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Why was she smiling? Veterinarians weren’t known for being funny, as far as Grant knew.
Turning away, he went back to the bar and refilled a couple of peanut bowls.
“Grant.”
“Rory.” He set a bowl down unnecessarily hard and started wiping down the counter. “Need another drink?”
“No.” She glanced back at Max and lowered her voice. “I wanted to tell you I’m sorry. I agreed to this date last week, long before our…uh, agreement.”
“You couldn’t have cancelled?”
A frown creased her forehead. “First, I didn’t see the point because if I recall, you and I are pretending. Second, Aria’s friend Brooke saw me in your car the other day, which means she got all gossipy about us. So my going out with Max will keep Aria off my case.”
Grant tossed the dishrag aside and planted his hands on the bar. His muscles were locked tight. He might’ve been gritting his teeth. “I thought you were moving away.”
“I am.”
“So why the hell are you dating a guy who lives in town?”
“Max knows I’m moving.” She reached for a peanut. “And I’m notdatinghim. This is the first time we’ve ever been out together. I haven’t been on a date in a while, and when Destiny brought it up, I figured it was about time.”
“Why?”
“Because I might actually attempt to have a social life when I move to San Jose.” She cracked open the peanut and shot him an irritated look. “What business is it of yours, anyway? I came over here to explain thingsas a friend, not to be interrogated about why I’m on a date.”
He folded his arms. “You interrogated me about Madeline Fox. Several times.”
Twin spots of color rose to her cheeks. “That’s different.”
“Why?”
“Because…because…” She huffed out a breath. “Well, you said you never dated her.”
“What does that have to do with you going out with Max? And why didn’t he take you to a fine dining restaurant on your first date?”
“I suggested we come here because I didn’t want to spend a lot of time eating when you and I have to get ready for your parents,” Rory snapped in a low voice. “Plus, I didn’t think you’d be working now. Why am I finding it necessary to justify myself to you?”
“No idea.” Grant put a Corona on the bar and pushed it toward her. “That’s for your date. I’ll be over in a minute to take your order.”
“Grant, if you—”
He cut off her words by pushing the button on Bob’s plaque. The fish began warbling out “Love Me Tender.” The patrons at the bar cheered.
“Oh my god.” Rory pressed her hands to her temples. “Are you really going to be this childish?”
“You eat gummy worms for lunch, andI’mthe childish one?”
“I am going toburnthat fish when we’re finished with this relationship sideshow.” She grabbed the beer and turned on her heel. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to mydate.”
She returned to her table. Max stood when she approached, and a smile bloomed over her face. Grant clamped down on another surge of jealousy.
For the full hour and a half of Rory and Max’s lunch date—not that Grant was watching the clock—they chatted, laughed, and appeared to be having a grand old time. Rather than her usual order of an onion blossom or fried cheese curds, Rory ordered a salmon salad.
Did she think she could impress the doctor of veterinary medicine with her nutrition-conscious choice? Did shewantto?
“No cheese curds?” He set the salad in front of her with a smirk.
She smiled blandly. “No, thanks.”
