SALVAGE PRIDE

12

“Oh, I know! Such a shame. Hey, you want to walk a bit while it’s not too hot yet?”

“Absolutely. We could head down to the water. I haven’t had a chance to make it down there yet.” I hook my arm in hers, and we move in step toward the trees separating the lake and the house.

“Sorry to hear you ended up getting put to work.”

“Gia and I got to spend the day together yesterday, I had dinner with my dad last night, and now

I’m getting to spend time with you—I’d say that’s not so bad!”

She squeezes my arm in hers, and we grin at one another as though we’re still teenagers. I’ve made some good friends in the city, but something is special about a childhood friend who’s been there through braces and breakups from day one.

“Mr. Bishop told us to make sure we helped you all out if you need anything. Not that he has to tell us to do that, but he wanted to make sure we knew he wouldn’t need us at the house if something came up over at Hardwick.”

“I got to talk with him briefly yesterday. He seems very thoughtful.” I pay extra attention to how Grace responds. I’m curious about her opinion now that I’m seeing our neighbor in a new light.

“He’s exceptionally kind. His sister can be nasty, and I’m not sure why he tolerates her, but he’s great in every other way.” It seems Cora Bishop is universally disliked.

“Does Gia ever go over to the house?” I ask nonchalantly.

Grace slows and studies me from the corner of her eye. “I’m not sure what you mean. She sometimes drops cookies by for the kids. But I don’t see her over often.”

“I was just curious.”

“Well, I’ll say this. I have noticed when she and Mr. Bishop are together, they gravitate toward one another. His kids absolutely adore her. Do you think something is going on with them?” Her eyes brighten with romantic hopefulness.

“There’s nothing official between them, but I think Gia wishes there were.”

“Why doesn’t she make a move? She’s absolutely stunning, and he definitely likes her.”

I breathe deeply through my nose and resume our walk. “She’s convinced he’s out of her league.” Grace snorts, and we both start giggling.

“I’m sorry, but that’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. She’s so gorgeous with her golden hair and warm brown eyes. Her figure is to die for, and she’s so incredibly sweet. Why on earth wouldn’t he want her?”

“I agree. But some people don’t see themselves clearly.” I peer at her meaningfully. “Some people think that simply because they don’t have a lot of money or fit into a certain size of jeans that they aren’t good enough.” A single brow arches high on my forehead.

Grace shoots me a dry stare. “I get where you’re going with that, but I am no Gia.”

“You two aren’t the same person, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have just as many admirable qualities.” I raise my hands in surrender before I ruffle her feathers beyond repair. “I’ll stop there.

Just food for thought.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she says with a smirk.

We walk for several seconds in silence before I launch us into a new topic of conversation. One I’m hesitant to share but know of no one else who would fully comprehend my jumbled feelings on the matter.

“I ran into Z yesterday.”

All of us kids used to play together when we were young, though I was closer to the boys than Gia or Grace. She wasn’t as affected by Zeno’s transformation, but she consoled me through bouts of tears and knows what I went through. She knows about our years of awkward encounters and my endless frustrations, and unlike Gia, Grace will offer to help me spike his coffee with a laxative rather than lecture me about being understanding.

“And?” she prods.

“He would have incinerated me from existence if he could have. I just don’t get it. He looks at me like I killed his dog and hung its severed head on my wall, and every time we’re together, he finds a way to point out my family is nothing but staff. At this point, it’s hard for me to deny his arrogance. All I can figure is that he’s worried someone might think he has a relationship with the help.”

“What an ass.”

“No kidding. If he’s worried about me crushing on him, he’s got another thing coming. I wouldn’t date him if he was the last man on earth. Not after the way he’s behaved over the years.” We emerge at the waterfront and slow our pace to admire the sweeping view.

“Fortunately, you don’t have to put up with him for long. Once you’re back in the city, you can do whatever you want.” Her voice was edged with nervous excitement.

“Are you still considering moving?”

She bites her full bottom lip and nods. “I’ve crunched all the numbers, and it may take me a bit longer to finish saving the money, but I think I can do it. The biggest hurdle is the initial cost of getting over there and finding a job, but I’m almost ready. If I’d been better about saving over the years, I would already be hunting for apartments. Oh, well.”

I clap my hands and jump with excitement surging up inside me like little champagne bubbles. “Oh, Gracie. I’m so excited for you! Anything you need, just let me know. I’ll help you move or whatever you need.”

“Don’t get too excited yet. It’ll still be a while, but it’s in the works.” The tightness in her smile and the glimmer of nerves in her eyes speak to how desperately she wants this new adventure and how anxious she is about making it happen. Grace and I are both twenty-seven years old. If I were her, I’d be itching to get out of my parents’ house as well.