AllFreeNovel
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Sure, it’s only a couple of blocks, but... did I mention I’m a bit of a safety freak lately?
Soon, it’s all goodbye hugs, Grant’s parents pulling me into a tangle of Faircrosses while Grant looks on with warm amusement.
I’m left dizzy from the whirlwind of back-pats, well-wishes, and then bundling Nell out the door.
After they’re gone, I brush my messy hair away from my face before I round on Grant, playfully putting my hands on my hips.
“Okay,” I say. “What’s up? What’s so important that you maneuvered your parents into taking Nell for the night?”
His slow grin tells me he hasn’t even tried to fool me.
He jerks his head at the door.
“Take a walk with me, Butterfly.”
“But it’s about to snow?” And I’m in a light-pink cashmere sweater and jeans.
Fine for indoors, but outside, not even borrowing his police windbreaker will keep me safe from those bone-stripping winds.
“I have the perfect solution.” He holds up a shopping bag I hadn’t noticed before in the happy chaos all around us. It has pink stripes running through it, printed with the logo of a local clothing store.
Blinking, I reach for it hesitantly.
It’s hefty when he drops the pink handle into my hand.
Curiously, I shove the tissue inside aside, peering in—and I’m rewarded with a glimpse of buttery soft brown leather. Eyes wide, I pull out a lovely fitted leather jacket with a padded inner lining and wool collar.
“Grant! You didn’t...” Laughing, I flush as I hug the new coat to my chest. “It’s gorgeous. Thank you.”
“Had to do something before you froze to death,” he teases. “I ain’t having my girl turning into a Philia popsicle. Try it on and let’s go give it a test drive.”
I don’t know how it couldn’t be warm enough when it feels like a blanket that could beat back any cold. Plus, the gesture itself, knowing Grant cares so much about my well-being—and my absentmindedness.
With a happy sigh, I wiggle into it and let the snugness settle around me.
It’s like being hugged by a cloud, and it actuallyfits, too. Which should tell you right now that Grant truly is the ideal man.
Is there another straight guy on Earth who can buy his girl clothes in the right size on the first try?
“Give me a sec,” I say, fumbling for the door and my warm leather boots stowed away just under the coatrack.
It takes a minute to lace my boots, and then we lock up and head outside.
I instantly curl my hands into the crook of Grant’s arm, leaning on him gratefully.
He doesn’t say anything.
Neither do I, really, but we don’t need to.
It’s nice to justbetogether in the still, silent night. The whisper of snow charges the air with a peaceful, pure energy.
I don’t ask where we’re going.
It’s enough to be here with him, following his slow, strolling steps, breathing in the heavenly scents of my white knight and my shiny new coat.
This is the way we’re meant to be, I think.
We just took a long, hard detour getting here, but doesn’t it feel good?
