He pulled my chair out and guided me to sitting, noticing my astonishment with an amused grin. “Impressed?” he whispered in my ear, the caress of his breath causing goose bumps to break out on my skin.
“Speechless,” I rasped.
A stage was set up at the front, looking like it was carved out of ice.
The food came out, the first course resembling snowflakes. I pushed them around my plate, unsure if eating it would be brave or stupid.
Grayson leaned closer. “It’s cotton candy. None of the food here will fill you up, but it all works with the theme, so just go with it.”
“What’s tonight’s event for?” He’d mentioned that tonight was a charity auction, but I hadn’t questioned for what, too nervous to think of anything but the fact that we were going out in public together.
“Penguins.”
I put my fork down before I dropped it. “Penguins?” I studied his profile. I’d made him spend many hours in front of documentaries. And when I watched one on penguins, I’d rambled about it often enough.
Willa knew more about penguins than she ever cared to. But did Grayson really remember, or was this a coincidence?
“It’s a charity for endangered animals in the Antarctic. And this year’s focus is on penguins.”
He still wasn’t looking at me, and I shifted in my seat, suddenly feeling hot despite the cool air circulating through the room.
The five-course meal barely held my attention. The bidding began during dessert, and Grayson joined in. I had no idea what he was bidding on or what anyone sitting at our table was talking about.
Maybe, just maybe, Grayson had thought of me as more than a friend back then. Had I been wrong to think that the attraction I felt as a teenager had been one-sided? Or was I simply reading too much into the whole penguin thing?
The auction concluded, and Grayson got up. “I have to speak to a few people and pay for my winning bids. You want to come along or stay at the table?”
I loved that he gave me a choice. There was also no choice, because I’d rather be wherever he was than stay at a table where I knew nobody.
“I’ll come.”
He grinned, making me think that had been the right answer. “I’ll try to make it as quick as possible.”
We didn’t make it far before we ran into a familiar couple. My throat closed up, and my hand tightened in Grayson’s.
“Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?” Grayson greeted the elegant couple.
“Darling.” His mom leaned in, and he touched his lips to her cheek. “It’s good to see you.”
He shook his dad’s hand next. “You remember Rayna?” he asked.
I wanted to sink into the floor and disappear. The last time I’d seen his parents was also the last time I’d seen Grayson. “Mr. and Mrs. Jones, it’s nice to see you again.”
I nearly choked on the words, they were so hard to get out. There was nothing nice about seeing them again. How they had made someone as good-hearted and kind as Grayson would forever remain a mystery to me.
“Yes, Rayna. I remember you following my boy around,” Mr. Jones said, not offering his hand in greeting.
I gave him a forced smile, not daring to look at Grayson’s mom.
“I thought you were here with Wynona,” Mrs. Jones said, doing her best to ignore my presence, as usual.
Grayson frowned at her but didn’t comment. He’d always been blind to his parents’ behavior.
“There she is.” Mrs. Jones smiled and waved someone over.
I nearly stepped in front of Grayson when Wynona came strutting over. She shot me a triumphant look that changed to a sultry one when she greeted him. She leaned in, and he had no choice but to give her a hug and kiss on her cheek.
She ignored me the same way his mother had. Grayson’s attention volleyed back and forth as if trying to figure out a riddle. He knew Wynona recognized me; we’d worked together on the set enough times that she couldn’t miss me standing there.
