As Grant refocused his attention on the chalkboard, he couldn’t help wondering if he still had an effect on Eliza. Did he make her breath catch in her throat? Did he send goosebumps tingling across her skin? Not a day had gone by when he hadn’t thought of her at least once. Sometimes, he recalled a certain phrase or mannerism, like the way her nose crinkled when she laughed. Other times, a faint memory would push its way to the forefront of his mind, making his arms ache to hold her. She’d never stopped being a part of his life, no matter how hard he’d tried to block her out.
A few minutes later, Grant had completed a detailed sketch of a layered cheesecake, complete with a raspberry and mint leaf perched on top. He’d decided to make one slice missing, set on its own plate nearby.
“Grant, that’s perfect!” Cassie clasped her hands together, clutching them against her heart. “Don’t you think so, Liza?”
Eliza gazed over the top of a tall glass mug piled high with thick, white froth.
Their eyes locked, and Grant nearly lost his footing at the intense look that passed between them.
Eliza parted her lips, but before a single word escaped, Luke said, “It looks great, but I think you might have smudged something. Is that supposed to say goose pie?”
Cassie giggled. “I think it’s supposed to say gooseberrypie. Although goose pie doesn’t sound any more ridiculous than mincemeat pie, and we’re both fond of that.”
Cassie and Luke exchanged a dreamy, doe-eyed gaze, and Grant suspected there was a story behind her comment. A pang of envy shot through him. He missed stolen glances and the intimacy of inside jokes he and Eliza used to share.
He cleared his thoughts with a cough. “Sorry, I’ll fix it.”
“It’s okay, I’ll do it.” Eliza set down her latte. “So the lettering is consistent.”
Grant reached out his hand to help her up, and Eliza hesitated a moment before accepting it.
As he lifted her onto the counter, Grant tugged with a little more force than necessary, nearly pulling her into his arms.
Eliza braced herself with one palm against his chest, and Grant felt the heat from her touch all the way through his T-shirt.
Briskly stepping aside, he silently scolded himself. He needed to get a grip. He couldn’t go weak in the knees every time she glanced his way or made the slightest contact. They were friends, nothing more. Which meant he needed to get a handle on his attraction before he made a complete fool out of himself.
“Looking good, guys.” Colt breezed into the bakery, instantly setting Grant on edge. Ever since Colt announced his interest in Eliza, he couldn’t look at the guy without his fingers curling into fists.
Colt zeroed in on Grant’s drawing. “Cake?”
“Tiramisu cheesecake,” Grant corrected, as if it mattered.
“Creative. But give me regular old New York style any day.”
“I suppose vanilla is your favorite ice cream flavor?” Eliza smirked, staring down at him from her perch on the counter.
“Maybe. What’s yours? Chocolate?”
“Tied with strawberry.”
“Perfect. Then we can share a scoop of Neapolitan ice cream on our date tomorrow night.”
Grant’s blood chilled, and his gaze darted to Eliza.
She looked equally shocked. “Our what?”
“Our date. The Secret Picnic didn’t count. I’d like to take you on a proper date. Just the two of us. Are you free tomorrow night?”
Grant held his breath, waiting for Eliza’s response. It took every ounce of self-control not to shoutNot a chanceon her behalf.
“Yes…” she said slowly.
“Great. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
And in a matter of seconds, the day went from being one of the best in Grant’s life…
To one of the worst.
