Page 63 of Not A Whisper

Grant’s pupils narrow to pinpoints and his nostrils flare. A slight pink tint gathers in his cheeks as anger comes and goes in a blink of an eye.

"Look, I appreciate lunch.” I force myself to smile even though I feel sick looking at Grant. “If you were thinking about grabbing the key from me, it’s not going to happen.”

Before I left this morning, I made it a point to show him that I was slipping it into my purse. He’s trapped in that cage until I’m feeling gracious. Unfortunately for him, I’m far from appeased where he’s concerned.

“A key to your place?” Jonathan asks, curiously.

I glare at him. “Stop being nosy.”

He lifts his hands in surrender and turns his attention back to his computer. I can tell he’s fighting back a smile.

Grant grimaces but nods. “Fine. Lunch wasn’t about that anyway. I just wanted to check on you.”

Check on me? I raise a brow, and Grant shrugs. “I fucked up royally, Bri, I know that. I’ll make it up to you. In the meantime, I figured I could start by bringing you lunch.”

Baby steps. Grant is working on earning my forgiveness. Coming to my place of work, a small public apology, and food? These are all good places to start. My smile is small but genuine.

“Thank you, Grant.”

Grant nods. “Enjoy it. See you later.”

Later? Has he decided to throw all caution to the wind now?Thatcan’t possibly bite either of us in the ass. I let out a long sigh. That's something to worry about later.

Jonathan rolls toward me again.

“Clear something up for me, Bri. I thought you said Grant was busy not all that long ago, and that’s why you brought Trip with you last week. So… Grant’s back around again? What about Trip? Do they know about each other?” Jonathan asks with eager interest. “Your life is so interesting.”

Before I can figure out how to answer my friend, Grant stops walking. I tense as he turns halfway around and looks back at Jonathan before flashing him a megawatt grin.

“Interesting is one way to describe her love life, given that she’s seeing the three of us. We like to keep her on her toes.”

“Wait!” Jonathan looks between us. “Three?”

Grant’s grin grows even bigger at my groan of despair.

“You didn’t know about Jay? Weird, I figured you’d been introduced since he was here a lot last semester tostudy. Anyway,” Grant shrugs. “Maybe we can all hang out sometime. It was nice meeting you.”

With that, Grant turns and heads out, leaving me with Jonathan, his outrage, and the struggle to explain my complicated relationship.

“What the hell, Bri?Anotherstudent? And why is the school’s royalty calling you his fiancée?”

Lunch consistedof handmade ravioli bites with dipping sauce and for dessert—a singular gourmet cupcake. It was all so good that it was almost enough for me to let go of my irritation with Grant. Almost. Grant’s lucky Pianna called just as I left work and I didn’t have time to stew on the way home or my mood would be way worse.

“I sent over several venues. Did you get them?” she asks.

I glance at the little email notification at the top of my phone’s screen. “Yeah, I got them. I’ll call and check to see when they have availability. You’re aiming for a summer wedding, right?”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I push down the urge to tell her to slow down. This isn’t my life. If Pianna wants to get married quickly, fine. Who am I to object? I should just focus on my life and learn to navigate my own relationships.

They aren’t endgame,Pianna’s voice echoes in my head.

A wave of uncertainty and insecurity wraps around me as I get out of the car. Could my apprehension at Pianna’s swift marriage be from the fact thatI’mnot closer to a happy ending? God, I hope not. I can’t be that shitty of a friend, can I?

Pianna squeals. “Yes! I don’t want to be seen shivering as I walk down the aisle.”

“Alright, I’ll check these places out and see what we can do.”

I can hear her happy sigh. “I can’t believe this is happening. God, I have to pinch myself every day to make sure I’m not dreaming.” Somewhere in the background I hear a male voice. “I have to go, Bri, but I’ll send over a few dresses I’ve been eyeing in a bit. Tell me if you think I have the body for them. Oh! And did you check your schedule to see when you can come out?”

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