Chapter 8 #2
Her eyes dart over my shoulder. “Not here,” she whispers. I follow her gaze and see her looking at Jude and Ethan, who are walking over to see the foal.
“How about we get coffee in town and then come back for dinner?” she suggests, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“Perfect,” I say. “I know just the place.”
Grace hurries inside to put her backpack away, and I wait by the car.
We arrive at Sugar the second is tall with brown hair and brown eyes; and the third has bright blue eyes fixed on Grace, a wicked, confident smile tugging at his lips. I can see why Grace is smitten.
“Number 17?” I ask, reading the number on his jersey.
“Yes,” Grace whispers, fumbling with her napkin.
I grin. “He’s cute.”
Grace glances back at him, her cheeks flushing. “Yeah.”
Her eyes suddenly widen. “He’s walking over here!” she whispers sharply.
“You got this,” I nudge her under the table. “He’s clearly interested. Just play it cool.”
“Hey, Grace,” a smooth male voice says. I look up and see him in person. Caleb’s smile is even better close-up, that easy charm radiating.
“Hello, Caleb,” Grace says softly, green eyes wide.
Caleb scratches the back of his head, a small, nervous gesture. “I wanted to ask you… if you’re free this Saturday?”
Grace freezes, panicked. “This Saturday?”
I smile reassuringly.
“Yeah. Dinner and a movie?” Caleb continues.
Her shoulders relax slightly, and her face lights up. “Yes!”
“Pick you up at seven?” Caleb’s smile grows.
“Okay,” Grace nods.
“Can’t wait.” Caleb winks at her, then turns and joins his friends at their table. We overhear them teasing him: “Dead man walking,” one says, while another claps him on the shoulder. Caleb just shakes his head, sits down, and keeps his eyes on Grace.
She glances at me, worry flickering in her eyes. “But my brothers…”
I give her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry about your brothers. I’ll talk to them tonight. You just concentrate on your date.”
Grace beams, relief flooding her face. “He clearly knows about your brothers but still asked you out. That’s what you need!”
I smile, and Grace nods. “A knight who isn’t afraid to face the dragon to get to his princess,” she says dreamily, staring at him.
“Well… more like dragons,” I smirk and she groans.
Summer comes over, humming a love song softly. “Oh, to be young and in love!”
I shake my head. “We’re only twenty-three, Summer!”
We all laugh together, the warmth of the café and the joy of the moment wrapping around us. Grace sits back, her hands still tingling from the thrill, and I can tell this is a memory she’ll treasure forever