Free Hoping for Love by Marie Force

surprise.”
    “It’s no problem.” Though he said what he thought she wanted to hear, everything about his body language told her this visit was a big problem for him. He sat and stretched out his long, tanned legs. “I really don’t expect you to pay me back. I was happy to help you out.”
    She forced her gaze off his muscular legs and onto his face. Her entire body was hot with embarrassment fueled by the awkward vibe he was putting out. “It’s important to me that I reimburse you.”
    He tilted his head and scowled playfully, which made her heart race and her palms sweat. “I’d say this puts us at a significant impasse.”
    Grace raised an eyebrow and set her chin mulishly to let him know she had no plans to back down.
    Laughing, he shook his head at her impudence.
    Grace was dumbstruck by those damned dimples.
    “Here we go.” Stephanie returned with chowder, silverware and crackers. “What can I get you to drink?”
    “Water would be great.” Grace stared at the huge bowl of chowder, knowing she’d be able to eat only a fraction of it and wondering how she’d leave the rest without appearing rude or ungrateful.
    Stephanie put a glass of ice water with lemon on the table and sat down to join them.
    Grant ended his phone call and took the fourth seat.
    Grace felt like a monkey during feeding time at the zoo with all eyes on her. She took a taste of the chowder and nearly moaned when the flavor exploded on her tongue. “Amazing.”
    Stephanie flushed with pleasure. “It’s Linda’s recipe. I just doctored it a bit.”
    “You’d better not let your pal Linda hear you say that, babe,” Grant said as he reached for Stephanie’s hand. “That’s an ancient family recipe you’re messing with.”
    Stephanie stuck her tongue out at Grant, which made his eyes heat with lust.
    Grace wondered if Evan’s eyes looked like that when he was aroused.
Stop it! You’re being ridiculous. What business is it of yours what his eyes look like when he’s turned on?
As she forced another taste of the savory soup past the growing lump in her throat, she noticed that Evan continued to stare at her while feigning interest in what Grant and Stephanie were saying.
    “How long are you here?” Stephanie asked.
    Grace watched Evan perk up with interest as he awaited her reply. “Only until Monday.” Did he look relieved, or was that her imagination?
    “We’ll have to go out or something,” Grant said. “Show you around the island.”
    Evan sent his brother a stricken look.
    As she blotted her mouth with a napkin, it became clear that Evan didn’t want her around, and she could certainly take a hint. “That’s really nice of you, Grant, and the chowder was delicious.” Withdrawing the hundred-dollar bill she owed Evan from her purse, she placed it on the table and put the peppershaker on top of it. “Thank you again for your kindness, Evan. It was great to meet you all.”
    Grace got up and walked out of the restaurant, reminding herself that she was beginning what she hoped would be a grand adventure. She didn’t need Evan McCarthy’s friendship to make her happy or complete. Pep talk aside, it was disappointing that he wasn’t who she’d thought, which shouldn’t surprise her in light of her recent experience with men. She’d nearly talked herself out of liking him in the first place when she heard him calling her name.
    “Grace! Wait! Hang on a second.”
    She turned to find him running up behind her.
    “What do you need, Evan?”
    He reached for her hand, put the bill in it and curled her fingers around it. “I don’t want that.”
    She grabbed his hand and pressed the bill into it. “Neither do I.”
    “Look, I was happy to help you out. I’m sure you would’ve done the same for me.” He took her hand again, more gently this time, and pressed the bill against her palm, holding it there with his own hand.
    The heat of his skin against hers made her throat close against a swell of emotion.