Page 51 of Grumpy Darling

“A makeover?” He spat out the word as though it was something dirty in his mouth and he took personal offense to it. “Why on earth would you need a makeover?”

“She says I dress like a librarian.”

“Librarians can be sexy.”

“Whatlibrarians?”

“I don’t know. The ones in movies?”

“Grayson, what kind of movies have you been watching?”

“Uh, no, I didn’t mean . . .”

He looked so embarrassed I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m only messing with you, Gray.”

An amused flicker flashed in his eyes, but he went right on back to looking unimpressed. “So, you want me to teach you how to flirt, get Damien to ask you out, practice what to do on a date,andgive you a makeover?”

“Yeah. Pretty much.”

“You know, you don’t really need help, right? And you don’t need to change anything. You’re perfect just as you are.”

When he said things like that, I had to wonder how some girl hadn’t already fallen madly in love with him. He was so sweet, but he was totally wrong.

“If I was perfect, I wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place. And I wouldn’t have failed quite so miserably with Damien last night,” I replied. “Please, Gray. I’m clueless, and I don’t want to mess this up again. If I’m going to get another shot with him, I need to wow his socks off.”

Grayson lifted one eyebrow at me. “Wow his socks off?”

“Yep. I need to be cool and flirty and confident and so gorgeous his socks go flying right off him.”

He scoffed, but it felt like his frustration was shifting closer to acceptance.

“I know this isn’t what you signed up for, but will you help me? Will you be my DRC?”

“DRC?”

“Dating and Relationships Coach,” I explained. “It’s a pretty big promotion from Flirting Coach. Congratulations.”

He released a heavy breath. I was tempted to remind him that he was part of the reason I was so desperate for help. But I knew I was just as much to blame. I was asking a lot, so I didn’t want to force him into it.

His eyes were wary as he returned my gaze. “Fine, I’ll help. But not with the makeover.”

That was close enough for me. “Thanks, Gray.” I smiled and he grumbled his response.

“Come on, let’s keep skating before I change my mind.”

I nodded but quietly groaned as we started off again. It had been nice to stop for a minute. It was far too hard to talk and skate at the same time.

“So, are you going to practice your flirting on me?” he asked.

“Now?”

“I don’t see why not. According to your new plan, we’ve got a lot of stuff to get through, haven’t we?”

“I guess, but do you really expect me to flirt and skate at the same time? It’s like you want me to fall over and die.”

“I’m holding your hands, Pidge. You’re not going to die.”

“Debatable.”

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