Page 81 of Meet Me at the Grand

But why did survival have to hurt like the dickens?

Dani stood on the ferry dock Friday morning, watching the first ferry of the day pulling away.

From afar, she’d seen Liam boarding it and hadn’t been able to stop herself from walking out here. Halfway hoping for a fairy-tale moment where Liam would realize the error of his ways and dash down the gangplank toward her, picking her up and twirling her around before kissing her senseless and living happily ever after.

The boat’s horn blew, signaling the boat’s departure, and a bitter wind signaled a turn back to the normal chill of the season. Dani turned from the water and tossed her empty coffee cup into a trash receptacle nearby. No matter how much her eyes burned, she would not shed another tear for a guy determined to leave her.

Time to get back to work—the perfect distraction.

“Dani!”

She glanced toward Ferry Street and found Aunt Elise approaching along the boardwalk in a blue sweatsuit along with Constance Franklin and Jack the town dog.

Dani waved and walked to greet them. Their cheeks were flushed, but their smiles as bright as the sun cutting through the mid-morning chill. “Morning, ladies.”

“Morning, dear.” Elise leaned in for a quick hug. She smelled of roses. “We were just getting in a walk together.”

“Fun! I’m headed back to work. Was just taking a break.”

“It’s a lovely day out, even with the drop in temperature. Can I walk with you?” Aunt Elise asked.

“Oh, I don’t want to interrupt you guys.”

Constance swatted the air. “I’ve got to skedaddle anyway. Mia’s got to work, so she’s dropping the grandkids with me.”

“Lucky.” Elise winked. “I get them Monday, though, so I guess I can’t complain.”

They laughed and exchanged a hug, and Constance hurried off toward her home behind downtown. Aunt Elise turned to Dani. “How are you, sweet niece of mine?”

“Fine.” Dani dropped to a squat and petted Jack, who sat like a little gentleman beside Elise, panting a bit. He gave her hand a lick, and his brown eyes studied her, a bit sad, almost like he knew something was wrong.

“Seb told me Liam is leaving.”

Dani’s hand stilled. “He just left.”

“It was quite a surprise to Seb,” Elise continued. “The last conversation he had with Liam just yesterday seemed to indicate he was planning to stay for a while.”

Dani gave Jack another pat before standing. “It was a surprise to me too.”

“How are you doing with that? Seb also seemed to think there might be something brewing between the two of you.”

She cleared her throat and forced a smile. “I’m doing fine. Liam and I decided…well, things just didn’t work out. But it’s okay.”

Her aunt just looked at her, those wise eyes saying more than her lips ever could.

“Really. Am I sad that things didn’t work out with Liam? Yes. But I’ll survive.” Dani swallowed against a thick throat. “I’m sorry. I should get back to work.”

“Do you mind if we take the long way around? I’d love to finish my walk and could use the company.”

No sense in arguing with her aunt. “Sure.”

They continued west down the boardwalk, where it would eventually meet up at the corner of Main Street and Lake Shore Drive, right by the public library and Martha’s diner.

A few moms and kids whizzed by them on their bikes, children waving as they went. Jack’s claws clicked on the wooden boards at their feet.

Aunt Elise stuck her hands into the pockets of her sweatshirt as they sauntered together. “I just wanted to say how proud I am of all the hard work you’ve put into the hotel project. It’s hard to believe after so many years of downturn, we finally have a plan to rebuild the island.”

“Thank you.”

---