Page 49 of New Girl in Town
“Do they now?” This time I laughed outright, and he sighed at me.
“Yeah, they do, and I’m fine with saying it and having you know it, but I wanted to say it in a more romantic locale.”
“What? My haute couture prom dress isn’t setting the right vibe for you?” I teased, enjoying the blush on his cheeks.
He gave the heap of blue material a withering glance. “It’s too good, that’s the problem. It’s already upstaged my flowers, so why not put me out of my misery and let me take you on a date tonight?”
I nodded. “I accept your offer.”
“Italian sound good?” Grant asked, taking my hand when I pushed my chair away from my desk and stood with a stretch.
“That’s perfect. Are we going now?” I asked. Grant held my jacket out for me, helping me shrug it on.
“God, yes. I’m starving.” He offered his arm to me and led me toward the door. “Besides, the sooner we leave that behind,” he said, and nodded at the dress with a pointed look, “the better.”
“Jealous?” I leaned against his arm.
“The swag of that dress was just too strong. I know when to retreat.”
I grinned. “How was your day?”
“Not bad. Mrs. Reynolds, your neighbor across the hall, managed to get her cat on the roof, so there was that.”
“She what?” I said. “We’re on the second story.”
“I know that—oh boy, do I know that.”
My mouth dropped open at the tired tone in his voice. “Are you telling me you climbed on the roof to get a cat?”
“What other choice did I have?”
“The fire department?” I said. “Anyone but you?”
Grant waved a hand at me as we exited the museum and ambled toward the parking lot. “It wasn’t that bad, and besides, those firemen walk around with puffed-out chests enough as it is. I’d never live it down.”
“Over saving cats?”
“Mrs. Reynolds lost that cat five times last year, so yes, over saving cats. It’s about pride now, sweetheart.”
I burst into laughter at the thought of Grant having beef with the local fire department over a cat. How had this become my life? It was so unlike California that I had to pinch myself. Living in a small mountain town with my best friend nearby, a sexy, sweet man I was in the early days of something real with, and a job I loved?
It was unbelievable.
“What’s so funny?” Grant asked, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear. We had reached my car now, and I shook my head.
“Nothing,” I told him, giving my flowers another sniff. “I’m just happy.”
His eyes went soft. “Good,” he said, giving my sides a squeeze before he opened my door for me. “You deserve to be happy.”
His words loosened the tense feeling I’d been carrying with me since I’d struck out on my own. I took in a shaky breath.
“Thank you.” I leaned up, kissing his cheek. “So do you, you know.”
“You make me happy.” He caught my chin in his hand and his mouth moved over mine in a kiss I felt down to my toes. It was sensual, lingering...but most of all, it spoke of time. That kiss told me we had all the time in the world to explore, to get to know one another, to fall a little more into whatever this was between us.
But there was one thing I had to do: tell Grant about my divorce.
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