AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Except tonight, because you don't just say no to a man like Grayson Cooper.
Which brings me to the second thing: that Gray iswayout of my league.
I try on about ten different outfits before I decide on a green V-neck dress with flutter sleeves. It's probably a little fancy for the Snowcap, but I want to impress Gray—and I know he's going to look like a million bucks no matter what he's wearing. I put on a little make-up, not too much, and look at my reflection in the mirror.
I look good. Not great, not yet. I'm about to change again, having a few minutes to spare, when I hear a knock at the door.
He'searly?
Fuck.
I race down the stairs, wishing I had a little more time to waffle over what I want to wear. When I open the door, I see Gray standing there with a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand, just like in the movies. He's wearing a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jeans that hug his muscular thighs. His dark hair is still messy, but looks like he at least tried to tidy it.
Of course...effortlessly sexy.
The opposite of me.
I can feel my face turning red as I take in his appearance, feeling overdressed and out of my element. Maybe I should have gone with sneakers and jeans instead of heels and a dress. Everyone's going to be looking at me at the Snowcap--and not in a good way.
"Hey," he says, his blue eyes lighting up as he hands me the bouquet. "These are for you."
I take the flowers, feeling a little shy. "Thanks," I say, trying to smile. "They're beautiful."
"Just like you," he says in return. His eyes drag down my body, lingering on my chest. I know my boobs at least look good with the v-neck—and Gray makes it clear that he recognizes that. "That dress suits you."
I feel a little flutter in my stomach, something that hasn't happened in a long time. Maybe he really does like me after all.
The Snowcap is full, as it always is on Friday nights. It is, of course, the only bar in town, so there's not really anywhere else for people to go. Gray opens the door for me then guides me over to an intimate circular corner booth, sliding in to sit next to me as the waitress comes over. I can't help but feel self-conscious compared to her, a fit blonde that clearly knows Gray.
"Hey, Gray," she says with a sweet smile. "Haven't seen you around lately."
"Been working out of town," he says. "This is Claire—Dave Sawyer's granddaughter, out renovating the Sawyer house. You met her yet?"
We've definitely met, but the waitress doesn't seem to remember me.
"Don't think so," she says. "Welcome to Fern Hollow!"
"Thanks," I murmur, my voice hollow. "Uh...I'll have a vodka soda?"
"And a beer for me," Gray says.
The waitress takes our order, and I can't help but feel envious of how easily Gray interacts with her. I've always been awkward around strangers, never knowing what to say or do, and being around Gray—someone so smooth and confident—only makes me feel more self-conscious. I try to take a sip of my drink to calm my nerves, but my hand is shaking and I end up spilling some of it onto the table.
"Are you okay?" Gray leans in, his hand on my thigh. I can feel the warmth of his touch through the fabric of my dress, and I shiver in response.
"I'm fine," I say, trying to hide my embarrassment. "Just a little nervous, I guess."
"Don't be," he says, his voice low and reassuring. "You're a bombshell in a town full of plain old people. They should be nervous around you."
Wait, what?
I bite my lip. "You really think so?"
He puts his arm around me. "Do I look like a man who would lie to you?"
He looks like he would do all kinds of things to me, but lying's not one of them.
"So what do you like to do?" I ask, breaking the tension. I feel like he's going to eat me alive—and I don't think I would mind that at all. "Fern Hollow is so small that it seems like there's nothing going on."
