An odd thought caused her to laugh out loud, which she quickly muffled. Yet the thought refused to quit.
Little Grant Weston wasn’t so little anymore.
Chapter 7
Grant intentionally avoided both Jenna and Piper in the morning.
He lay in bed, ruminating on the previous night. He hadn’t meant to push Piper last night, but he was only human. Piper Mason was his kryptonite, for sure. She’d been so pretty coming home in her business outfit. But when she’d changed into casual wear, she’d been beyond sexy. That wavy hair, her smile, and God, those curves just begging to be touched. Talk about all he wanted for Christmas.
The kiss had been beyond what he might have dreamed. He still couldn’t believe she’d let him. Or that she’d instigated more than he’d intended.
Last night he’d turned in early and tried to sleep off his desire. Courtship required time, and though he knew trying to get her to fall for him by Christmas was rushing it, jumping her the first night seemed too much. But what could a guy do when the woman of his dreams kissed him like she meant it?
He'd been unable to sleep until he’d taken himself in hand, and his fantasies of making love to Piper had given him one rip-roaring orgasm. He could only imagine what the real thing would bring. An aneurism?
Annoyed all over again that he’d succumbed so easily, he got up and shot Piper a text about grocery shopping for the holiday, aware Thanksgiving would arrive in just three more days.
She agreed to meet him at the market at four, giving him time to hit the private gym he’d been eyeing.
After a workout with the owner slash trainer who wouldn’t stop talking to him, he decided to venture elsewhere for his next workout. To finish his training for the day, he took a leisurely jog on a popular trail near the river and got recognized.
Stupid not to think that might happen, but with as little importance Piper and his family placed on his career, he’d expected others not to care. Didn’t they have some other celebrities in town? An actor, a singer, and a few football players, if he wasn’t mistaken.
After stopping to sign a few items from kids walking home from school and chatting to a couple of landscapers who happened to be Mariners fans, he ran back to Jared’s. Once there, he showered and changed and was just grabbing a drink when Jenna sat down next to him at the dining table and scattered a bunch of notebooks around.
“Okay, Grant. What’s the plan?”
“And hello to you too, Jenna.”
“Look, buddy, I’m stressing over SATs. Don’t mess with me.”
“Right, the SATs. Fun stuff.”
She stared at him.
“What?”
“You mean that? You think it’s fun?”
“I like tests.” He expected her to make fun of him for it, but she smiled.
“I like them too, but I pretend I don’t so everyone won’t think I’m a nerd.”
“Hey, nerds make money. Be as nerdy as you want.”
They grinned at each other. He noticed her study section and went over some antonyms, synonyms, and homonyms with her. Enjoying his time, he hadn’t realized the hour until his phone chimed. Seeing Piper’s text, he swore.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m supposed to meet Piper at four. I’ve got two minutes before I’m late.”
“Hold on.” Jenna dialed and held up her forefinger, signaling him to be quiet. He bit back a smile, recognizing her aunt in the gesture. “Hey, Aunt Piper. Sorry. I was using Grant as my study buddy and we lost track of time. Don’t blame him for being late. And if I ask super nicely, can you make sure we have ingredients for pumpkin and sweet potato pie for dessert for Thanksgiving? Yeah, I’ll make them. Oh, and can you pick me up an energy drink to—” She frowned. “They are not bad for you.”
“They are.” Grant nodded.
Jenna scowled. “I’m stressing, Aunt Piper. SATs,” she said slowly, with a growl. Then she smiled. “Great. Thanks.” She disconnected. “You’d better hurry.”
“Thanks, kid.”
