Bidding on the Bachelor Read online

  Jasper was an expert negotiator and he knew he’d made his case. Still, after he’d learned of Arthur Morris’s love of crabs, shrimp and lobster, he added one last detail. “And the seafood is pretty out of this world, if I do say so myself.”

  Arthur turned to face him. “After the dinner we had last night, I’ll agree with that.” He patted his round belly. “Still full from it, but don’t think that will stop me from getting more before I head out of town later tonight.”

  Jasper smiled, but on the inside his emotions were having a dance party. “I thought you’d like that restaurant.” He’d also managed to arrange the best table, with the best view, and had the chef prepare a special menu just for them. That was a definite perk that came with the Dumont name.

  “Listen, kid,” Arthur began, and Jasper folded his arms in front of him, intent on the next couple of sentences. “This has been a great pitch. But honestly, it comes down to the other numbers you put together for me. After that amazing dinner, I studied every sheet cover to cover. The prices you’re offering go a long way and I think the return on investment is worth the risk.”

  Jasper nodded, reining in his excitement. He’d been working on this deal for two years and he wasn’t going to rush now.

  “So I’m saying yes,” Arthur finished after what felt like ten minutes of silence.

  “Great to hear it, sir.” Jasper shook his hand and continued to play it cool. “We’re thrilled to welcome a Morris complex to Bayside.”

  They spoke about a couple other details for the next several minutes as they walked toward Mr. Morris’s rented car. Before he could drive away, Jasper had to know one thing.

  “One last question. What made you say yes?”

  Mr. Morris nodded as if he’d been expecting this very question. “Your father met with me regularly over the years. He gave me some great pitches.”

  “And yet you never said yes.”

  “He nagged me the same way you did, that’s for sure.” His smile came fast and brief. If Jasper had blinked, he’d have missed it. “But you went the extra mile.”

  “By plying you with the best seafood on the East Coast.”

  “By showing me the town. Really showing me. You love Bayside. That came across clear as day. I feel like I know the people who live here. They’re not just numbers and stats in a spreadsheet. That made my decision easy.”

  Now it was Jasper’s turn to smile. Only he held it in. He kept his usual calm business face.

  “I have to say, though, I used to hear stories about you. Heard you were quite the little party kid back in the day. Weren’t we all as teenagers? Happy to see you’ve grown out of it.” Then he shook Jasper’s hand, got in the car and drove away.

  Only when he knew he was completely alone did Jasper let the grin out. And a fist pump for good measure.

  Today is a good day. Jasper could feel the spring in his step as he made his way toward the center of the town and The Brewside Café, the addictive coffeehouse he frequented on a daily basis. While he walked, he took in the town he’d lived in for most of his life.

  He’d always loved Bayside. He’d only left for college, business school and a couple years of working for another company to gain credentials. All that time, he’d missed the large bay with boats of varying sizes going in and out, the picturesque town square with the identical white siding and inviting blue awnings and shutters.

  He reached for his phone and quickly scrolled through some text messages before seeing Simone’s name. He grinned. Simone Graves was a feisty little redhead he’d been noticing at the gym for the last couple of months. She liked to go to Zumba classes and Jasper enjoyed seeing her shimmy around the room in her tight-fitting clothing. He’d finally asked her out, but they hadn’t set a date and time yet.

  Up for a drink tonight? he wrote to her.

  It only took a minute for her to write back.

  Wish I could. Stuck at work. This was accompanied by multiple sad emoji. But she proposed a different night to meet and Jasper accepted.

  Whistling, he continued toward The Brewside. But before he entered the coffeehouse he decided to take a moment. So he changed course and headed toward the water, Mr. Morris’s parting words ringing through his head.

  I used to hear stories about you. Heard you were quite the little party kid back in the day. Happy to see you’ve grown out of it.

  Well, he had been a lover of parties and the original good-time boy. But he’d also been just that—a boy. A kid. A teenager who’d been told from birth that his older brother would take over the family business. Sure, he’d been expected to work for Dumont Incorporated but he’d never been groomed to be in charge.

  After all, he was the “second” son, after Cam. Overlooked and undervalued at every turn. His mother had always said he was the most good-natured child she’d ever seen. Jasper liked to think he’d held on to that his whole life. He enjoyed seeing the glass as half-full, excelled at finding the positive. He’d never harbored jealousy toward his big brother. In fact, he’d worshipped Cam. Still, being the younger child had hurt. So he’d lived it up in high school. Why wouldn’t he? He knew he’d get into a good college thanks to his parents’ connections. Likewise, he knew he’d be employed after college.

  But as Mr. Morris said, he’d grown out of it. He’d been forced out of it, really.

  Thanks to Carissa.

  At the mere thought of her name, Jasper halted. Standing on the dock, he looked out at the bay, gripping the railing hard.

  When was the last time he’d allowed himself to think about Carissa Blackwell? He shook his head.

  Oh please. You think about her all the damn time.

  Of course he did. She’d been the single most beautiful female he’d ever laid eyes on. She’d also been his first love. And with one cutting remark after graduation, she’d changed the course of his life.

  Like most of the kids from his graduating class, they’d all known one another since birth. Bayside was a small town. About 90 percent of the classmates he walked with to “Pomp and Circumstance” at eighteen had been in his nursery school class, too. Carissa was no exception.

  They’d continued to run in the same crowd throughout high school. They had both been popular. They were both involved in sports—he in baseball and she in cheerleading. Their parents had been friends and enjoyed the same kind of lavish lifestyles. They’d even lived on the same street.

  But they hadn’t crossed that line of romance until the summer before senior year.

  Jasper turned and gazed toward the beach. It had happened over there. Down on the sand after one of the town’s big festivals. A bunch of kids had built a bonfire. They’d both been hanging out, having some beers. Carissa used to drink wine coolers, he thought with a laugh.

  Jasper started walking toward that spot on the beach. He’d always thought she was gorgeous. Who hadn’t? She was like the quintessential California girl come to the East Coast with her long legs, golden skin, perfect pink lips and full blond hair that fell halfway down her back. Plus, she had those really intriguing gray eyes. To this day, he’d never seen eyes quite like hers.

  That night she’d been wearing sexy jean shorts and a little red tank top. They’d shared a glance, then a head nod. Next thing he knew he was sitting next to her on a log sharing her s’more. Didn’t take long for them to move their party of two farther down the beach where they’d shared one hell of a make-out session.

  Just like that, they’d become hot and heavy and completely inseparable during senior year. Until about a month after graduation. Carissa had been accepted to Northwestern and he was going to UPenn, just like his father. He could never think of Carissa without his mind going to that last fateful conversation.

  “Jasper, you aren’t serious about anything.”

  “What are you talking about? I’m serious
about you.”

  She shook her head. “That’s not enough. You party all the time with your friends.”

  “So what? And anyway, they’re your friends, too.”

  “I know. But I’m just saying that there’s more to life than keg parties in the woods and making out in someone’s basement.”

  “I think we did a little more than make out.”

  She pointed at him. “See, you can’t even be serious now. Just like my dad,” she said under her breath.

  “I know you’re upset because your parents want to move away from Bayside...”

  “That doesn’t bother me. I want them to move away, actually.”

  “Why?”

  “Never mind, that’s not the point.” She flung her long hair over her shoulder.

  “Okaaaayyyy.” He would never understand girls. “Then, what is the point?”

  “You are relying on your parents’ money and connections to get you through life. You have no ambition and no drive. Do you think I want to be with someone like that? I don’t.” She looked at the ground.

  He felt like someone had slapped him across the face. “What are you saying?”

  “I don’t want to ever come back to Bayside. I’m so done with this town. I want someone who has goals and like, initiative and stuff,” She bit her lip. Even as she insulted him, there was sadness in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Jasper. You just don’t.”

  With that, she’d walked away with his heart.

  He’d tried to call her but she’d never answered. Her parents said she went to a prefreshman-year program at Northwestern. She’d wanted to get a jump on classes. Then her parents had moved away later in the year and she didn’t have a reason to return to Bayside anymore. He never saw her again.

  It was Jasper’s nature to find a bright side. But in truth, Carissa’s words stung. Not only did she break up with him, but she insulted his very character.

  It had taken some time. A lot of time. But eventually, the memory of Carissa’s words had kicked his butt into gear. She wanted someone with ambition and that’s what he’d decided to give her. Even if they weren’t actually together.

  His father’s name may have gotten him into college, but he worked his butt off once he got there. He joined a fraternity but when it was time for midterms or finals, he’d camp out at the library to make sure he kept his GPA up, finally graduating with honors. He never told his parents about applying to grad schools so they couldn’t influence the process.

  He’d come a long way from the irresponsible, somewhat reckless, carefree kid who was always the life of the party. Some people had called him foolish, but in Jasper’s mind he’d always been underestimated.

  At some point, though, all the hard work stopped being just for her. He’d become obsessed with doing the very best he could and in the process he’d become the head of Dumont Incorporated. If Carissa were here maybe he’d thank her. Especially after his victory tonight. But the odds of ever seeing Carissa Blackwell in Bayside again were slim to none.

  His phone made a little ding alerting him to a text message. He looked down to see his brother’s name. How’d it go with Morris?

  Jasper began texting back but something caught his attention. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a woman standing at the same location where he’d been before his little walk down memory lane. Fingers still poised over the keypad on his phone, he didn’t have time to text Cam back before his brother added, Either way, come over tonight. Let’s hang out and watch the game.

  Again, he began typing a reply but the woman reached her arms above her head and stretched. She was really beautiful. He peered closer and got a chill up the back of his neck.

  She looked familiar. Too familiar. Jasper gripped his cell harder and began walking faster. Closer. But as he rounded the corner, she was heading away from the dock toward a black car.

  He would know that sashay of hips anywhere. After all, the last time he’d seen a movement like that had been her swaying body walking away from him.

  No way. No freaking way.

  “Carissa?” he said into the silence around him. Luckily, no one was there to hear him talking to himself. Likewise, no one was there to see him step to the side to ensure he was actually seeing his first love and not some late-summer apparition brought on by too much work. In any case, he slipped, hit the railing with too much momentum, and before he could say Carissa is back in Bayside, he’d fallen over the metal divider and into the bay.

  Chapter Two

  Greetings, dear readers! After a brief hiatus, your ever-faithful Bayside Blogger is back from a much-needed summer vacay! And color me shocked, surprised and downright confused. Carissa Blackwell, former Bayside High A-list superstar, has also returned to our fair shores! And just why is little-miss-too-good-for-good-ole-Bayside back in town?

  Let’s get down to it, folks—the far more interesting question is...how does Jasper Dumont feel? Well, I understand he took a late-evening swim in the bay after catching a glimpse of his long-lost prom queen. And let’s just say that the swim wasn’t exactly planned...

  Jasper needed some liquor.

  Once he was home, freshly showered and in dry clothes, he crossed the room to the wall that held a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. He scanned the bottom shelf until he found what he was searching for. His high school yearbook. Jasper grabbed it from the shelf, made a cup of coffee and started riffling through the pages until he got to the B names.

  There she was. Carissa Blackwell. Jasper didn’t need to ogle the photo to recall that long golden hair, legs that went on for miles and flawless skin that always looked like it was kissed by the sun.

  Flipping more pages, he eyed the photos of the cheerleaders. There she was again, all decked out in that appealing little uniform. His lips quirked. Damn, he’d loved watching her cheer at football games. He’d loved making out with her under the bleachers after the game even more.

  They’d done everything together senior year. Until she’d broken up with him. Jasper could feel his eyebrows growing close together just as something fell out from between the pages of the yearbook. A picture of the two of them at prom. He couldn’t remember who had snapped it. But in the photo they were dancing; Carissa was staring up at him adoringly as he had his arms wrapped tightly around her.

  To this day, Jasper still wondered what had changed. Prom had been one month before she’d dumped him. When had she stopped looking at him like that and decided he hadn’t been good enough for her?

  His phone—which luckily had fallen from his hand and landed safely on the dock—rang.

  “Hey, Cam,” he greeted his big brother.

  “So?”

  Jasper shifted in his seat. So what?”

  “So what have you been doing?”

  Jasper eyed the garbage can, where he’d decided to throw his clothes out after he climbed out of the bay. As he’d hoisted himself back onto the wooden dock, he’d snagged his pants. The quick jaunt from the water to his new condo in the center of town had been interesting. Wet and interesting. If his brother found out about it, he’d never hear the end of it.

  So he decided to play it cool. “I haven’t been doing anything,” he lied. He paced the length of the living room. He loved this condo with its exposed beamed ceiling, brick walls and amazing view of the bay. Although, the sight of the water at the moment made him cringe.

  “What do you mean you haven’t been doing anything? Wasn’t your huge meeting with Mr. Morris today? I’ve been texting you for the last hour.”

  Jasper snapped out of his Carissa-focused stupor. “Right. Sorry.” He proceeded to tell Cam all about the meeting. His brother seemed ecstatic for him.

  “That’s amazing, Jasp. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks, Cam.” And he meant it. He’d always idolized his older brother and Cam�
�s approval meant the world to him.

  “Now, what about after the meeting?”

  “What do you mean?” Jasper asked hesitantly.

  “I heard you celebrated by going for a little swim in the bay.”

  Jasper ground his teeth together. “How did you...” He trailed off. Of course, he already knew the answer to that question. How did anyone in Bayside know anything? The ever-loving, always-gossipy Bayside Blogger, of course.

  The Bayside Blogger wrote for the Bayside Bugle’s Style & Entertainment section. No one knew her identity, or how she always—and it truly felt like always—found out the gossip before anyone else. She also utilized a daily blog, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and just about every other form of communication in existence.

  “And the Blogger said that Carissa Blackwell is back in town,” Cam was saying. “She alluded to your little dip in the water having something to do with a Carissa spotting.”

  Spotting? When had his brother become TMZ? Time to call him out. “I thought you didn’t read that...what did you used to call it? Trash, I believe,” Jasper said.

  Cam coughed. “Uh, Elle reads it. I just happen to catch snippets here and there.”

  “Sure, sure. Elle reads it. Doesn’t explain how you would know about me falling into the bay today, though, since your beloved is out of town checking out that up-and-coming artist for the gallery. You must be losing your mind without your better half around.” Got him.

  Since Elle returned from living in Italy last spring, she and his brother had been practically attached at the hip. Jasper was happy for his brother. And jealous, if he was being honest. The guy was head over heels in love. And Elle looked at him the way Carissa gazed at him in that old prom photo.

  “She’ll be back tomorrow afternoon. Listen, Jasp,” Cam said, his voice growing serious.

  Here we go, Jasper thought. He knew exactly where this was heading. This was so not going to be fun.

  “Yes?”