Page 39 of Resisting the Grump

“Thanks for giving me a job so I could get away from a stressful future that wouldn’t have suited me.”

“You’ve already thanked me for that.”

I shrugged. “In that case, thank you for the presents. They’re as beautiful as they were unexpected.” Not only had she gotten me a beautiful silk scarf with Monet’s lilies on it, but she brought me a set of fragrances from a famous Parisian parfumerie so I could mix it up if I ever wanted to smell like something besides cinnamon and vanilla. Even Noah came through with a baguette-shaped fridge magnet that doubled as a bottle opener.

“It’s so surreal to be back,” she said, looking around the café like she was at the front of a ship. “The trip was such a whirlwind, and now I’m here again as if nothing has changed.”

Part of me thought Noah might propose on the trip based on how fast things had been moving since they’d fled the friend zone, but I guess Noah wanted to drag out the fun. Either way, it was only a matter of time. For how long they’d loved each other, swapping rings and vows was merely a formality. “Well, some things have changed,” I said, nodding towards the star in the window.

Her dimples deepened with her smile. “I’m still so happy we won,” she said. “Shame I had to invent the world’s most labor-intensive pie to get the job done.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything, but the braided crust is so time-consuming I’m not convinced it’s worth the effort.”

“I know, but as long as people are asking for it, I think we better have some on hand. I don’t want customers to think I’ll go the extra mile for a bunch of strangers at a festival but not for the regulars who keep us in the black.”

I laughed. “Yeah, wouldn’t want people to start nasty rumors about you and your selfish baking habits.”

“Mmm. That does seem unlikely.”

“Speaking of unlikely…” The bell over the door chimed and Oliver walked in wearing a dark grey suit that fit him so well it could’ve been painted on.

Grace’s tired eyes widened.

“Evening, ladies.”

Heat bloomed across my cheeks till I felt like a smitten schoolgirl. “Grace, you remember Oliver.”

“Hi,” she said, straightening up. “Nice to see you again.”

“Likewise,” he said. “And congratulations again on your well-deserved win.”

Grace nodded appreciatively.

“To what do we owe this pleasure?” I asked, feigning a casualness I didn’t feel.

He turned his attention my way. “I wanted to see you.”

I glanced at Grace, my stomach knotting.

“I’ll just be…” She pointed behind her towards the kitchen and made herself scarce. Or at least, she pretended to. I would’ve bet anything she was crouched around the corner eavesdropping like I used to do when she flirted with Noah out front. But that was before. Now that they’d admitted their feelings to each other it didn’t seem right to do that anymore.

“Couldn’t wait one more day, huh?” I asked, cocking my head and willing him to lean over and take a bite out of my neck.

His steady gaze searched mine. “I came to warn you.”

My brows lifted. “Warn me?”

He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I regret my restraint last Saturday.”

“Is that so?”

He nodded.

“Does that mean you won’t be restrained tomorrow?” Maybe I should bring my new leash out as a joke. Getting some use out of it might be better payback than putting a nasty new surprise on Number Eight’s doorstep. Besides, I was growing weary of giving anti-welcome gifts. The whole thing was starting to feel embarrassing and childish…though there was nothing childish about my new favorite fantasy: raucous sex with Oliver against the wall I shared with Number Eight.

“You’ve been warned.”

I opened my mouth to speak, at which point he’d already spun towards the door. “Was that a threat?”

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