Page 31 of Never Always
Grange pulls a face. “Despite all the horribly raunchy things I want to do you, I can mind my manners when the need arises.”
“What happens when my dad says something that angers you? Are you going to go all destroy mode?”
“I’m capable of holding intelligent conversation. I’m insulted you’re concerned I won’t be the perfect gentleman at Thanksgiving.”
“I’ve seen you acting like the opposite of a perfect gentleman several times. You say fuck so much you may need to find something more offensive. I didn’t know it was possible.”
He holds up two fingers. “Scout’s honor. Best behavior all day long. Close the door after it’s over and we can let all the fucks fly. Preferably naked, wet ones.” Corrick steps back toward my door. “See you soon. Drive carefully. I’ll text you my address.” Right before he closes the doo, he says, “Lock this behind me.”
I do and then scramble into the shower to clean myself like I’ve never cleaned myself before. When my body is polished and my hair smells like a floral bouquet dipped in honey, I throw on a pair of skinny jeans and a color blocked sweater that saysSeas the Day.My underwear and bra match although there is literally nothing sexy about them. I don’t own any lingerie. It always seemed so unnecessary. I don’t care what my undergarments look like. Even if I had a sex life, surely men don’t care what they’re removing from a body they’re attracted to? It’s never made sense. Now? I wish I had some of those pretty, lacy things I saw Sue-Ellen put on under her fancy dresses.
It would be more impressive, maybe give a wow factor. I blow dry my hair because I don’t want to get a cold, like my mama always crows about, and do my makeup. Like the full makeup job I had done at Clover’s salon. My eyes pop and my hair is sleek. I am officially date night material. I pack an overnight bag quickly with anything I might need if I do stay. I haven’t decided if I will. I sleep better at home, in my own bed, alone. The idea of spending the night is a novelty I’m sure I’ll have a hard time passing on. Sliding my feet into my Duck boots by the door, I grab my messenger bag and transfer what I need from it to my duffle and head down to my car.
My watch says I’m a bit early, which can’t be a bad thing. Maybe I’ll get to see him in the kitchen. A whole new dimension to the mystery man. When the elevator pings open to the parking garage, the cold bites my face and nose. I step out and I’m met with Grey. What is he doing in my parking garage? He’s just as tired looking as he was at the office. If anything, he looks worse.
“Hey, Tennyson.” His voice is gravelly—harsh in the silent garage. “Did you see the email?” He’s startled me and he’s asking about an email? It puts me on high alert.
From the corner of my eye, I see a mass of curly black hair disappear down the hallway toward the side door. The one that I came in earlier, not the usual one most tenants use. Ariel. Why didn’t she stop to say hello? She most definitely saw me.
Grey notices my line of vision and turns to look. He’s unsurprised by her presence. He turns back to me. “The email?”
Ariel and the memories she brings forces a lump to my throat and a pang in my gut for lying to Grange.It’s for the best, I remind myself. It has to be this way. Maeve even said so. “I haven’t looked at my email since I left work.”
He narrows his eyes. “You always read emails directly when you get them.”
Now I’m getting annoyed. “I told you, Grey. I have plans tonight.”
“With that felon, I know, I know. I don’t even know who you are anymore. You’re changing.”
I exhale a pent-up breath. “That’s not a bad thing, Grey. In fact, it’s a welcome change as far as I’m concerned. What of the email?” I redirect him back where I want him.
“Australia. They approved the trip. We’re going to the ribbon cutting ceremony. The biggest lab and rehab center in the world. Your research got to them. They want you to help the lab get a running start. Isn’t that amazing?” His eyes light with a familiar passion.
I’m confused. “Wow. I never imagined they’d approve it—us. That is insane. Didn’t they only choose two groups? Out of the hundreds that I’m sure applied? This is more than exciting, Grey. It’s epic. This is a once in a lifetime chance. I’ll be darned.” My pulse picks up, vibrating against my neck. This is the best news. When we sent off my research and applied to attend, it was a shot in the dark. I’d honestly forgotten about it. Was that six months ago? Closer to a year? I never even followed up. “Did you follow up after we submitted the package?”
Sliding his hands into his pockets, he shrugs. “Once or twice just to make sure they got it and were reading your reports. They were so relevant, you know? I knew if they read them we’d be in.”
I swallow hard. “Thank you for that, Grey. Really. I appreciate it. I can’t believe it.” It happens quickly, because I’m caught up in a dream coming true, I hug Grey around the neck. His arms go around me automatically and I’m lost in thought. Australia. A state of the art facility. Me, in my element. The embrace is broken when the side door clicks closed. Grey is still smiling when I back away from him. My gaze darts to the door, but I can’t see anyone there. The lot lights that face that entrance are out.They’ve never been out before,I muse.
Clearing my throat, I look down at my unlaced boots. “I better get going. I’ll read the email a billion times I’m sure. Thank you again.” I nod at him, hiking my duffle up on my shoulder. When
Grey notices the bag, his grin turns into a scowl and he bids me a short farewell. “Have a good weekend.”
The second I get into my car, I let my eyes scan the email on my phone just to confirm it’s real. It is. Reading it for myself is even better than hearing it from Grey.
When I pull into Grange’s driveway ten minutes later, I’m vibrating with excitement. His house is a typical Cape Cod house. It has a small front yard, but the back yard is probably huge. I bang on the door a few times before I see the doorbell. Corrick looks delectable when he answers. His hair is wet from a shower—the heat clinging to his body, and the scent of his soap packs a punch. The way his gaze roams my body and lands on my face just amps my excitement even more. Without thinking of what happens next, I drop my bag and jump to him, hands twining around his neck.
“I’m happy to see you too, Fire,” Grange says, an edge of laughter tinging his words. “What’s gotten into you? I know I haven’t yet.”
He slides me down his hard body until my feet touch the floor. “I’m going to ignore that horrible joke. I have the best news, Grange. The bloody best news ever.”
Corrick quirks a brow. “You’re about to have your world rocked? That’s the best news.”
I push against his chest, but I follow him as he backs up and closes the door. A moth to flame. “I’m going to Australia to a state of the art facility. They read my hydrology research about ecosystem function and want me there for the ribbon cutting ceremony. It’s going to be a huge deal. So many big wigs will be there. We could get a huge grant for our lab. Isn’t that the greatest?”
My hands in his, he squeezes. “Seeing you this excited is the greatest. I’m happy for you. When do you go to Australia?” Grange’s face falls a touch. “Are you going there by yourself?”
I look down. “Not until after the new year. No, Grey and my boss, Ron, will go as well. I have so much more to do before we leave. So much I want to write about. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
