Aiden stalked down the sidewalk to the beach, Mabel yipping at his heels. How could Grams do this to him? He’d finally gotten to a place where he wasn’t thinking about Felicity all the time, and Grams had to go behind his back and hire her.

His strides grew longer as he walked toward the shore. He did not need this in his life. Reminders of what happened five years ago. Reminders of what Felicity threw away so carelessly. They’d had something good together. Loved each other. She was the one who had walked away from it all, without even a glance back.

Mabel ran on top of the wet sand, her little feet going so fast they became a blur. “Watch it,” he said as a wave came in. Mabel barked at the water and ran from the foamy wave. He couldn’t help but smile at his dog.

Grams had rescued her from the pound before Aiden bought the resort. It had been a bad time in his life, and Grams had been trying to help. Much to his surprise, it had worked. Mabel was such a loveable dog, her good nature and lively spirit helped him get through it. And now Felicity was here, bringing all those horrible memories back with her.

Didn’t Grams realize what seeing Felicity would do? Anger tensed his shoulders and he leaned over, grabbed a large stick and threw it. Mabel ran and tried to pick it up but one end was too heavy. She tugged on it, dragging it, leaving a line in the wet sand. She wagged her whole body after she managed to get it back to him.

He rubbed her head and scratched under her chin. “Good girl.” He plopped down on the sandy beach, the sun warming his skin. This resort had been good for him. He needed to get away from the city. Away from everything that reminded him of Felicity. And now Grams had ruined it.

The thing was, he didn’t even know why she would do such a thing. He thought he’d been better lately. Sure, in the past, he’d been depressed. But he was starting to get his life back. He was happier. Still not ready to date again, but he had accepted that. He liked his life. There was nothing wrong with throwing yourself into your work. Plenty of men did it. Even married men.

He lay back, closed his eyes and listened to the sound of the water. Mabel barked at him for a moment to get up, but when he didn’t, she hopped on his chest and curled up. He stroked her fur and tried to get his emotions under control.

A shadow crossed over him and he peeked at who had disturbed him. Grams. She sat cross-legged beside him. “How are you doing?”

He wanted to snap at her, ask her how she thought he was doing, but guilt made him bite his tongue. Despite what she’d done, he loved his grandmother. He couldn’t imagine life without her. He rubbed Mabel’s head. “I never expected to see her again.”

“I know,” Grams said. “But it’s time.”

He sat up and Mabel jumped off him. “Time? For what? We’re not getting back together, if that’s what your brain has concocted.”

Grams sat silent.

“Grams?”

“You need to talk to her.”

Grams was delusional. “Whatever for? She left. She’s the one who wouldn’t take any of my phone calls, remember? She broke off all contact. And now that it’s been five years, what in the world would I want to talk to her about?”

A breeze blew, and Grams took in a deep breath. “You’ll know when the time comes.”

“The time for talking is long gone.” Aiden picked up a seashell and turned it over in his hand. The shell was cracked and looked like it would break in half if given the slightest pressure.

“In her mind, she was stood up at her own wedding,” Grams said quietly.

“I know, but if she had only listened, I would have explained everything. But no, she was too pig-headed to even talk to me.” He closed his hand around the shell and squeezed. It cracked. For some reason, that was satisfying to him.

“You hurt her deeply.”

“And how deeply did she hurt me, refusing to even talk to me? She destroyed me, Grams.” Pain shot through his palm, and he realized he was still squeezing the shell. He opened his hand and dropped the broken bits of white onto the sand. A quick check told him he hadn’t broken his skin.

“You were both hurt. But time heals those wounds. And talking it out will be healthy.” She reached out and took his chin, forcing him to look at her. “For both of you.”

Aiden sighed. His grandmother was not going to give up on this, he was sure of it. Maybe if he agreed to talk to Felicity, she’d get off his back. He knew it wouldn’t resolve anything, but Grams obviously wanted him to. He’d do it for her. “Fine. I’ll talk to her.”

Grams patted his shoulder. “I know you will.”

“But, let me do it in my own time, okay? I don’t want you imposing anything.”

Grams opened her mouth in mock shock. “Me?”

He chuckled. “Yes, you.”

She looked out at the ocean waves. “I wouldn’t dream of imposing anything upon you.” She stood and brushed off her outfit. “I’ve reserved us a table at the restaurant for six o’clock tonight. You can brood out here for a while, but I want you all done by the time we go to eat.”

Grams didn’t wait for him to respond. She left him sitting there in the sand. Aiden just shook his head. He was up against a formidable opponent. But two could play this game. He said he’d talk with Felicity, but he didn’t say when.

He’d just avoid Felicity until the week was up. Then he’d have a quick conversation with her, and it would be over.

Mabel barked at him until he stood up. “Come on, girl. Let’s go find a better stick.”

As he walked, he felt good about his plan. The trick would be keeping Grams from concocting her own plans.

***

FELICITY OPENED THE door to her villa and took in a breath. The house was amazing, with floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, and a stone fireplace in front of a cozy looking couch. A small kitchen with a window facing the tree-lined path was off to the left. There was a Jacuzzi in the bathroom, and the bed looked so comfortable she almost stopped to take a nap. Instead, she opened her suitcases and started unpacking. She almost had everything put away when a knock came on her door.

Who could that be? She walked into the living room and found a messenger at her door. “For you, ma’am.” The man handed her a note.

“Thank you.”

She unfolded it and read it.

I would be delighted if you could join me for dinner tonight. Please meet me at the restaurant at six. I’ll have a table reserved.

Phoebe

Dinner with Grams sounded wonderful, Felicity thought as she folded the note and slid it into her back pocket. This trip wouldn’t be ruined by Aiden. She was determined to enjoy her stay, and just avoid him. It was a large resort. They could both be there without running into each other all the time.

Felicity pulled out her phone and logged into the Wi-fi. Then she posted a message to her favorite Facebook group, GirlsRock. It was formed by her best friend, Amy. All the girls she hung out with in high school were in the group.

You won’t believe what happened. I arrived in Belize only to find out Aiden owns this resort! I almost died when I saw him. Actually, he almost died. He walked right into a signpost.

Amy posted an answer right away.

For real? I can’t believe that! What are you going to do?

I’m just going to avoid him and take the photos I’m hired to.

Several of the other girls posted comments. Felicity chatted for a few moments before logging off. It was fun to talk to Amy, but she had a job to do. Plus, who sat indoors on their phone when they were on a beach in Belize?

She stuffed her phone in her pocket and grabbed her camera. The afternoon sun warmed her as she walked around the villa for a while, taking preliminary photos and making plans for what she would photograph in the morning light. Her stomach growled and she looked at the clock. Time to get ready for dinner.

She wanted to get out of her travel clothes and take a shower, so she rummaged through the closet, looking for something that wasn’t too badly wrinkled. She settled on a pencil skirt and blouse.

The shower felt lovely, and soon she was dressed and ready to leave. She grabbed her camera and her purse and left her villa. The early evening breeze carried the salty smell of the sea. Her legs enjoyed the stretch as she walked and took more photos along the way. When she got to the restaurant, she told them she was meeting Phoebe.

“Yes, miss, right this way.” The man grabbed a menu, and she followed through the maze of tables and booths. When they stopped, she almost swallowed her tongue. Aiden sat at the table with Phoebe, and he looked amazing in a white dress shirt.

She blinked. What was he doing at the table? She’d gotten the impression it would be just her and Phoebe, and from the frown on his face, she realized Aiden had the same thoughts running through his head as well.

Phoebe was matchmaking again. Great.

Felicity sat down and gave Grams a tight smile.

The man who seated her handed her a menu. “Someone will be by shortly to take your drink orders.”

“Thank you,” Phoebe said.

Aiden gave Grams a stilted look. “When you invited me to dinner, I thought it would just be you and me, Grams.”

Wow. Rude, much? Felicity stiffened. “I was under the same impression.”

Grams gave them both a wide-eyed look. “Really? I wonder why.” She picked up her water glass and took a sip.

After they’d given their drink orders to the waitress, Gram’s phone went off. It sounded like an alarm. She looked at it then sighed. “I’m sorry, I have to go. You two stay and eat.”

Before either one of them could object, Grams bolted. Felicity glanced at Aiden, who was scowling at Gram’s retreating back.

Nice. This evening was turning out to be great.