Page 31 of Her Pretty Words

“How long have you lived here?” Sarah asks Grayson as I climb his porch steps. But before he can answer, I step on the back of my flipflop and nearly trip, but Grayson is quick to grab me beneath my arms.Why is this man always catching me? And why am I always falling around him?

I glance up at him and for a moment it’s just him and I and unwelcome feelings brewing beneath my skin.

“Hey man, thanks for letting us intrude,” Elliot says. Grayson releases me to shake Elliot’s hand, then claps him on the shoulder. “I’m Elliot, and the woman asking you a million and one questions is my wife, Sarah.”

She shrugs. “I want to get to know the new guy in town. Sue me.”

I let them talk while I start on the burgers. Grayson’s grill is shiny and new. I wonder if it’s ever been used before now. I feel a hand on the small of my back. Grayson’s breath touches the shell of my ear. “I’ll grab you some tongs.”

I quickly notice that even with Sarah and Elliot sharing a seat, there’s only one chair left.

Back with a pair of tongs, Grayson carefully hands them to me. The tips of my fingers brush his and he quickly clears his throat. “I’ll just be inside,” he says wryly. He turns to walk away but I quickly reach out.

Before I realize what I’m doing, his hand is in mine. “Stay. Meet my friends,” I say so only he can hear.

He stares like he’s trying to read me. “If that’s what you want.”

“It is.”

He nods, then backs up and sits on a chair across from Sarah and Elliot.

“Do you drink vodka and cranberry?” Sarah asks him.

“Sure,” he says.

“You want any?” Elliot asks me.

I nod. I feel like I’m going to need a drink or two tonight.

I turn on the grill and start cooking the patties. Elliot starts pouring our drinks. He places two on the patio table and Grayson grabs one. I feel the heat of his stare as he’s walking over to me. He puts the cup in my hand.

I take one large swig. “Is there even any cranberry juice in this?” I laugh, scrunching my face in disgust.

Grayson lifts an eyebrow, takes my cup out of my hand, and slowly brings it to his lips without breaking eye contact. “I think he’s trying to get you drunk,” he says.

“No offense, Macy, but you seem like you can use some…loosening up.” Elliot calls from his chair.

Sarah laughs.

I scoff at them. “I am plenty loose?—”

Grayson’s teeth skim his bottom lip to hide his amusement. I shoot everyone a look. “Whatever. You can expect your burgers to have spit in them.”

I pad by Grayson to the empty chair and collapse onto it while the burgers cook. The smell of burning charcoal fills theair. I swish the vodka around in my mouth, having a hard time swallowing it. I place my cup on the table.

Grayson still stands by the grill, as if he’s unsure of what to do with himself. Where he fits. I clear my throat to get his attention and scoot over so there is space on the chair.

His expression doesn’t shift, but I see his chest slowly rising as if he’s taking a deep breath. He saunters over and places his palm over my knee to lower himself. I stiffen once he’s beside me, so much of our bodies touching one another. He drapes his arm over the back of the seat, and then he turns to me and says so only I can hear, “I’m not going to bite you, Mace.”

I don’t want him to know how much his proximity unnerves me. I glare at him and slowly relax my body. The base of my neck rests against his arm.

I hear a photo being taken. I swivel my head forward to see Sarah lowering her phone. I shoot her a pointed look.

“What? You guys are funny with his smug expression and your evil glare.”

Elliot chuckles.

“I’ll send it to you later,” she whispers with a wink.

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