“I stand corrected. But, yeah, they seem to be…well, I don’t know if it’s serious, but Lacey sure acts odd when she talks about him. Like she doesn’t quite believe it’s real, so I don’t know where this thing will go.”
“It could go to Jacksonville,” he said. “And so could your daughter.”
She made a face. “Or they can be yet another long-distance relationship, like Eli and Kate. Who will be here in just a few days, remember?”
He nodded. “I talked to Eli last night. Well, texted. He wanted to know if I’d be around much this summer, since he will obviously be working from Destin as much as he can if Kate decides to stay.”
She didn’t respond but stole another look, waiting for the rest of what Peter might say.Wouldhe be around? He’d made it clear after they’d mini-golfed that the decision depended on her.
And all she’d done since then was dance around the topic.
“I’m happy he’ll be here and have the summer with Kate,” he said, proving she wasn’t the only one doing the dancing. “If she stays.”
But he hadn’t answered ifhe’dbe here. “Are you staying?” she asked softly.
“For the Celebration of Life thing? If I’m invited. The boat will be crowded.”
And…more dancing.
He let out a breath and looked at the tree as if he already anticipated the sharp turn into Four Prong Lake at the next stop sign.
“Kate’s not sure if she’s going to spend the summer here,” she said, wanting to keep the conversation going just to see where it took them. “Emma has a job at the local yacht club in Ithaca and doesn’t want to come down here. But Kate’s ex-husband said he’d love to have both kids all summer, so I guess things are…falling into place.”
“Yep,” he said, strong-arming the olive tree when the massive pot rolled with her turn. “They’re falling into place for…other people.” He grabbed the tree trunk, grunting softly. “But you never answered my original question.”
Her heart tumbled around exactly like that tree. Now? He wanted her answernow?
“Which question?” she asked—as if she didn’t know.
“What self-respecting man cave has an olive tree instead of, you know, a…wine cellar or air hockey game or…whatever goes in a place like that?” He snorted. “I’ve never had such a luxury. My man cave doubles as a garage.”
“It’s for ambiance and my client liked the idea for his loft.”
“Hisloft.” He gave a knowing nod. “So not Fiona?”
“No…her brother, actually.”
He grinned, obviously having figured that out a while ago. “Maybe I didn’t realizeDanny’solive tree was part of the deal when I offered to help you.”
There it was—that name. Casual, harmless…but heavy enough to make her pulse skip.
“Would it have mattered?” she asked, keeping her gaze on the winding neighborhood road, pretending she didn’t catch the subtle weight behind Peter’s words.
“I guess it depends on”—he looked into the mirror again—“where things stand with you and the old—or, actually, not that old—hedge fund manager.”
“It stands that he’s my client, has a generous budget, and has given me free rein in the upstairs of his house.” She laughed softly. “Not sure that sounds…right.”
Peter looked amused. “So, strictly business?”
Was it? If so, Danny’s business was making her feelalivewhen she was around him—spontaneous and light, like the version of herself she used to be before life became all about responsibilities and expectations. They flirted and chatted, exchanged banter and teasing, and shared a whole lot of…attraction.
“Strictly business,” she said, praying it wasn’t a lie. They’d never kissed again after that first night, or talked about feelings. All they did was have fun—and plenty of it.
But then there was Peter. Solid, dependable Peter, who dropped everything to help her with this tree.
Two men. Two versions of herself.
And somehow, she didn’t know which one she wanted more or what to do at all.
