Page 24 of Hibiscus Heights (Crown Island #4)

G rant opened the door to Cuppa Jo’s, a vintage diner that was clearly the place to be. Laughter, chatter, and the aroma of hamburgers and fries spilled out. He remembered coming here with Deb years ago, although it looked different now.

A younger woman with short dark hair greeted him. “Welcome to Cuppa Jo’s. I’m Jo. How many?”

“Table for two.” Feeling nervous about tonight, he’d arrived fifteen minutes early. “I’m meeting someone here soon. Maybe you know Deb Whitaker?”

“Everyone on the island knows Deb,” Jo said, grinning. “I’ll seat you in my best booth.” She led the way through the crowd.

Cuppa Jo’s buzzed with the excitement of a Friday night. People in animated conversations packed the red vinyl booths.

Adrian, the owner of Regal Bikes, played guitar on a small stage area. As he strummed Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” song, Adrian recognized him and nodded.

Grant had rented bikes from him for the boys a few days ago at Regal Bikes. Adrian hadn’t remembered him from years ago, and Grant didn’t remind him. Now that his mother was buying a beach house, he would see Adrian about purchasing bikes for all of them.

Jo stopped beside a semi-circular booth and tapped a young guy who looked barely twenty on the shoulder. “Hey, would you guys sit at the bar? Deb is coming in. It’s worth a banana split to you.”

“Cool, let’s go.” He grabbed his girlfriend’s hand and slid out.

“You didn’t need to kick them out,” Grant said.

“Oh, yes, I did.” Jo laughed. “Deb’s a VIP around here. Besides, that’s my kid brother.”

Grant smiled at the small-town vibe going on here. “In that case, put their desserts on me.”

Jo put a hand on her hip, appraising him. “I like your style. What’s your name? I want to remember you.”

After introducing himself, Grant slid into the booth, facing the entrance so he could see Deb enter. A familiar discomfort tightened his shoulders. Even after three years, he felt awkward being alone in social situations.

It was hard to fit in when half of you was missing.

A server wearing a red-and-white striped shirt with a name tag placed two glasses of water on the table. “I’m Candy, and I’ll be taking care of you and Deb tonight. Do you need a menu?”

“Sure do,” Grant replied.

Candy handed one to him. “Thought so. You’re new around here, aren’t you?”

He didn’t want to bore her with his history, so he simply nodded. “We’ll be here for the rest of the summer.”

“Who’s we ?”

“I have two boys. You’ll probably see them here. They have big appetites.”

“We’re known for the best burgers and fries on the island.

Deb likes the avocado burger and the sweet potato fries.

Our fresh fish and chips, chili-cheese fries, and ice cream shakes are good, too.

Or if you’re health conscious, we serve green smoothies, salads with local produce, and vegan burgers. ”

Grant thanked her and studied the menu for a few moments, which gave him something to do. With Jen’s encouragement, he was starting to go out again, but it still felt odd to be on his own. He hoped Deb would arrive soon.

A few minutes later when she did, Grant caught his breath.

Deb paused in the doorway, scanning the crowd for him. He rose to meet her, but she saw him and cut through the crowd. She moved with the same easy confidence that had initially impressed him.

And it still did. His pulse quickened at the sight of her, just as it always had.

She was dressed casually in a pink knit top, white golf skirt, and sneakers.

She wasn’t trying to impress him. While her outfit wasn’t date wear, the short skirt showcased her long, toned legs.

After seeing her running on the beach, he’d thought about taking up running again.

Feeling a little self-conscious, he sucked in his abs.

The right woman will do that to you , he thought, mentally ordering new running shoes.

His khaki trousers, blue collared shirt, and loafers suddenly seemed a little overdressed. He blew out a breath to calm his nerves.

Sliding from the booth to meet her, he knocked over a glass. As water seeped across the table, he quickly grabbed the napkins Candy had left to sop it up. He already had one strike against him for clumsiness.

Feeling embarrassed, he said, “Oh, hi. You look well.”

Inwardly, he winced. How lame , he thought. He’d be talking about the weather next if he wasn’t careful. He needed to do better, especially if he was competing against the worldly Matteo.

Grant couldn’t begin to match the other man’s sophisticated accent. Jen told him about meeting Matteo. A little later that day, they were at the Library Bar when Matteo came in with Ryan Kingston to talk to the bartender about Matteo’s wines.

“Good to see you.” Deb slid into the opposite side, maintaining a distance between them.

“This place is packed tonight. Looks like a Friday night tradition.” He gestured toward Adrian. “The live music is nice.”

“Adrian has been playing here for years. Jo treats the local musicians well.” She motioned at Candy. “Where are the boys tonight?”

“They’re with my mom.” He paused, trying to read her noncommittal body language.

Definitely not a date. His shoulders sagged a little.

She laced her fingers and leaned forward. “How is Teddy doing on those crutches?”

Grant warmed to the genuine interest in her voice. “He’s fine, and I think he enjoys the attention. Looks like the wound will close well, just as Ella said. I sure appreciate your quick thinking.”

“I was glad to do it.” Deb started to say something, but she held back.

“April’s mother is as kind as I remember.”

“I was surprised you did.”

“I remember everything. Even this place.” His heart tightened, and he longed to reach for her hand.

“So do I,” she said, looking down. Her forehead furrowed slightly.

Before she could bring up his failure to contact her again, he leaned forward, taking a chance. “The boys talk a lot about you. You’ve made quite an impression on them.”

Deb’s expression softened in a way that surprised him. “They’re wonderful kids. Smart, curious, funny, well mannered. I know I didn’t think so at first, but you’re doing something right.”

He chuckled at that memory. “At times, I wonder if I’m enough for them. Kids don’t come with an owner’s manual.”

“I guess everyone makes it up as they go. But you’re their father, so that counts for a lot.”

Candy whisked to their table with another glass of water and a stack of napkins. Without commenting, she swept the soggy ones away, much to Grant’s relief.

Deb smiled at that. “Candy keeps this place running with Jo.”

“I can see that, and she gave me some recommendations.”

Candy’s smile was quick. “What can I get you two tonight?”

Deb didn’t hesitate. “A hamburger with Monterey Jack cheese, grilled Anaheim chiles, and extra avocado. And sweet potato fries with that garlic aioli Jo makes.”

Grant put down the menu. “Sounds good. I’ll have the same.”

After Candy left, Deb grinned. “You used to tease me about my big appetite.”

“I liked that about you.”

“Jo’s food is too good to pass up.” Deb’s laugh was easy for the first time since she’d arrived. “Remember when we used to hit that fish taco stand after surfing?”

“Those were the best. Is that place still around?”

“Sure is, and people still dance on the beach there. You should take Teddy and Mason there.”

The memories came more easily for him now, tinged with warmth rather than pain.

Grant relaxed in Deb’s presence while Adrian transitioned to a bluesy ballad.

This might be a good night, after all.

They fell into comfortable conversation about old times, talking about their friends’ beach parties where they’d roasted marshmallows over driftwood fires.

They reminisced about days spent surfing and exploring the nature reserve.

That summer they sailed around the island every chance they got and trained to run a marathon to raise funds for charity.

Deb sipped her water. “Running together was fun.”

“Maybe for you. You always won.”

“I was used to competing against older brothers.”

When their food arrived, Grant watched Deb attack her burger with the same enthusiasm he remembered. Nothing delicate or self-conscious about it. She was simply enjoying her meal.

People relaxed here. That’s what he remembered most about Crown Island.

Deb grinned at him. “You should bring the boys here for breakfast sometime. Although I promised them before their dad showed up.”

Grant had to know more about the intervening years. “You never wanted to have children of your own?”

Deb’s hand stilled halfway to her mouth, and she put her burger down. A pained expression flickered across her face.

“That’s not a question you should ask. You, of all people.”

He quickly realized his mistake, but now he was in deep. “I’m sorry. Did you ever marry?”

She shook her head. “Never got the timing right.”

“I didn’t mean?—”

“Look, I love kids. Never having children doesn’t mean not wanting them.” Her voice was steady, but Grant caught the underlying tension. “It’s not always a choice, but even if it is, you should respect that.”

Heat gathered around his neck. He wasn’t a caveman, so why was he acting like one? Nerves . “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…”

“It’s fine.” She met his gaze. “I’ve made peace with it. I’m close to April’s daughters, Junie and Maileah.”

The revelation hit him with unexpected force. If he’d called her, they might have married. They might have had children of their own.

This glimpse into her private heartache reminded him how much time had passed and how much life had happened between then and now.

“I had no idea,” he said quietly. “That was my fault, wasn’t it?”

“Don’t flatter yourself that you were the only man interested in me. I had other opportunities I could have taken advantage of.” She punctuated her words with a sweet potato fry, signaling the end of that conversation.

But he couldn’t let it go. “That was presumptuous of me, wasn’t it?”

“At least you realize that.” She shook her head. “Still, Mason and Teddy are lucky to have you.”

Their easy conversation stalled, and a fresh concern took root in him.

“The boys will miss you when they leave for school. I know that’s a few weeks off, but would you send them a postcard afterward?

Just to let them know you’re thinking of them.

It would mean the world to them, and I worry that leaving will be tough on them.

They haven’t had anyone like you in their lives in a long time. ”

Grant let his words trail off, hesitant to voice his fear. He could see the love for Deb in their eyes and knew another loss would hurt them.

Deb seemed to weigh that request. Finally, she said, “Our friendship doesn’t have to end when you leave. We can stay in touch. I know the boys would like that.”

At once, Grant sensed that she was protecting herself. He brushed his fingers against hers. “Maybe we all need each other a little right now.”

“We can make it a good summer for them.”

When she responded to his touch by linking a finger with his, Grant thought his heart would explode. This was enough of a beginning for him.

Adrian picked up the beat with an old Beach Boys song, “California Girls,” and the crowded diner burst into the chorus.

Relieved at the interruption in this emotionally charged conversation, Grant joined in, and Deb followed, snapping her fingers and swaying to the music like they had years ago.

When the song ended, their conversation drifted to lighter topics. After finishing their meal, Grant walked her outside.

Deb stopped by a row of colorful beach cruisers.

“Still riding around the island?” he asked.

“It’s easy, and I like it.”

Grant lifted her bike out for her, not that she couldn’t have done that. “I thought I’d buy bikes for the boys from Regal Bikes. For myself and my mother, too.”

Deb faced him with a thoughtful look in her eyes. “Then I’ll be seeing you around, I imagine.”

In the balmy night air filled with the sound of waves, Grant felt the weight of everything unsaid pressing between them.

“Thanks for meeting me,” he said. “I hope things are better between us now.”

She traced the bike’s handlebars. “It’s always good to catch up with old friends.”

A question sprang to mind and slipped out before he could stop himself. “Do you ever think about what might have happened if we’d managed to connect back then?”

Deb shook her head. “We were too young to have known what we wanted.”

“But we’re older now.” He placed his hand over hers.

Her fingers stilled under his touch. For a heartbeat, she didn’t pull away.

The old spark between them was growing stronger, though now it was tempered by experience. They had a chance. He could feel it.

Deb pulled back. “I should go.”

The rejection stung, but he understood the wisdom in it.

And then, on impulse, she stepped forward to give him a friendly hug. “Thanks for dinner.”

At the sudden touch of her skin, his heart nearly stopped.

Her arms lingered around him a little longer than necessary, her careful words and actions at odds.

He brought his arms around her waist and breathed in the sweet scent of her hair.

She still cares.

Finally, Deb pulled away and swung her leg over the bike. “Take care of yourself, Grant. And those sweet kids.”

He watched her cycle away, feeling more attracted to her than ever. The woman she’d become was everything he’d once glimpsed in her, now fully realized. Intelligent, strong, independent, compassionate.

And those legs, those lips…

He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. Was the distance between them too far to bridge? She was right about his leaving. Already, he cared too much to hurt her again.

Was a month long enough to change their lives? Wondering about that, he watched her figure disappear into the night.