Page 73 of Eight Years Gone

“I guess we could. I just—I’m still trying to decide if I like you, though.”

He narrowed his eyes as he abruptly stopped. He surprised her by picking her up and spinning her around.

She locked her legs around him, squealing as he went around for a second turn.

“I thought you were serious.”

She grinned, struggling not to laugh as she held on tighter. This was the same, yet it was also perfectly different. “Aunt Maggie tells me I’m picky about men—that I’m quick to find flaws. A little over a month is a long time from now.”

“I’m a damn good catch.”

She laughed as her feet touched the ground, but she kept her arms locked around the back of his neck. “You’re cocky.”

He grinned, resting his forehead against hers. “I call it confidence.”

“I like confidence. It’s an attractive quality.”

“So, you’re up for the whole Halloween thing?”

She nodded. “Definitely.”

“I have the early class on Wednesday evening. If you want, we could head into Scranton for the good costume shop when you finish work.”

“I can be ready at five thirty.”

“I’ll pick you up.” He glanced toward her walkway. “Let’s get you home.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

They held hands again until they stopped at her front door. Tonight she felt none of the awkwardness she remembered when she’d stood here like this with Ben. “Thank you for dinner and a great walk.”

“I had a nice time, Grace.”

She nodded. “Me, too.”

He lifted his hand to stroke his fingers along her jaw—gentleness wrapped in all his strength. “How do you feel about a kiss?”

“I feel fine about it.”

“That’s good because I don’t think I can walk away without tasting you,” he whispered as he leaned in, touching his lips to hers.

Melting against him, she let her eyes close as she opened for him, meeting the teasing slides of his tongue.

He dove in once more before he eased back. “Good night, Gracie.”

It felt odd to leave him here at the doorway instead of inviting him in to finish their evening in the bedroom, but they were starting fresh—taking their time and building something new. “Good night.”

He stepped back. “Call me sometime.”

She pushed her key into the door. “I’ll probably do that.”

He grinned as he turned and walked away.

* * *

Jagger walked to the curb before he looked over his shoulder to hold up his hand in a wave as Grace watched him from her living room window.

She blew him a kiss and winked before she closed the curtains for the night.

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