“There's a river that runs through the back of the property. It's not an Olympic pool, but it might work in a pinch.”
I regret the words the moment they leave my mouth. The river. I haven't been there since Jake died, haven't brought it up in casual conversation like it's just another feature of the ranch.
Mia notices the change in my demeanor. “You okay?”
“Fine,” I say too quickly. “Just remembered something.” I say, shaking my head as if to shake away the uncomfortable thoughts.
She doesn't push, but I can tell she's filed away my reaction for future reference. Those observant eyes miss nothing.
“I appreciate the offer, but I'm not sure a river is ideal for training,” she says.
“Probably not,” I agree, relieved at the easy out.
“The community center in Wellington has a decent pool. I could drive you there on Monday if you want.”
“That would be...” she pauses, like she's weighing her options, “...helpful. Thank you.”
The formality in her tone creates more distance between us than the doorway I'm standing in. I want to close that gap, to get back to the electricity I felt when we kissed, but I'm not sure how.
“Dinner's at seven,” I tell her. “Nothing fancy. Just me and Lily, unless you'd prefer to eat alone.”
“I can fend for myself,” she says automatically, then seems to reconsider. “But dinner sounds nice. I should probably get to know my reluctant landlord.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Reluctant?”
“Your sister didn't exactly give you much choice in offering me a place to stay.”
“Lily doesn't make me do anything I don't want to do.” I hold her gaze, letting the implication sink in. “I wanted you here.”
The air between us shifts, charged with the memory of the restroom, of her body pressed against mine. Her cheeks flush slightly, and I know she's remembering it too.
“I should…get back to work,” she says, breaking the moment.
I nod, pushing off from the doorframe.
“Right, well, I'll leave you to it, then.” Giving the door two rasps as turn to go, when I hear her voice more softly. “Grant?”
I look back over my shoulder. “Yeah?”
“Thank you. Really.”
The sincerity in her voice catches me off guard. “Anytime, Mia-not-from-around-here.”
Her small laugh follows me as I close the door behind me, and I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. Maybe having her here won't be as complicated as I feared.
Or maybe it'll be the most complicated thing I've ever done.
Chapter 16
Grant
I'm deliberate in my movements the next morning. Cooking shirtless wasn’t the original plan, but I’m not about to put on a damn shirt just because she might walk in.
The morning sun’s already spilling through the kitchen window, casting warm light over the countertops and I hear the floorboards creak up above. Bacon sizzles in the cast iron, the scent curling through the air like some backroad siren song. I flip it with one hand, the other casually reaching for the coffeepot, biceps flexing just enough to be noticeable—yeah, I know what I’m doing.
And then I hear it, before I even turn around.
That sharp inhale of breath. Soft, startled.
