“Did you move back here for him?” That’s uncharacteristically romantic of her. “You guys should come over for dinner!” Grady’s food is so good the whole world should get to experience it at least once.
Grady returns before she can answer, sliding an arm around my waist. “They’re out front now; are you ready?”
“To meet the flower thief?” Hell yes, I am. Should I keep an eye on him in the florist? If we have to, we can hide in Avery’s shop. My little brother’s scary enough to make anyone chasing us go away. A foolproof plan. “It was great to see you, Sade. Let me know about dinner?”
She nods, watching us thoughtfully. “Uh, do you want my number? It’s changed since…” she trails off awkwardly.
“Oh, good idea!” It doesn’t take more than a minute to get her number plugged into my phone. It’s been a long time since her name’s been in my contact list. Will I have to change her last name when she gets married? Maybe not. Not everyone does it. Grady and I already discussed it. Well, he told me that he doesn’t care if we go either way, or if we stay as we are. As if I’m gonna pass up the opportunity to have a whole new signature to write everywhere. Does he know how much paperwork I sign at work? I’m already calculating how long it’ll take people to realise the new scribble is me.
“Alright. Time to meet the flower thief!” Always ready to make a new friend.
“I wouldn’t call him that to his face; he’s got an attitude.”
“Don’t worry, big guy,” I say, slapping him on the chest. “If I can handle you, I got this.”
I leave him trailing behind me, then hear, “I don’t have an attitude!”
Chapter seven
Lake
Theword“surly”comesto mind, more than attitude, when Quinn and “Mini-Riley” come into view. He’s hunched forward, hands in his pockets, frown on his face. Sullen, not angry. Dejected.
Riley grunts at me when introduced, and I bite back my response. I’m not at work, and he looks uncomfortable enough without me going all officer on him.
“Use your words,” Grady says, doing it for me.
I’m glad I didn’t say anything, because I like seeing this side of Grady. It’s like watching a mama bear with her cub. My fingers tingle with the urge to touch him, rub myself against him like a cat in heat.
“Nice to meet you,” Riley mumbles in response, not looking me in the eye.
Not unusual behaviour for a teenager, really, but something tells me there’s more to it than that. Watching people,noticingpeople, is part of my job. And okay, I can admit that those instincts don’t work all the time. Hey, there’s an off button for a reason, and it’s important to flick that switch so nothing overheats. An overheated brain sounds bad. I don’t want to catch fire from the inside. I don’t even want to catch fire on theoutside.
“Behave,” Grady warns Riley. “Don’t talk back, watch your mouth, and stand up straight.”
Beaming, I stretch up and kiss Grady. “Don’t worry, big guy, I’ll keep an eye on him.” The kiss’s supposed to be quick. A goodbye peck, an “I have to touch you one more time before you leave” kind of thing. It turns into something else entirely when Grady slides an arm around me, tugging me against his broad chest. I’m not a small guy, but damn if he doesn’t make me feel like that. Even more so when he’s pressing me against the bed and covering all of me.
Mmm. My favourite position.
Quinn clears his throat, and I pull away with a sheepish grin. Oops. Got a bit carried away. It’s not my fault. Quinn’s seen Grady, right? How doesanyonekeep their hands off? A mystery never to be solved.
“Wait, you’reactuallygay?” Riley asks, mouth open like a surprised goldfish.
“Well, I’m not, but my boyfriend is,” I answer. The goldfish look gets worse.
Grady frowns, pulling me against his side. “So?”
“You don’t look…” Riley trails off, glancing between us. What I wouldn’t give to know what he’s thinking right now. Maybe nothing. Too shell-shocked for brain activity.
I assume by the comment that Grady’s told him about his sexuality, so why is he surprised? What does Grady look like? A glance at him doesn’t tell me anything. Unless he’s looking for some kind of badge to recognise him by. Should we get one?
“I don’t look like what?” Grady growls, hand tightening on my hip.
Quinn coughs, but I’m pretty sure it’s to stifle a laugh, not to interrupt. We share an amused look.
I pat Grady’s stomach and lean up to kiss his jaw. If I go near his mouth again, things might get more awkward. “Don’t you have to go?”
“Yes. Don’t let him give you lip.”
