Page 53 of Just One Summer with the Grumpy

“Tanner, meet Daphne,” Chase said when I arrived. “Daphne, Tanner is an old friend. We avoided college together.”

“To your detriment and my benefit, I’m afraid,” Tanner told him with a friendly smile. He turned to me and held out a hand. “Nice to meet you, Daphne.”

Now that I saw Tanner head-on, I knew his face better than most. “Hold on—you’re that guy on YouTube. The travel guy?”

Tanner’s smile widened. “Yep, our time in Costa Rica got me addicted to learning about other cultures. I’ve been traveling ever since, and I’m lucky that my channel funds my expeditions.”

“Whatever. I heard about the car,” Chase said, nudging his friend in the shoulder. “Red, was it?”

“Anyway,” Tanner prompted, looking sheepish. “Thought I’d check on my friend here. Is there anything I need to have a little chat with him about, Daphne? Somebody needs to keep him in line. He’s a little different out here than he is back in New York, isn’t he?”

That couldn’t be more true. “Very. Why do you think that is?”

“Obviously because you’re here,” Tanner said, picking up my hand and kissing the back of it. “Very pleased to meet you. Here’s my card, if you need anything at all.” He handed me a business card.

“Okay, Romeo,” Chase growled, edging himself between us. “I know you’re newly single, but I have no qualms about taking you out on a fishing boat and throwing you overboard.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Ty settling on a distant lounge chair near the pool, watching us.

Tanner laughed. “Just messing with you both. I have no intention of dating anytime soon. I’m married to my work, and she has a lot to offer. No complaints.”

Chase’s expression softened. “Yeah, I heard about your last experience. Sorry, man.”

“Sometimes things happen for a reason. Guess it wasn’t meant to be. You two, though—you’d better invite me to the wedding if this works out, okay? I’m going to make a phone call really quick.” Tanner strode off toward the beach, pulling out his phone.

“Does he drop in often?” I asked Chase.

“A few times a year,” he said, hooking my waist and pulling me against him. “Tanner loves this island almost as much as I do. I should have warned you. He can be a bit over the top sometimes.”

“I guess that’s why his audience loves him.” I hesitated, pulling away to look at him. “Um, do you have a second to talk? I wanted to ask you about something.”

He glanced after his friend. “Sure, I have a minute or two.”

A worker approached. “Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Everett. You have another visitor waiting in the lobby.”

Chase smacked his forehead. “I thought she wasn’t coming till tomorrow. I’m sorry, Daphne. Can it wait until later?”

I forced a smile. “Of course.”

He and the worker strode off together, talking in low tones.

Ty appeared at my side. “Daphne, are you okay? You look troubled. Did something happen?”

I turned to look at the man I’d once loved, who stared back with a frown. This should have been the perfect moment to talk to him, to have the conversation I’d come here to initiate. Yet I had no desire to discuss Chase with him right now.

“I’m fine,” I lied. “Where’s Veronica?”

“Left to take a phone call. Seriously, Daphne. You look like someone just died. There must be something I can do.” He paused. “Actually, here. These always did cheer you up.” He grabbed a plastic-wrapped fortune cookie from his backpack and shoved it into my hand.

I stared at it. Since when did Ty carry fortune cookies around? Where had he even gotten this? I didn’t recall seeing any Chinese restaurants on the island.

Was this some kind of bizarre sign from the universe? Because I wasnotinterested right now.

Ty leaned forward. “I’m here if you want to talk.”

I gave a bitter laugh. His rehearsal dinner was tonight. “No, you aren’t, but that’s the way it should be. I really do hope you and Veronica find happiness.”

I turned and headed toward the lobby, leaving him gaping in bewilderment.

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