Page 161 of On the Breakaway

Liam notices. “What are you laughing at?”

Grayson doesn’t miss a beat. “Nathan thinks he gets closet space once Wesley moves in.”

The entire table laughs again.

How he even managed to track the table conversation is a mystery to me, but he gets away with it.

The conversation drifts toward playoff predictions after that. Some of the rookies at the end of the table start guessing how many games they’ll end up playing, but Grayson shakes his head.

“We haven’t even played a game yet.” He uses his captain’s voice, the authority making my mouth dry. “Don’t you guys know not to make bets on your own team?”

A couple of guys groan, but they listen to him nonetheless.

As the sun begins sinking lower over the harbor, we get our checks. But as I go to pay, Grayson discreetly swipes my bill, pairing it with his.

And I let him.

Everyone stands and starts heading to the new ice cream place around the block, but I just sit back and take it all in.

There’s an easy comfort with all of us together. Last year, I’d just gotten out of my relationship and feeling at peace seemed impossible.

Maybe that’s why I lean toward him every time he’s near me. Because for the first time in as long as I can remember, I don’t feel like I’m waiting for or running from a disaster.

I just feel happy.

Now, I need to figure out how to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop.

As if sensing my thoughts, Grayson looks over, his expression softening.

We filter down the sidewalk, breaking up into groups. I find myself lingering in the back, too caught up in my thoughts to want to be in the thick of things. Ahead of me, Nathan has an arm slung around Wesley’s shoulders, while Liam tells them about something completely inappropriate. I catch snippets of Harper and Sloane discussing decorating with Wyatt, who is obviously only pretending to listen.

Nobody is paying attention to me. Or Grayson. Which is why he’s able to slow down until he’s next to me, the rest of the group drifting ahead of us. My body is immediately aware of how close he is to me.

“Hi,” he says.

I glance over. “Hi.”

His jaw ticks.

“You look gorgeous right now. I really wish I could kiss you.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m in leggings and a t-shirt.”

“Chaos, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. I always think you’re gorgeous, and I always want to kiss you.”

My cheeks flush. “You just kissed me this morning.”

“That was hours ago.”

“You’re so dramatic.”

“I spent six hours in meetings today. And then, I had to sit through Liam explaining why he could survive a zombie apocalypse.”

“You poor thing.”

Grayson ignores me. “And now I just want to be alone with you.”

The words send my pulse stumbling, a restless ache settling beneath my ribs.