With a sigh, I walk into the kitchen grabbing the broom before returning outside. In the minute it took for me to go inside and come back, people ignored the spill and walked right over it.
Sometimes, I hate people.
With an exasperated sigh, I grip the broom, ready to clean up after the ungrateful guests. But a warm hand on the small of my back startles me.
"Let me get this." Whipping my head around, I come face to face with Grant. His crystal blue eyes mesmerize me, momentarily shutting off all brain functions.
"W-what?" I stutter, overwhelmed at how close he is. He's inches away from me, his hand on my waist as he reaches for the broom. And God, does he smell so good.
"You've been busy setting everything up. The least I can do is clean up this mess." He gently takes the broom from my frozenfingers. "Go sit and eat. You deserve to rest a bit." His eyes are kind and crinkle a bit in the corners.
"It’s okay, I can handle this," I say as I reach for the broom.
"Are you always this stubborn?"
"Maybe. It's a high probability."
He chuckles at that, his laughter sparking goosebumps. "You're something else, aren't you?" His voice has a sense of wonder to it, but I could just be reading into things.
"So I've been told," I retort. He doesn't give in, even as I playfully tug on the broom handle. Grant holds fast, his eyes squinting in focus. We have a momentary broom standoff, each of us refusing to back down before I give in. "Fine.” I release the handle. "You win this time."
"Thank you," he grins, full of triumph at his victory. "You go eat while I do this. Relax a bit."
"You better be prepared for next time, ‘cause I won't back down as easily."
He's already started to sweep the potato crumbs into a neat pile, laughing at my challenge. "Oh, I don't doubt it. I look forward to our next competition."
Damn him and those twinkling blue eyes.
Time to walk away, Hazel. Leave the man alone.
My stomach chooses this moment to growl as loud as possible. Grant underestimated how stubborn I can be. The only real thing that could get me to back down from a challenge is hunger, and I’m downright starving.
I weave my way through the crowd stopping when I get to Grill Master Tony. "Please tell me you have some left?" I lean against the small table next to him and peer at the hot grill, praying even a morsel is left.
Tony chuckles at my discomfort but quickly assuages any concern. "Don't worry. I set a couple aside for you and Candice. I wouldn't forget about two of my favorite people."
Sometimes I forget I've known Tony for more than half my life. He and Candice started dating when I was a pre-teen. He saw me through all my awkward pre-pubescent stages that teenagers nowadays don't seem to have. "Oh, thank God for you, Tony. I could kiss you."
His face scrunches in a look of horror. "Please don't."
Laughter bubbles from my throat at his expression. I only meant it as a joke, but he looks scared that I'll actually do it. "You might have to keep one eye open," I tease playfully as he puts two hotdogs on my plate.
"I'm not worried, I'll sick my club on you. They'll cover my back."
"Ha! Please do. I wouldn't mind that one bit." I don't think any girl would turn down Wells, Cole, or Grant. Those men are sexy as hell.
"Go eat before I tell Candice."
"Ooh, I'm so scared," I say, my back to him as I head up the deck steps to scrounge for some bottom-of-the-barrel chips. Honestly, I think she’d agree with me.
***
Mason's gasps as he opens presents are hilarious. I mean, I think he's the most hilarious kid I've ever been around, but admittedly, I'm biased.
"I always wanted one of these!" Mason holds up his new favorite toy that he probably has never seen before taking it out of the wrapping paper. "It’s so cool!" The children gathered on the lawn in front of him ooh and aww right on cue. It's too damn cute.
I'm standing off to the side underneath the giant oak tree that makes Candice and Tony’s backyard nice and cool during the summer. My smile grows as I watch my nephew open his manypresents, each one garnering the same reaction that seems ever-present today. Tears sting in my eyes just thinking about how big he's getting and that soon he's going to be too cool for his Auntie Haze.
