Page 22 of Undoing the Grumpy Guy

He’s slipped on a pair of sunglasses which make him look like a movie star on the way to a shoot, but it also shields his eyes from me, and his face gives nothing away. “I took the afternoon off to spend with you.”

I pick at a few stray threads on the edge of my cutoff shorts as warmth fills me from his words.

“Right now, nothing is urgent at work since we just finished up a major case. I won’t always have this type of free time or flexibility, so I want to make the most of it and spend it with you.”

I stop messing with my shorts. “Why?”

His chuckle is warm and full of humor. “Why? Because I like you, Winnie, and I enjoy your company.”

“I’m boring,” I protest.

Reed snorts. The noise is so unexpected coming from him that in response, I giggle and slap a palm over my mouth.

He turns my way, a gentle smile tilting up the corners of his firm lips. “Winnie, I doubt anything about you is boring. Our tastes are different. We’re different and I like that.”

“You do?”

His hand covers mine. “I do.”

We drive in silence for a few minutes, the scenery flying by as we go down a back road that I’m unfamiliar with. The road is barely wide enough for two vehicles and the trees overhead block out the sun, giving this road an eerie feel. I’ve never felt unsafe with Reed, and I don’t now, but this road is giving me bad vibes. I am glad that I’m not back here driving alone.

“Tell me about your books.”

At his request, I tear my eyes away from the heavy trees that seem to get closer and closer to the road with each mile that we drive.

“Well, I write children’s books.”

He laughs. “Yes, you told me that before. Tell me what they are about.”

“Ugh, you just asked me something that all authors fear,” I complain. “We don’t enjoy talking about our work, and definitely not summarizing it.”

He still has his hand covering mine, and he gives a slight squeeze. “Then don’t summarize.”

Turning his attention from the road, Reed flashes me a smile before facing forward again. “Tell me a story, Winnie. Here’s one I just thought up. Once upon a time, there was a young woman with eyes of gray and hair the color of sunshine who weaved a spell around a man until he didn’t know if he was coming or going. He didn’t care about the spell as long as the beautiful woman continued to gift him with her smiles and sweet glances, and he was happy with her presence in his life.”

His words steal my breath. I can only stare at his profile for several long beats of my heart trying to get my emotions in check. Finally, I begin, telling him the first story I wrote. I’m sure it’s not perfectly verbatim, but it’s as close as I can remember it.

When I finish, he’s still smiling. “I bet that one will be a best seller.”

Squirming in the seat, I gaze out the window. “I can hope. It’s with a sixth publishing house currently and I should hear something soon.” I cross the fingers on both hands and hold them up. “Well, I can hope I hear something.”

“You will. As a child, I would have loved that story.” His hand squeezes mine again. “What about you? Do you want children someday?”

I’ve already asked him that, so fair is fair, yet it makes me feel shy again. I absolutely want children. And ever since I saw him months ago, I’ve been daydreaming about him giving me those children. Which is silly on my part, I know. “Yes,” I finally admit. “I do want children.”

The trees give way to long brown stalks of dune grass, telling me we’re close to the marshes. And then suddenly straight ahead the road gives way to sand.

“What?” I gasp, craning my neck unable to believe what I’m seeing.

Reed chuckles and takes his hand from my thigh to park the SUV tight to the edge of the sand-covered road. “Remarkable, isn’t it? Civilization just stops and nature begins.”

“This is where we’re going?” I ask, still unable to take my eyes away from the golden sand and the murky blue water that stretches out endlessly.

“Yes, surprise! A picnic dinner at the beach.”

Unable to stop myself, I unbuckle my seat belt and throw myself at Reed, clutching his shoulders and hugging him tight. “Thank you!”

His arms go around me and if it wasn’t for the console between us, I would climb into his lap and cover him with kisses.

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