“Shit,” I muttered. I shouldn’t have agreed to go out with Colt when my heart wasn’t in it. He was such a nice guy. Well actually, several girls in Savannah would probably disagree with me, but he was nice to me. Too nice. I was leading him on, and I knew it. Even though I’d told him, repeatedly, I wasn’t ready for a serious relationship.
But a month ago, I’d capitulated. Well, I had agreed to go out to dinner with him. Like a date. One dinner. That had turned into a couple of other dinner occasions, taking me for lunch after I went to drop something at the admissions office at SCAD, going to a few movies, kayaking trips on Saturday mornings, and heck … we were basically dating. Or at least special-friending as Mrs. Weaton, my elderly tenant, called it. I snorted and rolled my eyes. I felt bad. It was exactly why I hadn’t asked him to help me out today.
The rain finally eased up as I turned off William Hilton Parkway toward Port Royal Plantation and made my way under the canopy of curvy live oaks that lined the main driveway.
“Is that it, then?” Colt asked as I brought the last piece, a base for the sculpture I had made, from the truck. His dark hair was cropped short, making him look a little like a marine.
I nodded. “I just have to do the install on a few pieces. This, for example,” I said heaving my load up slightly. “Thank you so much for helping, I know you probably have to get going.”
He rocked back on his heels and stuffed his fingers into the front pockets of his distressed khaki jeans. “I’d like to stay and watch, if that’s ok?” He looked at me questioningly.
“Uh, yeah, sure.”
“Then afterward I can buy you an early dinner at View 32.” He paused, trying to sound innocent. “Since we’re here and all.”
I shook my head as I laid down the piece I was holding, but I was smiling. He never gave up. “You don’t have to buy me dinner, but food would be good.”
He smirked with satisfaction and came close, sliding a hand around the back of my neck and depositing a kiss onto my forehead. And I swear, I swear, he inhaled just a little.
Pulling away, I elbowed him jovially in the ribs.
I worked fast, and then checked in with the events coordinator, Allison, before heading back to find Colt. I’d met Allison at my opening at the Picture This Gallery back in December. She’d invited me to be a part of this exhibit. Soon I’d be back here on Hilton Head Island for a black-tie cocktail party, with me as one of the star guests. It seemed totally surreal. And all my sweet friends in Butler Cove were raiding wedding rental companies for formal attire. Who knew what I was going to wear? It sent me into a flat panic every time it crossed my mind, so I tried not to let it. Now the party was just around the corner, and I was still dress-less.
Colt wasn’t where I left him, so I headed to the walkway deck then looked over the pool area and followed it toward the restaurant. I found him leaning on his elbows overlooking the beach and the ocean beyond.
“Hey,” I said coming up beside him and resting my arms next to his.
“Hey you,” he returned softly, bumping my shoulder.
We both fell silent watching the shadowed pool area as the sun lowered somewhere behind us. White ribbons flapped haphazardly in the sea air, the remnants of a wedding celebration tied to some wooden chairs near the beach.
I had yet to attend a wedding in my adult life, although I remembered going to one when I was nine with my parents in West Virginia. My mom’s high school best friend was getting married. My parents fought for the entire car trip there about something my young mind didn’t think to retain. They were stone cold silent for the entire ride home. I was looking forward to seeing some of my friends tie the knot in the years to come, happier occasions they’d be, I was sure.
Colt breathed in a loaded breath, bringing me back to the present. “This is a huge deal, Keri Ann. I don’t want to sound patronizing, but I’m so proud of you and what you’ve accomplished.” He angled his head to me.
I smiled self-consciously. “Thank you. It’s pretty cool, huh? I can’t quite get over it, really. I mean, I know this is just a hotel and not a New York Gallery, but this island gets over two million visitors a year, and I think they are promoting the heck out of this exhibition all summer long.” I shrugged my shoulders and felt the beat of heat in my cheeks.
Colt grinned. “Come on, let’s go get you fed.”
I watched him turn away to walk toward the restaurant entrance. “Colt?”
He turned back, eyebrows raised above bright blue eyes. “Yeah?”
“Thank you.” I clasped my fingers together nervously and looked away as I spoke. “It was good to have a friend here. You here,” I quickly amended and glanced at him. “Helping. Today was kind of a big day for me.”
Colt took an almost step toward me, then halted, like he’d purposely stopped himself. He shook his head and blew out a breath. “You’re welcome.”