Page 88 of Grace on the Rocks

“The pub’s still open.Ijust walked by.”

“I’m quite hammered.”

“Me too, fella.Bestkind of karaoke.”Shejumped to her feet. “KnowanyJohnPrine?”

“Of courseIknowJohnPrine,”Bryangrowled, rolling his eyes at her. “Iwasn’t raised on a desert island.”

Wes giggled and took his hands, pulling him up. “Comeon,StoicScot.Let’sget you out of those feelings.”

And because just about anything sounded better than stewing in his thoughts,BryanletWesleydrag him off to theThreePuffinsand put their names down for karaoke.

Half an hour later, after they’d sung both “FallinginLoveAgain” and “InSpiteofOurselves” to the amusement of the stragglers still hanging around until close,Bryan’smorale had actually improved.Maybeit was the spirits, maybe the silliness or just the singing, but he felt a little better.

Wes tilted her head at him and asked, “Sowhat rumors were you really fretting about?”

“Something along the lines of me being a whore.”

She laughed, choking on the beer she’d been nursing. “No, that’s new.Areyou?”

“Not really.”

“Did something happen withGrace?”

“Not really,” he said again.

Wes nodded slowly like she understood, andBryanfelt a bit shit for kissing and telling.

“You know inWhiteChristmas, whenVera-EllentellsDannyKayethatRosemaryClooneyis ‘a real slow mover’?AndDannyKayesays, ‘She’sin there with the champ’?”

“No…”

Welsey’s jaw dropped like she was shocked he’d never seen the old movie. “Somepeople’s kids!Areyou sure you didn’t grow up on a desert island?”

“Raised by puffins,” he laughed.

“Must have been!Listen,Bryan,” she said, taking his face in her hands. “Areyou listening to me?”

He took a deep breath. “I’mlistening.”

“Good.”Shelet go of his face and drew her own breath. “Graceis one of my best friends in the entire world.Maybethebest, but despite my bad influence, she’s kind of a little bit of a prude.It’snot her fault, and we love her for it, but it is a fact.Shehas trouble talking—even writing—about this stuff.Doyou understand whatI’mtelling you?”

Bryan nodded, because he supposed he did.Realdepth withGracewould take time, time he didn’t have, which is why you don’t get attached to tourists.

“No one thinks you’re a whore.NotevenGray.”

He nodded again.Trueor not, he appreciated hearing it.

“She might thinkI’mone.Idon’t know.I’mafraid to ask, honestly.”

He laughed at that.

“You have a good smile,StoicScot.Youshould let it out more.”

ChapterTwenty-Three

Somehow, despite tossing and turning in a broken, angry fluster for what seemed like hours,Gracewas asleep beforeWesever came to bed, and she woke with a start to find her friend already dressed and tying her shoes the next morning.

“You’re up early,”Gracesaid.

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