Surfside Sisters(71)

Keely stood, too, and studied his face. “I don’t want you to leave.”

“I know. Me, too. But your mother is right inside.” Sebastian pulled her to him in a warm, friendly embrace. When he spoke, his breath ruffled through her hair. “We’ve got lots of issues to deal with. And now that you’re back here, we don’t have to rush. I don’t want a fantasy, Keely. I want a real life, and that takes time. And we’ve got time.”

He kissed her mouth. And pulled away from her when the kiss grew too intense.

“I’ve got to go.”

Keely walked Sebastian to his car, kissed him lightly, and waved at him as he drove away.

She returned to the house in a happy, dreamy mood. Her mother was once again in a television trance, but Keely left her alone. Eloise had been pleasant that evening, and she had tidied the kitchen. Great, Keely thought. I sound like I’m her mother.

    She returned to the patio, settled in a chair, and let her mind drift. The light was gone from the sky, but the moon was waning and the stars dotted the sky like freckles.

Her cell was on the table. When it buzzed, she jumped, startled out of her reverie.

“Hey,” a man said.

“Gray!”

“You sound surprised.”

“I think I am surprised. I’m just sitting out here, alone, stargazing.” Why did she tell him she was alone? Why did she feel relieved that she was alone right now?

“I’m going to surprise you even more.”

“My seatbelt is fastened.”

“I’m coming to the island.”

She sat up straight in her chair. “What? When?”

“The day after tomorrow. I’ve made my flight reservations, and don’t worry, I wouldn’t dream of imposing on you. I’ve got reservations at the White Elephant. A room with a view.”

“Well…yes, that’s one of the best hotels on the island.”

“Keely, you don’t sound happy about this.”

“I’m just surprised, Gray. And my mother is still…depressed, and I’m working hard on my book, I’m right in the middle of it, and I’ve got so much going on…”

“I’ve scheduled leave from the hospital. I can’t rearrange. I thought you’d be glad.”

“I’m not not glad,” Keely said weakly. “I’m just…I’m not sure how much time I’ll be able to spend with you, Gray.”

“Okay, how about this. I’ll let you have the days to yourself if you’ll be with me for dinner and the evening. And, if you like, part or all of the night.”

Keely stood up and paced around the patio. She felt angry and touched by Gray’s announcement. She was annoyed with herself, too. After all, she had phoned him just the other night after she saw Sebastian with the blonde. She had been affectionate and warm. She had talked as if she and Gray were a couple.

    Still, why hadn’t he called her first to find out if it was a good time for him to come to Nantucket? And would there ever be a good time for him to come to Nantucket? Should she tell him about Sebastian? Or would that be assuming too much too soon about her relationship with Sebastian? But even if things didn’t work out with her and Sebastian, did she really want a future with Gray? Could she truly love him? Marry him? Live with him?

“Are you still there, Keely?”

“Yes, sorry. I’m trying to remember my schedule for the next few days. Also, I have to check with my mother about her plans…Gray, let me call you back tomorrow.”

“Are you saying you don’t want me to come to Nantucket?”

“No. Maybe. I don’t know. It’s such a busy time…”

“Are you involved with Tommy again?”

“God, no! I haven’t set eyes on Tommy. I know I’ll have to see him sometime, but I don’t have feelings for him anymore, I promise.” As she spoke, Keely felt like a creep for talking about Tommy and not saying a word about Sebastian.

“I know what’s happened, Keely.”

“You do?” She stopped her pacing, suddenly overcome with guilt.

“You’ve fallen in love with the island again. You’ve become an island girl and turned your back on the city.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Keely said, grateful for his reasoning.

“That’s why I definitely need to come out there and remind you of all you’ve got waiting for you in the city.”

“Or, or, I could come in for a few days,” Keely said desperately.

“How soon?” Gray asked. “I really miss you, Keely.”

She nearly bent double with shame to hear such a reserved man speaking to her with honest emotion.

“I miss you, too, Gray.” She had to say that. She couldn’t not say that. If she were going to break it off with him, she couldn’t do it over the phone.

“I’m glad. Then I’m coming.”

    Keely tried to sound normal. “Gray, tell me what you’ve done this week, at the hospital, I mean.”

“It was a busy week. And a good one. I removed a tumor from a six-week-old boy. It was benign, thank God. I also repaired and rebuilt the face of a two-year-old who’d been in a car accident. And—” He sounded sure of himself, and yes, a bit smug, and he deserved his pride for changing the lives of such tiny human bodies.