Page 119 of Grace on the Rocks

That night,GracethoughtBryan’sfamily would never leave.AfterJuleshad departed and most of the town dispersed,Caitriona,Elspeth, and their mother took over cleaning up from the party, whileGreatAuntieEilidhparked herself in the living room withBryan’sfather, where she gave a running commentary of everything she liked—and didn’t—about the renovation.Hercriticisms were mostly hilarious things likeguests would turn lazy, wanting to sit in the sun and read all day, andnow there was no escaping the view.Bryanseemed to take it all in stride.

Wes andEòghannhad wandered down the beach together, andLùcashad gone off with his band.Diegohad givenGracethe tightest hug ever to make up for all the ones they’d missed, and then he left too, alongsideJules, to catch a flight out withTeàrlachand then back toCalifornia.Heseemed so sad to be leaving already, but they made plans to meet up inNashvilleandAtlantalater in the summer, when his team played out east, andGraceagreed to spend the holidays with him and his family inLA.

She hadn’t realized quite how badly she had needed to see her big brother, and she ached watching him leave again so soon.Therehad been a brother-sized hole in her heart for so long she was almost surprised she hadn’t bled to death.Andwhat a joy to watch him turn into a kid again, goofing around with his old pals.Theexcitement in his eyes whenTeàrlachpromised to let him ride in the cockpit on their way back toGlasgow…

“Need to get back to your manuscript?”Bryanwhispered, resting against the counter, one arm around her as she leaned back against his chest, while they watched his irritating family prove their love to him by overstaying their welcome.

She shook her head. “Turnedit in this morning.”

“What?Wayto bury the lede,Rios.That’samazing,” he said, squeezing her tight. “Thatmeans—when do you leave?”

“This weekend,” she said, turning giddily to face him in time to see his eyes grow dark. “Ibelieve it meansIfinally have some time to relax,” she said, standing on tiptoe to kiss his bristly cheek.

“Get out,” he roared, and she jumped back, startled, until she realized he was looking at his family, who were staring back at him with more amusement than surprise.

“Please,” he amended ever so politely. “Thankyou for everything.I’llcome forSundaytea.Now, would you mind heading home?”

“Of course, love,” his mother said, making a sweeping gesture to herd everyone out. “I’llcook a field roast with all the trimmings.”

“Need a ride,Grace?”Caitrionaasked, just to be a devil.

“No,”Bryananswered for her, andCaitsnickered.

When they were alone at last,Gracesaid, “Youreally know how to clear a room,MacNeil.”

“One of my greatest talents,” he agreed.

“I can’t believe how much you’ve accomplished here.Youmust be exhausted.Ifyou want to be alone,Ican—” she made to follow his family, but he caught her wrist.

For a moment, her brain tried to make her panic.Whatif he expected too much?Whatwas the point when she was leaving so soon?Whatif?—

“I haven’t given you your gift yet,” he murmured.

“Oh, you haven’t?” she teased, but he shook his head solemnly and picked up his tablet from the counter behind her.

“Didn’t have time to wrap it,” he said, handing it over.

Puzzled,Graceopened the folio cover and peered down at the screen which lit up with a beautiful picture of a woman standing on a rocky promontory.Sheglanced up at him in confusion, and he was holding his breath, so she looked back down at the image in her hands.Thistime she noticed the fancy lettering:Finnbar.Thename of his distillery.Andthen:Graceon theRocks.

“It’s a label,” she realized aloud.

His face broke into the biggest smile she’d ever seen. “Formy first expression:Graceon theRocks.”

“It’s me?”

He laughed and nodded. “Lùcdrew it.”

“It’s gorgeous,” she breathed, running her fingers over it as though she could feel the embossed letters through the screen.

He took the tablet back and set it over to the side.

“Five days?” he asked, tilting his head to look into her eyes.

She nodded up at him, having long since kicked off her heels.

“Better make the most of it, then.”Helifted her onto the counter, poofy skirt and all, so she didn’t have to strain her neck looking up.Steppingbetween her knees, he kissed her softly but hungrily, as his tongue battled against hers like somehow she had set it free.

He ran his hands up and down her arms, causing wave after wave of goosebumps, stroked her cheek, cupped the back of her head, and all the while he kissed her, trailing fire over every nerve ending.Whenthey finally came up for air, he pressed his forehead to hers and asked, “Isthis okay?”

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