So he skated faster.
They weaved around people until she tripped over a loose mitten and fell onto her butt. Which caused Grant to fall over her.
Fortunately, no one got hurt, but she didn’t appreciate him laughing at her. “Hey, you fell too.”
“But your fall was sooo not graceful.”
She wanted to be angry, but honest-Grant was back and having fun. “I suppose your fall was majestic?”
“Hell, no. I probably looked like a complete idiot. But I didn’t see myself. Just you, ass over teakettle.” He laughed harder.
His hat had fallen off when tumbling over her, and she noticed several people stopping to stare.
“Uh oh, busted.” He kept laughing.
A crowd circled them, with eager fans exclaiming their delight over seeing the West Wind and would he sign a jacket or a hat or gloves, and would he take a picture of them standing with him.
Amused at his flushed cheeks and the apologetic look he shot her, she took as many photos as she could with fans’ phones and waited patiently as he acted courteous and friendly with everyone he met.
Seeing this patient, responsible side to Grant gave her yet another view of the man she was coming to care for very much. But then, why shouldn’t she be bowled over? The guy was a millionaire. A boy she used to babysit grown into a devilishly attractive man, and he had a tongue that didn’t quit. What wasn’t to love? Like, wasn’t to like?
She felt awkward all of a sudden. What am I even doing here?
Grant pulled her with him off the ice. “Let’s get our shoes back on. I need to tell you something.”
She followed his lead, and before long, they headed out of the ice rink back through Bellevue Downtown Park. Once headed back on 4th Street, they continued to a coffee shop. He seated her, once again like a gentleman.
“Hazelnut latte, right?” he asked.
She blinked. “Yeah.”
“Anything to eat?”
“Something sweet.”
“You got it.” He left and returned with her latte, a drink for himself, and a bag of goodies. “I didn’t know what you’d want, so I got a lot.”
She glanced over to the people working behind the counter and saw them smiling wide and nodding at Grant. “More fans.”
“Nah, just hardworking people who deserved a big tip.”
She smiled. “Ah.” Dang it. Yet another reason to like him. His stupid generosity.
“You okay? You look annoyed.” He tugged his brim lower and sighed. “I’m sorry. We probably shouldn’t have gone to the ice rink. When I’m around a lot of people, it can get weird. One person might recognize me, then they tell those around them until everyone wants a picture or autograph. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry on my account. It was fun seeing how admired you are.”
He blew on his drink and looked at her. “Yeah?” He smiled. “Did that win me cool points with you?”
“It might have.”
He looked delighted. “Awesome. And hey, you never finished telling me what you like besides books. What about movies? TV?”
“I’m the one doing the asking, remember?”
“Fire away.”
Between cake pops, lemon loaf, and vanilla scones, she learned a lot. Grant loved streaming TV in his home. He hated watermelon, pineapple on pizza, and lamb. But he loved The Sound of Music during the holidays, because he’d always watched it with his mom and brother every year during Christmas. Oh, and he obsessed over getting everyone the right present.
