Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
S hiloh had completely changed her mind.
Kids were not nearly as cute as she had originally thought.
The entire deck had gone silent, and she could feel every eye bouncing between her and Granger. Normally, Shiloh wasn’t one to shy away from the spotlight. She didn’t mind being in charge or being seen, but right now?
Right now, the heat crawling up her neck was not only foreign but a completely unwanted sensation.
Granger coughed, then coughed again. His face was so red, Shiloh was positive he’d inhaled something when Zane announced their faux-relationship to the world.
“That’s… cough …right,” Granger finally managed to get out.
Serenity’s head slowly turned to Shiloh. “What?” she mouthed. “Why didn’t you tell me you and Granger were dating?”
Shiloh raised one shoulder in the air, desperately hoping no one could hear the wild cadence of her heart. “It’s new?”
“Is that an answer or a question?” Jett asked with a mischievous smirk on his face. He turned to look at Zane. “Z…I’ve got a couple more questions.”
“Oh, no you don’t,” Shiloh said quickly. She wished her legs were long enough to give Jett a quick whack. “Don’t you dare put Zane in the middle of this.”
“Middle of what?” Zane asked, half of a hot dog hanging out of his mouth.
Granger sighed. “Son, I think we need another lesson in manners.”
Luca chuckled. “Hey, bud. I think you got something right there.” The large man leaned over and helped get Zane more settled with his food.
Shiloh did nudge Serenity’s foot. “Good dad material,” she mouthed.
Serenity frowned. “Don’t you dare change the subject. I don’t care how new this is. I want an explanation.”
Shiloh scrunched her nose and tapped Granger with her elbow. “You take the angry lady.”
Granger raised his eyebrows. “She’s your friend.”
“Yeah, but she’s scary right now,” Shiloh shot back. “She’s less likely to hurt a stranger.”
“I can hear you,” Serenity said in a resigned tone. “And from the way you two are talking, I’m not sure I buy that this is new.”
“Trust me,” Shiloh said with pursed lips. “It’s about as new as new gets.”
“Why does it sound like you’re having a private conversation over here?” Dalton, a member of the neighborhood watch, drawled as he walked over. He clapped Luca on the shoulder. “Hey, man. Congrats on the upcoming opening.”
Luca gave Dalton a chin nod. “Thanks. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Wouldn’t mind spending a little time there myself.” Dalton looked down at his already flat stomach. “When is it appropriate to start saying I’m not built like I was in high school?”
“The day after graduation,” Shiloh offered with a wide smile. She liked Dalton. He was fun and kind and outgoing, with boyish good looks that probably hadn’t changed since high school, despite his jokes.
Dalton laughed, his white teeth flashing. “To think I’ve been missing out all these years with a ready made excuse.”
“Had any good fishing lately?” Jett asked, shoving a large bite of broccoli salad into his mouth. Before Dalton could respond, Jett elbowed Granger. “Dude. You gotta eat that. I need a girlfriend who cooks.”
Dalton’s eyes widened, and Shiloh wanted to groan. This was becoming more of a circus than a barbecue. What had she been thinking earlier? Truth was, she hadn’t been thinking. She’d been kissing a guy she was attracted to, but who had been a jerk.
Why was she doing this again?
Oh, yeah…because another guy, who was even more of a jerk, wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Men were stupid.
“Girlfriend?” Dalton’s focus went back and forth between Granger and Shiloh. “You two are dating?”
Before Shiloh could respond, Granger reached over and took her free hand, intertwining their fingers. “Yeah.”
Nodding, Dalton settled his weight and folded his arms over his chest. “I guess another set of congrats are in order.”
“Thanks,” Shiloh said weakly. She hated this…sort of. With every touch from Granger, her attraction made itself painfully clear. Her hand fit perfectly in his. His grip was firm and his skin warm, and Shiloh would be happy to hold his hand all evening.
But she hated that they were lying to her friends. Dalton might be a new friend, but he was still a friend.
How could two such competing emotions stir in one body at the same time?
Serenity nudged her foot while the men continued to talk. “You owe me,” she whispered.
Shiloh nodded. “I know.”
With one last glare, Serenity nodded. “Okay, then. Later.”
Shiloh nodded in return.
“Shiloh?”
She turned from Serenity and smiled at Zane. He really was darling…even if he didn’t know how to keep a secret. “What’s up, buttercup?”
Zane made a face. “What?”
Shiloh laughed softly. “It’s just a saying. What can I help you with?”
“Can I have a popsicle?”
Shiloh was about to give him the go-ahead when Granger leaned forward, butting into their conversation.
“Did you eat your vegetables?” he asked.
Zane groaned. “Dad. I hate carrots.”
Granger shook his head. “You know the rules, bud. No vegetables, no dessert. We’ve always had this rule.”
“Shiloh…” Zane whined.
She shook her head. “Nope. Gotta listen to Dad. That’s the rules.”
Pouting like a champ, the boy went back to his seat by Jett and stared at his plate.
Shiloh had a moment of gratitude that Granger had interceded. She hadn’t even thought to ask about Zane’s food intake. She’d have to be more careful in the future so she didn’t cross any boundaries.
How did parents keep all this stuff straight? Shiloh had never even had a sibling to see how parents dealt with other children. All she knew was how her own mother dealt with her…and that wasn’t much to go on.
“How long do you think it’ll take for him to give in?” Shiloh whispered, leaning closer to Granger.
He hoped she couldn’t see the racing pulse in his neck. It would give away everything. His hand was on fire where they were touching, but Granger couldn’t quite bring himself to let go.
He hadn’t held a woman’s hand in years…and it felt good.
Too good.
For something that was supposed to be fake, Shiloh’s hand felt much too real.
“About another two minutes,” Granger said quietly. “He’ll give you one more begging look, so stay strong, and then he'll give in when he thinks no one’s watching.” Granger turned to look at Shiloh fully, almost jerking back when he realized just how close she was. “Has to save face, you know,” he said, his voice unexpectedly raspy.
Shiloh didn’t move, her bright brown eyes staring him down. “Don’t we all?” she said so softly, Granger almost didn’t catch it.
The food, the crowd, his own son’s whining was all forgotten as Granger continued to look at Shiloh. His mind only seemed focused on one thing, and it was replaying their kiss over and over again.
She was so stunning. How was it no one had ever grabbed her up before now? Were the men in Lighthouse Bay all idiots? Or had Shiloh been playing hard to get? Did she play men along?—
Clearing his throat, Granger leaned back, as if to relax in his seat, but his body was anything but relaxed. Now would have been a very good time to run a marathon because Granger was sure there was enough adrenaline coursing through his veins to set some kind of record.
Shiloh gave his hand a little squeeze and leaned back as well, but there was something less genuine about her smile than earlier, and it hurt to know he’d been the cause of it. Something about him pulling back had hurt Shiloh.
Granger gave a quiet huff. He had to stop this. He had to stop making assumptions about the woman. Not that right now would have been a good time for a kiss, but she’d clearly seen the crowd wasn’t why Granger had retreated.
“Dad! I did it!” Zane’s timing was impeccable as he raced over, empty plate in hand. “Can I have a popsicle now? Please?” He batted his wide, innocent eyes at Shiloh, and Granger chuckled, relaxing slightly from the moment before.
“Sure, bud. But throw the plate away first, okay?” Granger started to stand, but Shiloh stopped him.
“I got it,” she whispered. “I’ll help him get one.” Standing, she followed the eager Zane toward the garbage can, then led him to a cooler filled with ice and sweet treats.
“You’re drooling,” Jett teased, causing the group to laugh.
Granger shook his head and leaned back in his seat. “Jett…when this is over…I think you and I should have a good old fashioned throw down.”
Jett grinned. “I’m calling a second.”
“I call Luca,” Granger quickly responded.
“What?” Jett sat up straight. “No way. You can’t call my brother first.”
Granger shrugged. “Why not?”
“I think it’s first call first serve,” Dalton added.
Serenity shook her head. “You guys are crazy.” Her grin, however, said she was just as amused as everyone else.
“Wait, wait.” Jett leaned back, ankle over his knee, smirking confidently. “A second has to agree.” He waved at his brother. “Luca. Do you want to accept Granger’s invitation to be his second? Or are you going to support your family in this little street brawl?”
Luca looked at Serenity and raised his eyebrows.
Serenity raised hers back. “Why are you looking at me?” she asked. “I’m not being anyone’s second.”
Granger smiled. He liked Serenity…almost as much as he liked Shiloh…but for completely different reasons.
“Because I need to know if it’s okay if I come home with a black eye tonight,” Luca said calmly.
“You didn’t,” Jett said in a low tone. “You’re really asking the wife for permission?” Sighing and shaking his head, Jett turned to his sister-in-law. “I hate to say it, Ser…but I need your help. As your brother , who’s always looked out for you and supported you and sent help when your store flooded and-”
Serenity held up her hand. “I think I get it,” she said with a wide smile. Leaning over, she whispered loudly. “Be on Granger’s team.”
Dalton bent over laughing and Granger couldn’t help but shake in his chair a little as Jett stood up, jaw dropping to the ground as he sputtered.
“It appears we missed something,” Shiloh said, as she and Zane walked back to the group.
Dalton had a fist over his smile. “You could say that.” He jutted his chin toward Granger. “Your boyfriend can tell you all about it after Luca beats up Jett.”
Shiloh frowned and dropped Zane’s hand to cover his ears. “Guys…” she warned.
Zane squirmed out of her hold. “Luca’s beating up Jett?”
Granger let his head fall back and groaned. “No one’s beating up anyone, Zane. We’re just joking.”
“But Luca’s huge!” Zane shouted. “And he’s a hero. Jett said so.”
Granger smacked Jett’s shoulder. “You did say that. You can’t back out of a fight with a hero.”
“I’ll just call my own second,” Jett said coolly, leaning back as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
“Yeah? Who?” Luca challenged, grinning wildly.
“Dalton.”
Dalton shook his head. “Nope. Do not accept. Not one bit.”
Jett scowled. “Chicken.”
Dalton shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “I’m fine with that title. Being punched by a linebacker has never been on my list of goals in life.”
While the men continued to argue, Shiloh sat back down next to Granger and leaned in close enough he caught a heavy whiff of her perfume.
“You’re gonna have to tell me this story,” she said softly, slipping her fingers into his.
Granger knew he was going to regret this, but he tightened their grip and set their hands on his thigh as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
It felt like it was.
“I’m sure we can arrange something,” he said back just as softly.
Shiloh gave him a sideways glance. “That sounded a little flirty, Mr. Granger. Are you sure you’re so rusty?”
Maybe it was the laughter of a moment before. Maybe it was the perfect summer evening and a belly full of good food. Maybe it was the floral perfume of the woman next to him, or the memory of kissing her earlier that day. Maybe it was even the fact that Granger had been the slightest bit jealous when Dalton had arrived and smiled at Shiloh.
In essence, Granger wasn’t quite sure why he was suddenly so ready to test the waters with Shiloh, but his earlier nerves seemed to have vanished and he wanted nothing more than to have a chance…a real chance…to get to know Shiloh and for her to get to know him.
It was time to put their fake dating into a real situation.