Page 28 of Finding Her Leading Man

“You might need to work a little harder, Trevor, dear. The wedding is approaching quickly.” She shook her head and looked back at Samantha. “I’m sure you already know how slow to action my son can be. I’m sure it took him a long time to ask a woman like you out on a date.”

Grayson snorted and looked away. Addie ran a hand over her mouth. Nope. He’d asked Sam out within the first seven minutes of meeting her and practically daily since then.

Samantha kept her sweet, serene look. “No, I can’t say he took very long to ask me out.”

“Oh?” His mom glanced behind her at Trevor, as if remembering he still stood there. “You usually takeweeksto complete something. But that started when you were young. You must have taken four or five months when you were potty training-”

“Done.” Trevor strode forward to Samantha. “You mentioned taking a shower before dinner. I hope you have time to go out with us tonight. Unless you need to work…”

Laughter filled her eyes as she looked up at him. “Oh, I think I can make it. As long as your mom can tell medozensof stories about you growing up.”

“I’m sure she can,” he murmured, suddenly realizing how close he stood and how sweet she smelled. “Did you help Becky bake today?”

She blinked, looking confused. “Yes, why?”

“You smell like chocolate. Yesterday, you smelled like cookies.” Taking a chance, he shifted closer. He pushed the strands that had escaped her ponytail away from her face before resting his hand along her neck. Because that was what a boyfriend could do. A boyfriend could touch their girlfriend, and he wanted nothing more in the world at that moment than to touch Samantha.

“Should I be worried that you notice what I smell like?”

He grinned. He noticed everything about her. Maybe that was a little obsessive. He dropped his hand. “At least you don’t smell like the meatloaf they served today. I might not be able to control myself.”

She snorted. “I’ve never seen meatloaf as a perfume scent before.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Amelia said, taking a step in their direction.

“Mrs. A, why don’t I show you around Statem before dinner?” Grayson asked, taking his mom’s arm. “I’d like to show you where I plan on building a house.”

“Alright. We’ll meet here at seven fifteen and go out to that charming place that Addie plans on having the rehearsal dinner. Addie, dear, Cameron can make it, right?”

“He should. He worked a twelve-hour shift yesterday.” Addie grabbed Grayson’s arm as he took a step toward the door. “And I know Grayson can bring Juliana with him.”

“I will beg him to bring her. She’s your maid-of-honor, and I’ve never met her,” Amelia said.

Grayson plastered on a fake smile. “Let me go call her. You said seven-fifteen at Rhonda’s, right?” He pointed at Trevor. “I’ll text you and let you know.”

“Alright.” He turned to where Samantha stood, her feet inching her toward the door. “Can you come tonight?”

“Of course, she can,” his mom interjected. “This is the first time I’ve ever met someone that you’ve dated. She wouldn’t want to deny me this opportunity.”

“Seven-fifteen.” Samantha nodded, turned on her heel, and walked out of the room. Both hands fisted by her thighs, and her ponytail swung from side-to-side with each step.

“I’ll be back.” Trevor jogged out of the room and up the stairs after her. He caught her door the moment before it closed. “Whoa, hold on.”

She shifted, probably to hold the door open, but he pushed through, closing it behind them.

“Well, come on in, I guess.” She crossed her arms, not walking any further into the room.

“Are you coming tonight?”

“I said I would.” She motioned to her clothes. “But judging your mom’s clothes, I definitely need a shower and to wear something other than a T-shirt and jeans. Even to go out to Rhonda’s, which isn’t exactly the Ritz from what I’ve heard.”

“Addie’s worried about Mom hating it. I know with you there that it will give us a little bit of a distraction. I appreciate you putting up with this, Sam.” He took a step.

She stepped away. “I’mpretendingto date you, Trevor. Don’t forget that and think this is a real date.”

“It’s like a trial run. You said you would go out with me eventually.” And he’d thought of nothing else since then.

“This isn’t a date. It’s covering up the lie you told your mom. But I like Addie, and I can see how your mom could make things difficult. I’m used to working with producers and directors that are the same way. They just walk around life, thinking they can control everyone.” Her eyes widened. “Sorry. Not that your mom is like that—”

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