Zoe
Ican’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. I could barely eat my steak between their jokes and—teenager appropriate—locker room stories. The guys are hilarious. And smart. And so much more than walls of muscle.
No wonder my dad warned me off them. If I’d known how much fun they were, I’d have set them all up with Caro and my other girlfriends—and unleashed a whole slew of drama on his locker room—immediately.
Except for Grant.
I’m not going to set him up with anyone. Else.
Is it technically setting him up if he made the first move? Which, despite his arguments, he absolutely did. Not that I pushed back. I’m pretty sure I left a claw mark on the back of his neck.
He probably thought it was a remnant of last week’s game.
A little giggle sneaks out, and I press Kenna’s script to my face. She and I are sitting on the couch, facing each other, and I haven’t heard the last minute of her monologue. The guys disappeared into the den after dinner, a deck of cards and box of poker chips in hand. Out of sight apparently does not mean out of mind because this isn’t the first time I’ve interrupted Kenna with my daydreams.
She crosses her arms and stares at me. “Are you thinking about Uncle Grant again?”
“No.” I immediately bite my bottom lip and wrinkle my nose. “I’m sorry. I got distracted.”
“Yeah. Thinking about Uncle Grant.” Pursing her lips to the side, her gaze gathers weight. “Are you two in love?”
I nearly swallow my tongue, beating on my chest to clear my throat. “I’m sorry, what?”
“I have access to the internet, you know. I saw the pictures. Not to mention, I was there. I saw the way he treated those jerks that were following you.”
“Oh, honey.” My stomach leaks to the floor. “It’s not like that. Your uncle and I are just friends. Good friends. But just friends.”
“Oh.” She stares down at her hands. “I wouldn’t mind if you dated or got married or something.”
My mouth drops open, but I can come up with no words to fill it.
“He’s happier with you than he was with Tawna. She never wanted to spend time with me and Mom. Maybe if he married you, we could be kind of a family. Even when Mom’s gone.”
I reach for her hand, not at all sure how to reply. Grant and I have shared exactly one kiss, and we’ve unpacked it only as far as blaming the other for starting it.
And making it clear that we’d both like a repeat.
But that does not equal love. And it certainly doesn’t suggest a lifelong commitment.
Though if ever there was a guy . . .
Nope.
Don’t go there, Zoe.
I’m not going to think about Grant’s finer qualities.
With his nose, Bronco nudges my leg from his spot on the floor, clearly reading my mind and arguing my stance. I frown at the dog, who received a rather large chunk of steak off of Grant’s plate at dinner. The treat couldn’t have been bestowed on a more grateful subject. I’m pretty sure that despite his problematic name, Bronco has claimed a new bestie.
I glance at him, my face twisting as I try to figure out how to respond to Kenna.
But apparently, she doesn’t need a response. “He likes you. I can tell.”
Before I can ask how she’s so certain, the den door opens, filling the whole house with laughter.
“Well, if you weren’t such a—” Scott Bivet bites off whatever he was going to call Ja’maar as they tumble into the living room, playfully shoving each other’s shoulders.
Ja’maar quickly straightens up, his bald head reflecting the overhead light. “Sorry to interrupt, ladies.” He nods quickly atus, giving Kenna a little wink. She rolls her eyes but turns her head away to hide a grin.
