Page 45 of Blade

Taking his hand in mine, I settled it on the console between us.

“Grant, I, um, I hope I didn’t give you the wrong impression. I came home to help Grams with some things she isn’t able to do anymore. But I am not staying forever.”

I peeked over at him as he placed both hands on the wheel. “It’s just that I am not looking to get involved with anyone. I am excited to catch up with a friend I haven’t seen in a while, but… that’s all it is.”

Something passed over his face quickly as he looked through the window at his side. When he looked back at me, he had a wide smile.

“Of course. Can’t say I’m not disappointed. I’ve always thought you were beautiful since high school. I was hoping maybe after all this time you might see me the same way.”

“You are a very attractive man, Grant. I just, I don’t think a relationship is in the cards for me, ever.”

I stared out my window, thinking about the boy that I loved with everything in me. He took everything when hedied, leaving nothing left for anyone else. Suddenly, a vision of Blade came to mind. I shook my head, trying to wipe the vision from my mind.

Where did that come from?

“I’m sorry. We can turn around. I don’t want to waste your time,” I apologized, looking back at Grant.

“Nonsense. We are still friends and have a lot to catch up on.” Grant gave me another blinding smile as we turned into the parking lot of the restaurant. When I reached for the door, Grant stopped me.

“Let me get that. Despite this not being a date, I am still a gentleman,” he said with a wink before getting out of the car and coming around the front to open my door. He held out his hand to help me out and, just like in high school, I wished I could feel something for him.

Another glimpse of Blade floated through my mind.

What is wrong with me?

Grant continued to hold my hand as we walked into the restaurant, and I wasn’t sure what I should do. I didn’t want to pull my hand away and dishearten him more. I also didn’t want to give him a false hope that I would change my mind, either.

Thankfully, he let go of my hand, reaching for the hand of the maître d’. He gave the man his name and once again his hand was on my back and felt lower than it had been at the house. The man led us to a small table in the corner. A secluded table, definitely meant for a couple who wanted privacy.

I looked back at Grant, and he shrugged sheepishly at me.

“Sorry, I was hoping to wine and dine you this evening. I should have clarified when I asked you to dinner. I can ask for another table.”

“That isn’t necessary. We have a lot to catch up on, and there won’t be any distractions from other diners.”

There was that smile again. It really was a shame there were no sparks.

I heard a growl, and I looked around.

I expected to see a biker standing behind me, but no one was there. Maybe I imagined all those times I thought I heard him growl. I couldn’t deny the way my body just responded to that growl in my head, though.

What is that?

I sat down as Grant pushed my chair in. He walked around and sat across from me. The waitress walked over and poured us both a glass of wine. There was no mistaking the way she was drooling over Grant. Talk about unprofessional.

I thought of Samantha and how professional she was when she waited on Rachel, the guys, and me that first day at The Diner. She barely acknowledged the men, except for Jack. No one could ignore someone like Jack, no matter how hard they tried.

The differences between the professionalism in a diner waitress compared to the waitress in this very expensive-looking restaurant were astounding. Seeing Cash, Jingles, and Jack sitting with only two women, anyone would assume at least one man was available. All three were gorgeous. Yet, Samantha’s eyes never roamed over them.

Here, however, as far as she knew we were a couple and the way she was blatantly trying to engage him and get his attention was absurd.

Clearing my throat, I looked at her pointedly.

She glanced over and finally got the point. There was no jealousy on my part. Like I said, I wished I felt something for Grant.

Still, her actions were just plain rude.

“I ordered ahead, three courses,” Grant said with a smile.

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