Page 54 of Faking Romance

I roll my eyes. “I guess I really like him.”

“Hmmmm. Interesting,” Cam says as she finishes making my drink.

“What’s interesting about that?” I ask.

“Well, Drew said you guys weren’t compatible and I said you’d make the perfect couple,” she says.

I frown. “Why did he think that?”

Shrugging, she hands me my drink. “Who knows? I think it was because he pegged you as wanting a happily ever after and he knows Gray is anti-dating at the moment, so not exactly stellar relationship-match material.”

“WhydoesGray not want to date? Is it really just because of his last breakup?” I question.

She shrugs. “He was dating this woman when he moved in and they broke up. He took it pretty hard. He thought she would stick with him while he worked on pursuing his dream. I guess that’s why,” Cam explains.

For the first time since I’ve met Grayson Porter, I really consider the fact that this man had an entire existence before I arrived in his life. I also start to think about the fact that I don’t really know that much about him. Whenever we talk about pertinent things we need to know, it’s always basic information or random life stories. Aside from knowing his parents live not far from here and his younger sister lives on the other side of the city, he just says he isn’t close with his family and his upbringing was…what did he call it? Ah, yes,unremarkable.

“Did you ever meet her?” I ask because I suddenly have a million questions.

“Yeah, a few times. She came to happy hour like a couple of times but didn’t seem to really gel with anyone. And then I saw her in passing once or twice and a few times they came by here to get coffee.” She leans over the counter and lowers her voice. “Between you and me, if you aren’t a cop, a doctor, or nurse, or someone who has to work a graveyard shift and you ask for black coffee no sugar, no cream, I’m silently judging you.”

I chuckle. “Noted. Glad to hear I’m not being judged for my lattes.”

“Hell no, latte orderers are the best,” Cam replies with a wink.

The door opens and we both startle. I turn to find Hutch holding the door open for Jocelyn. Their size difference is almost comical. Jocelyn literally walks beneath his outstretched arm. I’m half-tempted to start calling him Tarzan.

“How’s your stakeout coming along?” Cam asks with a raised eyebrow.

Hutch sighs. “If work didn’t get in my way, I could commit to more surveillance. I’m hoping that I can capture the culprit with my motion sensor camera.”

“Culprit? Seriously?” I state with a roll of my eyes.

“Culprit, secret flower person, whatever. I need to know,” he says emphatically.

“The guardian of Hearts Lane Park,” I correct because that’s what the notes always say. He shrugs.

Jocelyn nods and looks up at him. “I agree. The mystery is killing me.”

A moment later, the door opens again, and Carly and Brayden walk inside.

“Where’s your mini me?” Cam asks Carly.

“She has a field trip today. I wanted to chaperone, but my students have this big test coming up, and I needed to help them prepare. This single parenting is for the dogs,” she grumbles.

Brayden wraps his arm around her shoulders and squeezes it. “You’re doing great,” he assures her before dropping his arm. “Two cappuccinos,” he says to Cam.

Cam laughs. “Bray, if I don’t know your usual orders by now, then I’m like the worst friend in the history of friends. Large cappuccinos, sugar-free vanilla syrup, three shots of espresso, and almond milk.”

Hutch gives her a hard look and she rolls her eyes. “Small dirty chai tea latte with regular milk and two shots of espresso.”

Hutch grins. “And that’s why I love you.”

Cam’s second eye roll is followed by a smile. I can’t blame her. It’s hard to stay mad at Hutch. He gives off giant teddy bear vibes.

“Hey, Roxy,” Hutch greets me as he stands between Jocelyn and me. Carly and Brayden discuss some show they are both binging after greeting each of us. How those two aren’t dating is beyond me.

I turn to look out the café’s window. Gray is there and opens the door.

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