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Chapter 11
Grace
Fallhasofficiallyarrivedin New England. The trees in the park are all different shades of gold, burnt reds, and intense orange. I wear long sleeves as I run, the cool air filling me with a steady resolve to start over. To be strong, to build new healthy habits, and to learn to stand on my own two feet again.
After a quick shower, I head into work, stopping at my favorite coffee shop on the corner, settling into little habits that bring me daily joy.
“Looking good, Grace,” the barista behind the counter says with a flirty smile. A few weeks ago, he told me he’s going to school for fashion design after he’d seen my dress in the gossip rags. We struck up a friendship, and I told him he could help dress some of my new bachelorettes if he was up for it. Now he hooks me up with extra whip cream and I’m sure my hips don’t appreciate it, but I sure do.
“Thanks, Evan, see you tomorrow.”
When I walk into my office, Rachel is setting some papers down on my desk, and she greets me with a friendly, “Hello, boss.” Just the sound gives me another jolt of strength. I am the boss. This is my business now. And despite being pretty weak when it comes to a certain male, in this office, I am more than competent.
A few hours later, Rachel comes storming into my office. She shuts the door and leans back against it with a red face and fans herself. “Oh my God, Grace, the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in my life is currently in our waiting room.” She pauses and looks down before dramatically fanning herself again. “Please, please tell me he’s a client you forgot to mention because if so, I don’t care what you say, Grace, you are setting us up.”
Completely flabbergasted at this reaction, I let out a confused laugh. Sure, Rachel has been interested in past bachelors—a certain whiskey-eyed one comes to mind—but she’s never been this demanding, or honest, about her interest.
“I have no appointments on the calendar, Rachel. Did he tell you his name?”
Rachel groans. “Oh god, is this a new billionaire courting you? I love you, Grace—you are an awesome boss—but if you go from Cash James to this hottie I am going to drop down to the floor and kick my hands and feet like a toddler. Then I’m going to crawl over to you and beg you to teach me your ways because girl, that guy is man candy!”
I shake my head, laughing still. “Name?”
Her cheeks pink as she replies dreamily, “Hayden. And he’s British, Grace. Ugh, the accent, the muscles, the boyish smile…the eyes.”
I can’t help the surprise that shows on my face. And with a nod of the head, I agree. Hayden is all those things. But why is he here?
“So, to what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Hanson?” I ask as Hayden fits his large body into my purple velvet chair. He looks absurd. Absurdly delicious but absurd just the same.
“Oh Grace, I think we can skirt the formalities after you stripped in front of me and cuddled me all night while waxing poetic about my hard muscles that made your toes tingly.”
I bark out a laugh and cover my face. “Oh gosh, what does that even mean?”
He laughs. “Don’t know. I’m hoping that it means you’ll agree to have dinner with me so that you can get those toes tingling again.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me.
I roll my eyes. “You don’t want to have dinner with me.”
“I don’t?” He quirks an intuitive brow.
“No. You want to have dinner with Rachel out there. She’s young, gorgeous, and available.”
“And you’re not available?”
I like how he skirted over the other adjectives.
“I’m a mess is what I am,” I admit honestly.
“Well, good thing I’m not a neat freak, ” he volleys, leaving the ball in my court to flop spectacularly.
“Hayden,” I pan.
“Grace,” he says with a sparkle in his eye. “Have dinner with me.”
“It’s too soon.”
“Well, yes, it’s only two thirty. I was thinking more around seven tonight.”
“Hayden, you know what I mean. It’s too soon for me to be out with another man.”
“Shall I wear a skirt then? I can’t pull it off like the Scottish men, but I’m sure I could come up with a reason if it put a smile on your face and turned that no into a yes.”
I laugh, imagining the blond Zeus in front of me wearing a skirt. “Stop! You’re crazy!”
“Have dinner with me. I promise to keep you laughing and not to expect anything. I just like seeing you smile.”
My heart lifts a little at his words. And really, what does one dinner matter? I owe no one anything. I’m single. Hayden sees my hesitation, my openness to considering his request, and he goes in for the kill. “Please, I don’t know anyone in this town other than my brothers and Cat. Be my friend, have dinner with me.”
“Fine, I’ll be yourfriend,” I emphasize the last word and he holds up his hands as if saying he’s harmless. But there is nothing innocent about those man hands. I can imagine the things they could do if given the opportunity. And I know quite a few women who would enjoy those man hands on them, so I agree to his little date, hoping one day soon he’ll let me set him up on some of his own.
