Page 67 of Meet Me at the Grand

“I don’t know. We only have four more days until the meeting.”

“True, but I find that sometimes when my brain is too tired—when I’ve been noodling on a project too long—the best thing I can do is change up my scenery. Get outside, into nature. And maybe being here on the island, seeing the sights, will inspire something in us both.”

“I like that idea.”

“Good. Me too.” He slowly pulled away. “Now, I also find that food is helpful in restoring balance after a nice, good cry.”

“And how about some Travel Channel to go with it?” Dani picked up the remote and waved it in the air.

“Sounds like the perfect way to unwind.”

She couldn’t agree more—and that was the problem.

But apparently, it was a problem for another day. Because right now, Dani didn’t want to be alone.

More than that—she didn’t want Liam to go.

* * *

Liam inserted his hotel key card into his door and shoved his way inside. He set his briefcase down on the side table and then sank onto the edge of the bed, groaning.

He was in so much trouble.

Because he’d just spent the last two hours eating pizza and watching travel documentaries on the couch with Dani—pointing at the screen, laughing, and sharing—and he was fairly certain he was crazier about her than ever.

Especially after the way she’d spilled her heart to him, let him hold her.

How was he ever going to leave Jonathon Island?

And yet, how could he stay? He was needed back in Los Angeles—if not by Dad, then by Travis, who had been blowing up his phone all weekend.

And Liam had nothing to show him because he hadn’t spent a lick of time on the Bertram proposal.

Speaking of Dad and work, he owed his father an update. They hadn’t spoken since Seb had agreed to move the date of the council meeting back a few days. He checked his watch. With the time difference, it was only about six-thirty p.m. for Dad. Kicking off his shoes, Liam settled back against the bed’s headboard and grabbed his phone, opening it to a video call. Then he dialed.

After a few rings, his father’s face appeared on the screen. “Liam! Good to see you, son.”

“Hi, Dad. You have a minute to talk?”

“I always have time for you.” His father swiveled in his office chair. Instead of being “home” in their hotel room or out at a restaurant, Dad was working. On a Sunday night. Liam shouldn’t be surprised.

“Just wanted to let you know that I’ll be here an extra few days. I hope that doesn’t throw our schedule off.”

“Everything all right?”

“Yeah, just some differences in opinion we’re working through.”

“Is old Seb giving you trouble?” His dad laughed, but it turned into a hacking cough. Dad lifted an extra-large Styrofoam cup from their local bodega and took a sip. It was likely filled with his favorite soda.

Liam held back a sigh. He needed to get back there soon. Or at the very least, text Marianne to beg her interference with Dad’s diet. Make sure he was eating more than takeout junk.

“No, Seb’s not giving me trouble.” He couldn’t help the smile that inched on to his face. “His niece, actually.”

“Is that so?” Dad raised an eyebrow, and amusement filled his features.

Not him too. “Nothing like that.” Not that he didn’twantit to be something like that. He did. But as much as Dani fit perfectly in his arms, she didn’t fit into his life. And he still couldn’t figure out a way not to break her heart—or his own—at the end of all this.

“So, is that okay? If I stay a bit longer?”

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