Page 7 of Calling the Shots

Gracelyn cocks her head, blinking. “Really? Tall, willowy, and gorgeous doesn’t do it for you?”

“Meh.” I shrug.

“Do tell. What is your type then? Because I thought all guys loved that look.”

I suck my teeth, wondering exactly how honest I should be here. The events of the evening—coupled with a beer and the strong floral scent floating around in the truck cab—embolden me.

“Petite. Curvy.” I keep my eyes fixed on the road, the motor rumbling loudly in the stretch of silence. “Bold, with a big personality and a good sense of humor.”

“Huh. Jamie really isn’t your cup of tea then. All she’s got on that list is bold, but it’s more brash. Like a bad dye job. In my humble opinion, of course.”

I laugh at her analogy and she grins, teeth bright in the glow of the dash lights.

Before tonight, I hadn’t spent much time chatting with Gracelyn. I’m surprised at how easy it is, how natural it feels.

I make a right at the next light, turning into the townhome complex, and Gracelyn points at the third door from the left. “Well, this is me. Thanks for the ride.”

“No problem.”

I pull into an empty parking spot and cut the ignition. Gracelyn unbuckles her seatbelt and hops out before I can come around to get the door.

I hustle to her side and she swivels, blonde curls bobbing.

“You don’t have to walk me to the door or anything. I’m fine.” She waves her hand through the air, brushing off the gesture.

“Just to be on the safe side.” I keep pace with her, matching her strides until we’re standing on her welcome mat. She pulls the house key from her bag and slides it into the lock. I wait for her to go in, but she doesn’t turn the key. Instead, she spins around and takes one step forward. Now we’re toe to toe and she’s pressing her body close to mine. Rising, she winds her hands around my neck and scoots even closer. Her mouth hovers inches from me and our breathing syncs.

With a slight tilt of her head, she presses her lips to mine in a soft, sweet kiss. So light I’m not even sure we’re touching. Kind of like eating angel food cake. Heavenly air.

After a few long seconds, she breaks away, blue eyes glittering beneath the soft lamplight.

“Just wanted to test that out. See if it felt any different out here.”

I stare down at her. “Did it?”

“Yeah.” She nods, sucking at her lower lip. “It was better. Night, Mack.”

Then she spins and disappears into her house, leaving me standing there speechless.

CHAPTER3

GRACELYN

My back pressed against the door, I pull my cell out of my bag and the screen flashes to life.

Shit.It’s almost midnight, but I need to talk to Sloane. There’s no way I can sleep right now, not with the heady scent of Mack’s aftershave clinging to my skin and every nerve in my body still tingling from that kiss.

I need to talk this out right now, try to make sense of everything that went down tonight. And Sloane’s the only person in the world who will truly get it.

Gracelyn: BESTIE! You up?

I stare at the screen, willing a message to come through.

Bestie: Barely. What’s up?

Gracelyn: You’re never going to believe what happened tonight. Call me!

Not two seconds later, the phone trills in my hand and Sloane’s profile pic pops up. She always comes through for me, day or night. No matter how far apart we are, she’ll always be my bestie, and the very thought fills me with warm fuzzies.

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