Page 112 of Perfectly Grumpy

She nods. “Then I demanded your computer back.”

I put my doughnut down. “And he just gave it to you? That doesn’t sound like Bart. I thought he’d at least make me fight for it.”

“Well, both my uncles and Dad backed me up, and then he had no choice.” She bites her lower lip. “But he did announce to the family that I was staying in your cabin.”

I almost choke on my doughnut. This wasn’t the impression I wanted to leave on everyone. “What did they say to that?”

“Well, I told them we weren’t sleeping together.”

“Oh, good,” I say, letting out a breath. “For a minute I thought I was going to be in serious trouble with Granny.”

“She was the worst of all. Told me she’d already figured it out, then winked at me and told me to have fun.”

I bury my face in my hands. “I’m never showing my face at breakfast again. Tell me they’ll forget about this in a few months.”

“My family forgets nothing, Tate. This story will be told at every reunion for the next fifty years.” Then she hands me my computer. “I still need you to check that Bart hasn’t put a nasty virus on your computer. Not that I think he’d know how.”

I lift the lid and type in the password. My document appears, showing the latest changes, as well as the rewritten chaptersbefore he stole it. “Everything’s here,” I say, relief rushing over me.

She gives me a look, her cup halfway to her lips. “Just so you know, I think Bart has a target on your back for paintball today.”

I shrug. “I’d take a bullet if it means I get this back.” I snap the lid shut.

“Well, you haven’t been through a round of paintball with Bart yet.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve played with the hockey guys before. Rourke is ruthless.”

“Yeah, but is Rourke a sharpshooter?”

“No,” I say, then turn to her. “Is Bart?”

“In his spare time, he adores playing paintball. I think our best strategy is to stick together today.” She stands. “Ready?”

I put my computer next to me, then rise to my feet. “Before we leave, I wanted to talk about last night.”

Her eyes flick away, like she’s trying to look anywhere but at me. “I want you to know that I’m not holding you to any promises after this week. The shelter will get the donation now that I’ve fulfilled the requirements of the foundation.”

I frown, shaking my head. “What do you mean?”

She starts messing with the ring on her finger again. “I know that once we go back to real life—me as your PR manager—things will be different. They’ll have to be.”

She’s doing it again. Pulling away, creating distance between us like last night didn’t happen. She’s been hurt before, and now she’s protecting herself the only way she knows how.

“Sunny,” I cut her off, stepping closer. “Look at me.”

When she finally meets my gaze, I cup her face gently in my hands. “We don’t have to decide anything right now. But I need you to know something.” I brush my thumb across her cheek. “I’m glad last night happened. Because it was the best kiss of my life, and I haven’t been able to think about anything else since.”

She searches my face like she’s trying to figure out if I mean it. “Better than your ex?” sheasks quietly.

I laugh, because there’s no comparison. “Lydia and I—that was nothing like what I feel when I’m with you.” I take her hand, lacing our fingers. “I will never forget that kiss, Sunny. And I’m not pretending it didn’t happen. Because I meant every second of it.”

She bites her lip. “What about when you got that text last night? Was it her?”

I frown, confused for a second before I remember. “That was just the team group chat. Leo sent another meme about Rourke’s dating disasters. Trust me, Sunny, the last thing I was thinking about during that kiss was anyone else.” I tip her chin up. “You had my complete attention.”

Then I give her hand a squeeze. “Now let’s go win this paintball competition.”

By the time I’ve stowed my computer and we reach the lodge, the family is already gathering for the annual paintball competition, a beloved tradition that, according to Lauren, has been passed down since the early 2000s when her uncles got into reality survivor shows on TV.

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