Page 92 of Tempting Me

“Earlier this week, but again last night, and this morning after we woke up, we…” I scrunch my nose as I wait for the details to click into place with her.

Her eyes widen, and she slaps the countertop. “Yes. I knew it. Oh my gosh, finally. How was it? Good? I bet it was good.”

“It was.” I let out a sigh. “I’m ruined Grace. Ruined.”

“Ruined. God, I hope I can refer to sex that way someday.”

“I’m in this whole different world with him. I don’t worry about anything, and I just get to be me. I mean, Grace, the ideas he has for this place are so good. I finally found someone who believes in it as much as I do, and it’s a really nice feeling.”

“Hey, I believe in it.”

“You know what I mean. He’s here and helping me and adding to my ideas, and it’s like I have a little team that motivates me, and then when we aren't working we are ... well. I can't believe this is my life right now.”

“I love this for you.”

“I’d love it more if I didn’t have to keep everything a secret.”

“So don’t.”

“You know I can’t do that.”

“Well, you could,” she says and gives me that look. You know, the one that says I control my life and can do whatever I want because I'm a grown-up.

Nowhere does it say that I own The Marina, though, because I don't, and until I do, I can’t risk my parents selling it to someone else.

“Good morning.” Linc Collins strolls into the room as if it’s an everyday occurrence. He looks at Grace's breakfast plate. “I should start coming here for breakfast more often. I forget how stunning the view is.”

We all glance out the back window, and while they are enjoying the landscape, I’m trying to run through any positive reason Linc would be here in his work attire with his work bag slung over his shoulder.

I want to demand he leave, because his presence can’t mean anything good, but he’s only here to do his job, and I can’t fault him for that.

“What brings you in today?” I ask as calmly as I can.

He has no expression on his face when he says, “I’m getting pictures for your parents.”

“Pictures?” I repeat.

“They still haven't confirmed if they want to sell, but they want to be ready.”

I can’t believe this.

My parents have called Linc more than they have me in the last three weeks. I should be the one they share this information with first.

A heads-up would be nice.

“Sure. Make sure you get pictures of this dining room. It’s freshly remodeled.”

I stand with jerky movements and take my place behind the bar and cross my arms.

“If you want good pictures of the main hallway, comeback next week when I’m finished painting them. If you want a picture of the cabins, that will be another month.”

“Shay,” Grace says softly.

“I know you’re just doing your job, Linc, but this is … wrong.”

He nods and takes a step back.

“I’ll tell them my schedule is busy this week.”

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