Page 103 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
And that makes sense. Since I was a kid, I had my heart set on getting out of this town for good, but after less than a week home, I’m already missing this place, and I haven’t even left yet.
As it turns out, being with my parents has been kind of amazing. And I don’t mind my mom fawning over me nearly as much as I expected. Then there was the fire.
After Three told everyone at the inn what was going on, the entire wedding entourage raced to the scene. The rest of the town poured in slowly. So many people, and so much support, the fire department had to put up blockades.
But the love was overwhelming. My heart’s still overflowing with the goodness of this town. Then there’s the fact that Kasey and Beau will probably be moving. I just want to be flexible about where I land going forward. Where Brady and I land together.
Sloane leans back against the couch. “What aboutyourjob?”
“Yeah.” I nod, mustering as much optimism as I can. “I’m planning to call the supervisor at St. Joe’s later today. I was just one of the new nurses he’d hired, and he told us they get new applicants all the time. So I’m hoping five or six months is plenty of notice for him to find someone to replace me.Ifhe needs to replace me. Which we’re not even sure about yet.”
“Hmm.” Sloane slouches closer to the screen again, eyes in a serious squint as she studies me. “No. I can tell. It’s written all over your face. You’re already sure about all of this. Mr. Gorgeous Graham has got you so, so gone.”
So, so much.
“You’re probably right.” No, Sloane isdefinitelyright. But being so, so gone for Brady isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s kind of the best thing ever. “He’s pretty great.” I shrug, and my skin flushes pink. I can feel the heat from my toes to my cheeks.
“You do look super happy,” Sloane says, still examining my face. “So are you planning to fly into LAX on Wednesday? We can talk more about all this then, if that’s cool with you. Right now, I’ve got some lesson planning to do. Then I’m meeting friends at the beach. This skin’s not gonna tan itself.”
My stomach does another flip-flop thinking about that flight. “Yes. I’m still flying in on Wednesday.”
“I can pick you up from the airport if you want.”
“Thanks, Sloane.” I smile at her. “That would be wonderful.”
“I’m pretty wonderful.”
“You are,” I say. “Thank youso, somuch.”
ChapterForty-Four
BRADY
As we cross The Beachfront’s lobby, I reach for Natalie’s hand. This is a thing I look forward to doing a whole lot more of in the future. Everyone else I asked to join us is already seated inside the pub.
Doc Swanson’s at one end of a big corner table. Mac’s taking up the other end. My mom and dad are in the high-backed chairs nearest the window.
“Hey, everyone,” I say. “Thanks so much for coming.” Oh, man. My heart’s already dancing in my chest. I steal a glance at Natalie, and she nods to reassure me. Then she sets a basket of fresh-baked muffins in front of Doc Swanson.
“For me?” he asks. His smile is tired. But still. He smiles.
“For you and Mrs. Swanson,” she says. “Just a little something from my mother.”
“Well, please tell her thanks from us. And help yourselves, everybody,” he says. “Wendy and I couldn’t eat all these if we tried.”
I pull out a chair for Natalie, then slide into the seat next to her. Looking around the table, imagining what’s about to happen, I’m gonna need more access to her hand.
“How are you holding up?” I ask Doc Swanson.
“We’re counting our blessings for sure.” He bobs his head. “Dr. Tinsdale—he’s got that practice over in Southampton—he kindly agreed to take care of our clients for now.”
“He’s a good man.”
“Yes, he is. And Wendy’s coming home later today.” Dr. Swanson shakes his head, mouth on an angle. “I mean she’s cominghere. They’ve got a real nice suite set up for us until we figure out our next steps.” He turns to Natalie, nodding at her. “But things could’ve been so much worse if it weren’t for this little lady here. We all owe you a debt of gratitude. Wendy and I. Willa. Gator. LuLu. All of their people.” His eyes wrinkle at the corners. “Everyone sure is grateful for what you did. Getting them out safe.”
Natalie presses a hand to her cheek. “You’ve already thanked me more than I deserve.”
Doc Swanson slides his gaze over to me. “And Wendy loves the flowers you sent her, son. They’re almost as beautiful as my wife. I’m not sure I had a chance to tell you that yet. Been kinda busy.” He chuckles, running a hand over his balding scalp. I’m kind of shocked the man can laugh at a time like this. “I brought them up to our room so they’ll be here when Wendy’s released. A little bright spot in her day. Anyway, she sends her thanks to you.”
