Chapter 7 Greyson #2
I rise from the floor, leaving Gracie on her belly as she plays with her blocks, gibbering to herself.
Dusting my hands off on my dress, I walk over to Greyson.
“I thought it would be good to prepare the house for when she starts to crawl. Cecilia said it should start soon, and I wanted us to be ready before it happens.” I smile and look around at all the changes.
“We also went on a little shopping spree, and I got a couple more toys and made her a play area. But I was thinking we could also maybe turn one of the spare rooms on the first floor into a playroom for her and Dante whenever he comes over,” I continue.
Greyson looks at me with wide eyes, opening his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.
“Oh! And everything I removed from the living room, I put in the media room since I didn’t know where you wanted them.
So you’ll have to go through that when you have time.
” I let out a breath, exhausted from the excessive talking. “I hope that’s okay?”
“Emma, breathe. It’s fine, thank you. I’ve been thinking of doing it but haven’t had the time.
And I think the playroom is a great idea.
We can look more into that tomorrow,” he says, placing a hand on my arm.
His eyes catch my shoulder, then travel down over my dress.
Ugh, I should have changed earlier when I had the chance.
“I’ll go change,” I whisper and turn quickly in hopes of escaping, but he grabs my wrist before I get the chance.
“Hey, wait. Don't change.” He looks me over once more, and the side of his mouth twitches. “I didn’t know you were into vintage clothes.”
I look down at my dress. It’s an emerald-green 1950s-style dress. The top half is sleeveless with lapels and buttons down the center, covered in white polka dots. And the bottom half is a full green skirt that flares out and stops just above my knees.
“Oh, this? It’s nothing. Gracie and I were just playing a game earlier, and I haven’t changed out of it yet.” I try to brush it off, but by the look he gives me, I know he’s not buying my story.
“Mostly the 50s,” I say reluctantly with a sigh and look away. Here comes the mocking and insults…
He grabs my chin between his thumb and finger and brings my eyes back to his. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Em. I never would have thought you’d wear something like this. But now that I’ve seen it, it suits you so much better than what you usually wear. It’s so you, Bunny.”
The name hits me in the chest, making it beat harder.
The closeness he’s created between us makes it hard for me to breathe.
My eyes widen slightly when I realize none of his words were insulting or mocking in any way.
He doesn’t care what I wear or think differently of me because of it.
It’s strange, this feeling, to have someone accept you for who you are without judgment.
The last person who saw me in vintage clothing was my mother. I was twelve at the time and had bought my very own first vintage dress. When my mother caught me wearing it in my room, she forced me to get changed immediately and said she would not let me embarrass her by wearing dirty rags.
The dress was beautiful, but all she saw was something old. The next day she took my dress and threw it away while I was in school, making sure I could never get it back. Since that day, I’ve kept my love of vintage to myself and only allowed myself to wear my collection in private.
I nod slowly, unsure how else to respond to him.
Something has changed between Greyson and me over the short time I’ve been here.
I can’t put my finger on it, but I can feel it.
With every day that passes, we get to know one another better.
But there’s still so much mystery when it comes to Greyson.
A mystery I think I’d like to discover.
Needing some distance, I take a step back and bring my hand with me, forcing him to let go of my wrist. “Thank you.” I offer him a tight smile and turn my back to him. Over in the kitchen, I spot a package I had left there for him. “Ooh! I got you something while I was shopping!”
I hop over to the counter and pick up the gift in my hands, twirling back toward Greyson, who comes to stand before me. I thrust the package at him, waiting until he holds it securely before letting go.
“Open it! Open it!” I bounce on my toes with excitement, impatient to see his reaction.
He takes the tape off the top of the box, then opens the flaps before putting his hand inside and pulling out an object surrounded by bubble wrap. He places the packaging down and carefully peels off the wrapping, revealing a large pink mug.
I giggle with my hand over my mouth as I watch his frown grow. He turns it over to see the front of the mug and is greeted with a 3D bunny face sticking out of the middle, with two bunny ears that stretch out over the rim and fall back down.
His face transforms with a mixture of expressions, finishing with him rolling his lips together and fighting a smile I know wants to break free.
“Damn it!” I say, more to myself.
He looks up with a smile in his eyes. He might be able to contain his mouth from reacting, but his eyes say everything. “What?”
“I’ll get a smile out of you someday, Ford. You can keep fighting it, but it will happen. Mark my words.”
That sexy twitch happens again as he raises his eyebrows. “If you say so.” I roll my eyes at his words and walk away, going back to Gracie.
If I have to buy a new silly mug every week to get a smile out of him, then that’s what I’ll do. Game on, Greyson. Game on.