Until Then (Cape Harbor #2) - Heidi McLaughlin Page 0,99

the book, and when Graham saw the cover, he smiled. It was the book he had shown her, which featured his bar. The fact that she chose to read his book sent his heart soaring. “What’s going on?”

“This case against me. How will I know when they’re suing me?”

“My criminal law is rusty, which is why I’m going to ask my colleague Jefferson to help me again. But from what I remember, the other side needs evidence. You can’t just go to a lawyer and say, ‘I want to sue someone’ without having facts and evidence to back up your claim. I’ve seen the notes, and unless Donna is hiding information, that’s all there is so far—just her notes on what the client has told her.”

“How do I defend myself?”

“You’ll answer the claim in court, but before that happens, Jefferson, myself, and my private detective will know everything. When we face the judge, and they present their case, we’ll prove them otherwise.”

“Not gonna lie, Ren. I’m scared.”

She nodded and ran her fingers through his hair. “I know you are. Part of me thinks I should’ve waited to tell you, but I wanted you to be prepared.”

“I mean, I’m glad you did, but also I can’t believe you have a private detective.”

She laughed. “Yes. I use him a lot with my divorce cases.”

“Why?”

“Because spouses lie. They hide things that they shouldn’t.”

“You must see a lot of ugly in your world.”

Rennie shrugged. “I do.”

“Maybe this is why you’re so nonchalant about Theo?”

Rennie scooted a bit closer and placed her hand under her head and left her other one in between her and Graham. “I wouldn’t say I’m nonchalant about Theo, Graham. What you witnessed—that was me losing it because of what he did. However, when I think about him and why I’m not more upset, it’s because I fell out of love with him months ago and didn’t realize it. I’m hurt because he lied to me, and I don’t like liars. I’m angry because of the situation he put me in. But I’m not sad, because there is someone out there for me.”

Is that someone me? They had missed their chance years ago, and while there could be another opportunity now, he wouldn’t feel comfortable starting a relationship with her when her breakup was still so fresh.

“You’ll find the right guy, Ren. I’m sure of it.”

“I know I will, Graham Cracker.” Rennie closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Graham studied her until his own lids closed, and sleep took over.

When Graham woke, Rennie lay sprawled out on her stomach, with her hair fanned out. He had never spent any time looking at a woman’s hair and wondered what color Rennie classified her hair as. Growing up, she was blonde or dirty blonde, as he remembered her saying. Now, she had a variety of colors mixed in with her natural color. He saw some brown, a hint of red, and some shade between brown and blonde, which he was sure had some fancy name for it.

Graham felt around for his phone and found it down by his knee. They had been asleep for a couple of hours. It was clear after last night that Rennie needed it. Had Graham’s presence offered her some sort of peace? He liked to think it had.

He slowly rose and snuck out of the bedroom. Later, in the evening, they would head out to the bar and have a good time. Rennie had been right earlier when she said if they were in Cape Harbor, he would’ve called her and asked her to keep him company at the Whale Spout. That was how well she knew him.

Graham wanted to try and make New Year’s Eve special for Rennie. Regardless of their situation, she was still his best girl, and she deserved to have a special night. He left the boat, locking the door as he slid it shut, and jogged up the dock toward the store. He had an idea in mind but was also aware he was very late in the game to try and implement it. When he walked into the small market, there were a few other patrons in there. Thankfully and much to his surprise, he found exactly what he wanted, made his purchase, and headed back to the boat.

The boat showed no signs of life, which was a great relief to Graham. His goal was to pull this surprise off before Rennie woke. He unlocked and opened the door slowly,