Page 32 of Halstead House

“It’s still where it belongs,” I confirmed.

Jonathan sighed and shook his head. “Ana, you’re killing me here. I’m just trying to get to know our new friend.”

“Well, get to know herslowly.” Ana’s voice held a note of warning, but her face remained open and cheerful as she jumped up and grabbed my hand. “Break’s over and Eliza is looking for you.”

I stood at once and smiled down at Jonathan. “Thanks for the conversation.”

Jonathan hurried to stand and gave me a warm look. “I hope we have the chance again.”

Neither Ana nor I said anything as we made our way back toward the house. My mind was racing, and my chest fluttered. I could see why Ana called Jonathan a catch. I just wasn’t sure if it was deserved or not. Then again, Ana would be the one to know.

Work in the house continued full steam for the rest of the day. I felt that same flutter in my chest whenever I was in the same room as Jonathan. I analyzed, over-analyzed, and obsessed over what he meant by all the looks and grins. When six o’clock rolled around and Eliza called quitting time for the day, I was so tied in knots I could hardly tell up from down.

Jonathan came to where I was standing in the dining room. I could tell by his stance that I was finally going to get some answers to my questions. “Grace, can I chat with you for just a second?” he asked. I nodded. “Outside, privately?” I nodded again.

I put down the vase I was holding and followed him through the entrance hall to the large front porch. He rubbed his hands on his pants and then shoved them in his pockets. He looked away from me, toward the street, the very picture of nonchalance. I waited.

“I’m wondering if I could take you out sometime?” he finally asked.

“Oh,” I whispered.

“You can’t tell me you didn’t see that coming,” he teased, turning to me.

“Uh, actually, no, I don’t, um...” I paused. It didn’t seem like the best idea to tell Jonathan that I never got asked out.

“Nothing big. Dinner some night after the wedding festivities are over.”

“I’m not sure,” I replied honestly.

“Is it because of what Ana said?” He shook his head and made a face. “Don’t listen to her. We’ve known each other forever. When you’ve lived on the same island long enough, you know how to get under someone’s skin.”

I didn’t respond immediately. I needed to think. From my professional career I’d always been told not to date co-workers. Yet Jonathan wasn’t really a co-worker. However, he was someone so free and open and flirtatious that I knew it would be a night of blushing and awkwardness for me. Then again, should I actually turn down the first date invitation I’d received in years?

“Well,” I finally began, taking a deep breath.

“Well?” He took a step closer, gazing at me with those sky blue eyes that looked oddly intent at the moment.

It wasn’t that it was bad, or there were warning bells suggesting danger. It was more like he had something in mind and I couldn’t begin to guess what it was. I didn’t understand the game, or the rules, at all.

His intensity sparked my own vulnerability, and I realized that I wasn’t ready to throw dating into the mix just yet. I was trying to stand on my own two feet, to figure out who I was, to see the truth about myself. Adding romance into that equation seemed like a recipe for disaster.

“Actually, I hope you don’t take this personally, but I’m not ready to date anyone just yet.” I spoke as honestly as I could.

“Bad relationship?” he asked sympathetically.

“Um, I suppose you could say that,” I replied. Technically, my relationship with my mother wasn’t a good one.

“I guess I’ll just have to hope I see you later then.”

I merely smiled and nodded as he hopped down the front stairs and turned toward the parking lot behind the mansion. Nerves tickled restlessly at my stomach, wondering if I’d made the right decision. On the one hand, I didn’t know anything about this man, other than he was attractive and apparently interested in me. On the other, well, should I be turning down date offers when I was only getting them... never?

I sat on the front steps and propped my elbows on my knees rather than returning inside immediately. I put my chin in my hands and thought about what a strange day it had been. Maybe Ana was right and clothing did have power. Either jeans were magical, or buttons were poison. The idea had merit. I’d have to keep testing it out.

I heard the front door open behind me, and I turned to see Lucas coming out. I hadn’t known he was around today. He was dressed immaculately in a pressed and tailored navy suit, pin straight tie, and shiny dress shoes. He looked as handsome as ever. I couldn’t help but notice the difference between how I reacted to him and how I’d felt around Jonathon. One was simply scary, the other was completely and overwhelmingly terrifying.

I turned to face the street again, expecting him to keep walking down the front steps. Instead he came to stand near me. I waited, but he remained silent.

“You on your way out?” I finally asked.