My phone vibrates with a text.
Jenna:Hey, where’d ya go? Are we still going for lunch?
Shit.
Me:Sorry, got sidetracked for a second, be right down!
I keep an eye on Grayson, but he’s still pacing in front of his door. Fuck it. I push my door all the way open, loud enough so he knows I’m here. “Hey.” Closing and locking my door behind me, I shove my room key in the pocket of my coat.
“Hey.” He freezes, and for a second, an almost guilty look crosses his face, as if he’s been caught doing something illicit, but then he relaxes and gives me a tight smile. “Going out?”
“Yeah, Jenna and I wrapped early so we’re going to go grab some lunch.”
“Cool. Have fun.” He turns away from me and starts down the hallway.
“Will I see you later tonight?” I regret the question themoment I ask it. Not because of embarrassment, but because I know I shouldn’t want the answer to be yes as badly as I do.
Stopping and spinning, Grayson gives me a searching look. “Do you want to see me later tonight?”
I cross the few steps separating us. “I do. If you want to, that is.” I reach out a hand and smooth an invisible wrinkle from his thin cashmere sweater, letting my fingers linger on his pecs.
He picks up my hand and pulls me closer. “If you want me there, then I’m there.”
It’s a simple declaration, yet the searing look in his bright blue eyes leaves me with nothing but questions.
I clear my throat. “I should go. Jenna’s waiting for me.”
Grayson brings my hand to his mouth, kissing my palm before letting it go. “Until tonight, then.” He gives me a wicked, knowing grin before bounding down the stairs.
I wait a few seconds before I stumble down behind him, needing the time to attempt to clear my head.
Jenna is waiting for me in the lobby, and the look she gives me is like Santa catching a kid in the midst of being naughty. “You okay?” she asks with a teasing smile. “You look a little flushed.”
“I’m fine.” I push open the front door of the inn. “You okay with walking? I could use the fresh air.”
“I bet you could,” she chuckles under her breath.
“Ha ha.”
We avoid any serious topics of conversation until we’ve arrived at the diner and slide into a booth near the front window. The restaurant is small but has a warm and cozy atmosphere. Everything is pastel and plush, and I order agrilled cheese with tomato soup because comfort food sounds pretty amazing right now.
“Want to talk about it?” Jenna sips from her mug of hot chocolate, and her smile is knowing but not judgmental.
“Is it that obvious?”
“That you’re sleeping with Grayson West or that you’re developing feelings for Grayson West?”
I rub at my temples, letting out a groan. “I can’t even admit that to myself. How do other people already know?”
“Maybe not all other people. But definitely me.” She shrugs. “And probably most other people.”
“Stop being so perceptive.”
She flashes me a wide grin. “It’s part of my charm.”
“It’s stupid, isn’t it? All of it? Sleeping with him. Definitely the feelings, which may or may not exist. I’m an idiot.” I signal for our server and order a milkshake. I have a feeling this conversation is going to require the big guns.
“Why? Because you guys have some sort of messy history from when you were teenagers? Who doesn’t?” Jenna accepts her soup from the server and digs in with gusto.
