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“It did not, no.”
“I’m sorry you had a rough night, but I think I’ll have the best breakfast to take your mind off it.”
“Thanks, Grey. Without you, this vacation would be terrible.”
He chuckled. “I think the same. I thought about you all night. I’ve been venting on you nonstop, basically using your guidance counselor skills to help my cause. I won’t talk about anything work-related today, I promise.”
“Oh, ha-ha. There’s not a chance that you can avoid work talk for a day when you’re literally here on a work retreat. Besides, you make it sound like you’re taking advantage of me. You’re not. I amalwayshelping people. All the time. Everywhere I go. At least, I try.”
“You do,” he replied. “You try so hard for everyone. But Rachel is losing her husband. You can be there for her, but you can’t grieve for her. She’s angry. Isn’t that one of the steps in the grief process?”
“You’re right. And I do know that, but …” she sighed.
“It’s probably hard to watch her fall apart and not be herself. It’s a powerless feeling.”
She nodded. “That’s just it. That’s why I totally understand what you’re going through, Grey. I know it’s not the same scale, but I do feel for you. I think you will turn that thunder and company around one day.”
“I hope you’re right.”
She shook her head. “Of course you will.” Thankfully, she changed the subject. “Where are you taking me this morning?”
“A restaurant on the beach,” he pointed at it off in the distance. “Apparently, it makes these insane breakfast crepe wraps.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing. Good thing I’m famished. I didn’t even know this restaurant served breakfast.”
“Lou gave me the tip when I ran into him last night.”
“If Lou recommended it, you know it’s going to be very good.”
The restaurant was actually more of a small, wall-less hut on the edge of the beach. The breeze came in from the water, cooling their legs as they sat at their table. The waitress brought over their coffees before taking their order.
“How long have you worked at the same school?”
“Since I graduated,” she answered with a grin. “I never thought I would stay there for so long, but I like it. It’s a school where I can make a lot of difference.”
Could this be his chance? “Would you ever …” he cleared his throat. Nope. Now was not the right time to ask this question.
Oh, come on!His dragon roared.Just ask her already. We’re both dying to know. Open your mouth and say, I want you to move to my city. Do it.
“Grey?” Kaia asked, pulling him away from the argument with the dragon in his head. “Are you okay? You zoned out there.”
“Sorry, love. I was just thinking about your students. They must miss you when you’re not at work.”
“They get by. There are other guidance counselors out there.”
“But not ones who have won awards,” he pointed out.Or ones who are as pretty and kind and sexy and sweet as you are.
The waitress chose that time to deliver their breakfasts. The white oval plates were loaded down with long, perfectly thin crepes from which an abundance of fruit and chocolate drizzle oozed. There was even whipped cream on the top.
Kaia’s eyes went wide, and her smile was adorable. “This isn’t breakfast. This is some kind of dream dessert.”
He threw his head back with a laugh. “Nope. It’s very much breakfast.”
She cut a bit off and slowly slipped it into her mouth. Her eyes closed in bliss. “Wow, this is the best thing I’ve ever had in my mouth.” She took another bite.
Grey could barely touch his meal because he was too mesmerized by the sight of Kaia eating her own. He never wanted to look away. He wanted to continue to watch her eat and moan and roll her eyes back.
The crepes were good, but Kaia was so much better.
