I smile. “So I should expect Gray to propose to me?”
She winks and heads toward the spare bedroom.
My father comes up next to me on his way after her.
“For the record,” he says, “the soup is good, but I really decided to propose after the first time she-”
“Dad, I beg you not to finish that sentence,” I cut in.
He looks surprised for a second, then frowns. “What exactly did you think I was going to say?”
“I don’t know, but I’m just fine believing it’s the soup that sold you.”
He clucks his tongue and heads after my mother.
Petra takes his place at my side.
“So how serious is it between you and Gray?” she asks.
I side-eye her. “Serious enough that I’m pissed you didn’t give me a heads up you all were coming down. Fuck, Petra. Next time just shoot me a warning text when you’re an hour out.”
She chuckles. “So wedidinterrupt something. Should I start trying to get ideas from her about what she wants for a ring?”
I huff. “We’re not anywhere close to that yet.”
“Maybe you’re not,” she says. “But you should see the way she looks at you when you’re not aware.”
I can’t move or speak. Petra is the more intuitive of my sisters, but I can’t admit how much I want her observation to be true. I can read Gray’s body better than her face, and her body tells me unequivocally she wants me. But could she really want more from me than just sex?
For that matter, doIwant more fromherthan that?
Again, the answer is unequivocal.
Yes, I want more from Gray than just her body. I want her mind and soul as well.
Chapter 39
Ash
The next day, I stand at the stove stirring the soup I made when I hear the knock at the door, and my heart leaps into my chest.
The whole house smells like Kjötsúpa, a traditional Icelandic lamb soup. The soup isn’t fancy by any means, and I made sure Gray liked lamb before I made it, but I think it came out good. I couldn’t decide between rice or oats, so I used both, half and half. I’m not much of a cook, but my mother made sure I knew how to make this soup before I left home.
Gray offered to take me out for my birthday, but I insisted she come here instead. I plan to get her into my bedroom tonight, and I didn’t want to try and make it through a whole dinner with blue balls.
I get to the door, already unable to contain the smile on my face at the thought of seeing her. Kelsier was right. I’ve got it bad, and after talking to Petra yesterday, I realize just how bad.
My parents considered staying another day, but Petra convinced them they needed to leave and give me and Gray some time alone. They came to the arena today, and I showed them around, but they left mid-afternoon to head back to Canada, and I went home after practice to cook soup.
I swing the door open wide.
“Hey, I hope you’re hung-” I start to say, but the words choke off in my throat as I take in the figure before me.
Gray stands there wrapped in a trench coat with her hair pulled into pigtails on either side of her head. Her lips are painted a deep red, and I’m vaguely aware she seems taller than usual. I look down to see she’s wearing black stilettos.
My mouth goes dry. Jesus Christ. Is she naked under that coat? If she is, I think I might come in my pants.
“Happy birthday,” she says with a smile. She cocks her head when I don’t answer. “Can I come in?”
