Page 80 of Teach Me Your Ways

32

CECE

When we landed, I could feel the shift in his energy. Grady helped Sophie down from the plane, his big hands gentle as he lifted her to the tarmac. She immediately launched into a detailed recap of everything we’d seen, as if he hadn’t been sitting right there with us.

“And did you see the boats? They looked like tiny toys!” she chattered, bouncing on her toes.

“I did see them,” Grady said, crouching down to her level. “What was your favorite part?”

“When Granny did that swoopy thing!”

“The banking turn,” Mom clarified with a grin, pulling off her headset. “Someone’s going to be a pilot someday.”

I watched Grady interact with Sophie, something tight in my chest loosening. He wasn’t just being polite; he was actually listening to her, engaging with her excitement. Most adults either ignored kids or gave them that patronizing fake enthusiasm. But Grady was different. Natural.

“You hungry?” I found myself asking. “We’re having pizza for dinner.”

The words were out before I could stop them. What the hell was I doing? Inviting him to family dinner? That was about as far from keeping things professional as I could get.

“I don’t want to impose⁠—”

“You’re not imposing,” Mom interrupted, slinging her jacket over her shoulder. “Cece, we’ll be in the car. Ride with your friend.”

Before I could protest, Mom was already walking toward her car with Sophie skipping beside her, chattering about pepperoni. I stood there on the tarmac, suddenly alone with Grady, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“Your mom’s not subtle,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“She never has been.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, suddenly nervous. “You don’t have to come to dinner if you don’t want to.”

“Do you want me to come?”

The question hung between us, loaded with meaning. I should say no. I should make some excuse about family time or needing to get Sophie to bed early. Instead, I found myself nodding.

“Yeah. I do.”

We climbed into his Jeep. It felt a little strange to be confined in a small space with him again. I knew he was probably confused about why I invited him to the airfield. I hoped I wouldn’t have to explain it. He was smart. He’d figure it out.

“That was a hell of a thing,” he said finally.

“The flying?”

“All of it.” He stopped at a red light and turned to look at me. “You made your point.”

“Did I?”

“Yeah, I get that you’re not some fragile flower who needs protecting. That being a mother doesn’t make you any less capable.” His green eyes were intense, searching my face. “I was being ridiculous. And unfair. I see that now.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “Good.”

We arrived at the house before Mom and Sophie. I knew they had stopped to pick up the pizza.

“Welcome to our humble abode,” I said.

“Cute place.”

“It’s a rental. Maybe one day I’ll buy a house. That’s what Sophie wants. She’s got big plans for a dog and painting her room Princess Pink.”

“She seems like a fun kid,” he said.