Page 31 of Trick or Truce

Noah’s eyebrows lift. “Really?”

“You can also email him if you’re too nervous to ask in person. I don’t know any teacher who wouldn’t want to extend some extra help to a kid who’s asking for it.”

“See?” Grant tosses a pot holder onto the middle of the table. “Ask for help. You’ll never know if you don’t ask.”

Noah rolls her eyes behind his back as he turns to face the oven again.

“Here.” I tap on the next page in her textbook. “Take these practice questions and then you’ll be done.”

While she works, I steal a glance at Grant. He towers over the kitchen counter, the span of his wide shoulders stretching the fabric in his dirt-streaked white T-shirt. Though he’s in loose-fitting jeans, they’re tight around his backside.

This man doesnotskip leg day.

Everything about him is large and thick, and my mind wanders to visions of him lifting weights at the gym. Sweaty. Grunting. Rippling muscles.

A hot flush crawls up my neck and into my cheeks. “Can I please have some water?”

“Your face is red.” Noah cocks her head. “Do you want me to open the window?”

“No, that’s okay.” I avoid eye contact with Grant as he places a water bottle in front of me. “It’s probably the heat from the oven.”

Or the man standing in front of it.

“Dinner’s ready whenever you guys are.” Grant places a pan on top of the pot holder on the table.

I pop out of my seat needing to keep busy. “Let me set the table while she finishes her practice quiz.”

Grant points to the cabinet to his left. “Plates are in there.”

I reach up onto my toes and grab three plates. “Geez, this kitchen is made for a giant.”

When I turn back around, Grant’s eyes are on my ass. He clears his throat and averts his eyes as if he wasn’t checking me out.

But I caught him.

I don’t skip leg day either.

“Sorry.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I’ve never invited one of my lawn gnomes to set the table in here before.”

Noah coughs out a laugh behind her hand.

“Oh, you think that’s funny, kid?” I set a plate in front of her. “Good luck with your math. I might be short but at least I can add fractions.”

Grant cocks a brow. “Short and scrappy, huh?”

“I was Black Widow for Halloween, remember?”

He mutters something under his breath as he reaches down to scoop potatoes onto each plate.

“Finished.” Noah slides the book toward me. “I think I got everything correct.”

I lean over the table and check her answers. Sure enough, she’s golden. “You got it. Awesome job, Noah.”

“Woohoo!” She pumps her fist in the air. “You’re the best, Lenny.”

I scoot into the chair beside her at the small square table, opposing Grant. My eyes bounce around the kitchen as we eat, taking in the simplicity and organization of everything.

“Wow, this chicken is great.” I stab another piece and stick it in my mouth. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”

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