Cassie followed her gaze. “Is that Grant?”
Unable to find her voice, Eliza nodded.
Grant looked even more attractive than she remembered. While he’d been teased in high school for his glasses, lanky build, and artsy interests, Eliza had always found him irresistible. His lavender-hued, brooding eyes paired with impossibly thick and glossy ink-black hair made for a heart-pounding combination.
To Eliza’s dismay, Grant still possessed every ounce of his youthful appeal, plus he’d filled out in the all the right places. She couldn’t help noticing the way his light blue polo stretched across his broad chest and defined shoulders.
Dizziness swept over her, and Eliza suddenly found herself in desperate need of an ice-cold glass of water.
“Oh, Liza.” Cassie wrapped an arm around her shoulders, giving them a sympathetic squeeze. “Are you okay? Do you want to leave?”
“No. I’m fine. Really.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“I skipped breakfast in anticipation of the picnic. I’m just hungry.”
Although Cassie didn’t look convinced, she didn’t press further.
Eliza released a grateful sigh, wondering how much longer until they could head for Larkspur Meadow. She needed to put some distance between her and Grant—fast.
“Hope you ladies don’t mind, but I picked the basket for our group.” Colt tapped a soft-sided cooler bag slung over his shoulder. “I heard rumblings about roast beef sandwiches, potato salad, and mini chocolate lava cakes, and couldn’t resist.”
“Works for me!” Cassie said brightly. “Did you ask Luke?”
“His exact response was, and I quote, ‘Whatever Cassie wants.’” Colt chuckled. “You’ve trained him better than a Pomeranian.”
“Very funny.” Cassie rolled her eyes, but her soft smile and dreamy gaze gave away her delight.
“What’d you guys get?” Jack’s deep, thunderous voice carried above the general hubbub in the town square as he crossed the field toward them. Reed, Penny, and Grant trailed behind his considerable stride.
Eliza sucked in a breath as they drew nearer, her pulse escalating with each step Grant took in her direction. How could he be so calm and relaxed? Especially when Eliza’s heart had leapt into her throat.
“Like I’d tell you,” Colt snorted. “I had to wrestle Bill Tucker for this cooler. Keep your mangy paws off it.”
“Relax, princess.” Jack grinned good-naturedly. “I’m not interested in stealing your lunch. Grant picked ours. And I have to say, I think he got the best one.”
Curious, Eliza stole a glance at the wicker basket in Grant’s hand, nearly losing her balance when she spotted the familiar gingham napkin peeking out of the top.
What were the odds that Grant had chosenherbasket?
“Oh, yeah?” Colt inched closer, his thick eyebrows raised in curiosity. “What’d you get?”
“Oh, now you want to trade information?” Jack crossed his arms, his blue eyes glinting with humor.
Colt shrugged. “If I were you, I wouldn’t tell me, either. We both know it won’t compare.” Patting the cooler bag, Colt twisted his lips into a challenging smirk.
“Okay, I’ll call your bluff. But you tell first,” Jack countered.
Eliza wrapped both arms around her stomach, watching the exchange with increasing discomfort. If they didn’t stop arguing soon, she’d head off toward the meadow by herself. She couldn’t spend two more seconds in Grant’s company. And somehow, knowing he’d inadvertently chosen her picnic basket added to her unease. It felt too… intimate.
Penny groaned, apparently as fed up with their juvenile antics as Eliza. “You two are worse than toddlers.” Grabbing the basket from Grant, she read the handmade note card tied to the handle. “It’s stuffed focaccia sandwiches, antipasto salad, seasonal fruit, pomegranate lemonade, and espresso chip brownies.”
“Huh. That does sound pretty good,” Colt admitted.
“Why don’t we all sit together and share?” Reed offered. “The sandwiches are cut in halves. We can easily divvy them up.”
No, no, no!Eliza scrambled to come up with a reasonable objection, but nothing came to mind. Other than spending the afternoon with Grant being akin to cruel and unusual punishment. But it wasn’t as if she could saythatout loud.
