Page 48 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
“Yeah, Patrick’s timing is subpar,” he growls. Then he stiffens. “Except… that’s not Patrick.”
“Huh?” I look over my shoulder, trying to see. I can’t make out much in the dark. Plus the closed sign blocks the man’s face from us. But it also blocks us from his view. Whoever is knocking has no clue they’re interrupting anything.
Interruptingeverything.
But that’s probably for the best. The way my pulse is racing, if Brady had actually kissed me, I might’ve stayed in his arms straight through the weekend. That would’ve gotten awkward, which is exactly what Brady and I are trying to avoid.
Sorry I missed your wedding, Kasey. I was in a permanent lip lock with your brother.
I release Brady, and he moves toward the door. I hate letting him go, but if this is someone with an injured pet, we need to help. So I turn away, pressing a hand to my face, willing my hot cheeks to stop blushing.
Brady opens the door, and the bell above the entrance chimes. “Hey, there,” he says. “What a surprise.” The scent of pepperoni wafts over me. But if Patrick’s not the one at the door with the pizza… then who is?
I turn and see blond hair, thick eyebrows, and a cleft chin.
“Grantly?” I gasp. It’s my old middle-school crush, Grantly Bender. And he’s in the doorway, holding our jumbo pizza.
You have got to be kidding me…
He peers into the lobby and when his eyes land on mine, they light up. “Natalie!” He bobs his head. “I ran into your mom at Antonio’s, and she told me you were in town. Patrick overheard and said he was about to deliver this to you here.” Grantly holds up the pizza box like we might not know what he’s talking about. “Your mom suggested I bring this to you instead.”
Oh, Mom.Why am I not surprised?
Grantly pushes his way inside. “So, how’ve you been, Brady?”
“I’m fantastic, Grantly. Thanks for asking.” Brady looms over him by a good two inches.
“Please. Call me Grant. I stopped going by Grantly back in college.”
“Ah,” Brady says. “Too many other Grantlys?”
“Not exactly.” Grant guffaws, eyeing me over the pizza box. “But I’m not in a hurry, so I’d love to stick around for a bit, if you all want to catch up. That is, if you’re not too busy.”
“Ooooh.” I grimace as I reach out to take the box from him. “Actually, we are. Very busy. Right, Brady?”
“Yes.” Brady nods solemnly. “Busy. Very.”
“In that case, consider me gone.” Grant splays his hands. “And I’ll just have to look forward to dancing with you at the wedding.”
My stomach plummets eleven stories in a ten-story building. “The wedding?”
“Your mother extended an invitation,” he says. “She told me Beau and Kasey would love to have more friendly faces there.” He grins. “I’m a friendly face. And your mother issonice.”
“Oh, she’s something all right.”
“She also mentioned you’re the maid of honor. And that you’re currently single.”
“Oh, wow!” I almost drop the pizza box. “She told you all that, did she? Right there in line at Antonio’s. And then she made you deliver this to me? I am so, so sorry, Grant. My mom can be… a lot.” I hold up the pizza, kind of wishing I could bury myself in mozzarella and marinara sauce.
“No need for apologies. It was my pleasure,” he says. “Your mother’s a delightful woman.”
“Totally. A delight.”
“So isit true?” He tilts his head. “No boyfriend for you currently?”
A part of me wishes Brady would speak up and stake a claim to me. But of course he won’t do that. He isn’t my boyfriend, and he doesn’t plan to be. When I cut my gaze to him, he’s studying his shoes.
“That’s right,” I say, looking back at Grant. “No boyfriend for me. Currently.” I force a smile, which probably looks more like a wince.
