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“Fine,” he assured her. “The office needed a small clarification on my last report.” He smiled when her eyes went wide. “No big deal.”
She seemed to accept the explanation. At the very least, she didn’t pepper him with questions in front of her friend.
He paid for the flowers despite Nina’s offer to comp the bouquet and resumed their exploration of the town center.
“If you’re really trying to warm up Gram,” Lila said, “save the flowers for dinner tonight. She’s polite if customers bring in scents, but she’d expect me to train you better.”
He laughed. “I’ll earn more points if I don’t let you go in there at all.” Wrapping his arm around her waist, he ushered her along, hoping Connie got wind of his effort.
She shared stories about being a teenager in town and the history of various shops from the bookstore to the ice cream shop at the end of the block. Apparently Lila’s grandparents had packed an entire childhood into her last years as a kid, givingher traditions and memories that created the woman he was enjoying so much today.
“The food truck space is new, but it’s a smart move,” she said. “Not just the variety for the island locals. It fosters a connection with Charleston and that helps all of us.”
He hated to spoil the friendly mood, but he did need to speak with Jess and he wasn’t sure the office was within walking distance. “Mind if I make another call before we continue our Brookwell tour?”
“No.” She bit her lip, her gaze darting about the square. “Should I be concerned?”
“Not a bit,” he promised. He’d been keeping watch for any signs of the thief. At the moment, they seemed to be in the clear. Besides, Connor was monitoring the roadway and ferry dock and would give him a warning if necessary. “It won’t take long.”
She strolled a few paces away, toward the water fountain under the shade of a sprawling live oak tree, while he dialed Jess’s number. The introduction was quick and efficient. Jess offered him any support he might need, including in-person backup if the situation devolved. He appreciated that, especially after her years of service on the Key West police force.
“I’ve asked Connor to copy me on any alerts or issues,” she said. “I trust that’s not a problem?”
“The more the merrier,” he said. “I’d like to think I’m being paranoid,” he admitted.
“Somehow, I doubt that’s the issue.” She laughed softly. “I understand instincts. Trust yours. If you need anything, just call.”
“Thanks.”
Right now, he was more concerned about the older man who’d joined Lila under the tree. The man was older and in good shape for his heavy frame. Travis pegged him as early-to-mid fifties. Gray hair at his temples, crow’s feet at the corners of his brighteyes. Deep grooves bracketed his mouth when he smiled warmly at Lila.
Too warmly.
The greeting hadn’t been as direct or joyful as Lila’s reunion with Nina, but the hug had gone on a bit too long, in Travis’s opinion. “We’ll keep you in the loop,” he said to Jess while he watched his girlfriend—whoops, make thatfakegirlfriend—reconnect with this older guy.
“Sounds good.”
The call ended, he took a second to pull himself together. He had no business judging Lila or the man she was speaking with. The urgency thrumming in his blood was only about the protection detail. About keeping her safe. He didn’t envy the way she looked at this guy. Couldn’t.
It was absurd.
And yet, he struggled to smother the visceral reaction as he walked over to join them. Whoever this man was, he was too old for her.
Way to over-assume.He didn’t really know Lila’s preferences when it came to relationships. Couldn’t begin to define the type of man she might find appealing. They’d lived and worked in close proximity on the yacht, but that wasn’t exactly real or normal. They hadn’t ever spent time trading secrets or turn-ons.
Much to his dismay right now.
Pride and desire warred with common sense. She wasn’t his girlfriend. Was not. And even if he had been her true boyfriend, he couldn’t cave to this urge to destroy another man for smiling at her.
Lila was chattering away, her back to Travis, until the older man lifted his chin. Lila spun around, eyes still sparkling. Travis set his teeth, determined to be polite, no matter what was going on.
“Hey!” she said, slipping her hand around his arm. “Travis, this is Will Frasier. One of my favorite people in the world.” Her fingers squeezed his forearm. “Will, Travis Upton.”
Had she sensed his impulse to interrupt and behave badly? He stuck out his hand. “Pleased to meet you.” He forced his lips into a smile. “Lila’s been showing me around.”
“So I heard,” Will said. His handshake was strong and carried a warning that he cared for Lila. “Lila tells me you’re a new addition in her life.”
“It’s true,” Travis agreed. He looked down into her pretty face and the smile came more naturally, the tension in his shoulders relaxing. “On a personal level. We’ve worked together for months.”
