Page 77 of Meet Me at the Grand

He’d felt accomplished before, after a good pitch, but there was nothing like this. Because the success of this pitch meant he was finally coming home, maybe for the first time since Claremont.

Coming home to Jonathon Island.

To Dani.

And beyond that? Who knew? Maybe he’d spend the next two years here, and Dani’s family would return. Maybe they wouldn’t. But by the time the Grand project was wrapped up, he and Dani would know where they stood and whether their future would be together. And then that’s how they’d make decisions.

Together.

Liam pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Dad’s cell, fully expecting to get his voicemail and having to try Marianne at the front desk.

But then, Dad answered. “Hi, Liam.” There was something in his voice. A tremble?

“Hey, Dad. Everything okay?”

“Oh, yes. Nothing that can’t wait until you get home tomorrow. We can talk then.”

Talk then? “About what?” He swallowed. “Dad, what’s going on?”

“Liam, you were right. I’m not immortal.” Dad sighed. “And I think it’s time for me to retire after all.”

ChapterFourteen

This was really happening.

But instead of pinching herself, Dani practically floated around her small kitchen, tossing tomatoes and cut up cucumbers into a bowl of torn lettuce. The scent of garlic and mozzarella conjured an image of the Italian countryside, just like the one that had gotten this whole project rolling.

And she decided then and there. No matter what job she was working, she needed to get out more. To indulge her desire to travel. Because Liam was right. She’d been holding back, afraid that her family would see her traipsing around the world and think that she’d given up like the rest of them.

But they couldn’t think that now.

Her phone buzzed on the counter, and Dani wiped her hands on her apron, picking it up. A text from Dad:

Dad

So proud of you, honey.

Emboldened by the council’s approval, she’d emailed a copy of the slides to Dad and her siblings with the message:What I’ve been working on the last few weeks…

She dashed off a response to Dad’s text:

Dani

Thanks, Dad. It won’t be the exact same as before, but hopefully we can build something even better. Wish you were here to see it.

Three bubbles popped up in reply then disappeared. Finally, a message came through:

Dad

Have you told your mother yet?

Uh, no. Despite Uncle Seb’s promptings, Dani had no desire to open those old wounds. She was moving forward, not letting the past weigh her down anymore. “Way to ruin the moment, Dad.”

Roma mewed from the couch, and Dani sighed. Talking to her cat again.

But this time, she wasn’t doing it out of desperation or loneliness. Because right now, she was making dinner for the man she loved.

Yes, loved.

---