Page 57 of Meet Me at the Grand

“Like I said, you’re a catch too. Offer her your heart. That’s all she needs.”

If only it were that simple. “I appreciate that, but we live in different time zones. And I don’t have the best track record with relationships.”

“Then it’s a good thing that God is in the business of working out those kinds of pesky details like where people live.” Elise said. “And as for your track record, I am fully confident that God will give you exactly what you need to rise to the occasion if He’s calling you toward something new.”

With another squeeze to his shoulder, Elise offered him a final smile and rejoined the other ladies, who were now discussing Mia and how they wished she would start dating again. Apparently, once women reached a certain age, all they wanted to talk about was matchmaking for the younger generations.

But that didn’t mean they didn’t have a lot of wisdom too. What Elise had said…well, he knew her words would probably keep him awake tonight.

Clearing his throat, Liam grabbed up both cups of hot chocolate and hustled out of there and back into the chilly night air. His and Dani’s seats were near the back of the multi-layer circle, but because the fire was so large, its effects could still be felt from their spot. When he got back to the seat, Dani had bundled herself in a blanket.

“Here you go,” he said as he lowered himself into his seat beside her and held out her cup. “Hopefully this will warm you up more.”

“Took you long enough.” Then she removed the lid from her cocoa and smiled at what she saw. “All of my favorites. Yum. Thank you.”

Score one for Team Sweet. “No problem. And it wasn’t my fault it took so long. I was waylaid by Elise.”

“My aunt is quite the talker. I’m surprised she wasn’t surrounded by her friends chattering away.”

“Oh, she was when I first came in. A whole Gossip Brigade accompanied her.”

Her lips curved upward. “Ah, yes. What poor souls were they talking about today?”

He rubbed the back of his neck and coughed.

“Oh.” So she understood. If he’d been able to see the color of her cheeks, would they be pink? Did she like the fact the two of them were being lumped together? “Sorry about that. You know how small towns are.”

“I actually don’t.” He sat back in his chair and stared at the fire, which was at this point taller than Seb and Cody, both of whom were stoking it with more wood. Someone on the other side started playing a guitar, and a few kids started singing “Ninety-Nine Bottles of Root Beer.” “I mean, in theory I do. And I understand based on my oh-so-long stay here.”

“Really. Like what?” Her tone had turned amused as she sipped her cocoa.

“Well, of course, there’s all the stuff you’ve told me. But I’ve also picked up a few other facts. Like the Quinns are the stable owners and keeper of the horses on the island, but there hasn’t really been a need for horses and buggies since the pandemic. And the Barretts own a construction company that used to be on island but now is off, but some of the brothers still live here, and they’ve not got the best of reputations. Oh, and Cody and Mia claim to be friends, but I’m sensing more there.”

Dani laughed. “And just how did you pick up on all of this?”

“Hey, the coffee shop is a bastion of information. You sit there long enough”—he tapped his right ear as he turned his gaze to her again—“you hear things.”

“And Jill Kelley is part of said Gossip Brigade.”

“That too. I’m not sure she liked me at first, but my many purchases over the last few weeks have worn her down.”

“That and the fact you’re a sweet talker.”

“What can I say?” He lifted his drink. “It’s a gift.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “Well, color me impressed.”

“You should be impressed. Did you know that Lyle and the gang even let me in on a round of gin rummy last night at Martha’s?” He paused, fixed her with a meaningful look. “I think they could tell I was depressed after our ride in the park, and for some reason, they wanted to cheer me up.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I am. Back home, I don’t evenknowmy neighbors. Of course, I live in a hotel, but still.” He blinked, shaking his head. “And here, people who are practically strangers treat me like this.”

“Like what?” Dani shifted in her seat so she faced him a little more. Her knee bumped into his—and didn’t move away.

And suddenly everything inside him couldn’t keep his brain off the desire to hold her hand.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Like they care about me. And not just as a new face, something interesting. But as a person.”

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