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I check the text and find Grace’s social media profiles. “Thanks.”
“So who is this girl? Your next conquest?”
“Nope. Just someone I owe an apology to.”
For the past forty-eight hours, I’ve been feeling increasingly guilty about that scene at the restaurant. First I don’t even recognize her, and then I barrel straight into her—and get herfired?
No wonder she thinks I’m still the same dumb jock I was back in high school.
I wince.
She was just a shy kid when I knew her back then, kind enough to help tutor me through remedial Bio classes. School was never my strong suit. Any class with a presentation or performance? Great. I could swing an A every time. But numbers and data, right and wrong answers? I could never keep them straight.
Grace probably thought I was an idiot, but she was sweet enough to patiently coach me to a barely passing C grade. Now, I’m guessing her opinion of me isn’t much improved.
But her? She’s changed, that’s for sure. I can’t imagine the old Grace ever raising her voice, let alone unleashing that dressing-down she gave me last night.
I remember her fiery temper, her eyes flashing in passion, and her chest heaving with—
Well, she’s not a kid anymore, that’s for sure.
“Did you get an address?” I ask Marco.
“Is Lee Pace the most beautiful man alive?” he replies. “What do you want, sending apology flowers for breaking things off?”
“Not quite. A gift basket of some kind. Or… Dry cleaning vouchers?” I wonder.
“Dry cleaning vouchers,” Marco repeats dryly. “… Wow. It’s a lucky lady who enters your orbit.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“On it,” he says. “Bye.”
I hang up right as I spot Olivia. She’s sitting at a patio table with a woman in a retro sundress, and I slow my stride, getting ready to meet my fake date for the summer. I told Olivia I needed someone smart, beautiful, and most of all, low maintenance. No drama, no strings.
No chance of anyone getting the wrong idea.
But maybe I just have Grace Sommerville on the brain, because this woman actually resembles her from this angle. Then she looks directly at me, her lips parting in surprise.
… And she definitelyisGrace Sommerville.
4
GRACE
“Charlie?”I blurt out, surprised. He’s standing behind Olivia’s shoulder looking absurdly handsome and just as bewildered as I feel. Is this some kind of apology tour? Are these two going to make me relive the cake incident yetagain?
“Grace, hi. And Olivia?” Charlie gives her a look. “You didn’t mention we’d have company.”
“Sure I did,” she smiles. “Your date for the summer.”
Wait,what?
“Oh, didn’t I mention?” Olivia asks me sweetly. “The client is Charlie.”
Charlie and I both freeze, our mouths hanging open. So, he didn’t know either, and he’s just as ambushed as I am.
“Olivia,” Charlie says, pushing back his brown hair in clear frustration. “What are you playing at? I told you, I needed a real date.”
