I watched his eyes, waiting for the magic spell to wear off as I slowly stepped into the building.
“May I hang up your coat?” he asked, reaching for my jacket.
I stepped back. “Okay, hold up. Who are you? And where is the man from before?” I tipped my head to the side.
He ran a hand through his brown hair. “I might have overreacted last time.” He shrugged. “This event’s success is paramount for The Brick House, and Cole gets under my skin.”
I eyed him with skepticism, although I could admit that the danger vibes I felt had come from the older man. There was something about the way Muscles ran his hand through his hair that was so familiar.
He looked down at my eyes, holding contact. “I haven’t been at my best. I’m sorry.” He sighed. “It’s been a very long few months.” He held his hand out between us. “Let’s start over. My name is Grant.”
“Grant?” My eyebrows lowered, but I held out my hand. “As in Cary Grant?”
His forehead wrinkled. “Not sure. I didn’t pick it.”
What are the odds?
It would be creepy to say I wished for a Grant, right?
Right.
“I’m Emma.” I shook his hand. I ignored that my hand tingled from his touch.
“Guess both our parents preferred traditional names.” He gestured to a sitting area by the large glass windows.
I walked over to one of the armchairs and sat. Grant followed, sitting in a chair next to mine.
“Were you here before because your mom wanted you to be?”
I flinched. “Um, kinda?”
“Wait.” He held his hands up. “You were looking for a date last time?”
“Not for me. Gross. No!” I shuddered.
“I’m not following.” Grant eased back in the chair, placing his right elbow on the arm of the chair.
“It’s kind of a long story…” I warned him.
He looked at his watch. “Well it looks like you have my attention for the next…twenty-five minutes.” He nodded for me to continue. “I’m all ears.”
I grimaced. “It’s not my ‘proudest moment.’” I used air quotes around the words Mom used earlier.
He chuckled. “Perfect. That’s what I need right now.” He visibly relaxed his shoulders. My breath caught in my throat. He was gorgeous.
“Remindme to not get in your way when you are determined.” He chuckled, then pointed to my rug-burned knees. “What happened there?”
I grimaced. “I might have dived behind the raffle table in an attempt to escape you.” I scrunched my nose remembering the failed attempt.
He tipped his head back with a loud, carefree laugh. “I could not figure out how you got past me.”
His laugh was rich and deep, and I wanted to wrap its warmth around me. He was hot before, but to watch him now without the stiff exterior and his soft smile, I was in awe.
“I still can’t believe you thought I was a gold digger. I wouldn’t date someone old enough to be my father.” I shuddered. “Well, I’m assuming they are old enough to be my father. I didn’t know mine. He left when I was one.”
Grant’s shoulders stiffened. “Sorry about your dad.”
“Don’t be.” I shrugged. “I don’t remember him, so I can’t miss him.”
