Taken aback, Drex was about to stammer an apology when Jasper looked beyond him and smiled. “Here’s Talia.”
Drex did an about-face.
A woman dressed all in white was coming up the steps that led from the galley, a tray of canapés balanced on her right palm. Hearing her name, she tilted her head back and looked up through the hatch, straight at Drex.
His stomach dropped like an anchor, because, in that instant, he knew: I’m so fucked.
As Talia cleared the doorway onto the deck, the tall stranger stepped forward. “You could use a hand.” He relieved her of the tray.
“Thank you.” The sun was behind him. She shielded her eyes against the glare to better see him. The bill of his cap cast his eyes in shadow, but his bristly jaw and smile were visible. He didn’t appear to be quite as “rough around the edges” as Jasper had described. “You must be our new neighbor.”
“Guilty.”
Jasper placed an arm across her shoulders. “Talia, this is Drex Easton. Drex, my wife.”
“Pleased to meet you, Drex.” She proffered her hand. He was holding the tray in his left, so his right hand was free to shake hers. It was a firm handshake, but not a bone-cruncher.
“Pleased to meet you, too, Talia.”
“Jasper told me about the pleasant dinner you had together.”
“It’s a shame you missed it. Your husband is an outstanding cook.”
“Which works out well, because I’m dreadful.”
“This doesn’t look dreadful.” He nodded down at the array of hors d’oeuvres on the tray.
“The deli,” she whispered.
“But the rémoulade for the shrimp salad is homemade,” Jasper said. “I whipped it up this morning.”
“And I recommend it highly,” she said.
Elaine got their attention by clapping her hands. “Gather ’round. I insist on everyone having at least one glass of Champagne.” She had filled four flutes and placed them on a cocktail table. “This is an occasion. We’ve made a new friend. Welcome, Drex.”
“Thank you. I’m glad to be here.”
Although he was the outsider, he looked at ease as he carried the tray to the table and set it in the center, then held out a chair for Elaine before seating himself.
“You forgot your hat, Talia.” Jasper came up behind her and placed her wide-brimmed straw hat on her head.
“Thank you. It wouldn’t have taken long for me to miss it.”
“Wise girl,” Elaine said to Drex. “She avoids sun exposure. Too late for me.”
“You acquire a gorgeous tan. I freckle,” Talia said.
“She’s practically a vampire,” Jasper said.
Affronted and embarrassed by his insensitive remark, she looked at the newcomer of the group, who was sitting directly across the table from her. He had slid on a pair of sunglasses, but she could tell that he was looking into her face, as though seeking the referred-to freckles.
What could have become an awkward moment was saved by Elaine, who prompted them to raise their glasses. She made a toast to everyone’s good health then turned her attention to Drex and began plying him with questions.
Jasper spoke quietly to her. “I believe I embarrassed you with the vampire comment. I’m sorry.”
“No harm done.”
He patted her hand, then turned toward the other two and joined their conversation. Talia was content to let it flow around her without being required to either lead it or participate to any great extent. The tedious hours she’d spent in O’Hare, the bumpy flight to Charleston, then the drive home from the airport had left her exhausted. Jasper didn’t wake up when she got into bed, for which she’d been relieved. It was his wont to ask for detailed accounts of her trips.