“Sorry. Occupational hazard.” He took her hand and rubbed his thumb across her wrist. “You okay? I didn’t hurt you?”
Grace felt the brush of his finger all the way down to her toes. “I—I’m fine. You just startled me, so I guess we’re even.”
“I’m batting a thousand, huh? That’s twice I’ve hurt you.”
“You’re a real hazard to my health.”
He gave her that guilt-ridden look she was coming to love.
“You need to lighten up. You’re on vacation. Sort of.”
Wyatt’s gaze swung up and past Grace, and he straightened as he stared at something behind her.
Grace turned just as her ex-boyfriend Nick reached their table. His brown hair was neatly clipped and swept to the side. He was inhis usual uniform, a button-down and khakis. “Hi, Graceful. Fancy running into you here.”
Grace winced at the nickname. “Hi, Nick. I didn’t see you out there. How are you?”
“Not bad.” Nick glanced at the center of the round table where Wyatt’s hand still rested on her wrist. His eyes darted to Wyatt before returning to Grace. “I was taking a short break from work and saw you come in.”
“Um, Nick, this is Wyatt,” Grace said into the weird tension hovering over the table. “Wyatt, this is Nick, a friend of mine.”
Nick stuck out his hand, forcing Wyatt to let go of Grace.
“Pleasure,” Wyatt said, then placed his hand right back on Grace’s.
Heat inched its way up her neck and into her face, but she kept her smile steady on Nick. “So, um, how’s your mama? I didn’t see her at church Sunday.”
“Her lupus is flaring up, I’m afraid, so she hasn’t gotten out much. She’d love to see you sometime.”
“I’ll have to visit her soon. I owe her a game of Scrabble.”
“I could meet you over there, bring supper.”
“Sure. That’d be great.”
“How’s your business going? I saw your ad in theBluebell Beacon.”
“It’s going well. I’m actually hoping to move out on my own sometime soon. The inn’s up for sale now.”
“I saw the sign out front. I hope it goes fast. I’ll help spread the word if you’d like. I could put up a flyer at the marina if you have one made up.”
“Thanks. I’ll print one out and get it over to you.”
Nick’s eyes flitted to Wyatt, who sat quietly, staring at Grace. A long, uncomfortable moment passed.
Grace sipped her frappé.
Nick shifted. “Well . . . I guess I’d better get back to work. It was good seeing you, Grace.”
“You too, Nick.”
“I’ll check with my mom and give you a call.”
“Okay, great.”
He gave Wyatt a polite nod and slipped out the door.
Wyatt watched him leave, then turned back to her as the door swung shut. “Graceful?”
