Sally nods, and her grin widens. “Yup. And he’s doing a terrible job of it. Poor guy.” She laughs. “Emma is now a little afraid of him. She thinks he’s having some kind of breakdown.”
Despite myself, I laugh too. But then I turn serious. “He doesn’t seem to be trying with me. He’s the same as he always has been.”
The words come out sounding more hurt than I intended, and I want to kick myself. It’s not like I have any claim on him. He can be nice to whomever he wants. Or not nice. Whatever.
Sally waves a hand. “You’re probably reading too much into it. You told me he punched that rude guy a few days ago, right? The smelly one with the greasy hair who called you a bitch.” She makes a face of disgust.
I nod, warmth flooding through me at the memory. “He punched him right in the nose.”
“That right there was Grim being nice,” Sally says. “That’s him being his normal self. Maybe he feels like he doesn’t need to put on an act with you.” She gives a one-shouldered shrug.
I consider this. “I prefer him to be his normal self,” I admit. “All this trying-to-be-nice stuff sounds exhausting.”
“There you go. Him being genuine with you is a good thing.” Sally nods a couple of times.
“Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m being silly.”
“You?” Sally grins wickedly. “Never.”
I roll my eyes and push away from her desk. “I should get going. These files aren’t going to input themselves into the system.”
“Wait.” Sally holds up a hand. “I have an idea.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t like that look.”
“You should ask him out.”
“Absolutely not.” I shake my head. “Sally, I’ve told you a million times. I don’t date people I work with. Ethan has asked me out several times now, and I’ve told him the same thing over and over, and I mean it.”
“Let’s face it, you’re not into Ethan,” Sally sighs. “You should ask Grim out—”
I start to protest, but she holds up her hand.
“Let me finish. For coffee. Just for coffee, and as friends. I think he needs a friend. Both of you could do with getting outmore and…” she reaches for the right word, “smelling the roses more.”
“Smelling the roses,” I repeat, raising my eyebrows.
“Yes.” Sally’s eyes go wide. “Look, underneath all that grumpiness, I think he’s lonely. And you’re always working or staying home. You’re lonely too, even if you won’t admit it. What’s the harm in trying to make a new friend?”
“I um…I…” I sigh, because I don’t know what to say to her.
“Promise me you’ll at least think about it,” she presses.
I nod because it’s easier than arguing. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good.” Sally beams at me. “Now go home and have a good weekend with your files. Try not to party too hard.”
I laugh and wave goodbye, heading for the door.
There is no way I can ever be friends with Grim.
I’ve had fantasies about him. Fantasies involving my vibrator.
Friends? Hah…no! It wouldn’t work.
9
Grim
