Page 16 of The Grumpy Actor

“I’m just glad that the resort owner didn’t try to buy these houses and tear them down,” Liam mutters. “I’ve seen Royal Crest across other countries, and it seems like a company focused on redevelopment.”

I chuckle. “Well, the owner, Alexander Pierce, is a native of the town. Like everyone else, he loves the beach.”

Liam walks around one of the beach houses and continues down the sand. I follow him.

He stops, smiling at how quiet this side is after the bubbly part we just came from.

“Now, this is my favorite part of the beach,” I smile as I walk down to the flat rock dangerously close to the water. “I come here to get away from people and just read.”

And I’d been looking forward to doing that again today.

“I can see why you like it.”

I turn to Liam and find him staring at me with an unusual emotion in his eyes. He quickly looks away and clears his throat.

“I think I understand why the director specifically wanted to use this town. It suits the story quite well,” Liam says.

I grin. “Well, you haven’t even seen half of the town yet. There are so many more places to explore.”

Liam sighs. “Oh, really? I was hoping we’d stop here for the day.”

I roll my eyes at him and pass behind the rock to head back up to the resort property. I hear Liam’s footsteps behind me, and a shiver of excitement runs through me again.

This is crazy.

I continue to show him around town by taking him everywhere that’s seen as a tourist attraction—the park, flower field, and museum that houses every artifact showing the history of the people who once lived in Surfside Haven.

By the time we finish, the sun is setting and my stomach is grumbling with hunger.

We take a cab to my mom’s diner. The evening rush will be over, so the place will be practically empty now, and we can eat without being disturbed.

As the cab pulls up in front of the diner, Liam glares at me. “This isn’t the resort, Sophie.”

“I thought you might want to have a taste of our local dishes,” I say, opening the door and stepping out. I glance back at him. “Your tour wouldn’t be complete without trying the food at Grant’s Diner.”

Liam’s eyes widen as he glances up at the sign. I know he’s already figured out that it’s my family’s diner.

I used to be so crazy about Liam that I told him everything about my family and the diner we run. So he must remember…right?

Liam doesn’t say anything, just steps out of the car.

As we head inside, my mom and Lily, who are both at the counter looking through some receipts, snap their heads up.

Lily covers her mouth. “No way!”

“Sophie?” Mom says, a curious glance passing from me to Liam.

“We’re here to eat, Mom,” I say.

“Oh, great, take a seat,” Lily says, eagerly hurrying toward us. She points to the best table in the place. “Here.”

Liam nods and heads to the table.

“What would you like to eat, Liam?” Lily smiles. “You can try the Grant’s special. It’s a treat.”

“Please, just have a look at the menu,” I say, pushing it toward him as I sit down.

Liam pauses and smiles warmly at Lily. “Actually, I’ll have the Grant’s special.”

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