I'm working on tone. He sat. Clare took the chair across from him. For several seconds, neither spoke. Then Grant nodded toward the menu.
The chowder's good. Excellent. I was worried we'd have nothing to talk about. He almost smiled. Almost.
A server appeared with two champagne glasses. Clare froze. Compliments of the inn. The woman said brightly. For the honeymoon couple.
Grant closed his eyes. Clare looked toward the ceiling. Does this place have a department dedicated to emotional accuracy? The server's smile weakened. Grant cleared his throat.
The reservation still has both our names. Of course it does. We can send these back. Clare picked up one glass. Absolutely not.
I've lost enough this month. The server escaped. Grant watched her take a sip. You came? So did you.
I thought you canled. I thought you canled. They stared at each other. Clare set down the glass. Well, this feels efficient.
Grant looked toward the harbor again. I got the reminder email last week. So did I. I almost deleted it. Clare waited.
I didn't want the trip to become another thing that never happened. That landed more softly than she wanted it to because she had told herself almost the same thing. Not in those words. Her version involved non-refundable deposits and principles, but still. Grant rubbed his thumb against the edge of the menu.
I figured you wouldn't come. I figured you wouldn't. Apparently, we still agree on something poorly. This time he smiled. Clare hated that it still looked familiar.
Dinner arrived. For a while they discussed safe things, the weather, the drive. A lobster boat Grant had nearly followed into the wrong parking lot. It was almost normal. That was worse than fighting.
Halfway through dinner, the server returned carrying a small chocolate cake with happy honeymoon written across the plate. Clare stared at it. Grant stared at it. The server slowly backed away. Clare picked up a fork.
Grant raised an eyebrow. What? You're eating it? I refuse to let this relationship ruin chocolate, too. He handed her the second fork.
I thought you said this wasn't a relationship. Don't get ambitious. Grant laughed. It surprised both of them. Then the quiet returned.
He looked at her carefully. We don't have to spend the week hiding from each other. Clare put down her fork. We're not spending it together either. I didn't say that.
You were about to. I was going to say we could be adults. We were supposed to get married two days ago. I think adulthood has had enough opportunities. Grant leaned back.
Fair. Outside, the wind had picked up by the time Clare left the dining room. She stepped onto the veranda and found Mason near the railing holding Lily's jacket while Lily argued with a vending machine inside. Mason glanced at Clare. How bad?