Page 18 of The Art of Loving Lacy
“That’s the Vanny I know,” Dane and Hugh said in unison.
“I guess your dad says that a lot?” Lacy asked. She watched the three of them, enjoying the way they teased one another. She noticed the glance that Dane and Hugh shared when they called Savannah Vanny, like they knew all her secrets.
“Dad just knows how to guide us well, and sometimes Savannah goes down the wrong trail. He nudges her back onto her path,” Dane explained. He lifted his glass toward Savannah and said, “You’re an amazing attorney, and just look at all the perks.”
Hugh said, “Connor Dean,” disguised as a cough.
Savannah sipped her wine and rolled her eyes.
“You know Connor Dean?TheConnor Dean?” Lacy asked.
“Yeah, we kinda date, on and off,” Savannah answered. She gathered her long hair in her hand and twisted it, then laid it over one shoulder—it sprung free of the twist and covered that side of her chest.
Lacy’s reaction to Connor sent jealousy slicing through Dane’s gut. He put a possessive arm around Lacy and pulled her close.
Lacy put a hand over his arm and squeezed, then brought his hand to her mouth and kissed it before placing it back around her belly. “So how did you go from saying you wanted to be the boss to being an attorney?” Lacy asked.
“My father said that was the only profession where I could use my manipulative skills for a good purpose.” Savannah laughed. “He’s so funny. Most people really don’t like attorneys, but he said if I went into the entertainment business, maybe I could help clean it up. And now I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
“What about you, Lacy? What do you do?” Hugh asked.
“Nothing quite as exciting as you all do. I’m an advertising executive for World Geographic. I work mostly with nonprofits, building brands and bringing companies to the public’s attention, engaging media outlets for features. I guess you could say that I pave the way for companies to make their mark.”
“Do you like it?” Hugh asked.
Dane noticed that Hugh was stepping out of his typical self-absorbed bubble, and he wondered why. His brother held Lacy’s eye contact, but he wasn’t measuring her up or flirting. Dane shot a glance at Savannah, who appeared to be eyeing Hugh with the same curiosity.
“I do. I love my work, my boss, and my coworkers. I’m really lucky, actually, and the promotion I’ve been working so hard for could be really exciting. I’ve been there a few years now, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else.”
They ate the sandwiches and fruit Dane had brought from the inn.
Hugh lifted the bottle of wine. “Another glass?” He filled Lacy’s and Savannah’s glasses without waiting for an answer.
“Not me, thanks. I’ve got to get this beauty home safely.” Dane winked at Lacy.
Savannah went to the railing. Her auburn hair blew across her face. She gathered her thick mane in one hand and drew it over one shoulder. “Dane, we’re in the middle of the water. Can you conjure up some sharks?”
“Conjure them up?” Dane asked. “This isn’t really a shark-seeking vessel. We have no chum, no equipment.”
“We could throw Savannah in. She’s chummy enough,” Hugh teased.
Dane watched Lacy furrow her brow. Her eyes darted from Hugh to Dane.
“This is merely a pleasure cruise,” he said easily.
“Oh, come on. Sharks are all over Monomoy Island because of the seals. Couldn’t we just head over and see what we see?”
Lacy’s face went sheet white.
LACY’S HANDS TREMBLED. She felt her breathing become shallow, and her body temperature dropped a notch.What the heck is happening?
“Lace?”
Dane?She felt everything around her fading away in the distance, like she was being sucked into a vacuum with no way to climb back out. She thought she opened her mouth but couldn’t be sure.
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and see a great white,” Savannah said.
Great white?Lacy’s throat tightened. She gripped the edge of the seat cushion so hard her knuckles turned white.
