Page 61 of Grumpy Darling

“Ha! You totally are.”

I cast him a stern look, which only made his smile grow.

“This is amazing,” he said. “Who would have thought our little human rainbow was capable of turning into a dark and stormy cloud?”

It was far too early for this. “I’m a person, Parker. Not a cloud or a rainbow.”

“You’re definitely closer to a rainbow than a person. At least, you usually are.”

I knew I should have just stayed in bed until the shower was free.

Amy bustled into the kitchen and kissed Parker on the head. I had to smother a laugh because he looked appalled by her gesture. He didn’t complain though. That was one thing about the Darling boys that most people would never believe—they were always so sweet to their mom.

“Morning, Paige. How’d you sleep?” Amy asked as she grabbed the pot of coffee and poured some into a thermos.

“Fine, thanks.”

“How about you, Monkey?”

“Monkey?” I glanced at Parker, whose face had turned from disgruntled to horrified.

“Don’t call me that.” Parker glared at his mom before turning to me. “She doesn’t call me that.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Parker,” Amy said. “I’m sure Paige won’t tell anyone you’re still my cheeky monkey.” She ruffled his hair and left the room with her coffee before Parker could argue any further. He looked like he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him.

“I’m suddenly feeling a little more rainbow-like,” I said.

“I take it back. You’re not a rainbow. You’re the evil, gold-hoarding leprechaun at the end of it.”

I laughed again.

“What’s so funny?” Grayson asked as he walked into the kitchen.

“I’m not sure.” I smirked. “Why don’t you ask Monkey?”

Parker’s eyes narrowed at me. “Definitely an evil leprechaun,” he said before he stalked from the room.

I turned to grin at Grayson, but my mouth went dry at the sight of him. He was topless, and his gray sweats hung low across his stomach. His hair was still messy from sleep, and he reached up to run his hand through it. I already knew Gray was gorgeous. And muscular. And toned. Everyone did. But right now he looked like something an ancient Greek sculptor had carved out of stone. Then he gave me a subtle sleepy smile that sweetened his hard features and made my stomach dip in an unusual way.

An image suddenly flashed into my mind, and I felt my cheeks warm as I realized this was all too similar to my dream last night. Gray had been missing a shirt then too. And smiling at me just like that. I quickly averted my eyes.

“I guess that means you’ve heard mom’s nickname for Parker,” Gray said as he strolled over and took the cereal box from my hands. I hadn’t poured any into my bowl yet, so Gray went to fill it up for me.

“Is this what you want?” he asked.

This was even starting tosoundlike my dream. I gave a small nod. Once he was done, he lifted the milk carton over my bowl and started to pour.

“Just tell me to stop.”

I choked out a cough and almost fell off my stool. Now he was straight-up quoting my dream. It was suddenly all coming back to me in shocking, vivid detail, and I became even more certain it wasn’t the kind of dream your best friend was supposed to take a starring role in. Unless—could I be dreaming right now? I lowered my hand to my leg to pinch myself and let out a quiet yelp of pain. “Ouch.”

“You okay?” Grayson asked, a slight crease in his brow.

“Oh yeah, fine,” I muttered. “You just said something similar last night.”

“Huh?”

“Uh, no, nothing, don’t worry about it,” I stuttered, shifting into a more stable position on my stool. “What have you got going on today?” I quickly changed the subject.

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