Page 30 of Grumpy Darling

Take an interest in her hobbies

Be lessgrumpyGrayson

Don’t be too clingy or too nice

If all else fails, just tell her you have feelings

“This is how we get you out of the friend zone,” Parker said proudly. “You need to show her you can be more than just a friend.”

“Be less Grayson?” I pointed at number eight on the list.

Parker shrugged. “Grumpy, Grayson; they’re pretty much the same thing.”

My lips pressed into a firm line as I took another look at the list. I didn’t want to do any of those things—especially not number ten. That was certain to drive Paige away.

“You want me to be a completely different person? Is that honestly the only way you can see Paige being interested in me?”

“Uh . . .” Parker fumbled.

“And even if I wanted your advice, which I don’t, your little list is useless to me. If you know about Paige’s bucket list, then you know she’s looking for someone to be her first kiss. And she wants that person to be Damien Stone.”

The guys considered my argument for a while, but then Parker started to grin. “I think we can still help. What’s the one thing you’re great at in hockey?”

“One thing?” I wondered where he was going with this. “I’m great at more than one thing.”

“Sure you are.” It felt like Parker was talking to me like I was five. “Just answer the question.”

I released a pained sigh. “I don’t know. Skating?”

“No.”

“Stickhandling?”

“Definitely not. I’ll give you a clue. What did you receive the most penalties for last year?”

“Interference?” I guessed.

“Bingo.” Parker snapped his fingers.

“That’s the one thing I’m good at? How does that help?”

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