Page 76 of Meet Me at the Grand

“Thank you, Seb. Everyone.” Liam’s voice had grown thick, and when he looked at Dani, she offered a wink and a sly smile. “It’s been an honor to work with you on this.”

The group finished drinking their cocoa and ate their cookies, talking about life as they headed back toward the golf carts.

Dani slipped closer to Liam. “We did it,” she whispered into his ear.

“We did.” And he didn’t care who was watching. Liam leaned down and kissed her. Just a peck—but a peck in front of prying eyes meant the whole town would see them as good as engaged by sundown.

But Liam didn’t care.

The measure had passed. Their plan had worked.

And as long as Dad approved, Liam was staying. At least until the project was done, which could be two years. And by then, well, who knew. Maybe he’d come to love this island as much as Dani did.

Maybe he already did.

When he pulled away from Dani, her cheeks were pink—maybe from embarrassment or maybe from the breeze that had kicked up. But when she headed down the steps and joined Tara, who took her by the arm and off a way, a huge grin on her face and head bent in to speak to Dani in low whispers, all Liam could think was how lucky he was.

Seb found his way to the steps, eyebrows lifted. “So, you and my niece, eh?”

Liam chuckled and leaned back against a post. “She’s an amazing woman.”

“That she is.”

The man glanced at where Dani stood beside the golf cart, now surrounded by both Tara and Martha. Probably fending off questions. Liam would rescue her, but she was smiling, so maybe she didn’t mind.

Then Seb faced him again. His expression sobered. “But how is this going to work, with you returning to California?”

“Well, that’s the thing.” Liam shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’d like to maybe stay, oversee the project. Or the first phase of it, anyway.”

“Would you now.” It wasn’t a question. But a smile tugged at the corners of Seb’s lips. “Elise was right then.”

“Isn’t she always?” Liam chuckled. “I still need to check in with my dad, make sure it’s all right. But yeah. I’d like to see what happens.”

“Just don’t break my niece’s heart. She’s had a rough go of it.”

“I know she has. And I won’t.” Liam swallowed hard, praying he could keep that promise. After all, he wasn’t anything special. But Dani was, and she was worth holding on to. Worth the effort. And now that it had worked out for him to stay here, he didn’t have to worry about long distance.

He could just focus onthem.

Only two things stood in his way: talking with Travis about being more behind the scenes on the Bertram project and putting in his official request with Dad.

“Speaking of that, I should make that phone call. Would you mind driving everyone back? I’ll walk myself over later.”

“Sure, sure.” Seb called to the group, told them to pile in. Then he turned back to Liam. “You’ve done great work here, Liam, and I know your dad will be proud.”

Before Liam could thank him, Seb was bounding down the steps, every bit as spry as a man twenty years his junior.

Dani joined him on the steps. “You’re not coming back?”

“I need to call my dad, let him know what’s going on.” He gave her another kiss, this time on the cheek. “But let’s celebrate tonight, yeah?”

“Okay. I can cook something.” When he raised an eyebrow, she smacked him, laughing. “Hey! I can cook. I just usually choose not to.”

“All right, I’ll give you a chance to prove it then. Your place? Six?”

“Sounds perfect.” She lifted up on her tiptoes and kissed him, this time long and sweet, a promise of so many good things to come. Then she was flitting off, waving. “See you then.”

Even from his perch on the gazebo, he could hear the group’s good-natured teasing as they pulled back down the drive, leaving him alone. A few birds called as they passed overhead, and a boat horn blew in the distance. Liam turned his face toward the sun and relished this feeling.

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