Page 13 of The Grump

She flashed me a huge smile. “Hey, I’m with a wall of muscle, and it’s a weekday, so if not tonight, then when?”

“A wall of muscle?” I parroted.

She narrowed her eyes. “My God, Xander, you have no sense of humor, do you?”

I didn’t reply.

“Ha. I stumped you?”

Fucking hell.If this woman knew what was on my mind, she’d run away from me. I had the overwhelming urge to press her against the nearest brick wall and kiss her senseless.

This never happened to me. At least not with someone I barely knew. I was a very cerebral person. I was in charge of my instincts, not the other way around.

But if she kept running her sassy mouth, Iwouldend up kissing her.

“I would be careful, Bailey. You’re playing with fire.” I took a step back because she seemed too perplexed and said, “This way.”

For a few seconds, neither of us said anything. Then we moved on.

Bourbon Street was madness, but I’d gotten used to it. I didn’t know why it had the reputation for being unsafe. I’d passed it numerous times in my life, and no one ever tried to pick a fight. Then again, as Bailey pointed out, Iwastall and strong. I wasn’t being arrogant, just factual.

“So... how come you couldn’t outsource the delivery?”

“Xander... we’re grabbing hot chocolate. Could we make small talk or something?”

“Like what?” Small talk had never been my forte. I found it a waste of time. Several dates had no qualms about telling me how much I sucked at it too.

“Like, what do you think about the decorations that we already put up for Christmas?”

I jerked my head back.

“You don’t do small talk, do you?” she asked.

“No, not a strength of mine,” I admitted. “I get straight to the point.”

“Right. Okay.”

We continued walking to the bubble tea shop that had opened recently. I came here by accident once, thinking it was a coffee shop. It had all manner of strange drinks, but my niece had wanted to try the hot chocolate.

“Bella had the one with marshmallow, and she swore it was the best thing she ever drank,” I told Bailey.

“Who’s Bella?” she asked.

“My niece. My brother Chad’s daughter. Although, she’s a kid, so I’m not sure if her tastes are the same as an adult’s.”

“Oh, please, I love marshmallows with my hot chocolate.” She winked and turned around, looking at the menu scribbled by hand on a chalkboard above the counter.

“What can I get you?” the vendor asked after the couple in front of us left.

“I’ll have whatever she does.”

Bailey glanced at me before focusing on the vendor. “I’ll have a hot chocolate with marshmallows, honey syrup, caramel syrup, and a praline.”

My eyes bulged. “Actually, just hot chocolate for me.” Her order sounded like an explosion of sugar.

“Coming right up,” the vendor said.

Bailey turned to me, and I could tell that she was holding back laughter.

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