Delaney was a mystery to him. She burned up in his arms, hotter than before, but professed to want distance between them. The scandal was in the past and couldn’t hurt them any longer. But what did he want? Did he want to try again, have a relationship with her in Houston and him on the vineyard? He wasn’t that far away from Houston, only an hour or so down the coast, but what was their future? The old Delaney would never be caught dead working on a vineyard, only drinking the wine at an exclusive wine tasting. But the new Delaney? What would she do? Would she accept living away from Houston? Could she see herself ever moving away, or was she hoping to get back in and regain her old position? Was he jumping the gun, thinking of a future that would never happen?
He could give her that. He could return to the family business, take up the role his father wanted him to assume, and raise Delaney up again, prove to her she could trust him. Did he want to work in an office again, now that he’d had a taste of freedom? Or would he give up the vineyard for time with Delaney?
He balled up the paper bag and tossed it in the garbage. He stood and stretched, confident thoughts of his father had cooled his ardor. Something in his pocket rubbed against his skin. He reached in and pulled out a piece of sea glass, smoothed by the roughened seas, polished to a deep blue green. It had been thrown out, tossed about for who knew how long, buffeted by waves, water, other rocks and flotsam, to land back on the beach, hardened, tough, smooth and solid. Beautiful.
Just like Delaney.
When they first started coming to the island, he used to find pieces of sea glass for her collection. On his run that morning, it was automatic to stop and pick up the piece glinting in the early morning sun. He rubbed his thumb over it absently, never realizing how closely it resembled the woman he had found it for. He shoved it back into his pocket and stared at the water, contemplating his run back to the house.
He had to work off that damn bear claw, and he needed time to think about the next steps.
A voice hailed him from the parking lot. He turned as Wyatt trotted over from the coffee shop, a cup and bag in his hands.
“You’re getting an early start.”
Wyatt shrugged. “I needed a break.”
“We just got here. If you’re feeling that way already, it’s going to be a long week.” Sensing the brittleness beneath Wyatt’s tension, he changed the subject. “How’s UT look this season? Thank goodness we have a bye-week this week.”
Wyatt grinned. “No kidding. Matthew and Caroline really helped having the wedding on the week without a game. Otherwise, there’d be no way I could come down. Team looks strong. We have a solid sophomore for quarterback to replace Romero when he graduates. Pretty excited about this kid.”
Ethan sat back down and stretched his legs out. Wyatt settled next to him on the bench, pulling out an egg sandwich from the bag. They sat there chatting about football and players while Wyatt ate. Finally, he crumpled the bag and tossed it at the garbage bin, missing completely.
“Nice job, ace. You still have the arm.”
Wyatt scowled, but got up and scooped the bag into the receptacle. “Whatever. Too bad my knee is shot.” He sat back down and took a deep breath. “So, you and Delaney, huh?”
Ethan growled deep in his throat. “There is no me and Delaney.”
“Didn’t look like that to me, or anyone else, last night or even ten minutes ago. Sure looked like you were thinking of starting up again. Are you sure that’s wise?” Wyatt’s tone was casual, but he studied Ethan with too much intensity to be believed.
Ethan sighed. “I don’t know. A lot of time has passed. We’ve both changed, grown. Maybe things will be different.”
“Look, I like Delaney. Always have. But she ripped your heart out and stomped on it until it was a bloody mess. I was there. I saw you after. Are you so sure she won’t do that again?”
“I don’t know. I only know that I’m still attracted to her. I still want her. I might need to get her out of my system, have the closure I never had.”
“She’s like a wounded bird right now and you love riding to the rescue. Be sure you’re really ready for the consequences. She could bail on you again or you could both be hurt if you’re not in the same place.” Wyatt stood and stretched. “Just be careful.”
Ethan also stood. “I can handle it.”
“Maybe. But can she?” With that last statement, Wyatt headed off for the shops and coffee, leaving Ethan hearing the echo of his words with every step of his feet on the wet sand as he jogged back to the house.