Grady lets the statement hang, and the silence stretches, filled with the soft splash of water and the distant creak of boat rigging.
The hotel’s lights illuminate half of Grady’s face while shadows claim the rest. His hazel eyes catch glints of gold from the windows behind us, sharp with intelligence.
My collar constricts around my throat, but I resist the need to loosen it.
“The stars are clearer from the island,” I say, gesturing upward. A safe observation. Neutral territory.
“They are.” Grady’s free hand grips the balustrade. “Though I’m not sure the view is what drove you out here.”
“Sometimes crowded rooms overwhelm me. But don’t tell Quinn,” I say, infusing the words with the right amount of conspiratorial amusement. “I’d never live it down after all my pep talks this week.”
Grady turns to me, and the wind carries the scent of his cologne with notes of sandalwood and vanilla to me. Expensive but not showy. Like everything about Grady.
His brow furrows. “Are you okay, Leif?”
“I’m fine,” I lie. “The noise was just a bit much.”
“The noise.” He repeats the words as he studies me. “That must be it.”
I shift from one foot to the other. “Events like this drain me. I’m more comfortable with smaller groups.”
“Like our Saturday Market trips?” Grady offers.
I latch onto the lifeline. “Yes. Exactly like those.”
“But you stopped coming to the market.”
I flinch at the reminder. Yet another fear-triggered response, one that could have jeopardized my friendship with Grady. Andfor what? Carson is never going to leave. Avoiding Pinecrest was pointless.
Grady turns back to the harbor, affording me the dignity of composure. “The new dean seems nice.”
The words hang in the air like bait, and my pulse spikes, blood rushing in my ears. “I should head back to my hotel soon. It’s been a long day.”
“Of course.” Grady doesn’t push, but all the questions he won’t ask fill the silence, along with the answers I won’t volunteer.
“Quinn will be up early tomorrow,” I continue, feeling the need to give him excuses. “She wants to show Sprinkles the tide pools before breakfast. It’s a good thing Kyle is always up at dawn and agreed to come pick me up.”
Grady chuckles. “She’s always up for an adventure.”
“She is.” The words come easily, my affection for Quinn genuine.
Another silence stretches between us, filled with the sounds of the harbor night.
“Will you be at the Homestead for unpacking tomorrow?” Grady asks, finally. “I’m helping with the books.”
“As much as I can,” I hedge. “Quinn has a full schedule before school starts Monday.”
And I need to come up with a strategy. The game has changed, but the rules remain familiar. Carson taught me those rules himself, never imagining I would use them against him.
“I should go.” I straighten my cuffs to occupy my hands. “Will you give the Wrights my regards?”
Grady lets out a slow breath. “Of course.”
“Thank you.” I step back from the balustrade. “Enjoy the rest of the party.”
“Leif.” My name stops me before I can retreat further. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
The offer hovers in the space between us, but Grady can’t help with what he doesn’t understand, and I can’t explain without making a mess of Quinn’s future.