Page 12 of Her Pretty Words

I’ve decided to let the beating thing in my chest lead me from here on out, rather than my brain. My head is the one who got me into an engagement I feel trapped in, so heart it is. But even now, I still can’t seem to end things with him, no matter how unhappy he makes me feel.

But I’m certainly not sharing any of this with Grayson, so I say, “Because my flight got canceled.”

“No.” He shakes his head. “Why did you leave?”

“That’s none of your busine?—”

“Macy, we just spent the night together and you didn’t mention once that you were engaged.”

I reel back, warmth spreads throughout my face. “What’s your point, Grayson? I don’t owe you the details of my life just like you don’t owe me yours. We’re strangers.” I laugh without humor. “You act as if we didn’t just meet a couple of hours ago,” I say, before grabbing my toothbrush and locking myself in the bathroom.

I expect him to be long gone when I come out, but as soon as I open the door, he’s right in front of me, like he was standing there about to knock. He clears his throat. “It’s almost one in the morning and I’m exhausted.”

My teeth ache as I grind them. “Fine. Take the room.” I try to walk around him, but he steps to the side, blocking me from passing.

“No, I don’t want—” He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I was just asking if I can share the room with you.”

I’m about to say no, but he continues.

“And we aren’t strangers. You’re Macy and I’m Grayson. We might not be friends, but I hope you’ve realized by now that I have no ill intentions when it comes to you,” he says. He gives me a once over before adding, “I’m sorry for prying just now. I won’t say another word if that’s what you prefer. I just need someplace to sleep tonight.”

What can I even say? It was his room to begin with, and there’s no way I can walk around looking for a hotel this late into the night. With no real choice, I just nod.

Chapter 5

Grayson

Macy walks around the hotel room like I’m not even here. She grabs one of the complimentary water bottles and chugs the entire thing. She’s wearing soft pink shorts and a T-shirt that saysReading is sexy.She plugs her phone cord into an outlet and climbs into bed, tucking her body beneath the comforter. The only sound is fabric rustling as she tries to get into a comfortable position.

Being in the same room as someone while they unwind from the day feels much more intimate than I’d imagine.

I don’t wear her fiancé’s clothes. I folded them and put them back in her suitcase. I lay in the second bed on my side.

She stares at her phone, eyes drifting horizontally along the screen like she’s reading something. Maybe an e-book.

I break the silence. “What are you going to do in Florida?” I ask for the second time.

She looks up at me through dark lashes, setting her phone on the mattress beside her. “I thought you weren’t going to talk.”

Right. I did say that. But clearly her presence ruffles me enough to forget my basic social skills, leaving the impression that I’m a prick. I’m such a moron when I blurt out, “Ididbuyyou a hotel room.” Deep down, I think I like saying things just to see her eyes roll.Maybe I am a prick.

“I’m going to my grandparents’ house in Sanibel,” she whispers. “I used to visit them every summer, but the year before they died, my fiancé convinced me to stay in Idaho, since he didn’t want to come with me.” She clears her throat and whispers, “I never saw them again.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m sorry,” I say. “It sounds like you and your grandparents were close.”

“We were.”

“Are you going there to sell the house?”

She immediately shakes her head, like the idea is insane. “No, of course not. I love that house.” She smiles, and I truly don’t deserve to witness something so beautiful. “I’ve always dreamed of living there as a little girl.”

“Why don’t you?” I’m quick to ask.

She looks at me like no one’s ever suggested it before. Like the idea is impossible. “Because I live in Idaho.”

“Well, thatisthe purpose of moving,” I say. “You leave one place to live in another.”

“Walter won’t leave Idaho,” she whispers.

---