Jenna grinned. “Simon’s parents are more strict about who he dates than Dad is. Besides, I’ve known Simon forever.”
Grant slid a glance at Piper. “Sounds like me and your aunt. Did you know she used to babysit me?”
Why that made Piper blush, she had no idea. But suddenly she felt old. “True, I did.”
Jenna gaped. “Oh wow. You guys look the same age.”
“We’re not,” Piper answered at the same time Grant said, “We’re close enough.”
She cleared her throat. “We’re four years apart, if I remember right.” But looking at young, attractive Grant, Piper felt worlds older.
Grant nodded. “True. As you get older, the numbers don’t really matter. But when I was nine, Piper was thirteen. And that made a huge difference.” He grinned. “She once tried to beat me up.”
“I did not.” Piper wondered, Did I?
Jenna laughed. “Simon’s the same age as me. Although I’m a lot more mature than him. Because I’m a girl.”
“What does that have to do with it?” Grant asked.
Piper and Jenna shared a look, and Piper said, “We could talk about male maturity all night long. Give me just one example of what you and your buddies get up to in the locker room that doesn’t include pranks, gross body humor, or a lot of swearing.”
Grant opened and closed his mouth.
She huffed. “Case closed.”
Jenna grabbed the chips and her drink bottle. “Yeah, well, I’m going to get started on my homework.” She headed upstairs and over her shoulder added, “Welcome home, Grant.”
The sudden silence felt oppressive.
“So,” Piper said, conscious of his rapt attention. “How long has it been since you’ve been back?”
“Oh, I’ve visited over the years. When Cade and I left fifteen, nearly sixteen years ago, my parents had just split up, and Mom got a decent job in Portland near relatives. I never thought Cade would move back.”
“Did you like it? In Portland, I mean?” She positioned herself behind the kitchen island, a nice buffer between her and a totally different Grant Weston, who gave her mixed feelings.
She’d always liked the funny, energetic little boy she’d babysat. Though he’d been a handful to look after, he’d been sweet and charming, always saying what he felt, hiding little. But she had no idea what to make of the grown-up version.
“Portland was okay. Hope’s Turn was home for so long. Small town life is way different than the city. But I adapted. By that time, Cade was going to trade school, so I was pretty much on my own. Baseball became my go-to.” He shrugged, and she realized he had a pretty broad shoulders.
“Jared mentions you every now and then, since Cade talks about you a lot. I confess I’m not into baseball, but even I’ve heard of the West Wind.”
He laughed. “Heck of a nickname, eh? No, I didn’t give it to myself. Our first baseman thinks he’s a funny guy and nicknamed half the team. But mine stuck.”
“West Wind, huh?”
He flexed, and she tried not to be impressed at the muscle bunched under his thin sweater. “On account of my rocket of an arm and batting average. I make that ball fly through the air.”
“Not too modest, I see,” she teased.
In a perfectly normal voice, he answered, “I’m just stating facts. That’s not bragging. I bat a .3342.”
“Um, congrats.” She had no idea about baseball and personally found it kind of boring to watch. Of course, she felt that way about all sports. She did appreciate a handsome football player in tight pants though. And soccer players had the best legs.
“You don’t know what my batting average means.” Grant’s smile widened.
“I’m sure it’s amazing.”
“It is.” He chuckled, rounded the counter, and grabbed her in a hug that took her off her feet. “Man, I missed you, Piper.”
