Page 72 of New Girl in Town
I nodded. “I was.”
He reached across the the counter and put a hand on mine. “I’m sorry. I’m just being sensitive right now.”
“I think we both are,” I replied, earning a chagrined smile.
“Most likely. How about we just enjoy dinner? You can pick out the movie. I’ll even watch a romcom if that’s your thing. Deal?”
“Deal. I’ll get the wine if you want to get the plates set.”
He squeezed my shoulder. “Perfect, but if half of your plate is missing I’m not to blame. This stuff is delicious.”
“I have no doubt.” I opened the bottle and found two glasses while Grant took our food into the living room. We had never done this, watched a movie and eaten dinner like a normal couple...of friends.
I watched him as he got our plates and utensils situated on the coffee table in front of his television.
“For you, sir,” I said, handing him a glass of red wine.
He nudged my plate toward me and took the glass. “And for you.”
I tipped my imaginary hat to him and took a seat besides him on the couch. “This looks amazing.”
“Wait till you try it. It’s fantastic,” he told me, handing me a fork.
“Humble as ever,” I joked, but then my eyes widened at my first bite.
“Like I said, fantastic. Why be humble about something amazing?” he said with a smug look on his face.
“It’s so good. Like really, really damn good. Where the hell did you learn to cook like this?”
“Classes,” he told me, shocking me again.
“You took cooking classes?” I asked, taking another bite of my food while I scrolled through the movie offerings.
He nodded. “It seemed the best way not to starve when I got out here. I could only stomach instant noodles for so long. The sodium alone was going to kill me.”
I laughed, settling on a historical drama I’d been meaning to watch. “I have to say, you had to have been at the top of your class with this little showing.”
He grinned and sipped his wine. “I’m glad you like it. This is kind of my secret weapon, It’s my best dish to impress when I’m on a not-date.”
My eyes widened and I swallowed my mouthful with an audible sound. “Grant…”
He sighed and looked down at his wine glass. “I know, I know...this isn’t a date, even if your friend was yelling otherwise.”
I shook my head, cursing Melinda. “Yeah, it’s just…” I blew out a sigh. “Look, why didn’t you tell me who you were? Why did you let me find out like that?”
“Because how the hell do you tell the girl you’re falling in love with that you’re someone else? You met me as a building super.” He held out his hands, gesturing around his apartment. “Thatis who I am. Not the guy you saw in a suit. I’m not a Bradford. That’s my family, not me. It’s why I chose to go by my mother’s maiden name. I’m Grant, just the guy in your building that you know, the one who fucking adores you.” He pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes, “Shit. Shit, Aurora. I didn’t mean to do this. I’m sorry.”
“Grant?” I asked when he stood. “It’s okay, really.”
“No, it’s not. You asked for space and I agreed, and now I’m going back on that. I shouldn’t have said that.” He shook his head, hands on his hips. “It’s not okay.”
I held a hand out to him, to do what I didn’t know. Calm him? Calm myself? Whatever it was, the thought of touching him had my hands reaching, but Grant moved away, shaking his head.
“I’m sorry, ah, I just—” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I can’t, Aurora.”
I stood from my seat and took a hesitant step toward him, hands still reaching. “Can’t what?”
His eyes darkened and he let out shuddering breath. “Baby.”
