Page 12 of Fire and Ice
Grady touched the screen and saw he had a missed call from a private number and had a message. He hoped both had been Chelsea.
His pulse kicked up a notch. He listened to the message and smiled when he heard her sweet voice as she left her information.
He slung his duffel over his shoulder as he pressed her number on the screen and brought the phone to his ear.
When she answered, he said, “How is your evening?”
“I’m getting ready to go to bed.” Her voice was soft. “Long day at my dress shop.”
He headed out the front doors of the skating rink. “I hope it was a good one.”
“Lots of dresses are going out the door for holiday parties.” She sounded like she enjoyed what she did, but then her voice tensed. “I’m sorry, Grady. I called you to tell you I can’t go out.”
He wasn’t surprised, but he had no intention of letting her off the hook. “How about this Saturday night?”
She hesitated. That pause told him he had her, and he smiled at the warmth in his chest brought on by the certainty that he would get a chance with this woman who had captivated him so completely.
“It’s only a get-together, Chelsea, to see if we click. I think we will.” He already felt it, and he was certain she did, too.
“A get-together.” She said the words as if tasting each one and with a little more enthusiasm than he’d expected, with her being tired and trying to put him off. “Where would you like to go?”
“Do you have a favorite place?” He felt like he’d just struck gold.
“Mickey’s,” she said. “It’s a bar and grill. Or we could go to that great Italian restaurant in town. Giovanni’s.”
“Giovanni’s sounds perfect.” Grady preferred to stay as far away from bars as possible. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t go in and have a Coke with friends now and again, but going into bars wasn’t his first choice. “I’ll make reservations for 6:30 and pick you up at 6:15. Text me your address.”
“Okay.” She sounded shy and hesitant. “I’ll do that, and I’ll be ready.”
He grinned to himself as he reached his Nissan Pathfinder SUV. “See you then.”
Not long after he climbed into his vehicle, his phone chimed, and he saw that Chelsea had sent her address. He smiled.
Something in his gut told him Chelsea was special. Real special. Now, if she would give him a chance to prove himself worthy of her.
After putting on his seatbelt, he jammed the keys into the ignition and then paused. Was he worthy?
5
The firm knock at the door caused Chelsea to jump up from her seat in the living room.
Grady.
She straightened her spine and pushed her hair behind her ears, catching a whiff of the new light floral perfume on her wrists. All day, she had been excited about this date, more than she’d thought possible, and had been ready twenty minutes early.
Once she’d made the decision to go, she had also decided to be open to considering a second date. If she felt as much of a connection tonight as she thought she would, and he felt the same, she would see him again.
She had spoken with her sisters earlier on a three-way call, and they convinced her not to let her fears hold her back anymore. When she had skated competitively, she had never let anything discourage her or get her down. If tonight was a bomb, at least she’d given him a chance.
Her flowing royal blue dress swirled around her ankles as she walked across the room. When she reached the door, she put her hand on the bolt lock, took a deep breath, and peered out the peephole. Her blood thrummed in her ears. Even with the distorted view the peephole gave her, she could see how freaking hot Grady was.
Her heart thudded a little faster as she unlocked then opened the door.
For one moment she stood in place, letting his presence surround her as their gazes met and held. She couldn’t breathe as she took him in, drawing in every part of his sheer masculinity. His dark hair looked a little rumpled, and he wore a light blue collared dress shirt and black slacks. His clothing was loose, yet he filled it all out in a way that still showed his great body.
Most of all she saw the kindness in his eyes. She didn’t know him well, but she liked the caring and consideration radiating from him every time he was near. He really was in the perfect profession for him—100% All-American Male with heart and soul, who rescued people.
“You’re gorgeous.” His husky voice sent a slice of warmth through her, drawing her out of her mesmerized state. “Every time I see you, you take my breath away.”
