carissa tried to pack up more of her things but it was tough with all the thoughts running through her head. She couldn’t help but think about her parents. They had spent so much time at this house when she was growing up. She wondered what they would think about her walking these halls as the hired help instead of their privileged daughter.

  When she pushed her anger aside, she felt sad for them. It must have been difficult to go from one extreme lifestyle to the other.

  Then she shook her head. They’d done it to themselves. At least, her father had with his mismanagement of money and foolish investments. If that weren’t bad enough, they’d practically hightailed it out of town in the middle of the night. Not a word to their friends, to good people like the Dumonts whom they’d spent so much time with.

  An image of getting into her car in the wee hours of dawn and driving out of Chicago filled her mind. Carissa bit her lip. It’s not the same. Right?

  “You look like you’re in deep thought.”

  She jumped at the sound of Riley’s voice. “Hi. I didn’t hear you come in.” She noticed Riley’s pinched expression. “What’s up, Ri?”

  “Um...” Riley took her hand. “I’m really sorry, Carissa.”

  The hairs on the back of Carissa’s neck stood up at full attention. “You’re sorry? What in the world for?”

  Even though they were the only two people in the kitchen, Riley still glanced around the room before lowering her voice. “I didn’t realize that your husband, er, your ex-husband that is—”

  “What about him?” Carissa interrupted.

  “You didn’t tell me that he cheated on you.”

  All of the cakes she’d been sampling, the goodies she’d been nibbling on throughout the day, sank into one heavy stone at the bottom of her stomach. She knew she couldn’t keep her divorce quiet, but dammit, she’d wanted to keep the cheating part out of the mix. Wasn’t it embarrassing enough that she had to endure the end of a marriage?

  “I, I...well...”

  Riley kept going. “It sucks. I’ve had boyfriends cheat on me before. And when I lived in New York, well, let’s just say that I understand how you feel.”

  Now she was curious about what in the hell happened when Riley lived in New York. But it was only a fleeting distraction. Carissa was still reeling that Riley knew any of this. Then something clicked. Oh no. The realization slapped her in the face. Riley wasn’t the only one who knew about this.

  “Riley, please tell me you didn’t find out about my ex from the Bayside freaking Blogger.”

  “Well...”

  “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” She kicked at one of the crates she’d used to haul the food in. “She wrote a blog about my divorce? About Preston?”

  “Actually, she was also tweeting about it.” Riley looked contrite.

  “How in the hell would she even find out?” If she thought she felt a stone sinking in her stomach before, it was like all of Stonehenge just landed hard in her midsection. There was only one time she’d spoken about the affair. Only one person she’d divulged that information to.

  “Carissa, are you okay?” Riley asked. “You look a little pale.”

  Okay? She’s wasn’t okay. But at least she was no longer feeling sad. Now she was pissed at the person who had revealed her secret to the Bayside Blogger.

  Jasper Dumont.

  * * *

  Jasper was feeling pretty damn good. He’d had a great day in the office. All of the meetings he’d attended that afternoon promised exciting opportunities for Dumont Incorporated.

  He crossed to his bar and poured a glass of his favorite scotch. Taking the glass to the windows, he took a moment to soak in the scene below. The sun still shone brightly, even as it would shortly be making its descent. Soon, the sky would become a mix of brilliant colors, reflecting over the bobbing ships and boats docked in the bay.

  Some high school kids were down in the square, fooling around, just being kids. He remembered those days well. School had started back up the day before and it would take a little while longer before they remembered they hated school. For now, the excitement over being reunited
with friends, upcoming Friday night football games, and new school supplies was running rampant.

  The kids entered The Brewside, a luxury he didn’t have back in high school. Ten years ago, an old used bookstore stood in the café’s spot. He’d spent a lot of time there. It was the only place in town where you could grab a coffee and hang out. No one rushed them. It was really chill.

  His favorite thing to peruse were graphic novels. He gave a quick glance at the bookshelves in his condo. Carissa had noticed his collection the other day.

  He could hear Carissa in his head now, as if it were a decade ago.

  “I don’t get it. They’re just a bunch of dumb comic books. I didn’t realize I was dating a comic book geek.”

  “No, no, no. They are graphic novels and that makes them infinitely more cool.”

  She, on the other hand, was forever flipping through the pages of fashion magazines and cookbooks. He should have realized back then she’d go into the cooking field.

  Jasper shook the liquid around in his glass as he considered their old hangout. A bookstore. Something Bayside didn’t currently have. Of course, brick-and-mortar bookstores were risky businesses these days. But he liked a challenge. He grabbed his iPad and made a few notes. Then he glanced down at the square again. Yes, definitely something to consider. If he could think of something else to pair the bookstore with, it would be easier to get the funding. Maybe a bookstore with a café inside. A café that would need catering help. Which led right back to Carissa Blackwell.

  He’d managed to keep thoughts of Carissa at bay for most of the day. He’d decided to give her some space. After their kiss the other night, he thought she might need some room.

  “Ah, hell,” he said. He was the one who really needed space. They’d delved into very sensitive territory. After all these years, he’d never dreamed that he’d actually get to have a conversation with her about it.

  The truth was, she’d really hurt him all those years ago. Getting to voice that hurt went a long way to healing an old and very potent wound.

  Then they’d kissed.

  He sucked in a breath at the memory of her lips on his, at the little sounds she made, at the way she felt in his arms.

  Jasper wasn’t an idiot. He knew the very best thing would be for him to keep his distance. Go back to his usual dating pattern. There were plenty of women out there.

  But only one stunning blonde who could kiss him senseless.

  A loud knock sounded at his front door, pulling him from his musings. Jasper put down his glass of scotch and crossed the room. When he opened the door, he was shocked to see the very person he’d just been thinking about. But there she was, her thick hair cascading over her shoulders, her gray eyes alert and bright. Her face was flushed.

  “Carissa,” he said with surprise in his voice.

  Jasper was thrilled to see her at his door. But taking a long look at her gave him the feeling that this was not a happy visit. Unless the smoke coming out of her ears was actually glitter. Those red cheeks were apparently not from the exertion of walking down the hallway to his door.

  Nope. She had her mad on. And he had a feeling she would be sharing that mad with him momentarily.

  “Can I come in?” she asked around a clenched jaw.

  “Of course.” He held the door open farther and allowed her to pass into the room. “Can I get you a drink?”

  He decided to make himself comfortable by sitting back in his favorite leather recliner. He gestured to the other chair and the couch but she simply moved to stand directly in front of him, arms crossed over her chest.

  “What the hell, Jasper?” she said, her voice exploding into the quiet room.

  Like a firework being set off into the night sky, her temper roared into the stratosphere and then quickly dissipated back down to Earth. She deflated, her shoulders collapsing and a frown appearing on her face. In a split second her anger had morphed into sadness.

  He rose from his chair. “What’s wrong, Car?”

  Her eyes held a mix of confusion and worry. “The Bayside Blogger. Does that ring any bells?”

  Not what he’d been expecting her to say. Of course, he really had no idea where she was going with this. “I haven’t read her column today. What did she say?”

  “That I got divorced because my husband cheated on me. That’s what she said.” Her voice broke on the last word.

  He leaned forward. His heart went out to her. That couldn’t have been easy to read. Now the entire town would realize what she’d went through, and knowing Carissa, she definitely wouldn’t want any pity. Or take kindly to her very personal business being out in the public realm.

  “I’m sorry, Car.”

  Her lip quivered. She pointed at him in question. “Jasper, did you tell her?”

  He wasn’t sure what she meant. “Did I tell who what?”

  “Did you tell the Bayside Blogger, whoever she is, that Preston cheated on me?” The anger in her words was clear.

  An icy cold feeling seeped through his body. “You’re asking me if I told a gossip columnist about your ex-husband and your personal marriage problems?”

  She nodded. “I’m sorry, Jasp, but I have to ask.”

  Was she kidding him? “Carissa Blackwell, you’ve known me my entire life. I can’t believe you would come over here and ask me that.”

  Her gaze darted around the room and then she pushed her hands through her hair. “If it wasn’t you, then who else? Process of elimination. You are literally the only person I told about, about...the cheating.” She lowered her voice when she said the word cheating.

  He felt for her. He did. But he was having a hard time remembering that fact when she was standing in his living room insulting him.

  “For you to accuse me—”

  She quickly cut him off. “I’m not accusing you, Jasper. I’m simply asking.”

  “It’s never simple with you.”

  She rolled her eyes, which filled with anger once again. Fine with him. He’d rather have her mad than sad.

  “And it’s always so dramatic with you,” she countered. “It’s a logical conclusion for me to reach.”

  She’d hurt him that day she’d dumped him all those years ago. And she was hurting him again today. After their conversation the other night, he thought they’d at least taken a step forward. But this accusation pushed them quite a few steps back.

  Jasper’s temper didn’t flare often. He was a master at staying calm and cool. But he was having a hell of a struggle keeping composed at the moment. He took a step toward her and she held her ground. “Listen to me. I did not tell the Bayside Blogger, or anyone else for that matter, about your marriage, your divorce, or any other details about you. No one, Carissa.”

  She tossed her head up, meeting his gaze. “How else do you explain it?”

  “I can’t. I don’t know how the Blogger finds out the information she does. Or he does. But I swear on everything that I hold dear that I did not out you.”

  She paced a few steps toward the window and then back again. Her mouth opened and it seemed like she was about to say something. But she quickly shut it. Then she paced again before finally landing in front of him. She whispered, “My divorce is the single most embarrassing event of my life.”

  That comment took the wind out of his sails. “A lot of people get divorced, Car.”

  “Riley said the same thing. And I know it’s true. A lot of people get cheated on, too,” she said in a shaky voice. “I was fine knowing that everyone in Bayside would learn of my divorce. But the reason for it...”

  He hated seeing her like this. She’d always been good at keeping her emotions in check. It used to impress him back in high school. She had some of the greatest control he’d ever seen. And she was much easier to deal with when she was laughing or an
gry or yelling at him. But as a tear formed in her eye, threatening to fall, Jasper reached for the only lifeboat he could find. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to comfort, but to antagonize.

  “I understand that. I do. But for you to come in here, guns blazing, and start blaming me for something that is pretty repulsive is not okay. Maybe the real problem is that you didn’t really take the time to get to know me back then, because you sure as hell don’t know me now.”

  “Jasper—”

  “Before you say something else that is sure to outrage me, I suggest you go.”

  “But I only meant to—”

  Again, he cut her off. “You walked away from me all those years ago. Maybe you should do it again right now.”

  He turned his back on her and walked to the kitchen. He waited until he heard his front door close. As usual, his anger dissipated quickly and he was left with a raw, hollow feeling.

  He hadn’t meant to bring up their past. In fact, he didn’t really know where that even came from. Maybe he’d been holding it in for far too many years. Maybe it needed to be said. In any case, it hadn’t helped matters. He didn’t blame Carissa for being upset about the Bayside Blogger’s reveal of her ex-husband’s infidelity. But taking it out on him was not the answer.

  Perhaps his original idea of giving her space and time hadn’t been so crazy. He should probably give her even more because he sure as hell needed some himself.

  * * *

  Carissa was a mess. She’d been a mess since Riley first told her about the Bayside Blogger’s article. She’d become even more of a mess after she got home and read the article herself. But what just happened with Jasper might have put her over the edge.

  She kept racking her brain but she was positive she hadn’t told anyone else about Preston’s cheating. Only Jasper. But when she’d brought it to Jasper’s attention—okay, accused him, because that’s really what she’d done. Accused him with guns blazing. When she’d done that, the look on his face had been heartbreaking. If he’d been just plain old angry, she could have dealt with that. But it had been hurt that crossed his handsome face. Not anger.