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“What made you move to the States?” he asked when our laughter died down.
Breathe…
I shifted my gaze to the window and swallowed down what felt like a rusty nail. “After my parents died, everything and everyone reminded me of them. I guess I just needed a fresh start.” Turning towards the kitchen, I willed the pizza to come out to stop the conversation.
Grayson appeared to take the hint and remained quiet for a long moment. “So, how’s your job going? You seem stressed about it.”
I exhaled, thankful for the change of subject, even if it was an unsettling one. “Yeah, a little. I’m finally finding my feet here, but I feel like the carpet is about to get ripped out from under me.”
Grayson rubbed his short stubble. “What do you think is going to happen?”
“I have no idea. They’ve had a ton of meetings lately. Rumour has it, they’re going to sell, or worse…fold.”
“I doubt they will fold. It just needs a few changes here and there to bring it into the 21st century.”
I tilted my head, and tapered my gaze. “How do you know all this?”
He ran his hand through his hair. “Well…it’s the same story with most companies. Adapt or die.”
My eyes widened.
Grayson’s hand slid over mine. “Your company will be fine. You said there’s been a lot of meetings, which means there must be a lot of interest. You shouldn’t have anything to worry about.”
I smiled tightly. “I hope so. Either way, change is on the way and change is unsettling.”
“It can also be new and exciting.” Grayson waggled his eyebrows and I laughed.
“I never really thought of it like that.”
Lenny brought out our pizzas and we ate quietly, stealing glances at each other as we devoured nearly every slice. Wanting to retain some dignity and appear ‘lady-like’, I purposely didn’t finish the entire pizza. But there was no way I was going home without the rest, so I asked Lenny to box it up for me.
Grayson’s gaze left mine for the first time that evening as he turned to stare out the window. “It’s getting late.”
I lowered my eyes to hide my disappointment. “Yeah, I should get home.”
Lenny came back with my leftovers and another stick of garlic bread, and we stood to leave. Grayson shook Lenny’s hand and I gave him a peck on the cheek, before attempting to pay the bill. Lenny refused my money, so I shoved it in the tip jar.
As I stepped out onto the sidewalk, I shivered. The temperature had dropped somewhat and I stupidly forgot to bring a jacket. I had no intention of being out so late.
“I’d offer you my coat, if I had one,” Grayson said, rubbing his own arms.
“It’s okay, I live close by.”
Grayson shoved his hands in his pockets, and peered up at me. “May I walk you home?”
I smiled up at him. “I’d like that.”
As we walked, Grayson obviously saw me shiver again because he slid his arm around my shoulders, and pulled me in to share the warmth of his body. My heart sped up and tingles spread through me as his fingers wrapped around my arm. I peeked up at him and smiled, but we didn’t speak.
Not wanting the night to end, I slowed my pace as we approached my apartment.
“This is me,” I said, at the bottom of the steps leading up to the entrance.
He dropped his arm and ran his gaze up the four-storey building. “Nice,” he said, approvingly. “Which one is yours?”
“Are you going to throw stones at my window?”
He chuckled. “Maybe.”
