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When Joanna went to use the restroom, Rory checked her phone. A text from Aria appeared that was the virtual equivalent of a screech.YOU AND GRANT?! I KNEW something was going on. Why wouldn’t you tell me?
Rory closed her eyes briefly. She wanted to avoid having to tell her family anything about what was going on with Grant, but now should she lie or tell them the truth? Whatwasthe truth, anyway? They were pretending, but last night had beenso not pretend.
Telling Aria the whole story could come back to bite Rory on the ass—her sister could keep a secret, but if Rory started saying one thing, and Grant another…and with the way gossip spread in this town, any number of variations could get back to Edward and Joanna.
Then what?
She finally responded with:What are you talking about?
PESKY LITTLE SISTER: Oh, please. Brooke saw Madeline when she was helping with the Harvest Festival prep, and Madeline dropped the bomb about your stuff in Grant’s bathroom or something and you guys living together?!
RORY: In case you forgot, I’m moving away right after Thanksgiving.
PLS: Way to avoid the issue. What is going on?
RORY: I’m staying in Grant’s cottage until I move. That’s all you need to know.
PLS: Srsly? You won’t even throw me a bone?
Rory shoved her phone back into her pocket as Joanna approached. Owing to his lack of connectivity, Grant was likely oblivious to the fact that they were now the hottest topic of gossip in town. He wouldn’t like it, either. As much a part of Bliss Cove as he’d become, everyone knew he fiercely guarded his privacy. Pretend or real.
“Edward says they’re back at the tavern.” Joanna slipped her purse over her shoulder. “Let’s go there, and then I’m sure you and Grant have work to do. We’ll meet you later for the festival.”
“Sounds good. Be sure to check the schedule of events so you won’t miss anything you want to see.”
They returned to the Mousehole, which was in the midst of the post-lunch lull. A few patrons still sat at the tables finishing their meals, and Grant and his father were at the bar. From the look of things, they weren’t being all buddy-buddy, but they weren’t at each other’s throats either.
“Hello, you two,” Joanna trilled, leaning in to kiss her husband’s cheek. “How was fishing?”
“Excellent.” Edward sipped his beer. He looked sunburned and tired, both of which gave him somewhat relaxed air that Rory hadn’t seen before now. Good fishing probably had something to do with that. Maybe so had making a strawberry rose and cooking breakfast for his wife again.
She glanced at Grant, who was working behind the bar. He met her gaze, his eyes crinkling with warmth. A pleasurable shiver rained down her spine.
She returned his smile with a quick, private one of her own. She wanted desperately to kiss him, to smell his windy, outdoors scent, but she didn’t know what the rules were about that kind of public display.
“Rory, Grant mentioned you’re researching software about urban planning and restoration.” Edward swiveled on the barstool to face her. “Tell me more.”
Though Rory hadn’t wanted to seem as if she were taking advantage of her relationship with Grant by seeking his father’s input, she figured it was okay if he offered. She explained about the redevelopment of Mariposa Street and showed Edward the list of functions Hunter and Studio Twenty-Five were looking for.
“Planning grids, 3D visualization, project history, document linking, and all this other stuff. They use several different programs, but want to find something more comprehensive.”
Edward studied the email. “Forward this to me, and I’ll look into it. Orion has a team working on a real estate app, so they might have a lead.”
“I’d appreciate that, thanks.”
As Edward turned back to Joanna, Rory slipped behind the bar to give Grant a squeeze around the waist.
“You hungry?” He patted her hip.
Considering she’d eaten a cup of broccoli soup and a garden salad for lunch, she was starving, but she shook her head. “Your mother and I just ate. But…er, actually, if you have a second, I wanted to go over the weekend plans with you.”
“Sure.” He glanced at his parents, who were sitting and talking together. Edward had his hand over Joanna’s. “Let’s go in the back.”
Rory followed him through the kitchen to the back door. As soon as they stepped outside, he hauled her close and kissed her. Sunlight burst through her veins at the hard press of his mouth, the possessive grip of his hands on her hips.
After kissing her so thoroughly that her whole body went soft, he lifted his head. Heat turned his green eyes molten.
“You want the bad news first or the good?” he asked.
