Chapter Four
Hazel
“Do you come here often?” I walk to the edge of the platform peering down at the expanse of green below. “I’ve heard that people love it, but I’ve never done it myself.” The unmistakable sounds of clubs whishing through the air followed by the thwack of golf balls echo all around me.
This is our third date and each one gets better and better.
On our first date, he took us to the park near the college campus complete with an expertly packed picnic basket.
When he tried to get me to walk across a field in my wedges though, I had to remind him of how we met.
The man simply turned around and gave me a piggyback ride.
I don’t think I’ve ever been swept off my feet before.
Literally.
We watched the sunset enjoying each other’s company.
With the tension between us, I thought I was going to combust. When he finally cupped my jaw, leaned in close, and asked to kiss me, I thought I was going to die right there and go to heaven.
But then his lips met mine and brought me back to life.
After that first date, Grant followed up the very next day. I shouldn’t say I was shocked because he told me he would, but to have someone follow through for a second date was refreshing.
It took a while, but I convinced him it was my turn to sweep him off his feet. Unfortunately for me, Iron Drive is so much more fun than our trip to the aquarium. Although making out in the jellyfish room with the changing LED lights is something I’m not likely to forget anytime soon.
Or making out at my doorstep.
God, I sound like a horny high schooler.
“Oh yeah, I come here all the time.”
I bend over placing the golf ball on the rubber stand. “Really?” Satisfied that the ball won’t roll off after several failed attempts I adjust my feet and swivel my hips. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m pretty sure this is how the pros do it.
Grant chuckles. “No.”
My crazy hair whips in my face, my stance forgotten as I look over my shoulder at him. “Seriously?” I laugh.
Grant looks impeccable under the dull glow of the overhead lights.
The sleeves of his black button-up are rolled up to his elbows showing off tanned forearms that have me drooling.
He’s left the top two buttons undone showing a tempting sliver of his chest. A dazzling smile shows off the sharp angle of his clean-shaven jaw helping to bring out the crinkle of his blue eyes.
He steps toward me, his chest brushing against my back as he takes hold of the golf club. His lips brush against my ear, goosebumps prickling my skin as he breathes, “I just wanted an excuse to wrap my arms around you.”
I swear I’ve short-circuited.
Trying to play it cool and act like I didn’t just soak my panties, I chuckle leaning back against his warm hold. “Just letting you know, you don’t need an excuse to do that. I’m more than happy to stay right here.”
He hums in my ear before placing a kiss on my neck. “I can make that happen.”
“Unless we want to get kicked out for indecent exposure, you should probably help me hit the ball. It’d be embarrassing to have to call my sister to bail us out of jail.”
Out of all the dates I’ve had in my life, none of them compare to Grant in many ways. He’s far and away from all of them in how he treats me and makes me feel. I don’t think I’ve ever had this strong of an attraction to a person. Both physically and mentally.
“We wouldn’t want that.”
Despite him never coming here, he knows what he’s doing.
He sets up my stance, adjusting my hips and fixing my grip.
The whole time he chats about learning how to golf with his dad and hopes to teach his son someday.
“Now bring the club up like this,” his hands cover mine showing me the proper swing of the club, “and hit the ball.”
“Ha! You make it sound so easy.”
He steps back safely away from the swing zone oozing utter confidence in me. “You’ve got this.”
“Okay,” I mutter under my breath. “Don’t miss the ball. Eye on the prize. Swing and don’t miss.”
“Any day now, Hazel.”
My gaze flicks between the ball and the giant expanse before me. “You can’t rush perfection.” I appreciate that he doesn’t snicker behind me, letting me focus.
Sucking in a large breath, I loosen my death grip on the club, pull my arms back, and swing.
Eyes glued to the white ball resting at my feet, a surge of pride swells as it moves from its precarious perch from the sheer force of my swing.
It's too bad I miss the ball entirely.
I must’ve loosened my grip too much because the only thing that goes flying towards the green is the club.
All I hear is my shocked gasp and Grant’s stifled laughter as I stand frozen, my fingers poised around a grip that’s no longer there. I’m not sure whether I should shout ‘fore!’ or ‘watch out!’ but nothing comes out.
Stunned, I slowly walk to the ledge and peer down praying the wayward golf club didn’t take out an innocent bystander. All the air deflates from my lungs as I tentatively scoot a toe to the edge.
There, resting in the safety net lining the edge is the club I inadvertently threw.
A second set of shoes comes to a stop beside mine.“I think I messed up,” I say softly, still in shock. When my gaze flickers over to Grant’s, I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles from my throat.
“I think you need more coaching,” he says after our laughter dies down.
“I think you’re right. It’s a good thing I have you then.”
After having an attendant fish out the club, Grant works with me in between taking his swings.
And if I’m honest, I might be pretending not to understand how to hit the ball.
He’s a good coach and is patient taking me through the steps, but it shouldn’t take ten tries to learn how to swing.
I’m not sure if he caught on, but I don’t think either of us minds his hands on my body.
In between my lessons, I enjoy watching Grant's powerful body twist with each swing. His shirt stretches over his shoulders hugging the curve of his back as he holds his pose following the path of the ball.
We might have to make a return visit because I could watch him all day.
When I manage to hit the ball, he sweeps me up in an enthusiastic hug, lifting my feet off the ground and spinning me around.
I never thought I’d have someone pick me up once, let alone twice, but it’s thrilling.
After giving me a piggyback ride through the park on our picnic date, I’ve learned to not question Grant’s strength.
Plus, I very much like the feeling of being in his arms.
Both tired from our driving practice, we decided to head into the cozy bar area. I watch as he walks over to the bar relishing the thought that he’s here with me. He catches me staring and winks.
Everything about our dates is different from anything I’ve experienced before. Nothing has felt awkward or uncomfortable. It all feels so natural. Right.
“How in the world are you single?” I ask, thanking him for the mojito. I’d assume he’d order a beer, but his drink’s the same as mine.
Grant sits across from me, bringing the drink to his mouth, his eyes piercing into me. “I could ask you the same thing.”
I give him a flirty smile. “I asked you first.”
Grant leans forward resting his elbows on the small table. The flickering candle between us makes it seem like we’re the only two people in the room. “I think it’s obvious.”
“Not to me.”
He glances down at his drink, spinning it on the wooden tabletop. “Women aren’t pounding down a single dad’s door these days.” He pauses, giving me an adorable nervous smile. “I wasn’t exactly prepared to be a father.”
“Is anyone?” I ask with a chuckle.
“I guess not. But when a baby shows up on your door from your ex-girlfriend who you didn’t know was pregnant when you broke up, I’d say that’s as unprepared as it gets. Dating was something that got put on the back burner.”
Well, now I feel like an asshole.
Obviously, I knew he was a single dad basically from the time I met him, I just never imagined how he got there. Now it makes sense.
“You didn’t know?”
He shakes his head. “Things with Julie were…difficult. We were together several months before it was clear we weren’t going to work.
I was just starting my residency and was living in a run-down apartment.
Then nine months later I woke up to desperate knocking to find a newborn Harrison in his carseat.
He was a couple of days old. He didn’t even have a name yet.
The papers shoved next to him in his blanket said ‘baby Rollins’ along with legal paperwork with the dissolution of Julie’s parental rights. ”
My mouth involuntarily pops open. I can’t imagine how difficult that must’ve been, how shocking and terrifying it was to go through that.
How does anyone handle a situation like that?
The man in front of me casually sipping his drink has to be one of the strongest people I’ve met. One of the most solid.
I try to work the shocked expression off my face. “And she was just gone?”
He sucks in a deep breath. “Yeah. I’ve been single ever since.
Raising a newborn and working my residency was more of a struggle than I ever anticipated.
My parents, Cole, and Wells helped when they could, but dating was out of the question.
It’s gotten easier since I started the private practice, but I haven’t found anyone who’s caught my eye quite like you. ”
Butterflies take flight in my stomach. I love how open and honest he’s being about his past and about me. It’s not the typical metaphorical chess match the first rounds of dates tend to be.
“You know,” I say leaning forward, “you have to be the most amazing person I’ve met.” And I mean it. Every other guy I’ve dated hasn’t come close to the character and integrity of the man across from me.
Grant smiles, laughing softly. “I doubt that. You never got the chance to meet you,” he counters.
“Me?” I scoff. “I’m just a normal girl.”