Chapter 12
It had been one of the best weeks of Chelsea’s life. Every day, she and Grady had done something different and fun. She enjoyed spending time with him, and she never got tired of his energy, his great sense of humor, and his down-to-earth personality.
It was hard to believe today was Sunday, the last day of the week of dates he had won, and she’d spent the afternoon preparing dinner for him in her home.
She kept it simple by making a pot roast with baby potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, and garlic.
The house smelled wonderful—of the roast, garlic, and freshly baked homemade rolls.
White chocolate bread pudding was one of her brothers’ and sisters’ favorite desserts, and she decided to make it for Grady. The family recipe used croissants for the bread, and the sauce was heavenly. She made it ahead of time but would put it in the oven to bake toward the end of dinner.
As she cleaned a few dishes by hand in the sink, she splashed water on her white-washed jean skirt that rode just above her knee.
She patted it dry with a towel, then adjusted her three-quarter-sleeved purple blouse that had a plunging neckline.
The neckline accented her cleavage without being too immodest, just a little daring.
The tile in the kitchen was chilly, so she wore flats just to keep her feet warm.
She normally liked to walk around barefoot, but the fall and winter kept her in fuzzy socks or shoes.
Grady liked to text her now and then throughout the day to say he hoped she was having a great day, he was looking forward to their evening, or he just wanted to say hi.
She loved hearing from him and knowing that he was thinking about her while she was at work, running errands, or even cleaning the house.
He hadn’t met Anneka and DeAndra, and she didn’t want to introduce him too soon to her family.
She had talked to them on the phone since the night they were over for cinnamon rolls, and they had gotten her to admit she’d called Grady and had been on a couple of dates with the red-hot fireman—but she hadn’t mentioned the entire week of dates.
She smiled to herself and glanced at the kitchen clock, her excitement nearly bubbling over. Grady would be here soon.
The doorbell rang just moments before he said he would arrive for dinner. She could never have pretended she wasn’t thrilled, and she had to force herself to walk at a casual pace to the door. She opened it to greet Grady and Spot.
Grady looked amazing as always. Whenever he was near, she drank in the cut of his jaw, his firm lips, and the snug fit of his t-shirt and jeans. He had a sexy good-boy bad-boy look about him. He had one hand behind his back, and she wondered what he had.
“Hey, gorgeous.” He kissed her, then brought his hand from behind his back and presented a large bouquet of roses.
She gasped with pleasure. “They’re so pretty.” The roses were a mix of pink, dark pink, purple, and white, with lavender tips. Together, all four shades made a lovely combination.
“They smell so good.” She felt giddy as she set them aside on the hall table. “As soon as I give Spot a hug, I’ll put these in water—I have the perfect vase.” She tipped her head and met his gaze. “Thank you.”
He kissed her softly. “You’re welcome.” He glanced in the direction of the kitchen. “Where’s the vase? I’ll put them in water while you give Spot that hug.”
She told him where, then dropped to her knees in front of Spot. “Hi, boy.” She petted him, and he darted in for a quick face lick, causing her to laugh. “He sure is good with those sniper kisses, like his master.”
“He’s crazy about you.” Grady chuckled as he ran the water to fill the vase.
“I’m rather fond of him, too,” she said as she petted him. “Spot is my buddy.”
Grady put the flowers into the vase of water. “He’s not the only one who’s crazy about you.”
“Oh, yeah?” She tipped her head to the side, a smile threatening to turn into a wide, happy grin. Her belly fluttered, and she wanted to throw herself against him and hug him all night long.
He set the flowers on the breakfast bar and walked toward her. “Yeah,” he said. “Spot isn’t the only one with a thing for you.” She let Grady take her by her hand and pull her to her feet. He brought her into the circle of his arms. “Something smells good.” He nuzzled her neck.
“It’s the roast.” She sighed as he kissed the curve of her throat. “And homemade bread.”
“I was talking about you.” He audibly inhaled. “You smell delicious.”
“Thank you.” She gripped his shoulders as he brought his mouth to hers and kissed her long and sweet.
“Are you hungry?” She tried to keep her voice steady as she parted from him. “Dinner is ready when you are.”
“I’m starving.” He settled one of his hands on her waist as she turned toward the kitchen, and he walked with her.
“I’m glad you’re hungry.” She looked up at him. “All the better to try my experiments on you. If you’re starving, you probably won’t even notice anything unusual.”
“Notice what?” He braced his forearms on the breakfast bar. “Did you slip anything mysterious into the food?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” She darted a mischievous look at him. “You might like it—if it doesn’t kill you.”
He cocked a brow. “Now you’ve got me intrigued.”
She raised her brows. “Frightened even?”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “Not scared.”
“You will be.” She did her best Yoda impression. “You will be.”
He nearly choked with laughter. “If you’re supposed to be Yoda, some work you must do.”
She sniffed. “My imitation is better than yours.” She picked up the basket of rolls, along with a butter dish with real butter.
He laughed and helped her carry the roast to the table, along with the plates of vegetables.
Spot sat on a blanket near the kitchen entrance. He had his head on his paws, watching them as they ate. Something about the dog being Grady’s warmed her heart. He clearly loved the dog, who worshipped him back.
“Can I give him a bit of roast?” Chelsea glanced at Grady.
Grady looked at Spot before returning his gaze to Chelsea. “Just a tidbit.”
She beamed. Spot raised his head and looked hopeful, as if he’d understood everything they had just said.
After Grady sliced the roast, she put a little bite of it on a plate to the side. She crouched and offered the morsel to Spot. “Hopefully, this will be a nice treat. Your human wouldn’t let me give you more than this.”
Grady smiled at her when she took her seat. “You’re going to spoil him.”
She took a roll from the basket before passing it to Grady, and she grinned. “I might spoil his master, too.”
He took the basket of rolls from her as he chuckled. “No complaints here.”
Dinner was as fun as usual. She couldn’t get enough of Grady.
While they ate, Spot curled up on his favorite rug in her home and closed his eyes.
“This roast is the best.” He leaned in close. “Tell me the recipe. I won’t give it to Mom, and she’ll drive me nuts just to get it. It will be fun.”
Chelsea laughed. “You are totally the youngest boy in the family. I bet you can do no wrong when it comes to your mom.”
He gave a conspiratorial grin. “Who me?”
“Yes, you.” She loved their fun conversations. “So, tell me more about your family. I love your stories.”
“I have plenty of ’em.” He took a bite of roast. “I’m going to end up boring you if you’re not careful.”
She shook her head. “Never.”
Several stories later, Grady helped Chelsea clean the dishes from the table and wash and put everything away. She liked how domestic it felt working side by side with him. She wouldn’t mind spending time with him every day. No, she wouldn’t mind at all.
They were almost finished cleaning when Chelsea put the heel of her palm against her forehead. “I forgot the wine. I bought a great Merlot to go with the roast.”
“I don’t drink.” Grady dried the last dish. “But you can go ahead.”
She selected a red wine glass from her cabinet. “I didn’t realize that.”
He was quiet for a long moment. “I’ve been planning on telling you, but the moment just hasn’t felt right. Now is as good as any.” He blew out his breath. “I’m a recovering alcoholic. I’ve been sober for a long time, and I go to AA meetings and have a sponsor.”
Chelsea felt like the blood drained from her face and spread out across the floor. She fumbled with the wineglass and lost her grip on it.
Grady caught the glass before it hit the floor and set it on the countertop. He studied her. “Are you all right?”
She felt like she was made of glass, as if she might shatter. “No. I’m not okay.”
He studied her intently. “I’ve been sober for eight years, Chelsea.”
She felt numb. “My husband, George, was an alcoholic.” Her tone was brittle. “He was a good man, but he drank so much that it took him farther and farther from me. When he was wasted, he would just sit in his chair and stare out into space. It was like he had no life in him at all.”
She pushed her hair out of her face as she continued. “Like I said, he was a good man. He wasn’t a mean drunk. But I lost my husband every time he opened a bottle of Jack or Captain Morgan.”
Grady caught her by her upper arms and drew her close. At first, she was rigid in his embrace, but she finally relaxed with her head against his chest. Tears squeezed from beneath her eyelids as he held her.
“I’m sorry, baby,” he said softly. “It’s been eight years, and I’ll never touch another drop.”
So many thoughts and emotions whirled through her. Why did Grady have to be an alcoholic? She had told herself she would never date one again. He was in a dangerous profession, and she had promised herself she would never again fall for a person who could die on the job.
Like George, Grady was both.
She thought about how much she cared about Grady. Could she do it again?
Grady is not George, she told herself. George never admitted he had a problem and never tried to stop. Grady has been sober for eight years. That says something.
But that could all change on a dime.
He released her and pushed her chin up with his fingertips. “Please look at me.”
“I—I can’t think.” Chelsea tried to keep her voice steady as she drew back and looked at Grady. “Maybe we should have dessert now.”
“This isn’t going to go away.” Grady took her hand and placed it over his heart. “Now that I know the full story, I need to know if you’re going to be okay with it.”
She felt the beating of his heart beneath her palm. “I want to know why you stopped drinking.”
Grady looked like his thoughts were far away for a moment, as if going over it in his mind.
He met her gaze. “I drove intoxicated and rolled my car.” His eyes were filled with a darkness she’d never seen in him, and her stomach dropped.
“Thank God I didn’t hit anyone. It seriously screwed up my knee and broke my leg in three places.
It ended any possibility that I could go pro. ”
He blew out his breath then continued. “I made a vow to myself. I will never touch another drop of alcohol. I will never take the chance of hurting or killing another person, ever. I save lives, I don’t take them.”
Chelsea’s heart thudded. The pain in his voice and the resolution in his eyes spoke volumes.
For a long moment, silence lay heavy between them. Then he said, “Just know that if it means anything to you, you have my promise that I will never touch another drop of alcohol.”
She nodded but said nothing.
“I hate leaving you like this, but I think I need to go home.” His expression was now filled with a different kind of pain. “I know you’re still trying to process what I shared with you.” He spoke the words quietly. “It’s important you think about it and decide what you want to do about us.”
Chelsea swallowed. “You’re right, we can’t go any further. I can’t think clearly right now.”
His gaze never left hers. “Call me when you’re ready.”
She bit her lower lip and nodded. “Okay.”
He slid into his jacket and snapped the leash onto Spot’s collar. He clicked his tongue, and the dog stood at his side.
Chelsea knelt and hugged Spot, fighting back more tears. She didn’t want to be alone, struggling with her thoughts and fears. But Grady was right.
Chelsea stood, and Grady brought her into his arms for a hug, and for a long moment neither of them moved. She tipped her head up, and he gave her a soft, sweet kiss. It was like he was afraid it would be the last time he saw her.
Her eyes ached, and she fought back tears as he stepped away. “Good night.”
He released her. “Good night, Chelsea.” He turned away, Spot walking at his side as they headed to his SUV.
Chelsea closed the door and put her forehead against the wood. Tears squeezed from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks before she straightened and gathered herself. She’d go to bed and sleep on it.
She didn’t think she could sleep at all, and she wasn’t sure how long it would take to figure this out. She had to do it before her feelings for him grew any stronger than they already were.