Chapter 10
On the night of the party, the moonlight danced over the dark water of the harbor and Grace tried to appreciate the beauty of the evening.
Anchored for the evening, the ferry that shuttled residents and tourists between Brookwell Island and Charleston had been transformed into a floating ballroom.
Outlined in soft, twinkling white lights, the air was fragrant with the scents of lilies, champagne, and saltwater.
Just as Reed promised, tonight emphasized just how far the festival had come from those early years.
The night seemed to glow, the dock between the ferry and the landing glowed with even more lights swaying in the gentle breeze.
And the landing area was bustling with a buffet, drink stations, and the big screen showcasing highlights of previous festivals.
Music flowed through speakers, the song choices representing both big artists and more regional groups.
She smoothed the full skirt of the blue watered-silk dress she’d made, feeling the weight of the legacy she usually carried with pride and joy.
There was zero reason to mope. She was here to celebrate and get folks hyped about the upcoming event.
She couldn’t let Cal, currently holding court with several new sponsors from who knew where, dim her happiness.
And she could not afford to dwell on how incredible he looked in his charcoal tuxedo, holding a glass of scotch and laughing with a bunch of strangers.
This wasn’t a side of him she’d known before.
Tonight, it was easier to picture him as a New York City executive or owning a yacht like Levi’s than the tenant who lived over her small-town boutique.
Every time she looked at him, she fought all the what-if and why questions.
What if she’d sold the store or hired a manager or done anything to get back to college?
Why did she long to run into his arms whenever he came into view?
Why had he signed a twelve-month lease when he didn’t seem to like the town?
What if she’d surrendered to that kiss and let it fill all the places she longed for him?
Pointless queries. Besides, she knew the answers: Money, time, and passion kept her in town after her mom’s death.
He’d been her safe place at school and old habits died hard.
The lease wasn’t about the town, it merely allowed him to come and go as needed.
And surrendering to Cal was pure madness.
Brookwell Island wasn’t nearly big enough for his business interests.
She turned away to mingle with neighbors and other shop owners from Central Avenue as Chairmen of the Board’s “Carolina Girls” poured from the speakers.
A cheer erupted from the crowd. Reed caught her hand and drew her toward the dance floor where they flowed into the classic Carolina Shag as if they’d been partners forever.
Close, she supposed. Reed was like a father to her, and they often helped teach the dance to others during the festival.
“You look a little blue,” he commented as the steps brought them close. “Thinking of your mom?”
Not even close. “Maybe,” she fibbed. Cal had sent over the new vendor booth plan and his priorities had been abundantly clear.
Several local booths, including the quilting circle’s preserves, had been relegated to a new tent practically in the parking lot.
It was as if he was daring her to take a stand against his improvements.
She would. Wasn’t it obvious that she’d put her heart and soul not only into her own family business, but the town? If he couldn’t understand that, he didn’t know her at all. Which led to the unhappy conclusion that no amount of toe-curling kisses would bridge that divide.
Reed chuckled as they moved with the music. “You’re thinking of Mr. New York City.”
She glanced toward where Cal had been and couldn’t see him anymore. It should’ve been a relief. Instead, that sadness came rushing back.
“Some things should be simpler than they are,” she murmured. Then she smiled up at Reed. “If wishes were horses.”
“I’ve always thought a love that starts off rocky often sails smoothest,” he replied.
Love? Startled, she would’ve tripped if Reed hadn’t been so skilled, catching her and guiding her until her feet were in the right rhythm again. “Nice save. Thanks.”
“Should I change the subject?” he asked with a grin as the song ended.
“Allow me.” She looped her hand through his arm as they moved away from the dance floor. “Have you seen the latest vendor layout?”
“I did.”
She frowned. “You don’t look concerned.”
“We are in public,” he reminded her. “And a lot can change in the planning stages, you know this.”
Sufficiently reminded that way too many people were watching them, she summoned a smile.
“True.” One of the new sponsor’s ads flashed across the big screen, catching her gaze.
The logo was recognizable, but the color scheme felt softer, less corporate.
It was gone before she could pinpoint the exact differences.
“I agree growth is important and Levi, as a new business owner, brings big opportunities with him.”
“He does.” Reed handed her a glass of champagne. “Tradition matters,” he added. “But so does growth. I’m confident as a committee we’ll find the right balance.”
She raised her glass. “I’ll drink to that.” Having Reed’s backup against Cal’s initiatives would be a big help in the months ahead.
“Come on.” Reed tipped his head toward the ferry. “Let’s do more mingling.”
She could hardly refuse, even if that meant drifting closer toward Cal and the big-shot sponsors who had descended on Brookwell for the evening.
Moving through the crowd, she spotted Cal speaking with Mrs. Higgins, the current president of the quilting circle. The honorary title rotated annually among the women who participated and primarily involved being the main point of contact for the group.
To her surprise, Cal didn’t look the least bit bored and Mrs. Higgins was beaming. She must not have seen where he planned to hide their festival booth.
With Reed, Grace relaxed into an easy rhythm as they chatted with familiar folks and the visitors. Her smile was starting to feel more natural when she felt the air change.
Cal was close.
Standing at her elbow before she could excuse herself and dart away. His scent teased her nose and butterflies took flight. She didn’t want to deal with that any more than she wanted to navigate the unsettling mix of emotions every time she looked at him.
He was her past.
Her handsome, tempting past.
“Good evening.” He smiled at the cluster of people. “I need to borrow Grace for a moment.”
“Excuse us.” She smiled warmly, Reed’s reminder echoing in her head. “Enjoy the party.”
Walking with Cal was the opposite of mingling with Reed. Her heart raced and her skin prickled with awareness as he searched for a quieter spot. Worst of all, her instinct was to take his hand the way she used to.
Somehow, he found a quieter spot near the stern.
The crowd noise seemed to dull to a low murmur behind them and if she didn’t know better, she’d swear they were alone.
An effect that was unique to her relationship with Cal.
Pressing her lips together, she told her heart to slow down. “What did you need?”
He tucked his hands in his pockets, his gaze dark with an intensity that made her breath hitch. “You look incredible, Grace. The color... it matches your eyes.”
“On purpose,” she said. “In the right lighting.” That was the magic of watered silk, not that she’d bore him with fabric trivia.
“You don’t usually carry formal wear in the boutique.” His brow flexed.
She recognized his analytical frown. “I made it.” Her defenses were rising like a king tide. “We should talk about the vendor layout.”
He rocked back on his heels. “So you did get my email.”
“Yes.” She laced her fingers together and kept her voice low. “You shuffled off the quilting circle to the parking lot.”
Calvin sighed, his professional mask sliding back into place. “Grace, not here. I was hoping to enjoy the party with you.”
“Does Mrs. Higgins know?”
His gaze slid to the water and slowly back to her. “Yes.”
The reply startled her. “Seriously?”
“Yes,” he assured her. “She’s actually excited about the new location. She tells me it will be easier to get volunteers in the booth now because—”
“Less hauling and walking across the sand,” she finished for him. “We have dedicated crew to help everyone, but—”
“Mrs. Higgins is about as independent as they come.”
“True.” She forced a smile, refusing to dwell on how they finished each other’s sentences.
“Good job.” She owed him that much at the very least. “As the person representing our local businesses, I want to be sure we’re still guiding and encouraging people toward Central Avenue and not simply prioritizing corporate sponsors. ”
“We will. That was the first draft from the new guy in town.”
She peered up at him. Was that how he saw himself? Her heart longed for it to be true, to have him in her life in a way that wouldn’t chafe the dreams she left behind. “Okay.”
“These first changes are all about logistics. That’s all.
I respect what the festival is about and how you run it.
” His voice rumbled across her senses. “Levi’s influence, along with a few small adjustments, can turn the festival into a serious revenue machine.
Imagine how this one event could fund the annual budget for Brookwell and the local businesses.
Not to mention the repeat customers.” He inched closer.
“You could hire the help you need and finally get started on your own dreams.”
Her heart plummeted.