Chapter Seventeen
“Baby girl!”
Reagan couldn't resist a smile as she melted into Grant’s embrace. “God, I needed this,” she mumbled into his neck. He held her so tightly that her feet dangled a few inches above the asphalt.
“I get to hog you for weeks this time,” he said as he set her back on her feet.
She laughed and popped the trunk of her car so he could get her suitcase out of it. “I need a break from school, that’s for sure.”
“How are your friends?”
“Oh, I saw them yesterday. We had a small Christmas for the three of us.” She fingered the scarf she wore as she climbed the stairs with her brother. “Davis got me this scarf, and Luna gave me this pair of earrings she made.”
He glanced over at her and smiled at how happy she looked. “And your finals?”
She didn't answer him at first, merely followed him into the apartment and took off her jacket and scarf. It was so much the same that tears came to her eyes. “I did fine, I’m sure. I just had to get the hell out of Dodge after that last one.”
Grant set her bag down and wrapped her up in his arms again. “Are you really okay?”
Reagan sighed. “I promise. It’s so bittersweet being there, you know? I want to go, to learn, to get my degree and my dream job. It’s just that when I come home, I realize how much I miss you and this place.”
He nodded and kissed her head. “It’s normal, I’m sure. I mean, I can’t be sure, but I assume it must be similar for other freshmen.”
“Well, Luna assures me she felt the same way.” She pulled away to sit on the couch and he followed her. “Davis couldn't wait to go, but that’s because he doesn’t get along with his family.”
“Isn’t he rich?”
“Yes.” She raised a brow. “Why?”
He scratched his chin and looked toward the kitchen. “No reason.”
“Seriously, he loves Luna to pieces. He’s never given the slightest hint that it’s any other way.” She gave him a sidelong glance, knowing what he was thinking.
“As your big brother and legal guardian, I can only hope to see you well taken care of.”
She rolled her eyes. “I can take care of myself, you know.”
“That’s something we can agree on.” He patted her knee. “What do you want to do about dinner?”
“Can we just stay in? I’ll even make dinner if you don’t make me leave again.”
He laughed at the pleading look on her face. “I’ll order pizza.”
“Yes.” She nodded at the idea of their favorite local pizza place. “I miss good pizza, too.”
“Probably more than you miss me,” he said as he got up.
“It’s a toss up.”
He shot her a look as he reached for his phone on the table. “Extra cheese?”
“It’s an extra cheese kind of day,” she agreed with a nod.
Reagan left the living room while Grant placed the call. She wanted to change into sweats and take a minute to herself. She was more than a little surprised to discover that she regretted not giving in to the temptation to hide in Hudson’s office until the end of the school day. She missed him now that she was home, and she found that to be ridiculous. She thought she wanted distance and instead she felt . . . separated. She’d decided to unblock his number and read his texts, but not until bedtime. She didn't want anything to mar her time with Grant.
She went back out to the living room in sweatpants and a ponytail, feeling more at ease than she had in a long time. She and Grant joked around the way they always had while they ate their favorite pizza. She fell asleep on his shoulder while they were watching a home renovation show on TV. Grant carried her to her room and put her to bed without Reagan even realizing it.
She woke late the next morning, surprised to find that she couldn't remember going to bed. She made her way to the living room and found a note on the coffee table from Grant. She picked up the remote control he’d left on top of it and read about how he would see her after work and that he’d stocked the fridge and pantry for her.
