Chapter 20 #2
Seeming to read his mind, she said, “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Grant.” Her quiet dignity went straight to his heart. “You’ve got a great big life with all kinds of options open to you. It wouldn’t be wise to limit yourself.”
“That may be true, but the only option I seem interested in is standing right in front of me.”
She released a deep sigh that told him he had a long way to go in convincing her that his intentions toward her were honorable and suddenly long-term. Of course, the nagging voice in the back of his head that reminded him he was due back in LA in a week’s time put a damper on that thought.
“I’ve got to get back to work.” She gestured toward the takeout counter and then pointed to the computer. “And so do you.”
“Do you mind if I make a file on your computer to take notes?”
“Have at it.”
Grant’s blood zinged through his veins as the challenge of a new story awaited him.
“Are you getting a buzz?” she asked, smiling up at him.
Amazed by her insight, he said, “How’d you know?”
“Your eyes just got all bright and excited, the way they do when . . .” She gestured for him to fill in the blanks.
Grant barked out a laugh and drew her in close to him. “The way they do before I come?” he whispered in her ear, pushing his hips against hers.
“Yeah,” she said breathlessly. “Just like.”
“Shit,” he growled. “You’ve got me all hot again.”
“Doesn’t take much.” She slapped him on the ass and pulled away from him. “Get to work, stud. I’ll take care of your other problem later.” With a saucy wink, she sauntered off, leaving his tongue practically hanging out of his mouth.
Slumping into his chair, he willed his sudden, raging erection into submission. Damn, she was hot, and damn, she turned him on so fast and furious he barely stood a chance when she was anywhere near him.
What might she be like, he wondered, without the weight of the world on her slim shoulders? Determined to find out, he fired up her computer and dug in.
Stephanie wondered if Grant knew that his lips moved when he read or that he talked to himself when he was writing, two rather endearing qualities. Oh, who was she kidding? All his qualities were endearing.
She had to tear her gaze off him and get back to work on the food inventory she needed to complete so she could get the order in for the next week.
As she added, subtracted and multiplied on her calculator, her thoughts were full of him.
For so long she’d wondered what it might be like to be in love.
Now she knew the emotions were all-consuming.
She wanted to spend every minute of every day with him and every night wrapped in his arms. She wanted to hear his every thought, share his every dream and do everything within her power to make him as happy as he’d made her.
And more than anything, she wanted to believe that he felt the same way about her.
Wouldn’t that be nice? When she realized she was once again staring at him, she let out a deep sigh and tried to focus on the spreadsheet that needed her undivided attention for at least thirty more minutes.
Then she could ogle to her heart’s content.
Ten minutes later, she’d lost the battle and was staring at him.
“Quite a sight, isn’t he?” Linda McCarthy asked with a knowing smile on her face.
“He reminds me so much of his father at that age. I remember standing right about where you are,” Linda said, gesturing to the takeout counter where Stephanie had laid out her paperwork so she could surreptitiously watch Grant.
Apparently not surreptitiously enough.
Stephanie was mortified to have been caught gawking by the man’s mother, no less—and her boss!
“Big Mac was working on the docks,” Linda continued, “and I’d be in here serving up chowder and doughnuts, hoping he’d pop in to say hello at some point.”
Even though she was embarrassed, Stephanie was curious, too. “Were you dating then?”
“Oh lord, no. We’d been married five years by then with Mac underfoot and Grant on the way.”
Astounded, Stephanie said, “And you were still hoping for a glimpse of him.”
Linda leaned in close to whisper. “I’m still hoping for a glimpse of him.” She grinned. “Nearly forty years later.”
“That’s so sweet,” Stephanie said with a sigh. “I’ve never known anyone who’s been married that long.”
“Well, it’s not always sunshine and roses, but most of the time it is.” Linda’s smile faded a bit as if she was recalling something unpleasant. “It’s been a bit rough since his injury.”
“I’m sure that’s been very difficult, but to know you’re still in love after all these years, well . . .” Stephanie searched for the words she needed.
“What, honey?” Linda asked with the same kindness she’d shown her since they met last winter in Providence.
“It gives me hope.” Stephanie hadn’t had much use for the word “hope” in her life, but suddenly she was filled with it.
That Grant’s friend might be able to get Charlie a new trial, that Charlie might one day be released, that she and Grant .
. . It was probably best that she not get ahead of herself where he was concerned.
Linda placed her hand over Stephanie’s. “We all agree that he seems quite smitten with you. It might be okay to allow for a tiny bit of hope.”
Startled, Stephanie forced herself to meet Linda’s gaze. “You really think so?”
Linda nodded. “Personally, I think you’re very good for him. You call him out and keep him on his toes.”
“Abby didn’t do that?” Stephanie asked, making an effort to keep her tone casual and not too interested.
“Abby’s a doll—an absolute doll, and we love her. But she didn’t challenge him the way you do. I think he needs that.”
“What’re you up to, Mother?”
With a conspiratorial smile for Stephanie, Linda turned to her son. “Not a thing, darling. I’m simply here to invite the two of you to dinner tonight.”
Grant looked around his mother to Stephanie. She nodded to let him know she was willing if he was.
“Okay,” Grant said cautiously. “What’s the occasion?”
“No occasion, my suspicious son. Just dinner.”
Grant rolled his eyes. “Dinner with an ulterior motive for dessert.”