Page 27 of The One You Want

“Yeah. It’s twenty dollars just to stand up there and take in the view. And fine, I get it for the tourists. The hotel is really famous and the guests who are paying an arm and a leg to stay there should be able to enjoy the space without getting crowded out bydaytripers.”

I shook my head. “But they charge the same fee to residents—even if they work there. You could live here your whole life, right under that hotel standing guard up there on the bluff, and they won’t let you even step foot on theporchunless you paythem.”

Grant was silent and I wondered just how kindly he was thinking of them now. “Just about every business on this island offers a discount if you have a Lilac Bay driver’s license. The locals take care of each other, you know? But my grandparents won’t even let them come stand outside their door, even in the off-season.”

“I can see how that would botherpeople.”

It wasn’t just the stupid porch. “Every day in the summer, those ferry boats head back to the mainland after every shift at the hotel. And everyone who lives here can see it, all those employees going home. They don’t spend their money here. They take good jobs from the neighbors who are looking for work. Of course the locals are pissed at my grandparents. I don’t even blamethem.”

“But that’s not your fault, Jenny,” he saidgently.

I shook my head. “Maybe not. But I certainly benefit from their decisions, don’t I? And everyone here knowsit.”

“What does thatmean?”

I sighed. “It doesn’tmatter.”

“Of course it matters,” he pressed. “It’s how youfeel.”

“I’m spoiled rotten, Grant,” I finally blurted out, my voice bitter. “I have everything a person could want. You think I paid for that cushy condo right on the water myself? I had an amazing education most people would kill for. And I don’t even have to work! I can just sit around in my craft room messing with mybeads—”

“That isnotwhat you do,” he saidsharply.

“As far as anyone here is concerned it is,” I shoot back. “That’s how they see me, Grant. The spoiled girl with the trust fund from the assholeHillmans.”

“Then those people don’t know you, Jenny,” he said firmly. “So who cares how theyfeel?”

That was easy enough for him to say. He had lived here, what, three months? I’d been here most of my life and I still couldn’t find a place where Ifit.

“Can we drop it?” I asked, suddenly tired. “This whole week has been kind of shitty and I just…” I sighed. “I just want to think about somethingelse.”

“Sure,” he said, voice soft. “We should probably get you home. We need to be up early for the market tomorrow.” He stood, holding out his hand and I took it, letting him pull me to myfeet.

“So. Subject change?” he asked as we made our way along the waterfront to mycondo.

“Yes please.” Silence fell between us as I raked my mind for something not related to my grandparents. “Uh…Wanna tell me more aboutsoup?”

He tilted his head back and chuckled, the sound warm and rich, hitting me right in thechest.

“Come on,” I said, stopping to face him. “What are your top five flavors of soup? No, wait—best bowl of soup you ever ate. I know you’ve rankedthem.”

He pushed my shoulder and kept walking. “You’re on thin ice, Hillman,” he called over his shoulder, voice still filled withlaughter.

“You wanna talk about flowers instead?” I asked, hurrying to catch up. “’Cause I’ve been wondering what’s the best lullaby to sing to my petunias at night. What’s your professionalopinion?”

“You suck,” he laughed, slinging an arm around myshoulder.

Instead of stiffening again, this time I let myself lean into him, just a little. I was shocked by how good it felt. His body heat enveloping me, the weight of his arm over my shoulder. More than that, just being there with him. Having company on my way home, someone to talk to andtease.

It felt…easy. Natural. Most things in my life never felt thatway.

“Oh,” he said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen between us as we walked. “Here’s a subject change—I haven’t told you about my favorite fall holidayyet.”

“Thanksgiving?” Iguessed.

“Oh no. I am a Halloweenman.”

I snorted. “Why does this not surprise me? You probably dress up, don'tyou?”