“I was just wondering if I'd know anyone there.” Over the years, he'd meet some of Alec's relatives but not all of them.
“Sorry.” She shook her head as if to clear it. “That came out the wrong way. Leah and her brothers will be there with their families. Marilyn and Harrison will be there too. Marilyn is Jonathan's sister.”
“I met Alec's aunt and uncle at a Fourth of July party his dad and stepmom had. Alec's uncle was still a senator, so it was a while ago. I've never met Leah's brothers.”
“You'll get along with Brett and Curt. Leah's husband, Gavin, too.”
“I look forward to meeting them.”
Tory's lips curved into a slight frown again.
Now what did I say?
“Will we leave for Sanborn Island on Wednesday night?” she asked, rather than explain her displeasure.
“Early Wednesday afternoon, if we can. We can come back either Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. Up to you.”
“We don't need to decide right now. I don't remember what time dinner is at Jonathan's anyway.”
He might regret what he was about to say. “Is something wrong? You've been off ever since your dance with Grant.”
“Nope, everything is fine,” she answered, not quite meeting his gaze. “Listening to Grant tell me how perfect we are for each other with only three hours of sleep just got on my nerves. Thankfully, I won't see him again anytime soon now that the wedding is over and we're leaving tomorrow.”
It would get on his nerves, too, if he had to listen to Grant talk about anything, regardless of how much sleep he'd had the previous night. But he got the impression there was more behind Tory's mood today. But if she didn't want to share, he wouldn't push the matter. When she was ready, she'd tell him.
FOURTEEN
“What did I miss?”Gianna asked, following him into the room.
Duncan added his and Tory's jackets to the pile on the bed in the guest bedroom. The same room Gianna had called her own for years.
“You're going to have to be more specific, Gi.” They hadn't spoken in at least two weeks. And since he and Tory ended up not visiting when they'd been on the island, Duncan hadn't seen his cousin since the auction.
“I found Tory in the kitchen with my mom. You told me you were helping her out by going to Puerto Rico as her boyfriend. That was last week, so why is she here with you now?”
He'd always considered Gianna more than a cousin. She was more like a sister and good friend, all rolled into one. She knew him better than anyone, including Alec, and he considered Alec his best friend. He usually shared any significant changes in his life with her, including when he got into a new relationship. Duncan had intended to call Gianna this week so Tory's presence wouldn't surprise her or Alec, but he'd never gotten around to it. He thought Aunt Audrey would've said something to Gianna after he sent her a text message letting her know he was bringing a guest. Evidently, either she hadn't, or she'd failed to share a name with her daughter. Although it didn't matter, he wanted to know which it was.
“Your mom didn't tell you Tory was coming?”
“Last night, she mentioned you were bringing a girlfriend. I was going to call and ask what was up, but Alec distracted me. Afterward, it was too late.”
Duncan didn't need Gianna to elaborate on how Alec had distracted her. The slight blush did it for her.
“I don't believe for a second that she had nowhere else to go. Her parents aren't local, but she has plenty of relatives nearby that I'm sure invited her to join them.”
Yep, Gianna was right. Tory could've gone somewhere else today.
“She's here because I invited her.”
“Well, duh. I guessed that already, Einstein. So does that mean you're no longer pretending, or did you ask her here as a friend?”
It might be childish, but he enjoyed annoying Gianna too much to pass up a great opportunity like this. “What do you think?”
“I think you're intentionally being difficult.” Gianna crossed her arms and glared at him. “Out with it, or I'm not inviting you to the wedding.”
Duncan shrugged. “Well, Alec will, so I'm not worried about it. Speaking of the wedding, have you decided on a date?”
“Answer my question first, and then I'll answer yours.”