His kiss effectively silenced all of my concerns, making me smile when he finally drew back to look me in the eye.“Let’s just take this one date at a time.A week from now you may decide you can’t stand me.”
“Or you may think I’m a bitch?—”
“Not gonna happen.”He set me down before curling his hands around my face.“Something tells me this is gonna be good, Grace.For both of us.”
ChapterTen
Taz
I had to be in the studio tomorrow, but tonight was my first official date with Grace and I wanted to keep busy so I didn’t go crazy wondering if she’d come to her senses and cancel at the last minute.
Since I got a six-figure advance when Luc signed me, I could finally finish my house.And I was busting my butt to make the house presentable and make a good impression on her.
That meant storing all my building supplies in the garage, hiring a cleaning service, buying new bedding and towels, because according to my sister, women paid attention to shit like that, and flowers.
I was in the garage trying to organize my mess while the cleaning crew tackled the inside, and my sister called to check in.Of course, she did.She didn’t trust me not to screw this up.
“Relax, Rachel.I’ve got things under control,” I said, by way of greeting.
She giggled.“New sheets and towels?”
“Yes, and the cleaning crew is inside, doing their thing, so I won’t be welcoming her into a pigsty, as you put it.”I didn’t think I was that bad, just a typical bachelor.But given how immaculate Grace’s place had been, that probably wouldn’t fly.
“Good, how about wine?And did you find out what she plans to cook, so you can stop at the grocery store?You can’t expect her to do it, after working all day, Taz.This is supposed to be a date, after all.”
I growled before pulling the phone away from my ear and staring at it.“Are you for real?I’m not an idiot.”
She sighed.“Quit being such a grump.I just want this to go well for you.I know this girl is special, and well, it seems like having someone like Grace in your life could be a gamechanger for you.”
It felt like she’d already changed my life.I went from being a guy who didn’t give a shit about women or hook-ups, to not being able to focus on anything because of this woman.“I know you’re only trying to help, but you can relax, sis.I got this.”
“But you already screwed it up once by?—”
“You don’t have to remind me,” I snapped.
“Fine.”She hesitated for a few seconds before she said, “I just love you, and want to see you happy, for once.”
I leaned against the garage wall, closing my eyes.“I know.I feel like I’ve been a miserable S.O.B.since I got out of prison and I’m sorry about that.I’ve just had a lot on my plate, trying to figure shit out.And getting shot down by Quinn month after month…”
“Sucks, I know.And we don’t blame you for being in a bad place, hon.We all get it.”The boys were making noise in the background and she shushed them.“But you finally have a shot at happiness.An amazing career opportunity, a great girl?—”
“Don’t get your hopes up, Rachel.This could all be a bust.”
“Why do you do that?”she asked, sounding irritated.“Why the hell do you always assume the worst?”
“Uh, so I won’t be disappointed?”
“Why don’t you, for once, assume that things will work out for you?That fans will love you and your music, and Grace will realize you’re the man she’s been waiting her whole life for?”
“Easy now, girl.You know forever isn’t my thing.”
“Are you telling me you would let your dream girl walk away just because you can’t man up and make a commitment?”When I couldn’t respond, she said, “You’d just let someone else have her?—”
“Enough, Rach.”
“Look, I know you haven’t known this woman very long, but I’ve never seen you like this before.You actually care.”
“Yeah, I do.But that doesn’t mean she feels the same way.”
