Until Then (Cape Harbor #2) - Heidi McLaughlin Page 0,92

wife or lie to Rennie. Graham would never be that type of man.

“I hate him,” she mumbled. Her words were garbled.

“I know you do, and you have every right to. I’m not judging you.” He would never judge her. She hadn’t judged him or his family when everything went down with Grady.

“Why did he do this to me?”

“I don’t know,” he said to her. “I was just asking myself the same thing.”

Rennie turned slightly in his arms. “Would you ever do something like this?”

Graham studied her red-rimmed eyes and smeared makeup. He didn’t care what she looked like—she would always be one of the most beautiful women he had ever known. She had strands of hair stuck to her face. Graham tucked them behind her ear and brought his hand down slowly from her ear to her neck.

“No, I would never do that to you.” He paused and wondered if she noticed how he singled her out. When she didn’t turn away, he added, “If I were lucky enough to find a woman who wanted to be with me, marry me, I’d do everything I could to make her the happiest woman alive, and if I wasn’t happy, I’d tell her. No one deserves to be cheated on.”

Graham felt this deep in his heart. Back in college, when he met Monica, he was torn in half by this growing love for her and his undying love for Rennie. He had to draw the line, decide on his future. As much as he wanted one with Rennie, he didn’t see it happening any time in the near future. Monica was there and present. He chose her, and while his heart ached for Rennie, he didn’t regret his decision. He and Rennie were as close as ever but miles apart when it came to life. He made a vow to Monica as her boyfriend and kept it. If things had been different, he likely would’ve asked Monica to marry him. He would’ve asked her if she’d moved with him as well, but they weren’t meant to be.

Rennie snuggled into Graham’s chest. He didn’t care that his sweatshirt would likely be covered with tearstains and makeup. All Graham cared about was Rennie. If this was what she needed, he would give it to her.

“You’re a good guy, Graham Cracker.”

Being a good guy was a great quality to have, but where did it get him? Apparently, on a boat in the middle of winter, holding a brokenhearted woman. He should be bothered. Incensed, really, that she expected him to drop everything for her. He was, in a sense, but it was how they worked—coming to each other’s aid—no questions asked.

Graham inhaled deeply, taking in the sea salt air. He looked out over the harbor, in the darkness, and wondered what was out there. They were close to where Austin’s boat capsized, and that got his mind wondering. Austin’s body had never been recovered. Was he out there? Did he have amnesia? Or had he been buried at sea? These were questions that also plagued Grady and yet were never answered.

Rennie shivered and brought Graham’s attention back to the forefront. He pulled her deeper into his hold to try and warm her. “We can go inside if you want,” he suggested.

“I don’t want to be alone.”

He nodded and stood. Once he had his sea legs, he helped Rennie up. “Come on.” Graham held her hand as they walked back into the galley. He locked up while she waited for him with his blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Graham motioned for her to go down the stairs, and he followed her to her bedroom. They both crawled under the covers, clothes and all, and he held her until they both fell asleep.

Graham stretched and opened his eyes to sunlight streaming through the room. He felt for Rennie, only to find her spot vacant and cold. He listened intently for her and could hear her shuffling around in the galley. She wasn’t crying—at least that was what he deduced—so he decided to close his eyes for another few minutes. He was on the cusp of falling back into a deep slumber when the smell of bacon made his stomach growl.

He sat up and moved until his feet were on the ground. He glanced at his attire, and his heart sank at the sight of the black smudges on his shirt. His friend was going through something terrible, and he didn’t know how to help her. Holding her