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“How about a rain check?”
“No,” she snapped. “If you leave, I’m not going out with you again.”
Grant shouldn’t be eavesdropping. He knew it. And yet he couldn’t help himself.
“Well, if that’s how you feel, then I guess this is it. See you around, Bella.”
Nick’s focus had landed on the man as well, watching him head for the door. Then, without warning, he poked his head over the barrier that separated their booth from Bella’s.
“Do you want to eat with us? We won’t leave early.”
There was nothing Grant could do to stop his kid from overstepping. And a part of him couldn’t have been prouder. With courage Grant didn’t know he possessed, he turned in his seat.
“Nick’s right. We won’t leave. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like.”
Bella hesitated. Finally, a grim smile touched her lips. “Sure, I’d love to.”
She gathered up her things and moved over to their table, choosing the seat across from Grant. When Nick was preoccupied with the menu, Grant leaned forward.
“For what it’s worth, that guy sounded like an idiot.”
Her smile was more of a grimace than anything else. “I can’t believe you had to see that.”
Grant pressed his lips firmly together and glanced toward the door. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve seen worse. We’re just glad we bumped into you.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Bella couldn’t believe that in the last twenty-four hours, she’d not only met but spent most of her day with one person. Fate continued to put each of them in each other’s path. It was as if fate itself had a sense of humor that she didn’t find funny at all.
She couldn’t tell what was more mortifying—that she’d been ditched at the restaurant by her date or that she’d been invited to dinner by a six-year-old. She kept her eyes trained on her plate. Thankfully, Nick talked enough for all of them.
Bella could sense Grant’s gaze on her. He was probably pitying her. Why hadn’t she just turned them down and left? That would have been a better plan.
When she looked up, she wasn’t surprised to find Grant watching her. His eyes locked with hers. If Nick wasn’t there, he might have said something. Thankfully, he was better at reading the room.
“Any insights into… what you’re investigating?” Grant asked.
She glanced toward Nick. “I think we should probably steer clear of a work discussion based on the current people in attendance.”
Grant nodded. “You’re probably right.”
The tension between them continued to mount. She didn’t know what she could do to fix it. Embarrassment mingled with the desire to escape. Bella nearly stood and told them she would take her food to go when Grant spoke again.
“So… did you grow up in Rocky Ridge?”
She snorted. “No.”
“Is that question funny?” His small smile eased the tension but only just.
Bella laughed. “Of course not. I… No, I wasn’t raised here. I was born in Denver and my mom and I moved around a little. Ended up in Billings.”
“Hmm. That's interesting.” Grant nodded as he watched her.
“Why? Does that change your opinion of me?”
He shook his head. “No. What about your dad?”
She tried to control her expression. “He couldn’t bother to be around.” She tried to watch him for any hint of remorse, but there was none. If anything, he looked like he felt sorry for her—for her! Bella stood at that. “Look, I don’t need your pity. I’m not some helpless damsel.”
