Page 12 of Perfect Harmony

She smiled again at Preacher, but Gideoncould see the nerves behind it. “What do you say?”

Harrison leaned forward. “Addison, come on.He isn’t going to do it anyway. A guy like him doesn’t even -”

“Three o’clock works,” Preacher said.

Gideon hid his grin as everyone in the yardstared at Preacher.

After a moment, Addison cleared her throatand said, “Great. Three o’clock on Wednesday then. Just tell the front deskthat you’re here for Ms. Moore’s career day and they’ll have a volunteer bringyou to my classroom.”

There was more awkward silence before Lucassaid, “So, Grace, did Kira tell you that I’m moving here?”

“She mentioned it.” Grace smiled at Lucas,and hot jealousy shot through Gideon like a cannon. “She said she was lookingat a few places for you.”

“I am,” Kira said. “Actually, I’m going tobe showing him one in your complex, Gracie.”

“Really? You’ll like the area,” Grace said.“I rent my townhouse, but I’m one of the few who do.”

“I’m sure living close to you will be thebest part of my move to Harmony Falls,” Lucas said.

Gideon’s jealousy was threatening to floodthe entire backyard in a hot green wave.

“Why exactly are you moving to HarmonyFalls rather than back to Willington, Mr. Wright?” Gideon said.

“Call me Lucas,” he said. “I’m moving toHarmony Falls for a job, actually. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that IsaacStark is opening up an office here.”

Gideon nodded stiffly. “I’ve heard.”

“Didn’t he buy the old firehouse?”Harrison said.

“He did,” Kira said. “He’s remodeling theinside. Construction started last week, actually.”

“Stark Entertainment is a large company,it’s a little surprising that Stark would choose to open a new company here,”Gideon said to Lucas.

“Technically it’s an offshoot of his existingcompany,” Lucas said.

“What do you do at Stark Entertainment?”Grace asked.

“Right now, I’m a game developer,” Lucassaid. “But I’ve gotten a promotion and at the location here in Harmony Falls,I’ll be heading up the entire development section.”

“Wow, that’s impressive.” Grace’s tone wasfull of admiration. Gideon wondered if it was possible for his head to justpop off from jealousy.

“Thanks, Grace,” Lucas said.

“When will you be moving here?” Addisonasked.

“Depends on when construction is finished.Tentative date of September first, but Stark’s a picky guy. If somethingdoesn’t look exactly the way he wants in the new building, he’ll make them tearit down and redo it.”

“Sounds expensive,” Connor said.

“It’s Stark,” Lucas said, “he’s got moremoney than God.”

Grace laughed before standing and gatheringup some of the paper plates on the picnic table. “I really need to meet thisStark guy.”

Gideon’s jaw clenched when Lucas stood andhelped her clear the table. “I won’t lie, he’s a good looking bastard, but heisa bastard. Me, on the other hand, I’m good looking and so sweet sugar wouldn’tmelt in my mouth.”

Gideon didn’t like the way Lucas was standingso close to Grace, but it was good he was invading her personal space. Gracewouldn’t want someone she didn’t know that close to her. She was affectionateand touchy with the people she loved but kept everyone else at a distance. Anysecond now she’d make it clear to the asshole that he was stepping over the line.

To Gideon’s shock, Grace leaned a littlecloser to Lucas and rested her hand on his chest. “Is that right? Becausethat isn’t what Connor told me.”

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