Page 27 of New Girl in Town
“I am.” I cleared my throat and decided to test the waters a bit more. “But not with Melinda.”
“Another friend?”
“No, the same one.”
He hummed and gave me a sidelong look. “Where’s he taking you, sweetheart?”
“A tapas bar in town on Sunday for happy hour.” The answer tumbled out before I could stop it, and a nervous thrill went through me at the way Grant’s eyes darkened a touch as they dropped to my mouth.
“I know the place. It’s nice,” he said, tugging me closer to his side. My eyes widened when I realized why he had pulled me closer. His arm slid around my waist until my side was flush with his.
“What are you doing?” I asked, tipping my head back to look up at him.
“All's fair in love and war, Aurora.”
It was hard to concentrate on the words he’d just said because, as I’d observed, Grant St. John had very nice hands. His fingers splayed out, spanning my side and making me feel as delicate as a Disney princess when they kept me tucked close to his side. If this was what his hands felt like over my clothing, what would they be like without annoying things like pants?
My brow furrowed, and I forced myself to snap back to the present and not wax poetic about how good Grant’s hands were.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean...we both know I saw you with your friend.”
I blushed hot and cleared my throat. “I know, and—”
“And it’s okay, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stand aside and let this guy have a clear shot at you. I said I would wait, and I meant it, but you’re putting me in a tough spot here, Aurora.”
“Oh, is that so?” I asked, unable to keep a note of sarcasm out of my voice.
Grant chuckled and leaned close until all I could see was his face. I was aware that we had stopped walking and now stood off to the side of the sidewalk, out of the flow of pedestrians.
“A big yes, resounding even, but it’s okay because you’re worth it.”
His breath fanned across my face and I let out an involuntary sigh as I pictured him leaning closer and kissing me. It would be so easy to do, and it would feel incredible, but I didn’t move and, much to my annoyance, neither did Grant.
“Which means I’ll be making myself known, Aurora, but I don’t think you’ll mind that. Will you?”
I was shaking my head no before I knew it. “No, I don’t think I will.”
“Remember that later,” Grant said, and when I frowned in confusion he pressed a kiss to my forehead in a move that stole my breath.
“What do you mean later?” I blinked from the shock of the kiss because—what the hell? Grant had kissed me. It was a forehead kiss, but he’d kissed me. He winked at me and drew away enough that he could look down at me as he led us once again toward the center of town and the coffee shop.
“Just a heads up.”
I pursed my lips. “Grant.”
He laughed. “Stop making that face or I’ll kiss it off you, Aurora.”
My eyes widened but I stopped frowning.
* * *
It wasthe weekend and I stood in my apartment wondering what to do with myself. I still wasn’t used to all the space being just mine.
I needed art—and a plant, maybe?
Walking up to the blank cream-colored wall, I stared at it like it might answer me back. A boring landscape watercolor? No way—maybe something kitschy like a dog made out of bottle caps? Why not go wild and get a neon sign?
