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Jake shanked a shot, and Gabe laughed. “Your game is going to hell.”
“Says the guy who struck out with my wife last year,” Jake razzed.
Gabe just shook his head. “And I still can’t sleep at night,” he teased back.
Grant frowned. “Wait . . . are you being serious?”
Both men looked at him then laughed. “Yeah, kind of,” Gabe said. “When Laura came back to town a while back, I made a run at her. We had our high school history, after all. Not like the band dork over here.” He hiked a thumb at Jake.
“Band dork who can play a clarinet while kicking your ass.”
It was clear the guys were still joking, but Grant really wanted to ask more questions. They’d all gone to school together and, at some point, had overcome differences. He wondered what having friends and a sense of belonging felt like.
“This is just incredible,” Grant said, leaning against the pool table.
“What’s that?” Jake asked, his massive arms bulging from his T-shirt when he placed his palms on the edge of the pool table.
“How you all know each other.”
Gabe laughed. “You make it sound like you grew up on Mars.”
“No, just very different. I can see why Hannah connects the way she does.”
Both men frowned and exchanged a glance. “Connects?” Gabe asked.
“Yeah, the first day I met her, she just had this kind of open personality that drew me in.” Gabe glanced down, and it concerned Grant. “You know Hannah in a different way?”
“Hannah has had a rough life,” Gabe said. “She’s tough, but she has a big vulnerability.”
Jake nodded.
“What do you mean? Her bar?”
Gabe shook his head. “Her dad. She has more patience and love than anyone I’ve ever known. But she’ll rip your balls off, too.”
Grant knew that to be true, but hearing this from people who’d known her since she was young made his heart rise in his chest. He wanted to know her like that. He was grateful he knew her in other ways. But Hannah kept what hurt her close, and Grant understood that. He just wanted to tap into that piece of her and learn her more.
Before he could get more info, Cal walked in.
“Hey, guys!” he called, weaving around the pool tables. He headed straight to Grant and shook his hand.
“Thanks so much for meeting me,” Cal said.
The soft sound of wind chimes sang from the door being opened and closed. A fresh dose of sea air wafted around. Grant could smell the saltwater taffy from the candy shop down the street on the breeze.
“Glad we could meet again,” he said. Cal placed his portfolio on the table next to Grant’s beer.
“Do you guys need another round?” Cal asked.
“I’m good, thanks,” Jake said.
“Me, too. How’s the building going?” Gabe said.
Cal smiled and tapped his portfolio. “Good. Grant and I have been chatting.”
“We’ve heard,” Jake said with a wink. “You’re giddier than you were on prom night before picking up Debbie Alberts.”
“Well, I am a handsome man,” Grant joked.
