Sean deliberately loitered on the patio with his grandmother and the other septuagenarians before going to the kitchen to pour May Ellen and Lily's drinks. He wanted to give them a bit of privacy. Sean thought-drawing deep drafts of the scented, heavy Florida night air into his lungs--
Because it was happening already: the Lily Effect was at work on his brain.
Why in God's name had he told her he'd be accompanying her and the team on some dives, when that was the last thing he wanted to do . . . especially if he intended to maintain his sanity?
Unfortunately, as dumb as he was feeling, Sean had the answer to that one. It pained him to realize that he was still as hung up on Lily as ever-and just as susceptible to her disdain.
It had taken her, what, two hours since she waltzed back into Coral Beach to accuse him of crooked politics? Did Lily have any idea of the high-wire act he was attempting by trying to get the reef accurately documented and assessed before he took a public stance on the marina development? No, of course not. Sean might have filled her in, if she hadn't made it clear she assumed his sole motivation was political gain. Stung, he'd retaliated in kind, implying that Lily might stoop so low as to manipulate the reef study-even though Sean knew the sun would set in the east before Lily Banyon committed an act of professional dishonesty. Her integrity had always been one of the things he admired most about her. That Lily actually fell for his bogus threat merely showed how profound her distrust, her dislike of him was.
At the Rusted Keel, Dave had urged him to seize the opportunity to go on the research boat and work on charming Lily.
, Sean thought acidly, as he carried the cocktails toward the living room. He and Lily were off to their usual great start.
Because it was happening already: the Lily Effect was at work on his brain.
Why in God's name had he told her he'd be accompanying her and the team on some dives, when that was the last thing he wanted to do . . . especially if he intended to maintain his sanity?
Unfortunately, as dumb as he was feeling, Sean had the answer to that one. It pained him to realize that he was still as hung up on Lily as ever-and just as susceptible to her disdain.
It had taken her, what, two hours since she waltzed back into Coral Beach to accuse him of crooked politics? Did Lily have any idea of the high-wire act he was attempting by trying to get the reef accurately documented and assessed before he took a public stance on the marina development? No, of course not. Sean might have filled her in, if she hadn't made it clear she assumed his sole motivation was political gain. Stung, he'd retaliated in kind, implying that Lily might stoop so low as to manipulate the reef study-even though Sean knew the sun would set in the east before Lily Banyon committed an act of professional dishonesty. Her integrity had always been one of the things he admired most about her. That Lily actually fell for his bogus threat merely showed how profound her distrust, her dislike of him was.
At the Rusted Keel, Dave had urged him to seize the opportunity to go on the research boat and work on charming Lily.
, Sean thought acidly, as he carried the cocktails toward the living room. He and Lily were off to their usual great start.
( Laura Moore )
[ Night Swimming ]
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