Page 28 of Embraced at Seaside
Despite the hot and cold signals Jana had tossed his way, she’d not only gotten under his skin, but she’d found her way into his heart. Not only had Hunter found his creative muse, but Jana had also inspired him in other, more important ways. He’d begun looking hard at the man he’d become, and while he was proud of his accomplishments, and his loyalty to family and friends ran deep, he also saw his faults. And where Jana was concerned, they didn’t look like mere fissures. He was staring at the freaking Grand Canyon. He was bound and determined to be the man she deserved. If she wanted romance and finesse, then she was going to get it.
Sometime later, with a cart of metal, he headed back into the shop.
“What’s all that?” Grayson asked as Hunter laid the metal out on the table.
Clark came through the doors to the shop and hollered back to them before Hunter could answer. “Do you mind if I take off?”
Hunter and Grayson exchanged a hopeful glance.
“Going to see Nina?” Grayson asked.
“Sort of.” Clark joined them by the machinery. “When we went out the other night, it made me realize how much I missed her, and how much I missed Billy.”
“That’s great, man,” Hunter said. He’d heard him on the phone late last night, and he’d been hoping they were patching things up.
“Yeah, I guess. It also made me realize how far we have to go. As a couple, I mean.” Clark rubbed the back of his neck and looked away for a moment before saying, “Nina made an appointment with a therapist in Yarmouth, and she wants to talk to each of us separately first, before we do any couples counseling. So I’m taking Billy out for a few hours.”
“That sounds like a great start.” Hunter was relieved. It sounded like his friend was on the right path. He went into his office, where he’d stowed the pieces he’d made last night. He’d only begun forging the metal for the body, but he could already feel it coming to life. He laid the pieces carefully on another worktable.
“Have fun with Billy,” he said to Clark.
Clark lifted his chin toward the table. “New project?”
“No. Just an idea for the competition.”
“Cool,” Clark said. “Can’t wait to see it. I’ll catch up with you tonight at your place, then.”
“I’ll be late,” Hunter said, eager to spend a few extra hours working on the sculpture.
Grayson lifted his eyes from where he was crouched before a shelf, picking through iron rods.
“Okay,” Clark said. “Catch ya later.”
Grayson rose to his feet. He ran a hand through his thick, dark hair and studied the pieces Hunter had already made. He lifted the piece of metal Hunter had been working with last night. The form hadn’t taken shape yet, but it was close enough that he knew Grayson would recognize where he was going with it.
“A woman’s stomach?” Gray cocked a brow. “Wow, and I thought you and Jana were just bed buddies.”
“Don’t call her that.” Hunter snagged the metal from his brother’s hand. “It’s just an idea I had.”
“To build yourself a woman?” Grayson teased. “I’m pretty sure she won’t do for you what a living, breathing woman will.”
Hunter ignored him.
Grayson laughed. “Okay, seriously. Tell me what’s going on, big bro. I thought you were ending things with Jana, and then you show up at the bonfire with her after searching ‘how to be romantic’ online.”
Hunter ran his hands over the smooth, cold metal and set it on the table as he chose the next piece. “It’s a dancer, from the thighs up. I see her with her head back, and I’m thinking about thin twisted strips for her hair, hanging down. No eyes, just lashes, nose, and mouth.” He pictured Jana in the studio, her head back, eyes closed, as she swayed to the music.
“Wow, dude. You’ve got it bad.” Grayson smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
“It’s a piece of art.” He wasn’t fooling anyone, least of all himself.
“She’s getting to you.”
Hunter leaned against the table. He crossed his arms and shook his head. “Shoot. She already has.”
Grayson laughed again.
“Seriously, Gray? What’s so funny?”
