Secrets Whispered from the Sea - Emma St. Clair Page 0,47

imposter) was watching me, leaning back in his chair with his arms still crossed over his chest. His expression was amused. Maybe a little smug.

Dad and Chuck were talking about Dad’s research, and Nadia was nodding intently, as though she actually cared. Heck, maybe she did. Or maybe she was looking for an opportunity to jump in and make a segue to talk about beach yoga again. Meanwhile, the looks Alec and I were giving each other cut right through the conversation.

I tilted my head toward the painting across the room, then raised my eyebrows at Alec, as though to ask, Yours?

That satisfied smile I was coming to recognize all too well slid over his features and he shrugged. I swear, I could almost hear him answer. What can I say?

How were he and I having a silent conversation right now? If someone had jumped out with hidden cameras, it would have been less surprising than me feeling like I could carry on a silent conversation with Alec. And yet, that’s what was happening.

Alec flicked his eyes to Chuck and raised his eyebrows, like he was asking if we were really through.

I glanced at my ex, who still had a dusting of powdered sugar on his upper lip like a white pencil mustache. I almost giggled, biting my lip to hold back the sound. Alec’s eyes glinted with amusement when I glanced back at him.

I shook my head at Alec. It’s over.

He nodded in a way that seemed to say, Good.

I narrowed my eyes at him. What was he up to?

He shrugged, one corner of his mouth lifting ever so slightly. His eyes blinked innocently. Who, me?

I had never been able to do this with anyone. It felt strange, and also strangely normal. But it had limits. There were so many questions I wanted to ask that I definitely couldn’t convey silently. I wanted to know more about Alec’s painting, and if it was more of a hobby or another side to his varied business interests. I wanted to know why he cared if Chuck and I were over, and why he was still sitting at this table when he hardly knew me.

“I guess we better hit the road and give you two some time to talk,” Dad said, standing and looking at Chuck.

Chuck and Alec both stood, as did Nadia. My heart jumped with nerves. This whole thing had been awkward and strange, but I didn’t want to be left alone with Chuck. I had a feeling hashing out our relationship was in order, something I did not have any interest in doing. Or maybe he wanted to restart it, which I wanted even less.

Without meaning to, I cast a glance at Alec that I knew screamed, Help!

He nodded, like he totally got me. Which really sealed the deal that this might have been the strangest morning of my life. I was asking for help from a man I didn’t even want to talk to an hour ago. Not only that, but I was asking him with a look, and he totally got me.

“Thanks for the coffee,” Nadia said, giving me a hug with air kisses before taking Dad’s water glass and her untouched mug of coffee to the kitchen sink.

“Anytime,” I said. But call first next time, why don’t you?

“Hope to see you at yoga sometime, Alec. It was a pleasure to meet you,” Nadia said, giving him a quick squeeze and a kiss on both cheeks.

He made a noncommittal noise and pulled himself quickly from her embrace. She moved on to Chuck, who seemed uncomfortable with the same show of affection, but let her hug him anyway.

Not going to win any points with me being nice to that woman, buddy.

Chuck and Alec both tried to shake my father’s hand at the same time. Chuck won, and they shook heartily for longer than seemed necessary.

“It’s great to meet you both,” Chuck said. “I’ve heard so much about you over the years.”

Had he? I barely talked to him about my family, and definitely hadn’t mentioned Nadia. Alec shot me a glance. His eyes were narrowed, like his BS-meter had been alerted.

How was he doing this? Who was this man that seemed to read a room so well, and read me so well?

Dad glanced at me. “We’ve heard a lot about you as well, Chuck.”

Which was a total lie. I had barely told Dad that I was in a relationship. I hedged giving details to my family the same way