Page 10 of Grace on the Rocks

Would the airport refund their bag storage fee ifTeàrlachreturned them toGlasgowtonight?

Had she known he was a pilot when they met atDiego’swedding nine years ago?Wasthat why they’d sat in the back corner of the ballroom at some rich guy’s mansion, sipping virgin mojitos and making snarky comments about the bridal party all night?Asoutsiders among the fashionableLondonset, they had certainly found each other to be kindred spirits, but what were the odds of running into him here?

“Don’t worry about a thing,MissRivera,”Caitrionawas saying as she drove along the beautiful island road. “There’splenty of room.”

“How many rooms, exactly?”Wesleyasked cheerfully.

“Well.Justthe two bedrooms.ButRyan’srelated to half the island.We’llsort it out.”

“We don’t want to inconvenienceRyan,”Gracefound herself saying.

The name didn’t really suit him.Ryansshould be charismatic and fun.LikeRyanGosling.ExceptMr.Beewasn’t exactly bringing theKenergy.

“It’s no inconvenience.Andit would serve him right, showing up here unannounced after all this time.Areyou here for the festival?”

Wes chuckled. “Weabsolutely love a good festival, don’t weGray?”

“I’m here to write a book.”

“I see,”Caitrionasaid with a tone that implied the very opposite. “Whatsort of book?Oneof those travel diaries?” she asked, knitting her brow like she was worried about what sort of mention herB&Bmight receive given this whole scheduling kerfuffle.

“A young adult novel.”

“LikeTheHungerGames?” the woman asked, brightening, and this timeWessnorted.

“Slightly less sociopolitical.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place for inspiration.Ourwee island is very romantic and full of all sorts.Especiallyjust now.You’llhave to be sure and attend some of the special events while you’re here.Areyou a writer too?” she askedWes.

“No.I’ma frustrated interior designer on sabbatical from insurance at the moment.”

“I see,”Caitrionasaid again, sounding more confused than ever.

“I won this trip off the radio,”Graceexplained. “Sixdays and seven nights traveling around the whole ofScotland?—”

“Seven nights?Ihave you down for?—”

“Yes.Iprobably should have turned down the prize because my manuscript is massively overdue, but my friend convinced me to ask ifIcould stay in one place the whole time and work on my book.NPRagreed, and they saved so much money they extended our stay three extra weeks.”

“You’re a good friend,”CaitrionatoldWesley.

“It’s true,Iam.Notin this specific case, though.Thatwas our friendRebecca.Shehas the bad luck of being married to a raging narcissist.I’msimply the beneficiary of her bad luck.”

“I see…”

“Does it seem like all our friends are with narcissists?”Gracemurmured.

“Are you married,Caitriona?”Wesasked. “Toa narcissist?”

“Wes!”

“What?Asa writer, you must appreciate the value of field research.”

“Americans have such a sense of humor,”Caitrionasaid sounding like she’d never heard so much nonsense in her life. “Ohlook, the seals have come out to welcome you.”Shepointed to an inlet with a rocky beach just off the road, where dozens of seals were sunning themselves lazily on the sand.

“How fun,”Wesbreathed, squinting vaguely in the right direction, still adamantly refusing to put on her glasses even for the sake of the seals. “Arethey friendly?”

“Uh…”

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