Page 3 of Falling for Mr. Grump, the Big City Billionaire

I stride away, pretending I don't hear her.

Pretending I'm not hyperaware of her eyes on my back.

Pretending my skin isn't still tingling from where the curry soaked through my shirt.

I need a shower. A change of clothes.

And possibly a lobotomy to get those incredible golden-flecked eyes out of my head.

What a perfect horrible start to what's already promising to be a horrible day.

With a growl, I fish my phone out of my pocket, grimacing at the curry stains on my fingers.

Great.

At least the phone still works. I scroll to Drew's number, hesitating for a second before hitting the call button.

My brother picks up on the third ring.

"Troy? Weren't you supposed to land at …”

"Emergency landing," I cut him off. "I'm at some excuse for an airstrip, covered in Thai curry, and I need a ride."

There's a pause, then a laugh. "Covered in what now?"

"Don't." I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Just... Can you come get me, please?"

"Be there in ten." He's still laughing. "Try not to get into any more trouble with the local food vendors before I arrive."

I hang up without bothering to reply.

How does he even know about... never mind.

Small towns.

Everyone probably knows everything about everyone else here. It's exactly why I hate places like this.

Drew shows up in an ancient Jeep that's seen better days.

My brother – successful city CEO turned small-town innkeeper – looks disgustingly happy.

He's wearing jeans and a faded t-shirt, and his usual slicked-back hair is messy.

The Drew I knew in New York wouldn't be caught dead looking like this.

Somehow, he looks good, like he’s in his element.

"Don't say a word," I warn as I climb in.

He grins. "About the curry? Or about how you managed to piss off the owner of the best food truck in town within five minutes of landing?"

"It's a food truck," I mutter. "How good could it possibly be?"

But my traitorous mind flashes to the spices I can still smell on my shirt, complex and interesting and...

No. Stop it.

"You'd be surprised," Drew says as we pull away. "I don’t know why you’ve decided to stay at the Inn. You know, you could stay at our house. Meg would love to see you."

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