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Grant sighs. “Of course it’s your business. Everything about me is your business, sugar. But all of that is total bullshit…that’s not what happened at all.”
I let myself breathe. “Really?”
He nods vehemently. “I dated Julia a couple of years ago. Barely, I mean we went on two restaurant dates. She wanted to take things to the next level but I rejected her. And that’s all there was to it.”
I feel myself calm down with every word he says, but curiosity gets the better of me. “Why did you reject her?”
Grant frowns in concentration, clearly trying to remember what happened. “She was rude to the staff at both places we went, and she made non-stop judgmental comments about all the other customers. I just wasn’t into her, so I told her straight up that I wasn’t interested in seeing her again. She took it badly and blew up my phone saying I was an asshole…I don’t think she was used to being told no. Clearly, she knows how to hold a grudge.”
I nod, releasing a deep breath. “So, as usual, Josh is full of shit.”
“One hundred percent.” Grant takes my face in his hands, tilting my head back so I’m looking right up into his deep blue eyes. “You know, I’ve never had a serious relationship before, Esme. A few dates here and there, but nothing more. There were opportunities, but I never wanted to settle for anything less than love. Real love.” There’s a pause, and we look into each other’s eyes, bodies pressed together as we stand in the darkening parking lot, our combined heat protecting us from the crisp October air. My heart starts to thump at the way he’s looking at me. There’s a small intake of breath as he prepares himself to say something else, but I raise my hand to stop him. I know what he’s about to say, but it's my turn to be brave now. My turn to take a chance. My turn to prove that I want this.
“Grant,” I say, reaching up to touch his cheek, my hand brushing against his stubble. “I know that when we met, I said it was just a one-night fling. That’s all it was supposed to be. The last thing I wanted was to risk my heart again after the way Josh hurt me…but I guess things don’t always go to plan.” I see the hope stirring in Grant’s eyes, the intensity spurring me on. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but meeting you has already changed my whole life. I miss you when you’re not around. I think about you non-stop.” Emotion is clogging my throat, tears threatening to spill over as I open my heart to him, my gentle giant, my Grant. “What I’m trying to say here is…I’m in love with you, Grant. I love you.”
11
Grant
Esme’s words hang between us. It takes me a moment to process what she just said. To believe this is real.
I’m in love with you, Grant. I love you.
Slowly, every inch of me starts to buzz with joy, my whole body on fire with it as I grin down at Esme, my perfect girl…the woman who loves me. I scoop her up into my arms and kiss her hard, feeling her tears on my cheeks.
“I love you too, Esme,” I say as I pull her close to me, never wanting to let go again. “Fuck I love you so much. From the moment I met you, I knew you were the one for me.”
Esme laughs through her tears, overwhelmed with happiness. “Me too, Grant. I knew too. I was just scared…but I’m not scared anymore. I trust you. I know you would never do anything to hurt me.”
“I’d rather die than hurt you, Esme.”
She nods, her eyes still brimming with emotion. “I know. I believe you. You’re a good man, Grant.”
“I’m your good man. Always.”
We stay like that for a moment: her in my arms and our foreheads pressed together. The only sound is our synchronized breathing. I can feel her heartbeat fluttering against my chest, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that this woman is my future. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and I make a promise to myself there and then that I will never lose her. I will never fuck this up. For as long as I live, I will put Esme first. Always.
“Come on,” I say, shifting her in my arms so that I’m carrying her bridal style. She laughs as I carry her toward my car, planting feathery kisses all over her face. My cock swells at the feel of her soft body in my arms, and suddenly I can’t wait to get her home. “I hope you’re ready to celebrate.”
“Celebrate how?” she asks as I open the car door and place her gently down on the passenger seat.
The naughty twinkle in my eye tells her everything she needs to know. “You’ll see, honey. You’ll see.”
* * *
It’s Sunday night, the day after the school reunion, and I’m bitterly watching the hour on my phone get later and later. It’s almost time for me to leave. To go back to my empty house while Esme stays here in Chester. It may only be forty-five minutes away, but it feels like the other side of the world.
“I’m going to miss you,” Esme says from beside me. She’s naked beneath the covers, her cheeks still pink from sex. We’ve hardly left her bed all day, and I’ve loved every second of it. Somehow every day with Esme turns into the best day of my life.
“I’ll miss you too, honey. I’ll come to the bistro tomorrow as soon as I finish work.”
Esme nods trying to smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Fuck this feels so wrong. I don’t want to leave her. I never want to be apart from her again.
“What time will you—” she begins.
“Come back with me,” I say, the words bursting from my lips.
She furrows her brow, confused. “What?”
