I whipped around, aware of the hum of happiness I felt to have him here. “Yeah, until the rain starts.”
“The rain?”
Shouldn’t have let that slip. “Just being pessimistic.”
“It’s nice out.”
“This is North Carolina. Give it an hour; that’ll change.”
He grinned. “True. I’ll check back in with you at eight, to see if you’re right. But first, there are burgers coming off the grill. I’m about to get focused.”
Backing up until my butt hit the low wall edging the patio, I sat and watched my guests. This evening felt so normal. Our friends were with us—laughing, talking, eating. A good night. Just what I needed.
Grant was right, of course. A thunderstorm blew out of nowhere and hung around for an hour, thunder booming, lightning flashing. Unfortunately, since the heavens had delivered nature’s own fireworks, the town postponed theirs until tomorrow.
My guests watched from the sunroom, but the storm muted their energy and people began to drift away. That was fine, though. The party had been wonderful.
Soon, Scott and I were the only two left.
“Your prediction came true.”
“Pessimism wins again.”
He laughed. “Hey, we could use you on our landscaping team. It would save a lot of time if we could know before we sent a crew out that they’d get rained on.”
“I would be expensive.”
His smile widened, then faded. “Thanks for including me tonight.”
“You’re welcome.” I owed him a thank-you too. I bumped him with my elbow, feeling a bit shy. “Do you remember the last time we were at a party together?”
He nodded solemnly. “Lacey and Sean’s graduation.”
“Yeah. I know I should’ve said this sooner, but…” Words were inadequate. Would he be able to get how much his kindness had meant to me? “I survived that evening because of you, and I’m really grateful.”
“My pleasure.” His smile flashed briefly before he looked away. A brooding stillness descended over him.
“Is something wrong?”
He shrugged.
“Does it have to do with Monica?”
“Good guess.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“She’s on vacation with her folks.” He rubbed a hand over his face but didn’t hide his grimace. “When she gets back, I’ll tell her I don’t want to try again.”
I leaned against a window, studying the rivulets of rain streaking down the glass. He’d made the right decision, butCongratulationsdidn’t feel appropriate under the circumstances. “That’ll be a hard conversation.”
“Yeah.” He shifted restlessly and then turned to face me. “On Monday, my father and I are meeting at the B&B with two subcontractors. Dad will make sure that they know what he wants and that he’ll inspect everything when he returns.”
“Which is...?”
“Saturday, the eighteenth.” He jammed his hands in his pockets and frowned at his feet. “I’m a little nervous.”
“About him being gone?”
