Page 59 of Perfect Harmony

Connor’s smile turned teasing. “Are youstill making those friendship bracelets? How many friends do you have anyway?”

She laughed and reached into her bag again,digging out a red and black coloured bracelet and a black and green one. “Thatreminds me, I made bracelets for you and Gideon.”

She stood and smoothed down her skirt beforewalking to Connor. “Hold out your good arm.” She tied the red and black one aroundhis wrist and he looked it over.

“It’s great. Thanks, Addie.”

“You’re welcome.” She joined Gideon, andhe held out his arm without prompting. She tied the black and green one aroundhis wrist. “Remember, you can’t take this off until it falls off. Wear it allthe time.”

“Got it. Thanks, Addison,” Gideon said.He smiled at her, but it was a little strained. He glanced at Grace and she immediatelylooked away. She didn’t need the memory of Gideon’s hand down her pants or hislow voice demanding she come, rocketing through her head right now, thank youvery much.

Awkward silence had filled the room and sherealized that Addison was staring at Preacher, her hands tucked into a nervousfist behind her back. “Um, I have one for you, if you’d like.”

Grace hid her smile. It was kind of Addisonto try and include Preacher, but he wasn’t the type of guy who wore afriendship bracelet. She hoped he wasn’t too much of a dick when he toldAddison no. She was a little on the sensitive side.

“Sure.” Preacher’s tone was bored but at leasthe hadn’t said no and embarrassed Addison.

Addison returned to the couch, quicklyunpinning the bracelet as Connor sat on the arm of the couch next to Kira. “Hey,Gideon, did you see the game on Sunday? Swear to God, if their batting average…”

Gracie tuned out as Gideon, Connor, andKira, animatedly discussed Sunday’s game. Instead, she watched as Addisonapproached Preacher, the friendship bracelet in one hand, the other handtugging at the pearls around her neck.

Preacher held out his arm. His big body stillleaned against the wall, but he stiffened the tiniest bit when Addison wrappedthe bracelet around his thick wrist. Her hands were trembling noticeably, and ittook her a few fumbled attempts to tie the bracelet around Preacher’s wrist.

She smoothed the ends along Preacher’swrist, her fingers grazing his skin, and then snatched her hand back like she’dbeen burned. She stared up at Preacher. He returned her look unblinkingly foralmost thirty seconds before his gaze dropped to the pearls around her neck.

Weirdly, bright red immediately coloured Addison’scheeks and Grace could see her entire body tremble. Holy shit… was anyone elsenoticing the sexual tension between Addie and Preacher?

She glanced at the others, but they werearguing about one of the calls an ump had made during the game and paying no attentionto Addie or Preacher.

“Thanks,” Preacher said.

“Um, you’re welcome.” Addison made a weirdfluttering motion with her hands before turning and nearly bolting back to thecouch. She grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “I should get going.”

“What?” Kira turned to look at her. “Why?Stay and have a drink with us. School’s finished for the summer, so it’s notlike you have to work in the morning.”

“No, I better not.” Addison glanced at Preacherbefore looking at the floor. “I have to get up early and take my car in for aninspection. It’s making a weird noise.”

Grace stood. “I’m gonna go too.”

“Seriously?” Kira said.

Grace nodded and leaned down to kiss hercheek. “Sorry, honey. I’m tired.”

Kira squeezed her hand. “I know. Get somerest, okay?”

“I will. See you, everyone.”

She followed Addison out of the house and downthe driveway to where they were both parked on the street.

“Addie?”

“Yeah?” Addison unlocked her car andopened the driver’s door, throwing her bag into the passenger seat.

“Remember a couple months ago when we weretalking to Kira about how even though she was in love with Daniel, it was okayfor her to find Connor hot and want to kiss him.”

“Yes.” Addison studied a tree over Grace’sshoulder.

“You said that you thought about kissinganother guy.”

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