Page 78 of Eight Years Gone

“Maybe someday, but at this point, I’m fine with how things are. I want to focus on me and you.”

“I get that, too. I want to build a life with you, Grace. Whatever that looks like for us now.”

She rested her forehead against his chin. “That sounds really good.” She kissed him. “Are you still up for costumes?”

“Hell yeah, I am. Since we’ve just started dating, I should probably tell you that I’m slightly competitive.”

She grinned. “I think I’ve heard something about that.”

He kissed her. “Let’s do the best we can to clean ourselves up. Then we have work to do because we’re bringing home first prize Halloween night.”

* * *

Three hours later, Jagger awkwardly resituated the big bag of Chinese food he held in his arm as he unlocked Grace’s front door.

“Do you want me to take that?” she asked, holding her new blue gown and the accompanying shoes they’d stopped off for before they left Scranton.

Mike and Christy had been right about the slim pickings. The lack of inventory and their significant size difference had made couples costuming nearly impossible.

With little choice, they’d gone the Disney Princess to his Prince Charming route, which hadn’t necessarily excited either one of them. But Grace had looked stunning as he stared at her in the cramped dressing room.

“Nah, I’ve got it.” He gave the key a turn. “Here we go,” he said, pushing the door wider so Grace could step in before him.

“Thanks.”

“Sure thing.” He shut them inside, breathing in the familiar scent of Grace as she headed for her bedroom with her stuff. “Do you want to eat at the table or watch some TV on the couch?”

“I’m starving, so I’m good with whatever,” she called behind her.

Setting the bag on the counter, he opened the cupboard doors, looking for plates.

“Bingo,” he said to himself, grabbing two, deciding that dinner at the table worked. Staring into Grace’s eyes while he sat across from her never got old.

Setting down the dishes, he went on the hunt for glasses next, eager to get them situated so they could dive in. “What do you want to drink?”

“Water’s fine, thanks,” she said as she returned, pulling her hair into a ponytail. She’d changed, dressing down in white yoga pants and a pale-pink sweatshirt.

He loved being in her space with her like this—normal, everyday life he’d taken for granted long ago.

They’d both gone to work and went out on a little date. Now they were sitting down to enjoy a meal together. “Looks comfy.”

She smiled. “It is. Thanks for grabbing the plates.”

“Definitely.” He brought two glasses of ice water over to their settings.

“Be careful not to trip over there. I haven’t had a chance to put away all my equipment yet.”

He glanced toward the tripod and light boxes zipped up in their bags, tucked in the corner. “Why don’t I take them back?”

“I can take care of it later. Or tomorrow,” she amended with a grin. “It’s already on the to-do list. Plus, I want to put this receipt on my desk.”

Deciding to help her out now, he hefted up the awkward items, stopping in front of her and the bag of food she’d opened. “I wish you would have let me buy dinner.”

“You bought last time, which means it was my turn tonight. This is a fifty-fifty relationship.”

It had stuck in his craw a bit when she’d pulled out her credit card before he could grab his when they’d stopped off to pick up their dinner—like some sort of old habit.

Grace or Logan had paid his way into things more than a few times. And he’d hated the hell out of it.

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