Chapter 3
to hide her annoyance.
“I’ve already offered Alec the job,” Stewart said, his eyes level with hers and unflinching. Stewart Smith’s love of the ocean was vast, almost child-like in its enthusiasm, but he hadn’t earned his position at CMI without a backbone of steel.
A frown crept onto Grace’s face. “I thought you said I could have final approval.”
Stewart tempered his gaze, the wrinkles around his eyes relaxing. He was seventy-five, but he appeared as young and fit as a fifty-year-old. “I did,” he replied, “but your second and third choices are no longer available, and truthfully, he’s far and above the best there is. You sound almost suspicious of him. Is there something you haven’t told me?”
Despite feeling the effects of the tequila shot, a voice of reason cautioned her to remain silent. If she stated her reason—that Alec knew Brad, and Brad had proven to be a heartless backstabber, and by association she’d developed an immediate distrust of Galloway—she would sound like a woman scorned. The last thing she wanted was to appear unprofessional to her colleague and mentor. Besides, Stewart had agreed to keep her recent employment contract negotiation with the CMI board confidential, even allowing her the added insurance of an attorney present. He’d already jumped through hoops for her.
Pick your battles, Gracie, her father would say. Always keep your eye on the buoy in the distance and not the hell-fight in your own backyard.
“No.” She took a settling breath. “I had no idea you thought so highly of him.”
“I do. I’ve known his family for a long time. His uncle, Simon Galloway, is a philanthropic powerhouse, and I won’t lie—I’m hoping for a bit of funding to be thrown our way. Alec’s parents, Jim and Lily, are good people, and their children are as well. Alec’s younger brother, Tyler, is a promising mountaineer and writer, and his sister, Brynn, is an archaeologist. I think Alec will do a great job for us.” Stewart paused and cleared his throat, amusement in his gaze. “Maybe you’re worried that you’ll fall in love with him.”
She laughed to deflect his ridiculous statement. Never mind that Alec Galloway was proving to be a fascinating package. But fascinating had led to misjudgment before, and Grace liked to think she was smarter these days.
She’d fallen for Brad in the beginning, and what a stupid mistake that had been. She had no intention of a repeat, especially not now, when she was so close to getting the sonar array off the ground.
Even a man as attractive as Alec Galloway couldn’t compete with her work.
“You know me better than that,” she said. “And I’m sure he has a sweetheart, or two or three, somewhere.”
He sighed. “I do know you. And he’s single. Perhaps a little fling is just the ticket.”
“Why would you say that?” Her face heated. Had she leaned too much on Stewart this past year, as a daughter might a father? It had been eight years since losing her dad, but there were still days where it felt as raw and painful as if it had just happened. She couldn’t deny that she’d grown attached to Stewart and his wife, Helen.
“You work too much. You seem so stressed much of the time.”
“I like to work. It’s important to me.” It was important to Dad.
He nodded. “I know, but you’re a beautiful woman who is spending her life alone.”
She and Brad had broken up before either of them had come to work at CMI, and thankfully, Brad had been as determined as she to keep their past dead and buried.
Stewart knew of her professional issues with Brad, but did he know the rest? He’d never said anything directly to her, even if idle gossip had reached his ear. But if he knew, then why on earth was he suggesting she take up with Galloway? Was Stewart trying to sabotage her career?
She shook off that thought. “And you think a man who travels the world, who has no roots, is the answer to me being so uptight?”
Stewart chuckled. “It’s just a suggestion. I should add that Alec lobbied very hard for this job.”
“Did you tell him what I plan to do?”
“No. We’ve only discussed the sonar array in broad strokes. I thought I’d leave the details to you. I think he admires you, Grace. He’s a man very connected to his work—much like you. I think you have a lot in common.”
She’d thought the very same thing about Brad. And look how that had turned out.
Alec Galloway. A flutter passed through her belly, bringing her dormant hormones to life. For God’s sake, she didn’t need sex. She needed a kick-ass filmmaker who wouldn’t make any waves.
Her accelerated heartrate and general giddiness every time Galloway looked at her would need to stay firmly in the backseat.
“I may be old, but Helen is my life,” Stewart added.
Grace willed her stiff shoulders and tight posture to relax. Alec Galloway would be her filmmaker. Time to accept it and move on. One thing sharks had taught her—don’t waste unnecessary energy. And be a grown-up. Well, fish hadn’t taught her that, but it was her new mantra. She was twenty-six. No whining, no complaining. Time to be an adult and jump in and get the work done. One never knew how much time was left. Watching her father die from cancer had taught her that.
“I don’t know why she puts up with you,” Grace teased, but she did know. Helen loved Stewart with a passion that hadn’t waned in over fifty years. Much the way Grace’s mom had loved her dad, difficult as he’d made their life together. Maybe there was hope for Grace yet.
She glanced over her shoulder to where Galloway was still chatting with Missy. Just the two of them.
Oh crumb.
Grace didn’t like it.
of hors d’oeuvres and a glass of red wine on the small round table and then took a seat beside Missy, two chairs still open.
“Did you score a date with Galloway?” Grace asked, trying to keep her tone light.
Missy popped a cucumber canapé into her mouth and raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t get anywhere, and there’s a very good reason why.”
“What’s that?” Grace took a prosciutto crostino in hand and eyed it, Missy’s response filling her with relief.
“You,” Missy said around her food. “Once he and I were alone, all he did was talk about you.”
Grace’s stomach took a nervous tumble. “Why?” She set her food back onto her plate, her appetite gone.
“Well, I think he’s trying to figure out why you don’t want to hire him, but he also wanted to know what was going on between you and Brad.”
She probably shouldn’t have allowed Brad to get her hackles up, but better for Galloway to know that if he were Camp Brad, then he was definitely not welcome in her world any way other than professionally. She chided herself for thinking about Galloway romantically. The expedition hadn’t even started, and already there was too much interpersonal conflict.
Grace shook her head. “My mom was right.”
“About what?”
“I’m too stubborn.” Determined to stop worrying about how the chess pieces were lining up, she nudged Missy’s shoulder. “I’m sorry he didn’t offer you roses and mimosas and the best sex of your life.”
“May I?” a deep, male voice asked.
Grace jumped, flooded with embarrassment, as Alec stood over her. Had he overheard what she’d just said?
With a response clogging her throat, she nodded and waved at one of the empty seats. He pulled the chair out and sat, his presence looming large. From the corner of her eye, she had to admit he cleaned up nicely. While he hadn’t looked shabby during their brief talk the day before, tonight he cut a striking figure in an upscale dark-gray suit, blue shirt, and a darker blue tie, reminding her of a European businessman. She’d always had a weakness for a man in a suit.
Alec looked at her. “What’s it like to be the daughter of Eddie Mann?”
Missy released a playful laugh. “It means all her friends growing up were sharks. Is it any wonder she still hangs out with them?”
Grace nursed her wine glass. “I’ll admit it wasn’t a traditional upbringing, but I’m not that weird, am I?”
“Hah.” Missy grinned.
“I’ve overheard you talking to your octopus subjects,” replied Grace.
“Then that makes me just as nerdy as you. They are exceedingly more interesting than most of the men I’ve dated.”
Grace dipped a petite carrot into a pile of ranch dressing and started crunching away.
“So, your dad was based in the Bay area,” Alec said. “Whereabouts did you live?”
“Orinda.”
“I know it. I grew up around San Mateo. My dad’s a software engineer in Silicon Valley. I’m sure the two of you would hit it off. My mom’s eyes glaze over when he starts talking about computers.”
“I thought he was a big surfing legend,” Grace countered.
He popped a square piece of cheese into his mouth. “He’s that, too. Taught me everything he knows.”
“Do you still surf?” Missy asked.
“When I can.”
“And what does your mom do?” Grace asked.
“In her youth, she was a formidable mountain climber, but then she met my dad and gave it all up. Mostly. These days, she does a little travel writing, painting, and some photography. My brother, Ty, takes after her.”
Grace pushed the food around on her small plate. “Did you get into filmmaking because of her?”
“Not really,” Alec said. “I started in high school with some of my surfing buddies.”
“Like Brad?” she asked.
Alec settled back in his chair and stretched his legs out. “Yeah. Listen. I don’t know what Brad’s been saying, but he and I were never that chummy. It’s been years since I’ve seen him.” He cleared his throat. “In case that makes a difference with me taking the doc job.”
Missy released a sing-song whistle, and Grace threw her an annoyed look, then turned back to Alec. “Thanks for the clarification.”
“And furthermore,” he continued, “I’ve never minded girls who talk to fish.”
“Then you’ll love Gracie’s sister, Chloe.”
“Does she study sharks, too?”
Grace popped another carrot in her mouth. “No. Cetaceans.”
Missy sighed. “She’s picked a godawful subject for her dissertation. She’s trying to crack the language of the sperm whale.”
Skeptical surprise marched across Galloway’s features. “For real?”
Grace nodded. “My little sister is even more of a bulldog than I am.”
“Must run in the family.”
The praise in Alec’s voice crept beneath Grace’s armor and zapped her heart, and she found herself basking under his masculine attention. For a moment, all she could do was stare. Then she mentally shook herself and broke the spell.
Did I just swoon? What a freaking distraction he’ll be on expedition.
“I wonder what they say,” Alec said. “‘Let’s eat the big squid first, then the little ones’?”
Grace uncrossed her ankles, dislodging one of her heels in the process. “I imagine it’s something like that. Scientists have been intrigued by the language of dolphins and orcas for a long time. I admire Chloe’s dedication. If she can do it, it could have far-reaching consequences.”
“Such as?”
She angled her right foot to retrieve the wayward shoe. “Well, at the very least it will allow humans to better protect the creatures of the ocean. And what about intelligent life elsewhere?”
“Now you’re talking about outer space.”
“If we can talk to whales, it might help when the aliens arrive one day.”
Alec pinned his gaze on her.
Missy pushed away her now-empty plate and leaned her elbows on the table. “I’m shocked she showed this side of her so soon in your relationship, but yes, Grace believes in aliens.”
“Quit acting like it’s so farfetched,” Grace defended. She peeked under the table, exasperated that she’d somehow lost the shoe.
“But you’re a scientist, Gracie,” Missy said. “You’re supposed to be ruled only by science.”
Success. Grace slipped her toes into the footwear then returned her focus back to the table.
Alec gifted her with a twinkle in his eyes. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think we’re alone in the universe either.”
“Oh, God,” Missy moaned. “I’m not sure I can sit here and listen to this.” She turned to Grace. “Let me know if you want a ride home.” Missy stood and merged into a crowd of people near the bar.
“Don’t you have your car?” Alec asked.
“I usually take a taxi to events like this, in case I drink too much.”
Alec eyed her with a look of disbelief. “Do you ever drink too much?”
He made it sound like she was incapable of having a good time. He was probably right, but she was loath to admit it. “Sometimes,” she hedged.
“Let me drive you home. In fact, if you’re up for it, we can leave immediately.”
And now the handsome filmmaker was making a pass at her. Wasn’t he? Grace’s brows pushed together as indecision battled in her head. Should she accept?
It had been two hours, and she’d made the rounds in the room, dutifully chatting with potential donors and sponsors. She was weary of socializing.
“You don’t mind driving me?” she asked.
“I’d be happy to, Grace.”
As if she suddenly stood outside herself, she observed as stupidity took over the higher functions of her brain. “Okay, thanks.”
Alec stood and pulled her chair out as Grace rose as well, wobbling a bit on her heels. He probably already thought she was tipsy. She should tell him that it was simply that she wasn’t comfortable in fancy shoes, and she had dressed up more than usual this evening. And maybe it had been for him.
I certainly can’t admit to that.
She led him from the banquet room and then tried to keep up with his long stride as they walked side by side through the reception area.
Leaving with Galloway was no doubt a bad idea, but they were both consenting adults. She didn’t need anyone’s permission. And she ought to get to know him better. For professional reasons, of course.
She spied Stewart across the room and gave a modest wave in his direction. When he smiled, she shook her head in mock chagrin. She wasn’t planning to invite Galloway into her house in Pacific Grove or into her bed. They would soon be in close proximity on the boat at Guadalupe Island, and it would be awkward and distracting to attempt hooking up during that time. The rocky island was remote and had few permanent residents, and there were no hotels to be had if anything went south.
As she and Alec exited through a rotating glass door, the chilly evening air greeted them, and Grace rubbed her arms.
Alec removed his jacket and set it onto her shoulders.
“Thanks,” she said, feeling a bit bashful as the heat from his body transferred from the coat to her. The subtle scent of Galloway’s aftershave engulfed her, an enticing mix of soothing pine alongside the spicy and nutty aroma of cardamom and cloves, and she inhaled like a puppy who’d just discovered the wonders of bacon.
Damn, he smells nice.
She silently chastised her traitorous self.
They came to a stop in front of a truck.
“What happened to your car?”
“It was a rental. A friend in town loaned me this.”
He unlocked it and opened the passenger door. The cab was higher than normal, and with the tight dress Grace wore, along with the heels, she found it impossible to climb in. Without warning, Galloway scooped her into his arms and set her on the seat.
“You seemed to be struggling,” he said, then stepped back and shut the door.
Grace sought to compose herself as his touch left a lingering, heated imprint. He rounded the vehicle and took the driver’s seat.
“Listen, it’s still early. You wanna go somewhere?”
He made it sound as if he planned to go park and make out with her. “Like where?” she asked cautiously.
“I know a barbecue joint near Cannery Row. A friend of mine owns it. I could buy you a beer, and we can talk about the expedition.”
She should say no. This was beginning to feel too much like a date, and no good could come of it. But before she could decline, her inner stupid-brain spoke up.
“Sure, why not?”