Chapter Forty-Two
Forty-Two
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN three years, Grayson and his entire family had several days off in a row so all their focus could be on the wedding. The crew from the other resort had shown up with assurances to Grayson that Get Lost Lodge’s guests would be well cared for and there’d be no problems.
Grayson had so much on his mind, not to mention a mild hangover, that he didn’t even question it.
The lodge would not fall apart if he stepped away.
In his previous life, with his ex, he’d nearly worked himself into the ground, trying to prove something but never knowing, for sure, what that something was.
Pete, who only stayed open until three in the afternoon, offered the Keller family the use of the diner.
Levi was currently in the kitchen putting together a delicious meal.
Everyone was coming—his parents, Presley’s parents …
anyone who was family or had a role to play to make the wedding go off without a hitch.
Jilly and Presley were running late and, not for the first time, Grayson wished he could sneak away to go see Charlie. Bernie wouldn’t tell him anything. Was she okay? Was she sad? Would she leave without talking to him?
Levi had set up several dishes on the countertop where Grayson used to, and still did, drink coffee and eat Pete’s amazing waffles. The food was being laid out buffet style and he was trying to help, trying to stay focused, but it was a losing battle.
“You okay, honey?” his mom asked, opening a bag of buns and putting them in a serving bowl.
“Yeah. Fine.” He opened a fresh pack of napkins and set them on the counter for people.
“Of all my kids, you were always the worst at hiding your worry,” his mom said.
He looked at her and she smiled at him in a way he didn’t understand.
“Oh, dear. Things are serious with Charlie, huh?”
He shook his head. “What are you talking about? I didn’t say anything.”
She smiled. “You didn’t have to.”
Grayson didn’t know how to respond to that. He was about to go see if Levi needed any more help before they all filled their plates and went over the final details of the big day.
His mom came up to him, wrapped an arm around his waist, and leaned her head on his chest. “I hate when any of you are hurting.”
He hugged her back. “I’m fine, Mom.”
She tipped her head back to look at him.
“You keep telling yourself that. I love you, honey. Just remember that because something didn’t work out once doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to try again.
If you’d walked away when the lodge seemed impossible, you wouldn’t be here now.
And it’s thriving, Grayson. Don’t keep a door closed out of fear.
You’re stronger than that. All three of my kids know how to bounce back in a way that makes me so proud. ”
His throat felt tight. He was letting fear hold him still.
Fear of losing Charlie, fear of failing if they gave it their all, fear of having her walk away or not being enough.
But letting fear win in any of those situations meant he was alone.
Without her. If he pushed past the fear and offered her everything, at least if it ended the same way, he’d know he did all he could.
And like he’d summoned her through the sheer power of his want, she came walking through the door behind his sister and Presley. Another woman walked beside her, and either she was Charlie’s mother or she had a sister she’d never told him about.
Their eyes locked, and his heart took a stumbling leap right toward her and he knew. He knew he couldn’t let her walk away without telling her how he felt.
Making his way to Charlie, he wiped his palms on his pants. He couldn’t remember having ever been this nervous.
“Charlie,” he said, coming to stand right in front of her.
“Gray,” she replied softly.
His sister and Presley brushed past him, each with a supportive arm squeeze.
“This is my mother, Vivica Colter. Vivi. Mom, this is Grayson Keller. He’s…” Her eyes held his, but he heard her breath hitch, watched her bite her lip. Yeah, he couldn’t define them either. Well, he could, but he wasn’t doing that for the first time in front of Charlie’s mom.
He reached out a hand, forcing himself to break eye contact with Charlie so he could make a good impression on her mom. “I own the lodge.”
“Hello, Grayson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She looked back and forth between Charlie and Gray, her smile growing. “Seems you might own more than a lodge, young man. But thank you for letting my Charlotte stay in this time when she needed a quiet space.”
His face warmed as he dropped his hand. “She stayed with Bernie, actually.”
Vivi’s laughter was every bit as musical in person as it was on the screen, and now that he heard it, he realized Charlie’s was similar.
Levi rang a bell, laughing over the sound. “Food is ready. Form a line. Ollie helped in the kitchen, so she’s first but then it’s Presley and Beckett, the guests of honor. Plenty for everyone.”
Gray stepped aside, gestured to the dining area, doing his best to maintain some semblance of calm. It wasn’t the time to scoop Charlie up and profess his love. “You should get some food. Welcome to Smile, Vivica. We’re really glad you’re here, as I’m sure Charlie is.”
Charlie’s gaze held a glimmer of hope and it made his own flicker want to burn out of control.
“Vivi is fine,” her mom said. “That’s what most people call me. Even my daughter when I’ve stepped on one too many of her nerves.”
“Mom,” Charlie hissed.
Her mom laughed and Gray couldn’t help the smile that snuck onto his face.
“Oh, I must have some leeway left if she’s still calling me Mom.
” She reached for Grayson’s hand and held it in both of hers.
“Let me take care of that by saying I’d have to be blindfolded not to see the way you look at my girl and the way she looks back.
You must be special, Grayson Keller. Charlotte doesn’t let many people in.
She’s got good reasons for that as I’m sure you know. ”
“Vivi,” Charlie said, her tone strained.
Vivi squeezed his hand, leaned in to kiss his cheek. “There it is. Probably best if I get some food and introduce myself.”
She let go of Gray’s hand and walked away.
“I’m sorry,” Charlie said.
“For what? Her seeing what’s right in front of her? In front of us and everyone else?”
“Gray,” she said, folding her hands together in front of her.
“Charlie, we need to talk.”
She shook her head. “It’s not the time.”
“When?” Urgency crept into his soul.
“Grayson,” she whispered, stepping closer.
The noise and laughter increased as everyone filled their plates with the delicious-smelling food. Everyone he loved was in this room. Everyone I love is in this room.
He reached for her, took one of her hands. “Tell me you won’t leave the island until we talk. Really talk. I’m going to be really busy up until the wedding, but once they walk down the aisle, I want those dances you promised.”
“Are you sure? It might be easier—”
Gray put a finger on her lip. He shook his head. “Nothing worth hanging on to has ever come easy in my life. You promised me a dance, Charlie. Will you keep your word?”
She nodded slowly and then stepped away to join the others.
He had no idea how things would work out or where they would lead but he knew she’d follow through on that one thing. Which meant he had one shot to make Charlie see that whatever the obstacles, they could make this work. Or as Beckett said, give her a reason to stay.