Chapter 38
GRACE
FINCH
“I can’t believe you’re already leaving tomorrow,” Lizzy pouts, flicking her trademark blonde ponytail over her shoulder. “It feels like you just got here.”
She brings her nitro cold brew to her lips, clasping it in both perfectly manicured hands. My eyes flick to her big diamond ring, and I still can’t believe she’s going to be my sister-in-law.
“You know she’s only four hours away. We can literally drive up any day. I’m pretty sure your dad won’t mind if we take the time off,” Clay says. “So we should absolutely go up.”
She bats her eyes at my brother. “If you drive the little sports car, then yes.”
“You know that stays under the tarp, in the garage, until winter’s over, brat.” He sighs. “I’ll drive, but we’re taking your Bronco.”
She taps her pink tipped fingers to her matching pink lips. “If we can listen to that new romance series I’ve been waiting for you to start with me, then—”
“The werewolf vampire regency one?” Clay asks eagerly.
Lizzy nods, humming in agreement. “That’s the one.”
I look at Kayleigh and we both snort a laugh.
Seeing these two like this will never get old.
Before I left for Jackson, brunch or coffee and pastries was our old routine, stopping into Finch, the coffee shop and book store in downtown Park City.
Even on a crowded weekend like this around Presidents’ Day, I still love being here with them.
“Deal,” Clay says, taking a sip of his drink before turning his attention back to me. “You sure you can’t stay longer?”
“I wish I could, but I need to get back to Jackson tomorrow. Tommy and I leave for Lake Tahoe first thing Tuesday morning.”
“Interesting. You call him Tommy. Not TJ or Tommy Jacob.” Lizzy’s lips curl into a feline smile and she leans forward, propping herself up on her elbows. “So how’s that going?”
Clay checks his phone before reaching over to grab the empty plates in front of us. “Nope. Happy for the two of you, but I want no part of this conversation.”
Lizzy gives him a slap on the ass when he stands. “Go find us a new faerie smut book.” She makes a kissy-face at him before looking back at us.
I shake my head and laugh as he walks to the bussing station. He drops off the plates and goes to the rows of shelves in the back of the shop, browsing the romance section.
Turning back to the table, I find Kayleigh and Lizzy curiously eyeing me. “Right, so now’s when you two grill me about dating the rich, older man?”
“Basically.” Lizzy nods with a wide grin. She gestures with her palms up. “I saw him in Bend and that man’s aged well. Is he still a total bad boy or is he a secret softy? He seemed so chill when we were in Bend. Did you make a move on him or did he pursue you? Come on, spill the tea.”
I look down at my actual mug of tea, thinking about what to say.
I knew they would ask and I want to tell them.
It feels good to be able to express all the things I’ve had swirling in my head for weeks.
The truth is though, I don’t know where to start.
Things have moved fast but they feel so natural and so right.
I’ve only been away from him for a couple days, but not having him close to me, having his eyes on me or his bergamot scent filling each of my breaths has left an ache in my chest that’s overwhelming.
That ache, that desire and unquenched need to have him in my life is the manifested confirmation that I do love him.
My calm and steady. My man.
I look up from my mug to find Kayleigh and Lizzy smirking at each other. Kayleigh reaches across the table and grabs my wrist. “Have you told him?”
Her simple question and the soft, kind look in her eyes says everything. I shake my head, breathing in the steam from my Earl Grey tea, the scent reminding me of him. “No, not yet.”
Lizzy smirks, shaking her head. “Girl, don’t waste time. Just tell him. We know he loves you.”
I quirk a brow at her. I’ve felt it, that pull, that connection between us. But how would she know it? She must see the question on my face because she continues on her own.
“We all saw that picture of you two in Seattle. The only person who’s ever looked at me that way is your brother. That’s love, babe.”
I grin back at her, accepting that she’s right. I need to tell him how I feel.
A familiar voice from behind me breaks my focus.
“Grace! Oh my gosh!”
I turn to find Kathy, my old boss, standing with a coffee in hand.
“I thought that was you.” She’s smiling and pointing at her head. “Always easy to spot that hair.”
The last time I saw her was my last day at Wasatch Wishes, which was a horrible day. I remember the anger, the sadness, the frustration of the days after that.
Seeing her now, it dawns on me that I don’t feel that way anymore. I’m actually grateful because it was the universe’s own messed up way of putting me exactly where I needed to be.
I gesture for her to come over to our table. “We’ve got an open chair if you want to catch up.”
She comes over but doesn’t sit down. “Oh, I need to get back home to the kids. I just wanted to tell you thank you. Your boyfriend, Mr. Jacob.” She cuts herself off. “I mean Mr. Sorenson. I just can’t believe what he did. He was so sweet and polite when he came to the office today too.”
My heart rate picks up and my mind races. He’s here? He came by their office? I thought he was back in Jackson with Sutton. Why would they be talking? What would they even be talking about?
“Oh, yeah. He’s pretty great.” I nervously laugh to mask my uncertainty.
“Anyway, I need to get going. I’ll give you a call soon though. Seems like we’re going to have plenty to work on.” She starts to leave but stops before reaching the exit, smiling widely. “Please, tell him thank you again.”
I nod. “Will do.”
I wave as she walks out, wondering what just happened.
Clearly I’m not the only one who was bewildered by that. When I turn around, Kayleigh and Lizzy are wearing equally confused expressions.
“What was that about?” Kayleigh asks, tipping her chin toward the door.
“I have no freaking clue,” I say, digging into my pocket for my phone, “but I’m about to find out.”
Me: What did you do?
Hot Boss: You’re going to have to be more specific than that.
Me: You know what I’m talking about…
Hot Boss: Surprise?
Hot Boss: Did I do that right? It’s supposed to be jazz hands.
Me: Ugh. We’ll talk about this and your millennial cringe use of emojis later.
Hot Boss: Or we could talk about it now?
Hot Boss: Maybe over dinner?
My brows raise when I read the text, three dots appearing and disappearing. What does he mean now? He’s supposed to be in Jackson with Sutton.
“Everything OK?” I glance across the table to see Lizzy eyeing me, snickering with Kayleigh.
“Yeah, I think so but-” I stop when my phone vibrates and Tommy’s name scrolls across the screen. I raise a finger to them, standing and facing away from the table toward the back of the café. “Hold on a sec. It’s him.”
“Hi,” I say, my voice a nervous squeak when I hold the phone to my ear.
“Hey, Rainbow,” he says, that low, silky smooth voice like a soothing balm to my anxious nerves.
“So do you want to tell me why my old boss was just saying how amazing you are and to thank you for her?”
“Well,” he hums thoughtfully. “I do want to, but I was hoping I could talk to you in person about it.”
Motion in the corner of my eye catches my attention. I turn to find my brother, Clay, standing right in front of me, new romance book in hand.
“Hey, Gracie,” he says, wearing a stupid grin.
“Not now,” I shake my head and point at my phone. “It’s Tommy. Go show your book to your fiancée.” I make a shooing gesture but his grin only grows and he pulls the phone away from my ear. He can be a little shit, but he’s not rude and knows better than this. “What the fuck, Clay?”
Instead of saying anything, he simply reaches out, palms my head in his giant, bear paw mitt of a hand, and turns my head.
I see Kayleigh and Lizzy sitting at the table, watching me with matching, shocked smiles. It’s not them that have me speechless though. It’s the man standing on the sidewalk outside, holding up his phone, waving at me with a scruffy, dimple popping smile that sucks the air right out of me.
It’s only been a couple days since I’ve seen him and still, just knowing he’s this close has me ready to go jump his bones right here. I don’t care if the bustling holiday crowd on Main Street sees, I just need to be near him.
I slowly regain my breath when his broad smile pulls into a mischievous smirk. He waves at his own phone, reminding me that we’re still on a call. My eyes fall to the phone still in my hand and I lift it to my ear.
“So does now work?” he says, far too pleased with himself.
I roll my eyes, but can’t hide the smile taking over my face when I hang up the phone. I walk past Lizzy and Kayleigh who spin in their chairs, clearly enjoying this spectacle while I walk out of the shop and onto the sidewalk.
The second he sees me leave the door, we both stride to each other, that electric tension between us pulling us together, making the world around us fade into a blur.
He pulls me into his arms and even through his thick, wool lined denim jacket I can feel his warmth.
My arms instinctively drape around his neck and he slants his mouth to mine.
A low growl rumbles in his throat when our lips part and his tongue dives into my mouth and caresses mine.
This kiss is passionate, unleashing pent up hunger that neither of us were expecting.
More than anything, it’s here, on the crowded sidewalk with tourists all around us and he doesn’t seem the least bit phased by it.
I break the kiss for just a second and his teeth tug on my lower lip, protesting the separation.
I raise my brows and he lets go, giving me just enough space to look into those deep, blue pools. “I missed you.”
Another low growl rumbles up his chest. “I missed you too.”