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Chapter 16
Rory wouldn’t have classified the Taylors’ visit to Bliss Cove asuneventful—in fact, the course of events had been more earth-shattering and mind-boggling than anything else she’d experienced in recent months—but there was no shocking revelation of her and Grant’s “once pretend” relationship. She cleared things up privately with Max, who wished her the best and was nicer than he probably should have been about the whole thing.
Joanna stocked up on Naked products to bring as gifts for her friends, they enjoyed all the activities on Rory’s itinerary, and Edward eased up on criticism of his son’s profession. Rory introduced Edward to Hunter, and over coffee and Chaos Cookies at Sugar Joy, the three of them talked about urban planning and property development technology.
When the morning of the Taylors’ departure arrived, Rory concluded that the visit had been a success all around, especially since Nathan and Alice were still enjoying their Indonesian honeymoon alone. They said their goodbyes, Grant and his father shaking hands stoically but not unpleasantly, and the Taylors headed back to the Bay Area.
For the next few days, Grant spent most of his time at the tavern catching up on all he’d missed and giving his employees time off. Rory set up her computer in the bedroom of his house and began fortifying her knowledge of Digicore’s recent projects and structures.
She tried very hard not to think about Joanna’s comment—or her advice—but the wordsin lovepopped around her mind like corn in a sizzling pan. But even if her heart had been leading her in that direction for a long time,lovewasn’t a feeling she could indulge in right now.
Since she’d missed last week’s get-together, she joined Aria and her friends on Friday night at the Mousehole for dinner and drinks.
“He really is a hottie.” Aria sipped her mojito as she eyed Grant behind the bar. “Madeline must be gnashing her teeth with jealousy.”
“Most single women are, from what I hear, not to mention a few married ones.” Brooke, reporter forThe Bliss Cove Gazette, followed her gaze. “Though a lot of people are amused by the fact that Rory Prescott is the one who finally cracked the Grant Taylor code.”
Rory was amused by that herself. “If we were newsworthy, that would make a great headline.”
“I just can’t believe I missed it.” Destiny shook her head mournfully and ate a bite of artichoke soup. “The Oracle cards are neverthatwrong. You and Max? What was I thinking? What was Idivining?”
She looked so distressed that Rory patted her arm in consolation. “It’s okay, Destiny.”
“What are you, a Scorpio?” Destiny squinted at her, gold eyeshadow glittering in the light of the table lantern. “And Grant is a Taurus. Ofcourse! You’re both fixed-quality signs of deep physical pleasure combined with the intensity of earth and water, and the sexual energy of Mars and Venus…well, I just need to turn in my intuitive card right now because I amhorrifiedat how badly I missed the mark.”
“You didn’t miss the mark.” Grant stopped by the table with a plate of pan-fried salmon, roasted asparagus, and crispy potatoes. “If you hadn’t sent Rory out with Max, she’d never have ricocheted off the date and landed right in my arms.”
He winked at Destiny, who grabbed her cloth napkin and began fanning herself. Aria and Brooke emitted simultaneous“awws.”
“As far as I’m concerned, it all worked out perfectly.” Grant set the plate in front of Rory, his gaze warm.
For the sake of maintaining her image, Rory started to roll her eyes. Then she gave up and smiled at him…because, really, there was no longer a point in pretendinganything.
“Well.” Destiny watched Grant as he walked back to the kitchen. “I still can’t believe I didn’t see it when you first came back to town, Rory.”
Rory turned her attention to her food, ignoring a rustle of discomfort. Part of her wished the same thing—that she and Grant had given in sooner so they’d have had many months together—but she also knew that life, fate, timing, luck, and even a bit of mysticism had all conspired to create this wild, tender leap into becoming…them.
Not that she would ever tell Destiny that.
“Hey, what’s going on with the Vitaphone?” Ready to turn the subject to something else, Rory glanced at Aria. “When is it going to be reopened for movies?”
“Christmas.” Her sister took out her phone and pulled up a calendar. “The Mortimers are planning a holiday movie series to celebrate the grand re-opening. Check your phone. I just emailed you the dates.”
“I’ll check later. I don’t have my phone.” Rory cut into the flaky, perfectly cooked salmon.
Silence fell. She glanced up. “What?”
Aria leaned forward, her mouth open. “You. Don’t. Have. Your. Phone.”
“No, I left it back at the house.” She frowned. “Why are you all staring at me like that?”
“Rory Prescott Forgets Phone.”Brooke spread her hands out as if she were framing the words. “Now that’s a headline.”
“Here’s another.” Eyes twinkling, Destiny lifted her wineglass.“Rory Prescott is Besotted.”
“And hungry.” With a scowl, she turned her attention back to her dinner.
Though Destiny was right, there was no way Rory would admit it.
