Chapter 20 #3
She looked at him, initially confused. But when he nodded toward her hand over the pendant, she understood. She didn’t have to think about her response; she spoke from her heart—where she knew Nora had left her deepest impression. “She absolutely would.”
Her throat constricted, emotion clawing its way up from her chest. “She wanted you to be happy—for all of us to be happy. And I think Haleigh can honestly give you that. I’ve felt for a long time that Haleigh would be a great partner for you.
I’m happy to see you figured that out on your own—I shouldn’t be responsible for all your success with women!
” Grier winked at him, surprised her eyes weren’t brimming with tears, as they so often did when she remembered Nora.
Her phone buzzed again. Her fingers twitched toward it, the hope that it was Tobin making her unconsciously smile before she caught herself, squeezing her coffee mug to still her hands.
Grant chuckled into his coffee. “Looks like we both might be on our paths to happiness. You’d better answer that.
Don’t want to keep her waiting—I don’t want her showing up with her search- and-rescue team because you evaded her texts for too long.
” His face shifted into mock horror, “What would the neighbors think?”
Grier rolled her eyes at him again—less playfully this time. “Don’t be hateful, big brother. You’ll get your playtime, too!”
Grant stood from his stool to put his empty mug in the sink. As he walked by, he leaned in closer than necessary and whispered conspiratorially, “I’ve had playtime more recently than you, little sister!”
Grier gasped. “What? How? You were only out for like, two hours on Wednesday.“ Then she shook her head, dispelling her revulsion. “Wait—don’t answer that. I actually don’t want to know.”
Grant burst out laughing—totally at her expense. She didn’t mind it at all.
As he walked out of the kitchen, she finally reached for her phone. Her instincts were right. Tobin was the source of her buzzing.
TOBIN—9:11 a.m.
Morning! Guess who found herself with a free night.
TOBIN—9:19 a.m.
Me! I suddenly have nothing to do tonight…
Grier’s body tingled with anticipation—giddy and free.
She hadn’t planned on doing much today beyond relaxing.
Tobin was supposed to be working, so she’d gone out with her friends last night and figured she’d spend the rest of the weekend with Grant and Delta.
But, she realized as a flutter of excitement settled low in her stomach, plans could change.
GRIER—9:21 a.m.
That’s exciting!
GRIER—9:21 a.m.
But how does that happen? Don’t you
work the whole weekend?
TOBIN—9:22 a.m.
We have a transfer in about an hour, and after
that I’ll have maxed out on loggable hours, so
I have to be relieved.
How utterly disappointing, Grier joked to herself.
Her excitement was growing, but she wasn’t in a rush to end their conversation.
In fact, more often than not, she’d realized over the last week that she enjoyed prolonging their conversations.
If she really thought about it—and she was doing just that—she had to admit she often asked questions she already knew the answers to, just to keep Tobin talking. And she liked it.
GRIER—9:23 a.m.
You must have had a busy night, then? I
hope all went well.
TOBIN—9:25 a.m.
Very. It was quite an exciting night.
GRIER—9:25 a.m.
Do tell! I promise I’m not usually this
excited about the misfortune of others,
but your job is just so… interesting!
TOBIN—9:26 a.m.
I’d love to tell you about it. In person?
Tonight?
GRIER—9:27 a.m.
Hmmmm. I don’t know. I have a pretty
big day of absolutely nothing happening.
Not sure I can pencil anything else in at
the moment.
She couldn’t resist a little playful banter—and found herself grateful that Tobin seemed to have reverted to the same flirtatious antics they’d engaged in prior to their weekend of marathon sex.
With anyone else, the contrast might’ve given her emotional whiplash— two distinctly opposing sides of the same person.
But with Tobin, it only heightened her attraction… and curiosity.
Knowing that Tobin carried such a timid, uncertain tenderness beneath that confident, sexy veneer made Grier feel special. She knew Tobin didn’t trust—well, anyone, really—to see that softer side of her.
GRIER—9:28 a.m.
What time? And what’s the dress code?
TOBIN—9:30 a.m.
I’ll pick you up at 6 p.m. Dress code is… date?
Not black tie. Not sweatpants.
GRIER—9:31 a.m.
You mean I don’t get another chance to
see you shirtless in that tux from the
gala?
TOBIN—9:31 a.m.
That could be arranged…
TOBIN—9:31 a.m.
I don’t know how I could forget your
infatuation with what I wear… all my suits.
GRIER—9:32 a.m.
Don’t tempt me.
GRIER—9:32 a.m.
It’s not about what you’re wearing.
GRIER—9:32 a.m.
It’s about imagining taking it off.
TOBIN—9:33 a.m.
I like where this is going. Tell me more, Grier.
GRIER—9:34 a.m.
I could tell you…
Oh, this was so much fun. Grier couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed flirting this much—especially after she’d already slept with someone. Usually, sex meant the outlandish flirting ceased. But that didn’t seem to be the case with Tobin.
Like so many other things she was learning, everything about Tobin was just… different.
TOBIN—9:36 a.m.
The suspense is KILLING me.
She really liked this.
GRIER—9:36 a.m.
Or I could show you.
TOBIN—9:36 a.m.
Is 10 a.m. too early for dinner?!?! I can be at
your place in 20 minutes!
TOBIN—9:37 a.m.
I’ll wear my flight suit!
Grier laughed out loud and covered her mouth, embarrassed despite being completely alone in the kitchen. Tobin’s eagerness was so pure and palpable, even through text. It warmed her as much as it excited her—knowing Tobin was just as eager to see her again.
In a suit. Any suit.
Especially her birthday suit.
GRIER—9:37 a.m.
I love your enthusiasm! Save it for
tonight… I’ll see you at 6 p.m. With or
without your suit.
TOBIN—9:41 a.m.
Hey, Grier?
GRIER—9:43 a.m.
Yes, Tobin?
TOBIN—9:43 a.m.
This is a date.
The smile on her face was still there—but it had softened into something deeper as she realized how far they’d come. How much had changed in just a few short weeks.
GRIER—9:45 a.m.
I can’t wait.
She set her phone down on the counter and inhaled a deep, satisfying breath.
She was going on a date.
With Tobin Maes.