“Okay.” She couldn’t handle watching him eat, seeing those firm lips part, watching those long, graceful fingers hold a fork and knife.
He made sure to not make a mess at all. Every spilled grain of rice made its way back to his plate after he’d finished. Once done, he sipped his water and made conversation as she ate the rest of her dinner.
She finally finished and cleaned up the table with him. The act of working together felt natural. And nervy for some reason. She felt as tightly wound as a rubber band about to snap.
“How about some TV?” Grant dried his hands on a dishtowel then hung it back and straightened the edges so that they lined up.
She had an urge to pull one side down to see what he might do and coughed to hide a smile. “TV? Sure. Just let me change into comfier clothing.”
“Good idea.”
She left and returned to find him wearing sweatpants and a tee-shirt that showed off a very toned body. Despite being tall and deceptively lean looking, Grant had a clearly defined build. He was everything she loved in the look of a man.
Danger danger. Remember not to fall for a pretty face, like that guy you almost married. Whatshisname.
Doing her best to ignore Grant’s appeal and trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with her, she sat on the couch and put a pillow down between them. She also grabbed the blanket over the back of the couch and wrapped it around her, needing more distance between herself and the poor guy who had the misfortune to be around when her sex drive woke up.
Grant frowned at her. “U of O?”
“Huh?” She looked down at her ancient sweatshirt. “Don’t tell. This is Jared’s. It was in his closet, but only because he stole it back from me a few months ago.”
“His sweatshirt, huh?” Grant chuckled. “I used to steal Cade’s clothes, but when he moved out, he took all the good stuff with him.”
“When was that?”
“A while ago. We’d moved to Portland when I was twelve. He’d just graduated and went to trade school for a while but didn’t leave the city until a few years later. By my senior year of high school, that’s when he moved back to Hope’s Turn. Then he met Ellie and stayed.” He looked at her, and she hoped she didn’t look dumpy in soft, fuzzy pajama pants and Jared’s sweatshirt. He asked, “Did you know Ellie before they married?”
“No. Jared did though. Didn’t you come back for your brother’s wedding?”
“Yeah. You weren’t there.”
“I know. I was bummed to miss it, but I had a planned trip to Hawaii. A few girlfriends and I went to Oahu, celebrating getting our real estate licenses. Fun times.”
“I’ll bet.”
She tried to ignore the tingles she had from the way his gaze roamed over her body. Normally, she’d didn’t appreciate being ogled, but Grant was different. He didn’t even try to hide it, and he looked way too complimentary.
“Stop it.”
“Sorry. That was rude. You can look me over to get even.” He held out his arms, inviting a look at that strong build, those long, long legs, and....
She flushed, determined not to center on his groin like a perv. “I looked. There.”
He set his arms back down and grinned. “Like what you see?”
“You’re a terrible flirt.”
His grin widened. “Really?”
She scowled. “Really.” She didn’t find him amusing when he laughed. “What’s so funny?”
“I’ve been practicing.”
“Flirting?”
“Yeah. And making small talk. Being polite instead of blunt. It’s working, yeah?”
She had to laugh. “You’re still a goof.”
