“I’m glad I made that for you, then, because I want to be your friend, Grace. I want to learn more about flowery tea and your lavender farm and backpacking through Belize.”
Her mouth bloomed into the nicest, sweetest smile, and he reached out and brushed his knuckles on her cheek. “There. That’s better.”
She laughed.
“That’s a good sound.”
“Yeah?” She turned to look squarely at him and suddenly they were very close.
His hand dropped away from her face and his heart thumped hard in his chest. She looked like pure sunshine. Warm and happy.
He hadn’t felt the sun in so long. He could feel himself leaning in, and it felt good.
And then she breathed his name. “Frank.” Or maybe it was a question. “Frank?” His brain couldn’t process it clearly, but it was enough to trip him up.
He jerked back, and she did the same.
“Frank—”
“It’s lunch time,” he said gruffly. “I’m off for a hike. See you later?”
“Sure.”
And then it was her turn to watch him stalk off.
