Page 61 of In Every Chapter

“Why am I getting déjà vu?” I muttered, peeling myself off the pillow cloud.

“It means my plan’s working.”

“You’re evil, you know that? You and Liz with your mastermind plans and schemes.” I grumbled, dangling my legs over the edge and toying with the hem of my oversized tee.

“But Liz can’t keep it a secret.”

I snorted. “So true.” Grabbing the clothes she’d tossed me, I paused in the doorway. “Hey, Jules?”

She glanced up from where she was already making the bed. And sure enough, like a crazy woman, she was tucking the corners at a forty-five-degree angle.

“Thanks.”

She huffed. “Don’t get mushy on me. It makes me nauseous.”

I grinned. “I love you, too.” Laughing, I ducked out into the hallway to avoid the pillow missile launched in my direction.

Juliet dragged me around town for the day, like it was her personal mission to try to lift my spirits. I hadn’t seen Greyson yet since he’d left before I’d woken up. But I’d found a note on the kitchen counter.

Didn’t want to wake you up. Jules said she’d spend the day with you. Come by the shop anytime if you need a break. Love, Greyson

I wasn’t sure how to interact with him after Cannon Beach, so I’d taken the easy way out and avoided the shop like the poster child of bravery I was.

“Wouldn’t you rather be with Myles tonight?” I asked, fidgeting in the booth at Donovan’s Downto’n. Don’t get me wrong, they had the best nachos—comfort food for the win—but all the peopling and activity had tanked my battery.

Juliet waved me off. “He and some of the guys on the team were meeting up, so he didn’t mind.”

“Did you set me up with him? Greyson?” I asked. “Here, at Downto’n?”

Juliet nodded. “I knew he was coming into town and persuaded Denver”—she nodded discreetly to the guy behind the counter, sporting lip fuzz—“to run a Lord of the Rings theme to draw you both out.”

“Why me, though?”

She sighed and played with the end of her ponytail. “Because Greyson was never home, and I was convinced you were the one person who could make him put down roots with your hobbit tendencies of hating adventures.”

“You wanted me to trap him?” I asked, confused. “But what if he loved what he did and resented me?”

Juliet shook her head firmly. “It wasn’t like that. I introduced you, but y’all did the dating on your own. Grey always goes after what he wants.”

“And that was me?”

Her smile was soft. “It still is, Pais. That hasn’t changed.” She sipped her ice water and glanced towards the door. “Speak of the man and he shall appear.”

I followed her gaze and found Greyson making his way towards us, hand in his pocket, blue eyes firmly fixed on me. “What’s he doing here?” I whispered before popping a nacho in my mouth.

“Pais,” Greyson said quietly, pausing in front of our table. “Care for a round of trivia?”

I blinked at him. “Huh?”

Greyson motioned a hand towards the bar counter. “There’s a Lord of the Rings theme queued up for tonight. If you’re interested.”

And just like that, I dredged up a bit more battery life. I arched an eyebrow. “Think you can beat me, Marine?”

He smirked. “Count on it, love.”

The words shouldn’t have made me flush. They were too much like flirting. But Jared isn’t here. You’re not cheating. This man is your husband for goodness’ sake.

“You’re on.”