But clearly, realism wasn’t the point of this drawing. There were evergreens and aspens growing all around the buildings, and the road was a meadow full of wildflowers instead of concrete.
There were people too. Just rough depictions. But I spotted a kid doing a trick on a skateboard in front of the coffee shop. He was leaping into the air with one hand on his board. The sight made me grin.
“There’s a lot more I want to add,” Grayden said by my shoulder. “But what do you think?”
“I don’t know much about art.”
“You know design. Your house is beautiful, and so is Silver Linings. You have a great eye. Imagine this is the first thing people see when they walk into the studio.”
I set down the sketch, turned to Grayden, and wrapped my arms around his neck. “They’ll be blown away. It’s incredible. You’re incredible.”
I’d said that last part without over-thinking it. Grayden beamed at me. “So are you.” He kissed me. One of his hands was in my hair, the other on my hip.
The kiss turned from sweet to dirty in seconds. His tongue licked into my mouth. Our bodies pressed close.
Then there was a creaking sound and an intake of breath. “Piper?”
I broke the kiss with Grayden and shifted toward the sound.
Grace stood in the open front doorway. Her hand was still on the knob, and she was frozen there with a look of horrified shock on her face.
“Gracie.” Grayden touched his mouth, like he was realizing exactly how much his sister had just seen. Just a kiss, but that kiss had felt likeeverything. What was she going to think?
“I was stopping by to say hi. I was going to knock, but I saw you inside through the window, and the door was unlocked, and… Oh my God, I’m sorry.”
Grace spun and dashed out the door.
Crap.
“I’ll go.” Grayden started to follow.
“No, it should be me.” Grace was my best friend. Basically my sister.
I had to explain why she’d just caught me with her brother.
Grace had left the house, but she hadn’t gone far. I spotted her in the driver’s seat of her SUV. She was just sitting there staring at the steering wheel. Hadn’t even switched on the engine.
I tried the passenger door. It opened, so I slid into the seat. “Hey.”
Grace barely glanced at me. “I just thought I’d stop by and see him. I should’ve texted first. Not just walked inside.”
“No, Grace, it’s fine. I’m sure Grayden would love to see you. We just happened to be…” I waved my hand. “I didn’t mean for you to find out this way.”
“I’m guessing you would prefer I didn’t find out at all. And I’m feeling the same way. You and my brother?” She soundedshocked and maybe a little disgusted. Which didn’t make me feel too great.
“It surprises me too,” I said.
Except I’d had a crush on him since I was fifteen years old, so I’d certainly imagined a scenario like this. I’d been smart to never tell her about that.
Grace’s hands gripped the steering wheel. Like she wanted to strangle something. I hoped it wasn’t me.
“I probably shouldn’t even ask, but how long has this been going on?”
There was so much she didn’t know. I had to start at the beginning if there was any way she might understand.
“Well, he spent the night at my house on Thanksgiving.”
“Thanksgiving? The same night he got to town, the two of you…”
