Her eyes widened. “Even the brick red. She knows that one’s my favorite.
“What a monster.” I take a sip of my drink.
“Thank you!” She rolls her eyes. She’s hilarious. “She’s mad because Tommy gave me a dandelion and she likes him. I don’t even like him back.”
“She has some nerve.”
Lianna takes a loud sip from her teacup. “Are you my uncle’s boyfriend?”
I nearly spit out my drink. Coughing, I shake my head. “No, no. I’m um, just helping him while he gets better.”
Her eyes narrow. “He looks at you like you’re his boyfriend.”
“What?” I cough, clearing my throat. “What do you mean?”
“He looks at you like this.” She places her tiny hands under her chin, batting her lashes dramatically. “It’s the wayTommy looks at me during art class, but I told him I’m not ready to be tied down.”
I smile. “Good idea. Boys are stupid.”
“Not my uncle, though.” Damn, she’s sassy.
“He doesn’t look at me any kind of way.” Our kiss comes to mind, and okay I may totally look at him that way. I’m realistic, though. Grey is built like a warrior and has a sweet side that’s making it harder and harder to ignore the way his looks make me feel.
“This is a tea party. You’re supposed to spill tea.”
“I don’t think that’s what a tea party is.” My face heats. How am I being grilled by a child? She taps her fingers on the table, waiting. “Your uncle and I are friends.” Friends that shared an amazing kiss only yesterday. I’ve yet to let it go. It was a ghost of a kiss, barely there but left to haunt me. It was amazing.
“Lianna?” I jolt. Grey stands in the doorway leaning heavily on his cane, and I almost do a double take, not recognizing him.
“Your hair.” It’s cut short now. And styled on the top, the sides shorter. His beard is also neat and trimmed. His eyes even seem brighter.
“Alyssa just did it.” My phone is in the other room. I didn’t even hear her come in. Damn. He looks incredibly handsome. More than that, he looks healthy. More confident. Happy. “Mom’s ready to go home, sweet pea.”
“Can’t I sleep over?” she whines.
He smiles at her. “Soon. I’m not feeling well today.” Alarm must fill my eyes. “I just need some rest is all. My knee is bothering me a bit more today.”
“We’ll have another tea party soon, okay?” I promise.
“Since this was your first time, I’ll let it slide, but I’m going to need something really juicy next time we do this.”Grey barks out a laugh, giving her a hug as she leaves the room.
“I didn’t realize how intense tea parties are.” Grey laughs at me, squeezing my shoulder, and heat spreads across my chest. I don’t know how to get a hold on what I’m feeling for him. I lift my gaze to his warmth-soaked eyes that are soft on me as I pass him.
Maybe he does look at me like that.
THIRTEEN
Felix
I help Grey into his room, my eyes going straight to the side I slept on last night. I have to say I’ve never felt happier sleeping next to someone. After everything he shared about his ex and father, then how he handled Steven last night, I feel like I can trust him.
What if I shouldn’t?
Steven was nice at first. This is the thing, though. Grey has a village. His sister loves him, his niece, those friends that stop by. He has people who care for him. Steven never had that. I’ve never met his family. He used to tell me they weren’t close and didn’t approve of his sexuality.
I wonder if that’s even true.
I’m not saying being alone is suspicious, because I’m alone. It’s just that Grey has people who love him dearly. They treat him like the kind man I hope he is. His friends are worried for him. They love him.
