Page 85 of Shattered Hearts

I do.

Turning back, face lifting to his, Grayson peers down like I’m all that matters in the world. The slight flatness in his mouth, the pinch in his brows and storminess in his eyes. He’s looking at me like he did last night, but this time a bit more reserved, and I’m not sure whether I like it or not.

“Yeah?”

He sniffs before embracing me, hand on my head, the other resting on my back. I curl my arms around him, already missing our closeness. I love him, and I always will, but I’m pushing him away because I don’t want to ruin his life with my stupid mistake.

It’s my wrongdoing, and I will deal with the consequences. He shouldn’t have to.

I hear him swallow, his throat moving against my ear. “Thank you for the party.”

The tenseness in my muscles loosen, a faint smile pulling in my lips. “I remember you saying you wanted one after Michael Milkinson’s seventh birthday.” I pull away enough to look at his kind features. “Sorry it took me so long to plan one.”

“Better late than never.” A cheeky smile tilts up the corner of his mouth that I can’t help but look at. “I also can’t help but notice that all the desserts here are the ones we worked on last night.”

That makes my cheeks bloom as I look at the trays that have been half picked at. “It might have been for your party.”

“You little liar,” he utters, pinching my side.

I laugh. “Well, I couldn’t ruin the surprise. That would have been horrible.”

“Yeah…” he drawls, eyes on me once again as we slowly sway to the music. “You also look beautiful tonight, Laynie.”

My pulse thrums happily at his words. “So do you.”

That makes him snort a laugh, because he’s in his regular jean and flannel shirt with a tee underneath. It suits him like pollen in spring.

“So you like my outfits? Good to know.”

Tongue poking the inside of my cheek, I shake my head. “Just take the compliment, Blondie.” I see the glint in his eye at my nickname for him, and my fingers tingle.

“You too, Biscuit.” My stomach knots as his chin rests against my temple. The one that he kissed. “You also made my cake, didn’t you?”

I nod in response.

“I love it.”

My body tenses. “I thought you would. It’s got a dirt bike on it.”

“How’d you know it’s what I wanted?”

I smile. “Paul’s tenth birthday. You were envious of his cake.”

“You just remember everything, don’t you?” he murmurs.

I nod again.

“Thank you, Laynie. This is the best birthday I’ve ever had.”

“I’m really happy you love it.” A lump forms in my throat. Love.

Sniffing, I pull myself from his arms as the music slows, giving him a ghost of a grin. Grayson’s face drops, and I hate that I’ve done that to him.

His tone deepens as he murmurs, “Please tell me you have an answer for me.”

Staring up at him, the flutters return to my stomach, swarming my warm insides. I douse them in freezing water as I shake my head. “I need more time.”

He nods, pain striking his features, and I have to look away before my gut clenches to the point of vomiting.