Page 84 of Craving Francesca

Gray laughed. It started quietly and grew progressively louder.

Lou’s eyes widened in shock.

“Grab some,” Gray ordered as he gently took the bag out of Lou’s hands. “We’ll put ’em in the saddlebags.”

I hurried back to my room with Lou on my heels.

“Okay, I get it,” she announced as I searched through my drawer. I was only bringing my boots, and I brought shorts, so I needed at least a few pairs of lacy socks.

“Get what?” I asked absentmindedly. I needed at least two pairs of cozy socks. Three, no two pairs of cushioned. Maybe we’d hike? Was Gray a hiker?

Lou stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. “Gray,” she said seriously. “I get it. Holy shit.”

“I know,” I said, looking back to the socks in my hands. Were seven pairs too much?

“He’s handsome, but when he smiles…”

“I know,” I repeated, deepening my voice. I tried like hell to push the memory of him smiling at that blonde woman out of my head.

“Okay, you got them. Go,” she ordered, shooing me.

I grabbed one more pair, a thin one, just in case.

“All set?” Gray asked in amusement as I strode back out clutching them against my chest.

“I think so.”

“Don’t need anythin’ else?” His lips were still twitching.

“Pretty sure I have everything.”

“How sure?”

“Very sure,” I ground out.

“What about a jacket?” he asked.

“Shit!”

“I’ll grab it,” Lou practically yelled as she ran for my room.

“There’s no rush, baby,” Gray reminded me gently as he looked me over. “We’re not on any timetable.”

“I wanted to be ready by the time you got here.”

“I got it,” Lou yelled, jogging back into the living room. She threw it to Gray before turning to me. “Hold on tight,” she ordered. “Call or text me every day.”

“I will.”

“Take pictures.”

“I’ll try.”

Gray walked outside, leaving the door open behind him.

“Relax,” Lou said, pulling me into a hug, my socks squished between us. “Try not stress about shit happening back here.”

“I have a feeling Gray won’t let me.”

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