Page 43 of Grace on the Rocks

“That’s like three million jobs back home.You’rebigger than…Microsoft.”

His brow furrowed like maybe that was too much pressure.

“If it doesn’t work out, you could always get a job as the spokesperson for these cheesy things,” she said, shoving another one indelicately into her mouth.

“Good, right?”

“Oh my god.WhenIhave to buy new pants,I’msending you the bill.”

He barked out a laugh, covering his mouth too late, and they both glanced towards the bedroom, hoping they hadn’t wokenWesley.

She shouldn’t have said that about her pants, as though she weren’t wearing any.Didn’tthey call underwearpantshere?Asweaty feeling ran overGrace, but when she looked back at him, his gaze was on the counter as he reached for a cheese straw himself, as though she hadn’t just mentioned pants like it was nothing.

Was it nothing?Wasshe just being ridiculous?

He looked younger with his eyes downcast and the shadowy summer light playing across his cheekbones, the residual smile of his unexpected laugh still gracing those fine lips.Asmile looked good on them.

The effect was ruined the moment he bit into one of the cheese straws and moaned lasciviously.

“You’re disgusting,” she said. “Ihope they push your distillery into the sea.”

He laughed again, but then his face grew taut. “Theymight.”

“Why do it, then?”

He frowned, and for a moment she worried she’d hit a little too close to home with the brusque question.

“What, follow my dream?” he asked in a sarcastic tone.

“Why do it here?” she elaborated. “Whenyou’re already fighting an uphill battle?Youhave aSisyphuscomplex or something?”

Why was she asking?Itwas none of her business what he did or didn’t do with his house and his ambition and his time.Shewas only here for a few weeks, and then she’d be back home straighteningPercyJacksonbooks on the school library shelves and reminding rebellious adolescents to spit out their gum.Butsince her novel felt a lot like rolling a boulder uphill too, she found herself desperate to know his answer.

He eyed her for a minute, like he might just tell her to fuck off back to bed, and she wasn’t sure she’d blame him.Butthen he slumped against the counter.

“I regret the manner of my leaving,” he finally said with a half shrug. “OurcousinAlecwent off to uni.AndTeàrlachwas sent toGlasgowfor treatment.Me,Ijust pissed off in a huff like a toddler having a tantrum and leftEòghannhere all on his own.Hedidn’t deserve that.”

Her heart did something funny at his admission, too chock full of too many feelings.She’dbeen the one left behind whenDiegowent away.Didhe ever feel guilty for following his dreams and leaving her to fend for herself inCatholicschool?

“He could’ve gone too, if he wanted,” she pointed out, offering her companion the same forgiveness she held space for in her heart.

“No.Hecouldn’t,” was all he replied. “Alec… never came back.”Heshrugged, frowning. “Ididn’t want to be like him anymore.”

“What was your tantrum about?”

He smiled ruefully and shook his head. “Whatwasn’t it?”Hestretched then, a thin line of hairy tummy peaking between his t-shirt and the waistband of his joggers, which set off a warmth inGrace’sown belly that she tried to ignore. “You’reoff the hook tomorrow,” he said, and she ought to have felt relieved instead of set aside. “It’sgetting crowded up there.Mountingthe rest is really a two-person job, andLùcneeds something to keep him out of trouble.”

Why did it please her so inordinately that he said two-person and not two-man?Ifhe’d saidman, she’d have snapped at him that she was as capable as any man, and then she’d have been stuck spending her day doing more manual labor instead of the job she came here to finish.

“It’s late,” he muttered, shoving off from his leaning perch. “Wouldn’twant to drop one of those panels on a council member.”

Grace snorted. “Asa renter,Ibetter not be held accountable if you do.”

“Och,I’lltell them it was all your idea so they let me off.”

She scowled at him, but he winked at her, and god damn that should be illegal.

“Night,Rios,” he murmured, and wandered back to his room, leaving her in a bit of a tangled tizzy.

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