“Sounds good. I’ll call you.”
I know she won’t. It’s not that we didn’t hit it off great tonight, but I recognize her tone because I use the same one when I’m just trying to stay polite.
It’s okay, Grace. You’re not here to make friends, anyway. You’re here to…
To what?
I feel like I’ve completely lost track of what the hell I came here for.
“TAAAYYYYYLOOORRRRRR!”
“I’m coming, you asshat!” she yells back and then gives out hugs to the other guys.
Everyone leaves in a rush of laughter and howls.
“Sorry about that,” Dean says once he shuts the door, and it’s just the two of us.
“What are you apologizing for?”
“Everything, I guess.” He leans against the counter and sighs. “My friends talk too much.”
Is he referring to what Conner just said? There was definitely a shift in the rest of them when he made that comment about Dean finally thawing. Am I really the first woman he’s brought to his house?
That doesn’t seem likely.
Another yawn tears out of me, which I don’t hide this time.
“Come on. It’s been a long day.” Dean tips his head, urging me to move, and I head out of the kitchen first. Shit, which room should I go to? His, or mine?
Last night I slept in his bed, but he’s escorting me to the stairs now. I don’t want to come of as a complete nymphomaniac, so I don’t mention where I’d rather be tonight.
“Good night, Grace.”
“Good night, Dean.” I glide up the steps as fast as I can, so I don’t throw a temper tantrum because he’s not carrying me to his bedroom to fuck me senseless.
Chill out, Grace. He’s not rejecting you. He’s respecting you and giving you space.
Or maybe he’s giving himself space.
Conner definitely struck a nerve with him tonight. The thing is, I don’t see the big deal. So what if Dean’s secluded? If I people too hard, I crave solitude too. And as for being the only woman he’sbrought here, even if that is true, he didn’t do it because he wants me close. He’s doing it because I negotiated my long stay here and this was the only way he’d allow me to get my way.
It's for my safety. That’s all.
He doesn’t really want you here, Grace. You’ve just bulldozed your way into getting what you want, like you always do.
My stubbornness is good business practice. I don’t get big deals by taking the first offer. And I always go in knowing my worth.
This is the same. I’m bringing a lot to the table because Iwillsee Dean’s financial success soar before I leave in the spring. Come hell or high water, Bear Creek Cabins will be booked out for a solid year, no matter what I have to do to make it happen.
Dean loves this place, and I want him to succeed.
My phone dings with a text from a number I don’t recognize. It’s got a photo of Conner passed out in the passenger seat with his mouth hanging open and a message that says, “Wish me luck getting this one inside.”
I save Taylor’s contact info and respond.
Grace: Roll him onto a trash bag and drag him across the lawn.
Taylor: Serial killer style. I like it!
