Page 47 of Grinding

“I’d be gentle with Harvey,” Dante said. “He’s new.”

Iggy snorted, but didn’t contradict him outright.

“I’ll be back in fifteen, tops,” I said. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do while I’m gone.”

I kissed Iggy’s cheek on the way past, giving in to the rising wave of possessiveness I’d felt this morning when Dante walked in on us.

On the way out, I bent down to kiss Theo’s head where he was napping in his basket, smiling at the tiny huff I got in exchange.

“I don’t get a kiss?” Dante teased as I headed for the door.

I blew him one with a wink, and stepped out into the street.

18

Iggy

“ThinkDante forgives me for this morning?” Harvey asked as stepped out of the bakery, hanging back while I locked up.

He’d helped me wipe down tables and mop the floor, all while sharing Theo entertainment duties—he’d even taken him for a walk to pee earlier.

When he’d saidlet’s pretend to be engaged, I hadn’t quite imagined it like this. But I wasn’t complaining, either. I’d forgotten how much nicer life was when you had someone to share it with.

“I think he likes you,” I said. “Especially after you made those burnt butter dark chocolate chip cookies, he liked those.”

“That reminds me,” Harvey said, reaching into his coat pocket and extracting a crumpled piece of baking paper. “I saved you a corner piece of those brownies. Since I knew you wouldn’t save one for yourself.”

I unwrapped the paper eagerly, whimpering as the smell of chocolate hit me. I’d always loved chocolate—and I’d especially loved the chocolate brownies Harvey used to make for me. Store-bought never even came close.

“You want half?” I asked, barely holding back from shoving the whole thing in my mouth.

Harvey shook his head, taking Theo’s leash from me so smoothly I didn’t even notice until I had two hands free. “I ate enough of the batter to make myself sick while I was making them. That one’s all for you.”

How was he so perfect?

I ate while we headed in the direction of home—I always walked, since it wasn’t far and it was good to fill my lungs with fresh air after a long day indoors. I loved my coffee shop, but I needed open spaces, too.

“This is exactly like I remembered them,” I said as I came to the last mouthful. “You sure you don’t want a bite?”

“Positive,” Harvey said, pausing while Theo sniffed something interesting on a tree trunk.

I popped the last bite in my mouth, closing my eyes to savor the taste and shoving the empty paper in my own pocket.

When I opened my eyes, Harvey was smiling that just-for-me smile again.

“Here,” I said, bending down to grab one of two long, straightish sticks I’d spotted.

Harvey took the stick with a raised eyebrow.

“You promised me a sword fight.” I shrugged. “Theo can fend for himself, we’re only a couple dozen yards from the cabin.”

Harvey looked at Theo, then me, then the stick, shrugged, unclipped Theo’s leash, and held the stick out like a rapier.

“En garde,” he said with a smirk.

I laughed as I batted at his stick, dancing around him, looking for an opening. I wasn’t planning on hurting him, but Iwasplanning on putting up a fight.

Harvey watched me patiently, barely moving as I tried to decide on a plan of attack. When we were little we would’ve just pounced at each other, laughing as we smacked the sticks together and only occasionally swatting at our legs.