Page 75 of Play Me
He fires me a playful, dirty look. “Don’t start.”
I laugh. “Of course, I don’t mind. You brought me here, after all. Thank you again.”
“Thank me by getting my sandwich out, please.”
“Oh. Sure.”
I pull out two sandwiches and decide they’re the same. So I unwrap one of them, leaving the wrapper gathered at the bottom, and offer it to Gray. He reaches for it, his knuckles grazing mine as he takes it from me.
My eyes dart away from his.Think of something to say.“Joe and I didn’t discuss the price of his services, and I’m worried about it.”
Gray chews slowly. “Well, don’t.”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
“Joe had a daughter my mom’s age,” he says after swallowing. “Her name was Grace, I think, and she was friends with Mom. Grace had a boyfriend who … hurt her.” He glances at me out of the corner of his eye. “Let’s put it like that. So you could say that Joe has a soft spot for women who are getting fucked over by men.”
I frown, imagining Joe as a father to a young girl. He’s hard and brusque, but something tells me he’s a great father.One who heals rather than destroys young souls.
“It’s his way of helping settle the score or something,” Gray says. “If you feel like you must do something, just write him a note. Nothing too mushy. That’ll be all he needs.”
Gray stops at a sign and takes a deep breath, then he turns to me. Our gazes connect. When I look at him this time, it doesn’t quite feel like we’re just coworkers. It doesn’t seem like we’re two people who secretly hate each other anymore, either. Maybe it’s the start of a tolerance or an understanding. Either way, I like this much better than wanting to suffocate him in his sleep.
He gives me a half grin and takes off again. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“The ex—the one who that letter was over—is he the reason you love chess?”
The question is simple, but I hear the layers in it. He’s not just asking about Trace, nor is he asking about chess. The words I used at his apartment when I told him about my driveway chess habit echo through my head.
“Because the habit started when I was avoiding going in the house.”
This isn’t the first time he’s remembered something I’ve said—something important. Things that matter. It’s slightly terrifying to know that he paid attention because he could use the information against me. But, so far, he’s only used it to get to know me better. And if I’m being honest, it’s been so long since anyone outside of Gianna and Audrey gave a shit about me that it feels nice. Especially while I’m in the middle of this Trace crap.
I give him a small smile and a shrug. “I guess one good thing came out of my relationship with Trace, huh?”
I can’t read the look he gives me, but my heart swells, anyway. I’m thankful when my phone buzzes in my lap and gives me a reason to look away.
Audrey: Just checking in. Are you okay, Astrid?
I sneak a peek at Gray again. He’s chewing on his bottom lip, and the wind coming in from his partially lowered window feathers his hair. He’s not relaxed like before, but he’s not angry like usual, either.
And I must wonder …why?
He looks over his shoulder at me, and we exchange the softest smile.
Not once did I ever expect to be so grateful to Gray Adler. He intervened and set this up with Joe—which just might result in a no-pay situation—and let me tag along on his trip. I hate to admit it but having him with me today did make it a smidgen easier. I’ll never tell him that, though.
Me: I’m pretty good, actually.
Gianna: Ride that fine-ass man like a horse.
Oh, Gianna. I laugh and settle into my seat.
What a mindfuck of a day this has been. At least the hard part is over.
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