Page 102 of Combust (Everyday Heroes 2)
She breaks from her commentary when Brody and Grady look our way and wave.
“Why are you telling me all this?” I ask gently.
“Because Grady will never admit to you that you’ve made a difference. He won’t allow himself to acknowledge what he feels for you, but we all can see it clearly in that photo.” I turn my head to look at her and she chuckles. “Marcy told me about the shoot. About the only time Grady actually relaxed and showed his true colors was then. When he was looking at you.”
“I have my life to get back to,” I murmur in explanation despite my feet feeling perfectly fine where they’re planted.
“Uh-huh.” She shifts her feet and releases my hand. “And sometimes life changes at the drop of a dime, and you take the chance.”
“I appreciate what you’re doing here, Shelby, but Grady is the one set in his ways. I’m glad I helped him in some way to find his everyday normal in a sense,” I repeat like a broken record.
“You have. And I thank you for that. We all appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.”
“Umm.” It’s the only thing I can think to say when I walk into the kitchen to find candles lit at the kitchen table and a meal simmering on the stove.
I feel like I’ve stepped into an alternative reality. Romance? Is this romance?
And my heart stills in my chest. And then starts again.
Has he finally realized what I have? Has Grady finally decided to give whatever this is a chance between us without his predetermined rules and regulations?
“Hey there.”
“Should I leave? Am I interrupting a date you have planned with someone?” I use humor to combat the sudden nerves rattling around inside me.
The look on his face, amused confusion, tugs at my heartstrings as he purses his lips and shakes his head. “No date planned with anyone else.”
I take another step into the kitchen. “Oh?”
“I cooked dinner for you.”
The simple statement is enough to make this girl’s heart melt. “You did?”
“Yep.” He hands me a glass of wine and pulls a chair out for me. “I thought it was about time I tell you.”
“Tell me what?” A lump forms in my throat.
Can we try this? Try to make whatever this is work?
Don’t go. Please stay.
My head swirls with possibilities, as his eyes remain locked on mine. He sits on the chair beside me, his knees framing mine, as he places his hands on my thighs. He rubs them up and down their length causing chills to chase up my spine.
“Thank you.” His smile is shy, the look in his eyes generous, and his voice is almost a whisper.
And my hopes still hang on.
“Grady?”
“Thank you for making me see what I was denying.” I lay my hands atop his and squeeze. “You talked me into doing the calendar. You keep reiterating the guilt is okay, but it can’t rule my life. You . . . you made me realize the scars on the outside aren’t the problem, but it’s the ones on the inside I need to work on. This is the new normal, and I have to accept it.”
“Not so much accept, but live with it.”
“You always say things so much prettier than I do.” He smiles.
“It’s an occupational hazard, but honestly, Grady, I didn’t do anything different from what anyone else has. Maybe it was just the new voice that made you listen.”
“Perhaps. Regardless . . . I owe you a huge thank you.” He twists his lips and looks at our hands. “I know you’re on your last song and will be leaving soon, and I wanted to take the time to let you know how much your encouragement means to me, how much you mean to me.”
