Gram seemed to have a soft spot for Gray, so complaining about him would hardly do any good. Besides, he wouldn’t be hanging around the shop much longer. He was almost finished with the landscaping, and then he’d only mow once a week or so. “Nothing worth sharing.”
“If you say so. Well, when you’re done there, see if you can do something about that front table display, would you? It needs your artistic touch.”
“I’ll get right on it.”
Ten minutes later she was rearranging the display near the window when Gray pulled up to the curb. So he’d fixed his truck. Good for him, because she wasn’t offering him a ride home ever again. Even if the rumors about him weren’t true, he sure didn’t do himself any favors, going around exasperating people.
She waited until he was strutting up the sidewalk before she bounded down the stairs and exited the store. The July heat sucked the air from her lungs, but she was too focused on her mission to be distracted.
His eyes caught on her as he dropped his backpack on the grass. Then that cocky smile curved his lips.
She strode down the walkway. “Where is it?”
“Where’s what?”
A family came up the sidewalk, heading toward the bookstore.
She moved aside to let the group pass. When they’d mounted the porch steps, Shelby turned back to Gray. “You stole my book from my car.”
“Relax, Sunshine. I just borrowed it.”
“Whatever for?”
“Even we Neanderthals can read, you know.”
She huffed. Crossed her arms. “You expect me to believe you actually want to read a romance novel?”
“Not want to read. Already read.” He withdrew the book from his book bag and gave the cover a once-over. “It’s not Lee Child, but I’ll admit it exceeded my expectations. That Harper chick was tough as nails, but man, did she have some issues. Nick was one patient dude. The bear scene was comical.” He extended the book.
She took it, scrambling for a response. She stared at the book as if it might hold the key to eternal life.
“Cat got your tongue, Sunshine?”
Face warming, she met his gaze. “You expect me to believe you read the whole thing? In one night?”
“Well, I did stay up past midnight, but more or less. Even the touchy-feely stuff was well done. Good humor. And I appreciate a well-done character arc as much as the next guy. Don’t worry, I won’t spoil the ending since you’re only on page 155.” He shook his head and tsked. “Does your grandma know you dog-ear pages?”
She couldn’t believe he’d read the entire book. Not only read it but wasn’t denigrating it or playing it off like he was too masculine to appreciate something as insipid as love.
“Well, I can see I’ve shocked you. Either that or you’re having heatstroke—a distinct possibility today.”
Shelby didn’t know what to say. Gray seemed to catch her off guard at every turn. She glanced back at the store. “I have to get back to work.”
“That makes two of us.” He grabbed a shovel and proceeded to spread mulch around the bushes. “Have a great day, Sunshine.”
Gray stepped into his dad’s old truck, put down the windows, and turned the key. It started with its usual unsteady rumble. The thing was well over a decade old and on its last legs. The air didn’t work, which made a scorching day like today a real pain.
He’d finished his work at the bookshop for the day and then gone to his other part-time job at Lang’s Hardware. Joe Lang wasn’t exactly thrilled to be his boss. He’d stuck Gray in the garden center because no one else wanted to brave the heat. But Gray preferred working with the plants to encountering people who looked down their noses at him.
Plus it gave him time to think. And today he’d spent most of that time thinking about Shelby. Remembering the way she’d strode toward him this morning all hot and bothered brought a smile to his face every time. He loved that sassy side of her. And her obvious shock that he’d read her book was equally gratifying. Even if the story hadn’t been pretty good, it would’ve been worth finishing just to knock her for a loop like that.
He stuck his elbow out the window as he turned onto Main Street, the heat licking his skin with a hot, sticky tongue. The sign for the Dairy Bar appeared ahead. It was almost suppertime, but the thought of something cold and refreshing had him slowing as he neared the entrance. He’d bring Granny her favorite—a strawberry shake with lots of whipped cream and a cherry.
Apparently he wasn’t the only one willing to spoil his supper—the lot was half full. He pulled into a slot near the ordering window, shut off the engine, and jumped from his truck. He was nearly to the line when he spotted Shelby at one of the bright red picnic tables—along with Brendan, Devon, and Drew.
His gaze met Shelby’s, locking for a solid five seconds. Then Brendan turned to see why she’d stopped licking her cone. His gaze followed hers, finding Gray, and his expression soured.
Gray’s gut twisted. He wanted to turn right back around and leave. But Devon and Drew had also spotted him, and no way was Gray turning tail now. He got in the line.
