Page 53 of Perfect Harmony

“Yup,” Rayna said.

“There’s no,” Grace glanced at Gideon, “sexualtension between us. I grew up with him. He’s like a brother to me.”

“Ew.” Arianna said. “Like, don’t take thisthe wrong way, but you’re having some serious messed up thoughts about your,”she made finger quotes, “brother.”

Rayna laughed. “If Grace could, in any way,convince us that she thinks of the sheriff as her brother, I’ll chug a bottle ofLiquid Drano.”

“Oh my God,” Arianna said. “That’s so dark,Rayna.”

Rayna laughed again. “I’m not going to doit. Grace will never convince us.”

“True,” Arianna said. “It’s so cute whenold people fall in love. Like, you have to promise to invite me to yourwedding.”

“Old? How old do you think Grace and thesheriff are?” Rayna said. “Wait… how old do you think I am?”

“I don’t know, like, thirty-two, maybe?” Ariannaperused her face.

“Oh my God.” Rayna turned to Grace. “Tellme I don’t look like I’m in my thirties.”

“You don’t,” Grace said. “At all.”

Rayna touched her cheeks. “Maybe I need tostart moisturizing.”

“Moisturizer is so important,” Arianna said.“I have some great ones that will work perfectly for your dry skin. I’ll textyou the brand names. Oh, and I’ll bring you some samples that I have at home.Trust me, once you start moisturizing every day, that scaly skin on yourforehead will disappear.”

Rayna touched her forehead. Grace couldn’tsee the scaly skin that Arianna was talking about but before she could reassureRayna, Wanda said, “All right. Are we ready to start?”

With another quick look at Gideon – he wasstaring at Wanda and if he felt Grace’s hot gaze, he made no acknowledgment ofit – Grace forced herself to concentrate on what Wanda was saying.

* * *

“It’s still kind of early. Do you guys wantto stop at Grind My Beans for a fat free latte?” Arianna stopped in the driveway.

“Sure,” Rayna said.

“Awesome. Gracie?” Arianna said.

“It’s been a long day but thank you for theoffer. Next time, all right?” Grace smiled at the young girl.

“Okay.” Arianna took Rayna’s hand. “Oh myGod, your hands are so rough. Is that from all the animals?”

“I’m a plumber as well,” Rayna said.

“Ew.” Arianna dropped her hand and Raynalaughed.

“I wash my hands, Arianna.”

“Right. Let’s go.”

Grace followed them down the drivewaybefore stopping abruptly and checking her pockets. “Shit.”

“What’s wrong?” Rayna said.

“I think I left my phone on the table. Havefun, you two.”

She walked up the driveway and hesitated beforeopening the front door and stepping inside. She could hear Wanda and Murray talkingto Warren and Emsley in the kitchen and she crept down the hallway. She wastired and pissed off and in no mood for small talk.

She wanted to go home and have a hot bath andforget all about stupid Gideon and stupid Cheri Ladd and her ‘come fuck me’ laugh.

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