“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.

Over breakfast, she had suggested that she sit out today’s excursion. “You and Elaine go without me. Enjoy yourselves. I’ll be perfectly happy to stay behind and lounge all day.”

“We’ve had this planned for days. Elaine will be disappointed if you don’t come. Besides, I’ve invited a fourth.”

That’s when he’d told her about the man who’d moved into the garage apartment.

“Is it even livable?” she’d asked.

“He seems to think so. But I doubt his standards are very high.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I’ll let you form your own opinion. He’s rough around the edges, but I will credit him with knowing which fork to use for each course, and the two bottles of wine he brought were passable.”

“If you weren’t that taken with him, why did you invite him to come along today?”

“Curiosity.”

Drex Easton was more refined than Jasper had led her to believe, but then Jasper did have very high standards. Gauging by Elaine’s body language, which had her leaning toward the writer across the armrest of her chair, she found him magnetic.

He seemed unfazed by her avid interest, answering her barrage of questions with humor but, Talia noticed, little elaboration. He was self-deprecating and unaffected.

But when he glanced across the table and shot her a smile, Talia wondered if perhaps he was exercising reverse psychology. Maybe his seeming disinterest in making a good first impression was a calculated attempt to make one.

Not so long ago, she would have accepted his open and friendly nature for what it was, rather than to look for duplicity. Jasper was more disinclined to take people at face value. She supposed that tendency of his was wearing off on her.

They finished the remainder of the Champagne, then Jasper pushed back his chair and stood. “Shall we get underway? Or would you rather serve lunch first, Elaine?”

“Let’s go out a way and anchor for lunch.”

Jasper saluted her. “After you, captain.” He bent down and peeped beneath the brim of Talia’s hat. “You don’t mind if I play first mate, do you?”

“I know you can’t wait to get your hands on the wheel. Go.”

He pecked her cheek with his lips. To Drex he said, “Beer and soft drinks are in the fridge in the galley. Help yourself.”

“Thanks. I’m good for now.”

Jasper followed Elaine into the wheelhouse and closed the door behind them. The absence of Elaine’s chatter was immediately noticeable. Drex was the first to remark on it. “Has Elaine ever met a stranger?”

Talia laughed. “Not since I’ve known her.”

“Which is for how long?”

“A few years.”

“How’d you come to meet?”

“She and her husband frequently cruised down here from Delaware. After he died, she decided to move here. She and I met when she joined the country club.”

He gave a look around. “I assumed the yacht belonged to you and Jasper.”

“No, it’s Elaine’s.”

“Does she pilot it herself?”

“Usually only out of the marina.”

“That takes some maneuvering skills.”

“According to her, the late Mr. Conner was an avid boatman. He taught her how to pilot in case there was ever an emergency and she had to take over for him. She’s coaching Jasper. Once we clear the buoys, she lets him have the wheel.”

“He seemed eager to be at the helm.”

“He loves boats and all things aquatic.”

“What about you?”

“I enjoy our outings, but I don’t have a passion for the water.”

“No? What turns you on?”

Possibly she was reading innuendo into the question when none was intended. Otherwise it bordered on being inappropriate. Since they were going to be trapped on a boat together for hours, she chose to make a joke of it rather than an issue.

“Nutella,” she said. “I eat it with a spoon straight from the jar.”

He laughed.

The lighthearted mood had been reestablished. Feeling more comfortable, she settled in her chair, tucking her right foot beneath her hips. She motioned toward his cap. “Did you go to Tennessee?”

“No. A buddy of mine is an alum and gung-ho fan. We went camping last summer, and I came home with his cap mixed up in my stuff. I never gave it back.” He grinned. “It’s ragged. I doubt he’s missed it.”