Page 72 of Just Act Natural

He tips his chin down to rest against the top of my head. “There’s nothing wrong with you, princess. You deserve so much better than anything that guy could ever give you.”

I nod my head, not trusting myself to speak and not ask if I deservehim. This isn’t about that. Grant’s not trying to hit on me. He just wants to make me feel better. He’s looking out for me without expecting anything in return.

It’s like being away for a long time and finally falling asleep in your own bed. That overwhelming sense of belonging—of being safe and comfortable andhome.

“Anyone who’s met that guy knows it was never about you.”

He’s so certain, yet so very wrong. “One of my friends told me guys don’t cheat if the woman they’re with treats them right.”

One of many supposed friends who dropped out of my life the minute Josh did. I hate that her words still stick in my head like a noxious smoke I can’t clear from a room. But the questions linger. Was it me? Was I not attentive enough? Did I spend too much time at work? Did he stop finding me attractive? Could I have avoided it?

Grant growls—legitimately growls—the low, angry sound rumbling against my ear as he hugs me tighter. “Anyonedecentwould know it was never about you.”

I know it’s not as simple as all that, but I love his fervent defense of me. I could have used a friend like him last year.

I could use one now. Only, I’m not sure I could be just friends with Grant. Not when I already want so much more.

“I’m glad I found out he was cheating.” It’s easy to tell him things cocooned here in his arms, where I don’t have to look into his eyes or see his reaction. “It gave me a solid enough reason to leave. His criticism was a hairline fracture that kept spreading, but I convinced myself I could live with it. Maybe I even deserved it. But the cheating was a clean break I couldn’t ignore.”

“Lila.” He runs his hands over my back, soothing and grounding me. “You’re making it hard for me not to go to every cabin out here until I find him and do something I will regret. He never deserved you.”

His unasked question hovers over us. What did you see in him? Grant’s too polite to be that mean, but he’s got to be wondering.

“Josh didn’t always treat me this way. In my defense, he can be quite charming when he wants to be.”

Grant gently pushes me back until we’re face to face. He trails his fingers into my hair, cupping the sides of my head, moving his thumbs over my temples. “He hides it well.”

I laugh, but the sound dies out. He’s still caressing me. Still looking into my eyes like it would be impossible for him to look at anything else. Still making my stomach swoop and dip in anticipation.

Just when I think he’s about to lean in, he releases me. “Let’s eat.”

Yup. Yes. That’s exactly what I was anticipating, too. The pasta. Obviously. Not another kiss. The comfort food can be enough for me.

His cabin has a tiny dining table, but we have just enough room for both of our plates. He serves pasta for us and bringsslices of the bread he’d warmed in the oven, then pulls a bottle from the fridge and holds it up.

“Wine? I opened it yesterday. It’s a good riesling.”

“Yes, please.” Only one glass, I promise myself. More, and I’m pretty well guaranteed to crank up the awkwardness on this evening to eleven. I need to keep it in a solid seven range. Confiding about Josh pushed the limits, but I think I can bring the average back down.

He pours us glasses and sits across from me. Once we’re settled, I take my first bite of pasta. As I suspected, it’s bliss.

“This came straight from Alfredo sauce heaven,” I say behind a hand.

“Thank you. I’ve been experimenting with the recipe.”

“You can stop tinkering. It’s perfect.”

His soft smile is almost enough to distract me from the pasta.Almost—I only have so much willpower. If I’m not going to get lost in his sizzling kisses, I will just have to indulge in a food coma.

“I’ll need to recreate it the next time Eliza enlists me to make dinner.”

I give him a curious look. It’s all I can manage with my face stuffed full of fettuccini.

“She’s trying to make Irwin family dinners happen,” he explains.

“It’s not going well?” I say as soon as I’m sure pasta won’t go flying out of my mouth.

“Oh, it’s going. Eliza tends to get her way. Every other week, we have a standing invitation to their house for Tuesday dinner. Rhett is pretty much guaranteed to show up for the free food, and I join them most of the time.”

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