Page 53 of Grumpy Darling

The shock in his eyes eased as he rubbed a hand on the back of his neck, where my hands had just been resting. “Right. Flirting.” He took another few breaths before he continued. “Sure, it was an improvement. Were those some of Bonnie’s lines too?”

“No.” I was still grinning. “But they were a little cheesy. I’m surprised you played along for as long as you did.”

“Yeah.” He gave an awkward laugh. “Your delivery was much better this time. But you weren’t exactly under pressure, so I wouldn’t get too cocky just yet. We’ll see how you do next time...”

“I guess,” I muttered. It wasn’t the glowing review I’d hoped for, but at least he’d admitted I was making progress.

Laughter drew my attention across the ice to where Parker was still talking with the group of girls. They all seemed far more skilled at flirting than me. Even their giggles sounded cute and enticing. Not at all embarrassing like mine had been last night.

“Do you think Parker is actually going to get all those girls’ numbers?” I asked.

Gray glanced in the direction of his brother. “I hope not. He’ll be bragging the whole week if he does.”

“He certainly looks like he knows what he’s doing. They can’t get enough of him.”

“If Parker’s such a pro, why didn’t you askhimfor help?”

I turned back to look at Grayson, surprised by his question. “Because I trust you,” I said. “I feel comfortable with you. There’s no one else I could do this with.”

He nodded slowly, as though he was considering my response carefully.

“Plus, I keep telling you how impressive you were last night. I bet Parker could learn a few things from you too.” I paused for a moment, as something I’d never really considered before crossed my mind. “How come I never see you trying to get girls’ numbers?”

“I’m not Parker.”

“Obviously.” I laughed, before turning serious again. “But you clearly know what you’re doing, so you must have a bit of experience. Why don’t I ever see you with other girls?”

“I’m too busy with hockey.”

I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant. Was he saying he was too busy to commit to a girlfriend or that he had no time for girls, period?

“Parker’s busy with hockey.”

“Please stop comparing me to my younger brother.”

“Well, Reed’s busy with hockey too, and he’s with Violet.”

I nodded across the lake to where the two of them were still huddled together on the bench.

“Reed found the right girl,” Gray said.

“So, that’s it? You haven’t found the right girl?”

He took a moment before replying. “I wouldn’t make a good boyfriend.”

“Why on earth would you think that? You’d be an amazing boyfriend.”

“Almost every year my report card reads that I’m quiet, withdrawn, and don’t play well with others,” he said. “That doesn’t sound like boyfriend material.”

“For the right girl it is,” I argued. “Maybe we can find her once we’ve sorted out my own dating situation?”

Before he could reply, someone shouted across the ice. “Look out!”

I lifted my gaze just in time to see a puck hurtling through the air toward me. I didn’t have a chance to react, but Grayson’s reflexes were like lightning. One moment he was standing opposite me, the next he’d grabbed my arm and yanked me out of the way. The force pulled me off my feet and sent me sprawling,

My heart raced, the breath stolen from my lungs. I squeezed my eyes shut as I waited for pain to erupt through my body. But, by some miracle, the puck seemed to have missed me. And I hadn’t hit the ice. Grayson had caught me and was holding me in his arms just above the lake’s hard surface.

Apart from Parker yelling at the guys who’d sent the puck flying our way, the only sound I could hear was my heart beating fast as I slowly looked up at Gray. He was staring down at me and holding me so securely, yet so gently, I imagined we might have looked like a couple dipping low at the end of a romantic dance.

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