He stepped in front of me. “Let me at least drive you back to the hotel.”
“I’d like that.”
He led us to his car parked at the curb. I sank into the leather seats with a sigh. Even his car was out of my league.
I wasn’t looking forward to driving my old clunker home. It was loud, the radio didn’t work, and I was pretty sure it was due a service six months ago. The drive to LA had been tedious, but I’d been excited about participating in the show. Going back home meant putting distance between myself and Grayson.
He pulled into traffic, shifting gears effortlessly. “Can’t you stay another few days? You took time off in case you made it to the last round anyway. Might as well use it.”
“It might be best if I left tonight.” I bit down on my bottom lip, avoiding looking at Grayson. If he seemed relieved, I’d be devastated. If he looked upset, my resolve would crumble.
He didn’t respond, and I stared out the windshield.
We made it to the hotel a few minutes later. My hands trembled, and I didn’t think I’d be able to walk away in one piece this time.
Grayson met me as I got out and put a hand on my back. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
Okay. Yup, great. That sounds perfectly fine. I will not spend the time creepily watching him from under my eyelashes or dreaming about what his lips feel like on mine. And I definitely won’t picture him naked. Nope.
We made it to my room much faster than I would have liked, and I studied my feet instead of opening the door. “I guess this is it.”
I’d barely finished the last word when he cut in. “I’ll come in for a little bit. Help you pack.”
Nodding, I opened the door, admitting us into the cool interior of the room. I wouldn’t have much to pack, but his offer was nice, and I grasped onto any excuse to spend a few extra minutes with him.
Grayson stood in the middle of the room, one hand on his hip, the other running through his hair. He looked a little lost and a lot irresistible. He’d removed his tie and suit jacket in the car and had once again rolled up his sleeves.
He watched my every move as I stumbled to the bathroom. “Are you going to leverage off the show? Your ratings were excellent. If you wanted, you could probably pull something together on your own.”
I threw my toiletry bag in the suitcase and collected the few pieces of clothing spread around the room. “I’m going home and doing what I’m good at: making cupcakes.”
“But what about your dream? I thought you wanted to open up another bakery in Denver?”
I threw my sloppily folded clothes on top of my toiletry bag. “This industry is just not for me. I’d never get used to the backstabbing, the lying, and the fakeness. It’s draining, and I’m not all that upset that I’m going home.”
Not being able to open my bakery in Denver was the worst part about getting kicked off the show. Well, the second worst after having to say good-bye to Grayson.
But there was always another way. It might take me longer, but I’d get there, eventually.
Grayson came closer, and I tensed. “I’ll give you the money.”
I dropped the pants I’d attempted to fold. “No way. You’re insane. Who even says something like that?”
“Why the hell not? I have it, you need it. We can go into a partnership.”
A partnership with Grayson? As friends, I presume? No. Way. In. Hell.
“No.”
I turned back to my suitcase, having given up on folding anything and now throwing things inside.
“That’s it? Just no?”
“What did you expect?” I answered his shoes, since my head was bent and I refused to look up.
“For you to at least think about it.” His voice was getting louder, each word clipped.
“There’s nothing to think about. I’d never accept money like that, and you should know that.”
