Chapter Twenty

“The thing of it is, Meg, I really liked them.”

She struggled to find words to describe lunch with Finn’s family. She and Megan had just finished a calorie fest at Salem Willows, the two-hundred-year-old amusement park, and situated on the water of Salem Harbor.

Noises from the carousel and arcade filtered through the willow trees as she and Meg sat on swings watching the fishing boats come in. An easy breeze brought along the smell of Chinese food, saltwater taffy, and popcorn.

“Why do you sound surprised? Did you think his relatives would be evil? Only you get that distinction in this little soap opera.” Meg laughed at her own joke.

“They were nice people. They filled me in on the ins and outs. I found out which florists are well liked, which catering company is considered cutting edge, and they also told me who gets drunk at these society events and has to be secretly escorted out.”

Meg pushed herself higher on the swing. “Just like the pub; you gotta help the drunks save face.”

“Mmm-hmm. They were great about everything. Elaine looked over the binder Conroy gave me from Serena. Apparently she had most everything in place for the event. They gave me some tips on hostessing and told me I should be myself.”

“Again, why does that surprise you? You aren’t a cretin. I’ve managed to enjoy your company for over twenty years.”

“Thanks for putting up with me all these years. Yours is a ringing endorsement. Now I won’t worry about being an idiot at the ball this weekend.” Bev pushed harder to match Megan’s swing. “You could be my plus-one this weekend.”

“No way.”

“Why not?” Bev heard the whine in her voice. But she really needed a friendly face in the crowd.

“Several reasons, actually: Because you’ll feel better about this if you do it alone. You won’t really be alone because your family, such as they are, will be there. And, finally, I’m covering the bar that night. And if you need another reason, it’s because you should ask the lawyer to be your plus-one.”

She considered for a second. The idea had warmth spreading through her. She shook her head. “I can’t do that. I’m not uninterested, but we’re stuck in this crazy situation. He might not be interested in me, though. His mother’s and sister’s handbags match their shoes. He’s used to women who know how to do that. And you should have seen his ex in his office that day. She and I are polar opposites.”

“I doubt he isn’t interested. All men are interested in you. But I am intrigued you seem into him. It isn’t your style.”

“I appreciate there is an attraction between us. I’d consider taking it to the next level, but it’s his job to be around me.” She was taken aback by Meg’s laughter. “Glad this amuses you, Murphy.”

“You want to take things to the next level?”

“I am open to a monogamous, sexual relationship with a man I admire and find outrageously sexy. So, yes, that is the level I am interested in.” She gripped the chains of the swing.

“You don’t do next level.”

“Well, I was never into casual sex before I met him, but now it’s starting to appeal.”

“No, not your style either. You’ve had relationships, but this feels different to me. It seems like this could be the real thing. In your other relationships, you’ve always bailed before it gets too serious.”

“I don’t do serious. In my opinion, it doesn’t work. But none of this helps me with Finn.”

“You need to pull out all the stops here. I think you should seduce him.”

“I haven’t considered. Maybe I will. Though I don’t need to complicate things, but I can’t shake this idea if he and I scratch this itch, then we can move on without all the tension. It would be one less distraction.”

“I’m your friend when I tell you you are crazy. You can’t steer this like you do your ship. The men you’ve known let you take the helm, but he isn’t a pushover, and something tells me he wants more from you than you’re willing to give. You want to put him in a safe slot in your life and control it. But that isn’t going to work. It never does.”

“I’ll think about it.” She wanted to say Meg was being unfair. But she wasn’t. Bev knew she had a tendency to keep things at a distance.

“Listen, I haven’t been a very good friend recently. I wanted to meet you down here instead of in Boston because I hate that this has become all about me.” She stole a sideways glance at Meg. “I miss ‘us’ and the way it used to be.”

“We aren’t in the same positions anymore, babe. Get used to it. I’m not going anywhere. You need my best-friend skills, so I don’t worry you’re going to leave me for a tennis partner named Muffy anytime soon.” Meg snorted. “But I get it. And I appreciate the apology, but it isn’t necessary. We deal. That’s what we do. So what is it you’re looking for?”

“A little normal.” she slowed the swing. “A little gossip would be nice to get out of my own head. Like what’s happening with you?” Meg was right. They would always be okay, but she wanted her friend to know she loved her.

Meg stopped swinging. “My dad is still crazy, complaining about how my mother does the billing and she chooses too many high-end ingredients for the restaurant. But he secretly loves it. Oh, and Mary Kathleen is pregnant again.”

“That’s wonderful!”

“It is if you don’t mind turning into an Irish Catholic cliché, which apparently my sister doesn’t.” Meg shook her head. “She’s ecstatic, and it’s her fourth. I don’t know how they do it. I’m really happy for them.”

“What about you, Murphy? Give me some info.”

“I didn’t want to tell you, but I have a blind date this weekend. So get it over with, Winslow.”

“What?”

“Mocking me for going on a blind date.”

“I wouldn’t.” She raised her hand. “Scout’s honor.”

“You would but you’re too worried I’m upset over your recent neglect, so you’re going easy on me. So to save you from asking, his name is Michael. He owns a sustainable farm in Newton and delivers veggies to the restaurant every Tuesday. Apparently he asked Mary about me. I don’t remember seeing him or meeting him because most Tuesdays I’m at the Chamber of Commerce meetings. But I guess he liked my looks.”

She toed her friend’s leg. “That sounds promising.”

“We’ll see,” Megan said. “Now you’ve been filled in. So back to you.”

“What?”

“Seriously, Bev, what are you going to do about all this?” She waved her arm in a circle.

She didn’t ask what Megan meant

“I’m doing the best I can right now. I’m a week in, and the stock is rebounding. I haven’t destroyed any of my grandfather’s plans already in place. I’m doing what he wanted me to do.” She sighed. Suddenly the energy drained from her body. It was exhausting.

“I’m not talking about the company. I’m talking about you. Someone tried to blow you up. Someone sent a note threatening to kill you.”

“Not much I can do about it. I’m staying with my security detail. I’m following orders.” She jerked her head at Len, who currently sat on a nearby bench, observing the area. Her ever-present guard noticed everything.

“It must be killing you, too,” Meg said. “All of this structure has to be wearing you down.”

“This is leading somewhere. Skip to the part where you solve my problems for me.” She poked her friend in the arm.

“It might not solve all of them, but I think you should take control of the things you can.” Meg stretched her legs in front of her. “I think you miss the water.”

“I do. Too much.” She stared out across the bay and felt a longing she couldn’t articulate. She wouldn’t cry right now. Instead, she said, “It’s crazy how much you get me, Murphy.”

Meg tapped her nose. “Twenty years, remember?”

“So what’s the suggestion?”

“Schedule some time for you. You can’t run Atlantic Charters, but you can take a boat out. You’re a billionaire, for Pete’s sake. That has to be worth something. You probably own ten boats you don’t know about.”

“Good point. I can do that. It helps clear my head.”

“Once again, I know.”

“All right, smarty. What else?”

“The apartment and the mansion and the office…”

“What about them? I have to live with them for an entire year.”

“You don’t need to keep them a shrine to Reginald. I mean, I’ve seen the apartment.” Meg wrinkled her nose. “It’s a hot mess.”

“It isn’t my taste, but I don’t think most people would call it ‘a mess,’ Meg. It was probably all the rage in the 80s. Chrome and leather was classy back then.”

“It’s temporary.”

“A year is not temporary.” Meg waved away her protest. “You shouldn't have to live where you aren’t comfortable. Why not do what most women in your position would do.”

“I’ll bite. What would most women do?”

“Hire a decorator, darling.”