Page 105 of Grace on the Rocks

“What does yourOB-GYNsay?”

Grace hid her face in the pillow. “Thatit’s normal for woman to find sex painful.”

“Then yourOB-GYNis a dick.Comeon,”Wessaid, unfolding from her perch on the edge of the bed and pullingGraceby the hand.

“Come where,”Gracemoaned into her pillow.

“We’re going out.”

Grace groaned louder in protest, but she washed her face and put on shoes.

When she had run away that afternoon, she’d textedWeswho showed up in the back of the sole island cab minutes later, a cab driven byBryan’ssisterElspeth, of all people.Toher credit,ElofferedGracea sympathetic shrug but didn’t say a word.Gracehad burst into tears the moment she sat down in the car, and she pretty much hadn’t stopped since.

“Pick up the pace, the whole town shuts down at five,”Wesurged.

“Pubs don’t,”Graceargued.

Wes didn’t respond.Insteadof stopping at the pub, she led the way to a general store with a bell that jingled jauntily as she threw open the door, andGracekind of wanted to rip the bell down and throw it into the sea.Howdare it jingle at her when she was miserable.

“Hi,Mal,”Wescalled, andBryan’smother came scurrying out of the back to tend the register.GodinHeaven, was nowhere safe from the damnedMacNeils?

“Nice to see you again,Wes!AndyouGrace,”MalviniaMacNeiladded, her smile flickering for a second as she took inGrace’stearstained face and scraggly hair.

Wes made straight forAisle2:PersonalCare.Sheflitted past the shelves of toothpaste and deodorant, hovering in the section chock full of condoms, snagging a few bottles beforeGracecould read the labels, and then she sidled back to the register.

“Mal,” she said in a low, conspiratorial stage whisper. “Haveyou by any chance got a vibrator for sale?”

IfGracecould have spontaneously combusted on the spot, she would have done so.Avibrator, for god’s sake?

“Only one brand,I’mafraid, dear,”Mrs.MacNeilanswered cheerfully, “but it’s the highest-rated one inScotland.”

“I’m sure it’s perfect,”Wesagreed.

“I keep them in back, so the kids won’t try to steal them and theKarenswon’t clutch their pearls.Justa tick,” she said, scurrying off to the back again.

Grace tried to speak, but her voice cracked immediately like an adolescent child. “Youreally just did that?”

“Somebody had to.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s not true.”

“Trust me.”

“Wes,Idon’t think?—”

“Shut up,”Wessaid. “Mytreat.Happybirthday.Ifyou hate it, give it back to me.”

Grimacing at the idea,Gracecouldn’t decide which was worse—her best friend buying her a sex toy, or her giving it back in disgrace.

“I know they always say the best way to get over a man is to get under one, but in my opinion, the best way is to take care of things yourself.”

Grace literally wanted to die.

How high was the heat turned on in this store?Sheneeded to sit down.Herears were buzzing, and—oh no.Shefelt like she was going to faint, and this time she wasn’t overreacting.Sheswayed a little and put her hand on the counter to steady herself.

“When’s the last time you ate?”Wesasked, and she sounded far away.

“Don’t remember.”Gracetried to catch her breath, but her lungs didn’t want to cooperate.Theedges of her vision were starting to get black, like the storm clouds rolling in off the bay.

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