He looked relieved and went back out front. Wiping myself down would have to be good enough. Willa was already busy scraping batter off her cheek. She handed me the roll of paper towels.
There was nothing we could do about our hair, so we left it.
“Rayna.”
I think I must be hallucinating, because I just heard Grayson’s voice.
Willa grinned at whoever was behind me. “Oh look. Speak of the devil and he shall appear.”
“Oh look, if it isn’t my favorite arsonist,” Grayson shot back.
She gasped. “It was an accident.”
I turned and my breath hitched.
He’s really here.
Grayson raised a brow, his eyes on me but talking to Willa. “You set my mom’s handbag on fire.”
“She deserved it,” Willa replied, then shot a two-eyed wink in my direction since she didn’t know how to wink. “I’ll give Cal a hand out front. The cinnamon rolls can wait.”
Grayson took a step forward, then stopped.
I glanced around my messy kitchen, looking everywhere but at him. “What are you doing here?” My voice wavered, and I cleared my throat.
“You aren’t answering your phone.”
I cringed at the hurt I detected in his voice. I noted how tightly he held his body, his hands buried in the pockets of his jacket.
“I was scared you were going to end things between us.” As soon as I said it, I realized it was the real reason I hadn’t answered my phone.
“Do you honestly think I’d call and message you like a crazy stalker just to break up with you?”
I shrugged, suddenly feeling foolish. Because he had a point. Willa had been right. I should have pulled my head out of my ass and talked to him. “I guess not.”
“Rayna, look at me.”
I took a fortifying breath and lifted my gaze. The urge to reach out to him was overwhelming. “I should have talked to you.”
He nodded. “You should have. Because I would have told you I’m in love with you.”
My mouth opened and closed, doing its best to imitate a fish on land.
“Can I hug you?” He looked so unsure of himself.
I didn’t hesitate to throw myself at him. He caught me, and we embraced like the other would disappear if we let up even just a little.
My lips brushed against his lobe, and the shudder that went through his body reverberated through me. He turned his head, and our mouths met in a messy and desperate kiss.
“I’m so sorry about everything,” Grayson said when he pulled away, his voice raspy, his lips swollen.
If only I had answered any of his calls, I could have saved myself a lot of sleepless nights and self-doubt over the last few days. “I should have talked to you instead of running away. But Wynona’s words hit all my insecurities, and I thought leaving was the best thing.”
“I’m so sorry she took her anger at me out on you. She’s always been impulsive.”
I snorted a laugh. “That’s one way to put it.”
“Do you forgive me?”
