CHAPTER 29
Grace
Grace unlockedher front door and stepped inside.
"Take your time," Luke said from behind her. “You’ll need something you can move in. Sneakers. Leggings. Workout clothes. I’ll wait out here."
She almost told him it was fine. That he could come in. But the words stuck in her throat.
This house held too many memories. Luke in her hallway. Luke in her kitchen. Luke in her bed.
Luke leaving before dawn so no one would see.
Grace moved through the rooms quickly. She pulled a pair of black leggings from the drawer, a sports bra and shirt. Grace rolled her eyes. Maybe he was dragging her to the gym.
She grabbed her duffel bag.
When she opened the front door, Luke was crouched by the porch railing, running his hand along the wood where it sagged.
He glanced up at her approach, and stood. "You get everything you need?"
"Yes."
"Good." He took the bag from her, slung it over his shoulder.
Grace stareddown at the yoga mat Luke had unrolled in the middle of his living room.
“This feels dumb,” she said.
“It’s not,” Luke said evenly. He was barefoot, in sweatpants and a plain black T-shirt.
“I’m not going to become some badass overnight just because you show me how to elbow someone.”
Luke shook his head. “You don’t need to be a badass. You just need to know how to give yourself three seconds.”
Grace crossed her arms. “Three seconds.”
“Sometimes that’s all it takes. Surprise them. Get free. And then run.”
Luke stepped onto the mat and held out a hand. “Come here.”
Grace hesitated.
Luke waited, his hand open and steady.
She stepped forward.
He positioned her so they stood facing each other. Close enough that she could feel the heat of his body.
“First things first,” Luke said, “you need to know where to hit someone if they grab you. Easiest targets: eyes, throat, groin, knees. Doesn’t have to be pretty. Just effective.”
“Great,” she said. “So I’m aiming for your groin.”
His mouth twitched. “Tempting, I know.”
That earned the smallest of smiles from her.
Luke raised his hands. “Okay. Let’s say someone grabs your wrist.” He reached out, slow and telegraphing his movements, and closed his fingers around her forearm.
