Seaside Dances_A Sweet Romance Read online

  "Perfect. Send it to the editor and we'll go full force in the spring."

  "That's unacceptable."

  "It's going to have to work, darling."

  "Don't call me that. You do realize I could publish them on my own?"

  "And you'll ruin your career. I guarantee it. The publishing houses will never touch you again."

  "That's a lie," Zachary said through gritted teeth. "And I'm done getting the runaround from you. When they come to me with a deal, don't expect a call from me."

  "What? Wait, Zachary."

  "No. I'm done. I could publish my whole series before you get one person to even look at any of them. My time is more valuable than that. Unless you can push me up in your calendar, we have nothing else to discuss."

  "Well, I never—"

  "That's right. You never did anything to help me, and you're not going to in the future, either. Goodbye, Janice." He ended the call, wishing his parents had a punching bag in the back room. Not only had he gotten the runaround from his agent, but she'd lied to him about the changing industry.

  It was his fault for not doing his own research. He shouldn't have blindly accepted everything she said.

  His phone rang, and he checked it, hoping it was Jasmine. It was Janice. He rejected the call and then went into his contacts list and blocked her. He stuffed the phone into his pocket and clocked out. He made a mental note to send her a letter of termination later.

  Fuming, he went out to the shop. Jake was ringing up a customer, but Cruz was free.

  "Whoa, dude. What's up?"

  "I need to take the rest of the day off," Zachary seethed. "I'll work an extra day if I have to, but I can't be here right now."

  "Sure, man. Whatever. If you need anything, let me know."

  Zachary nodded and then headed outside. The sun had come out, but it was still windy.

  He wanted to talk with Jasmine, but first he had some energy to burn off, and he needed the punching bag to do that.

  Twenty Eight

  Jasmine waved goodbye to the last girls leaving for the day. She wasn't sure how she'd managed to make it through the afternoon after talking with Kate. She'd been an emotional wreck since accidentally saying that she loved Zachary.

  Did she really? Had it been a Freudian slip? She didn't know, and she didn't want to think about it. It hurt too much, and she didn't want any more pain in her life. If Zachary didn't want her in his life, then she would let him walk away, no hard feelings. She liked the idea of setting up her own studio in Portland, anyway.

  Didn't she?

  Tears stung her eyes as she slid on her hoodie. Zachary had every right to be mad at her. She shouldn't have tried to mess with his writing career. It was his, not hers. Maybe she shouldn't have said anything since she had decided against it, but she wasn't going to regret being honest.

  She picked up her phone and saw some missed calls. Two missed calls from Zachary and a message.

  Her pulse raced, pounding in her ears. Did she dare listen to it? What if he'd decided he was done with her? It was at that moment that Jasmine realized just how much he meant to her—how much she didn't want to lose him.

  Shaking, she pressed the code to hear his message. She had to replay it three times before she was sure she'd heard right. He needed to apologize? And he hoped she'd hear him out?

  Jasmine sat, still trembling. She didn't trust her hands to make the call. She took some deep breaths, trying to calm herself.

  Would she give him the chance? Of course she would. Even though she'd convinced herself she was excited about returning to Portland, deep down, she knew that wasn't what she wanted. Not really. She could teach dance anywhere, but what really mattered was being near Zachary and seeing where their relationship would go.

  If she could be with him, she'd be more than happy to keep working here at the gym if they would keep her. With as happy as they were with her, she didn't know why they wouldn't. Or she could follow some of the other Hunter brothers and find some empty retail space. That would be the best of both worlds—her own studio and being in town with Zachary.

  She held up the phone to call him back, but her hands were still unsteady and she dropped it. Even with the protective case, it bounced off the hardwood floor and skittered across the room.

  Maybe it wasn't time to call him yet. She needed to pull herself together. Maybe even enough to let him know how much he'd irritated, and more importantly, hurt her.

  Jasmine stood and picked up her phone, sliding it into her pocket. What she needed was a minute to clear her head. There was a park nearby, and walking around it might be exactly what she needed. It was near the other end of the building, and she wanted to avoid the blustery weather as much as she could, so she took the long way when she got out of her classroom.

  As she passed the weight room, someone opened the door and she had to jump out of the way before it hit her. It took her a moment to realize it was Zachary coming out. Sweat dripped down his face, landing on his shirt in droplets.

  "Zachary," she whispered.

  He turned, his eyes widening. "Jasmine. Did you get my message?"

  She nodded biting her lower lip.

  "Will you wait for me to shower off? I really want—no, need—to talk to you. Is that okay?"

  Jasmine tried not to stare at his muscles. His shirt had no sleeves, and it really showed off how well built he was. "I was just going to that park with the dragon climber."

  "In this weather?" he asked.

  "It doesn't bother me."

  Zachary wiped sweat from his forehead before it fell into his eyes. "Okay. I'll meet you there, then. Fifteen minutes?"

  "Take your time."

  He nodded, and then walked down the hall toward the men's dressing room. Jasmine watched until he disappeared from sight, and then she went outside, heading for the park. The wind whipped her hair in her face, so she pulled it back into a bun like she'd had earlier. Then she pulled her hood over her head and tightened the string.

  The cold air seemed to go right through the fabric. Jasmine folded her arms and tried to keep warm. It didn't help much. If she was going to stay in town and the weather didn't get any better, she'd have to invest in a coat. She probably would, anyway.

  That reminded her that she hadn't called about the renter's insurance yet. It would sure be nice if they would help with some of the expenses. It would take her a while to make enough to earn enough for all she'd lost. Clothes would come first before she could get another laptop. She was just glad to have backed everything up online, even though she didn't have anything important like novels. But in some ways, she felt like her life had been on it.

  She made it to the park, the wind continuing to chill her. The park was empty—what sane person would be there now? She jogged around the climbers and slides even though there wasn't a clear path. Just wood chips meeting grass. It was just a small park, but that was all she needed to clear her head. She picked up her pace until her breathing intensified.

  Rain droplets sprinkled down, hitting her face. The whole thing just felt good. Jasmine had come here to think, but found it much more comforting not to. Just experiencing all there was to feel seemed to be what she needed. The wind and rain in her face, the cold chill, and the fresh air.

  "Jasmine."

  She turned around to see Zachary on the sidewalk. The wind blew his hair around, and he put his hand up to his forehead.

  Jasmine jogged over to him.

  "Do you want to go somewhere else?" he asked, squinting in the breeze.

  "You don't like the park?" she asked.

  "The weather."

  "If you don't think you can handle it." She raised an eyebrow, challenging him.

  "The wind makes it hard to talk," he said. "I owe you a meal, anyway. Why don't we find someplace to eat?"

  "That way you'll have me as a captive audience?" Her mouth had a mind of its own, but she didn't feel like bothering to rein it in.

  He looked into her eyes. "I des
erved both those comments."

  She shrugged. "I could use something to eat, anyway."

  "My car is just a block away. Want to take it? I think yours is still near my house."

  "Is it?" she asked, shrugging. "I hadn't noticed."

  The corners of his mouth twitched. "You haven't missed your car?"

  "I've rather enjoyed the exercise, but I don't mind taking the lazy way to the restaurant."

  Zachary snickered. "After the workout I've had, I'll gladly be a sloth."

  "Whatever you have to tell yourself." She tried to keep from smiling, but her tone gave her away.

  He took her hand, and she didn't stop him. For a moment, she thought about pulling it away, but he'd made the effort to say he wanted to apologize, and the last thing she wanted to do was to be like her parents and never forgive. They held everything over each other's heads, bringing up things they'd done ten or fifteen years earlier.

  They walked to the car in silence, and Zachary held the passenger door for her. She climbed in and he closed the door. She looked around, remembering the day when they'd gone to the cemetery. Her heart softened, thinking about his vulnerability. Hopefully, that was the true Zachary Hunter, and not the one who'd gotten angry with her for trying to be honest.

  He sat into the driver's side and started the car. One of the songs from Sophia's CD played.

  "You really should put that online so you don't lose the playlist," she said. "Those discs are so easily damaged, and then it's just gone. Save it somewhere on a cloud."

  "That's a good idea. I think I'll do that tonight." He glanced at her and smiled, appearing genuinely grateful. Then he turned back to the road and they rode in silence for the short drive. Zachary parked right outside a little barbecue place, having his choice of parking spots.

  "I've never seen this place so empty," Jasmine said.

  "That's how it gets when the weather turns bad. I heard the wind is here to stay, and when the cold weather comes early, it usually means we're in for an especially cold winter."

  "Is it usually cold? I always thought California was warm all year."

  "We get snow up here. Sometimes a lot of it. There's a big difference between the northern and southern parts of the state."

  They went inside, and after they were seated and had their waters, Jasmine emptied her cup. She hadn't realized how thirsty she was. They took a few minutes to look over the menu and order their food. After the waitress took the menus, Zachary stared into Jasmine's eyes. "I can tell you're upset with me."

  "Hurt is more like it."

  He frowned. "Jasmine, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have reacted like that."

  She shook her head. "No, you shouldn't have."

  He took a deep breath. "At first I felt like you had gone behind my back to destroy my—"

  "Is this your version of an apology?" she interrupted. "It sounds like you're defending yourself."

  "I'm getting there."

  She wasn't convinced yet. "Go on."

  He continued. "I didn't fully understand the recent changes in the publishing industry. I'd been lied to about that, and I thought you'd come this close," he held his thumb and finger a hair's width apart, "to ruining what I'd worked so hard for. I was afraid, Jasmine. I know it's not an excuse—there is none for the way I acted—but that's where I was at. The thought of losing everything really scared me."

  The fear came through on his face, and Jasmine felt her heart soften again. She reached across the table and put her hand on top of his.

  "You've heard of people's lives flashing before their eyes when they have a near-death experience?" he asked.

  Jasmine nodded, not sure where he was going with it.

  "That's what happened that afternoon. My writing career and dreams all flashed before my eyes. The thought that it could all be lost so easily shot terror through me. As wrong as it was, I took it out on you. I realize you were only trying to help, and in fact, if you had published it, you would have done more for me than my agent had in all the time I've been working with her."

  She stared at him. "What are you saying?"

  Zachary held her hand in both of his. "You gave me a wakeup call that I didn't know I needed. And you were right."

  Twenty Nine

  Jasmine stared at him, trying to comprehend everything he'd just said.

  "I'd like your help with it, Jasmine."

  "You want me to help you publish it as an ebook?"

  He squeezed her hand. "Yes. Let's see what happens when we do this. Together."

  "Really?" she asked, trying not to show her excitement.

  Zachary laughed. "Yes, Jasmine. You were right and I was wrong. Oh, so very wrong. Mostly in how I treated you."

  She stared into his eyes. "It really hurt me, Zachary. The way you talked to me, and then the cold shoulder you gave me."

  His face clouded over. "I wish I could take all of that back. I really do. It kills me that I hurt you. I hope you'll forgive me, but if you don't, I completely understand. And I'll accept whatever you decide." He took a deep breath. "Even if you never want to see me again."

  Zachary's grip tightened around her hand.

  How could she not forgive him? Jasmine squeezed back. "I do forgive you, and yes, I want to help you get it set up. I know it'll turn you into a bestselling author."

  He beamed. "It means the world that you believe in me."

  "What's not to believe in? You're talented, and you just need to get your work out there so the world can find it. Then word is going to spread like wildfire."

  Zachary's gorgeous smile widened.

  The waitress brought their food to the table and they dug in. Jasmine could see Zachary's mind at work. His face showed one expression after the next.

  "You seem pretty excited," she said. "Are you really ready for this?"

  "I've been ready for a long time. If the publishing houses won't have me, then we'll see what the public will do."

  "From what Lana's cousin said, a lot of people the publishers wouldn't touch have done really well with ebooks."

  "This could be a really good thing, actually," Zachary said. "For both readers and writers. The publishers have always controlled what gets printed, holding author's futures in their hands, and telling readers what they are and aren't going to read. It gives everyone a chance to have what they want."

  "And books don't have to fit into neat, little boxes. I've been looking around to see what's selling, and you'd be surprised. There are a lot of mixed genres. I even saw an Amish time-travel romance with vampires."

  Zachary laughed. "And it was selling?"

  "Yeah, it was ranked pretty well."

  "Have I ever told you how lucky I am that you walked into my life?" he asked.

  "I think technically, you walked into mine," she teased. "Since you walked right into me."

  "That's true. And you've changed my life for the better in so many ways—in such a short period of time, too."

  "I try."

  Zachary laughed. They talked for a while until they finished the meal.

  The waitress collected their plates. "Do you two want dessert?" she asked.

  "Do you?" Zachary asked, smiling at Jasmine.

  "I'll have to jog extra laps, but it'll be worth it."

  They ordered ice cream sundaes.

  "What am I going to do about a cover?" Zachary asked. "My agent said the publisher would take care of that. I wouldn't even have say, actually."

  "Now you can have exactly what you want."

  "What were you going to do when you wanted to upload it?"

  "There are some sites that sell pre-designed covers. You just tell them what to put for the title and author name. I was going to use one as a placeholder until you could have one designed that you wanted."

  "I can't afford that."

  "Sure you can. It's only two or three hundred for an artist to create a unique cover for you."

  "How much was the pre-made one?"

  The desserts arriv
ed, and Jasmine told him everything she'd learned from Erin. Zachary nodded as she spoke, obviously taking everything in. "There's so much to think about now that I'm not handing it over for someone else to take care of."

  "You can do it, and I'm more than happy to help."

  Zachary sighed. "I need back cover copy and maybe a proofreader. It's been edited, but I keep making changes. I've probably messed something up somewhere along the way."

  "I can re-read it. And Lana wants to, also. I bet that between the two of us, we'll be able to find anything that needs fixing."

  "Maybe." He took a bite of ice cream, dripping chocolate sauce onto the dish.

  "So, you really want to do this?" Jasmine asked, excitement building.

  He nodded. "I do. I'm sure of it."

  "It'll take some work, but I bet we can get it out before too long. Do I have your permission to call Lana's cousin back?"

  "Of course. Find out what you can from her. Covers, back cover copy, proofreaders, and anything I'm missing."

  "And I promise not to do anything without running it by you."

  He grinned. "This is going to be fun. And I couldn't ask for a better business partner."

  Jasmine beamed. "Well, you might be required to help me with my business, so don't think it's a free ride."

  He raised an eyebrow. "Your business?"

  "I'd like to open a dance studio here in Kittle Falls."

  Zachary's eyes widened and then he cleared his throat. "You want to stay here? In town? Long enough to open a business?"

  She shrugged, taking the last bite of her dessert.

  "How long have you been planning this?" he asked.

  "I've really enjoyed teaching the girls, and the ones who have been regulars are especially delightful. They love learning and helping, and I would really miss them if I left."

  "That's all?" Zachary asked, looking disappointed.

  "I was thinking about opening one in Portland, but there's this guy here in Kittle Falls. I wouldn't mind sticking around to see where things go with him."

  He chuckled. "Oh? Have I met him?"

  "Possibly. It's a small town, and you're both locals."