Chapter 12 #2
Soon, muscle memory returned, and Harper gained a bit more confidence.
“So,” I said, steering us around a cluster of kids. “Tell me all about it.”
“All about what?” She almost lost her balance when she looked over at me, but quickly regained it.
“Your life. The yachts. The fancy restaurants. All the places you’ve been. You’ve probably got a story for every stamp in your passport.”
“That’s a pretty long list.”
“I’ve got all the time in the world,” I told her. “I want to hear about it all.” I spun her around, so she was facing me and I could hold her in my arms.
“You really want to know?”
I nodded. “All of it.”
Her lips curved, but there was something in her eyes…
hesitation, maybe. “It wasn’t all glamorous,” she started.
“Long hours. Demanding guests. Half the time when I’m on charter, I hardly even know what port we’re in, or what country.
I’m always belowdecks in the galley. But the food…
the creating…it’s amazing, constantly striving to be better. ”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me? You always were chasing more.”
She shrugged, but didn’t deny it.
“What about boyfriends?” I hadn’t meant to ask. I didn’t want to know. Not really. “Did you leave anyone special in any of those ports?”
Her smile dimmed. She shook her head.
“No one?” I pushed, aware that I was only going to be torturing myself if she told me what I didn’t want to hear.
“No,” she said softly. “Nothing serious. It’s not really the kind of life that’s conducive to a relationship.”
Her admission probably shouldn’t have made me so happy, but I couldn’t help it.
“And you?” Harper turned the question around on me. “You stayed here. I’m surprised you’re not married yet.”
“Are you?”
Before she could answer, I spun her away again and once more started gliding easily on the ice. After half a lap, she finally spoke. “Grayson, I—”
“Hey!”
We were jostled by two other skaters.
“Sorry, I didn’t see…oh, Grayson.” Mike Dobson, a local contractor, and his wife bumped into us. “How are you?” He stopped, clearly expecting a conversation.
“Good. I was just—”
“Heard that Ollie is selling the shop,” he said. “That true?”
“Word certainly travels fast,” I said carefully.
“To be honest, I’m surprised it took him so long,” Mike continued. “I’ve heard he’s had offers already.”
That was news to me. The options Ollie had mentioned.
Damnit. I still hadn’t been able to find the chance to discuss my thoughts about buying the store from him. Had I missed my chance?
I worked to keep my face neutral, not wanting my reaction to show on my face.
“I hope it stays local,” Mike said before I could respond. “You’ve done great things with that place. It would be a shame to see a big corporation buy it up.”
“I can’t disagree with that.” I nodded. “Have fun tonight.”
Mike and his wife skated off.
Beside me, Harper glanced up. “Ollie’s selling? Really?”
“He is.” I shrugged. “I’ve barely had a chance to discuss it with him myself, but of course, everyone already knows about it. Small town and all.” I shook my head. “I didn’t know about the offers already, though,” I muttered, jaw tight. “Not that I should be surprised.”
Her brows lifted. “Have you ever thought about doing anything else?”
I studied her for a beat before turning it around on her. “Have you?”
Her lips parted, but she didn’t answer right away, and I found myself wanting that answer more than I should have.
Harper
His question lingered in the air between us.
Have you?
How could he know that I’d been thinking of it? More than I wanted to admit.
It should have been easy to laugh it off and tell him, Of course not. My life is elsewhere, in galleys on super-yachts in exotic locations halfway around the world. Far from this small-town, basic life.
I was living the life I’d always wanted. The one I’d given up everything for when I was a kid. The life I’d given him up for.
But I couldn’t say that.
Because the truth was, the longer I’d been back in Trickle Creek, the harder it was to ignore the tiny voice inside me whispering, Maybe.
So I pressed my lips together and let him lead me around the rink again. I studied him as we circled the ice together. His jaw set against the cold, his hand firmly in mine. How had he never had a relationship after I left? A man like him?
Grayson had been the boy every girl wanted in high school. Handsome, athletic, and smart. Unlike his twin brother, who seemed to have a chip on his shoulder about everything, Grayson was warm and friendly to everyone.
Now, he was the man everyone depended on. One everyone respected. Solid. Reliable. And somehow, even more handsome. He was a catch by any standard.
It was a mystery how he hadn’t been snatched up yet.
But then again…would he have been enough for me all those years ago? If he hadn’t pushed me away, would I have stayed? Would I have been happy with the small-town life?
The life he loved so much.
The thought made my chest ache.
I opened my mouth, the beginnings of a: Maybe I have thought about staying on my tongue—
“Grayson! Harper!”
We both turned as Tilley Beckett swooped wildly and dangerously toward us. Grayson reached out with his free arm just in time to keep her from crashing into us.
Her sparkly red scarf flew out behind her; gaudy glittery Santa hat earrings dangled from her ears, catching the twinkling lights. Somehow, Tilley’s ever-present clipboard was tucked under her arm, even out on the ice.
“Just the happy couple I’ve been wanting to run into,” she said as she found her balance. “Are you two having fun?” She wiggled her brows.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Another great event, Tilley,” Grayson said. “I don’t know what this town would do without you.”
“It certainly wouldn’t be nearly as festive,” I added.
“You two are way too kind.” She flipped open her clipboard and produced a small white envelope. “But you are equally responsible for the Christmas cheer in this town,” she said. “Which is why I’m so pleased to present this to you.”
She pressed the envelope into Grayson’s hand before he could protest.
He frowned, glancing down at it. “What’s this?”
“It’s nothing.” Tilley waved her hand. “Just a little token of appreciation from the festival committee.”
“I thought you were the committee, Tilley?” He eyed her, but she only shrugged.
“You’ve been working so hard for us that the committee agreed you deserved a little something for all your efforts. Lord knows the light-up could never have happened without you.”
Grayson blinked, clearly caught off guard. “I don’t usually get things like this,” he said. “I’ve been helping for years.”
“Which is why this is long overdue,” Tilley said gleefully. “And the committee won’t take no for an answer.”
He shook his head and slid the card from the envelope. “A gift certificate for a night at Trickle Creek Lodge? Tilley! This is too much.”
“Nonsense.” Her eyes twinkled as she looked between us. “A romantic getaway for two at the lodge? I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
Heat climbed up my neck. I couldn’t help but wonder if our relationship had anything to do with this gift of appreciation for Grayson.
“Enjoy yourselves,” Tilley added with a wink. “Nothing like a cozy night in front of a roaring fire with a bottle of wine to fan the flames of a newly rekindled relationship.”
Yup. Our relationship had everything to do with it.
Grayson cleared his throat, tucking the envelope quickly into his coat pocket. “Well, thank you, I guess.”
“No thanks needed.” She once again wiggled her eyebrows. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
Before either of us could protest, Tilley turned and skated away, her scarf waving behind her as she set her sights on someone new.
Grayson shifted beside me. “You don’t have to come,” he said, his voice low, almost gruff.
I arched a brow. “To a luxury lodge with a roaring fire and someone else cooking meals for me? You think I’m passing that up?” I laughed. “Besides, it didn’t feel like I had much of a choice there.”
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained serious. “I’m just saying, I don’t want you to feel like you’ve been forced into something where you’re not comfortable. I know this is all for…”
“Grayson.” I touched his arm. “If Tilley wants to believe we’re the kind of couple who spend a romantic night away together, then maybe we shouldn’t disappoint her.”
His gaze held mine. “Maybe not,” he said softly.
Heat traveled through me, landing low in my belly at the idea of spending a night together with Grayson.
“It’ll be hard.” I forced a lightness into my voice.
“But if I have to suffer through a night of luxury to make the town happy, I’ll do my very best.” I held my arm up over my forehead dramatically, and almost fell on my ass in the process.
“Careful there, sweetheart.” Grayson caught me easily. “I know you’re falling for me, but there’s no point in getting hurt while you’re doing it. At least not before our night together.”
His voice was laced with an undeniable heat, and suddenly I wasn’t so sure where the lie ended and the truth began.