Page 46 of Just Let Go

He shifted. “That’s right. Because you think skiing is stupid.”

She laughed. “I do not.”

He stopped, then leaned in closer. “Did you just laugh?”

“It does happen on occasion,” she said.

“It should happen more.”

There was a soft lull, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure what to do next. Should she say good night? Try again to drive him home? Get him a blanket?

“You’ve got everything all figured out—like a grown-up,” he said.

“I am a grown-up.”

“Yeah, I’m supposed to be one too, and look at me.”

“You are kind of a mess.”

He laughed and shook his head. “I know. And I’m going to get worse if I don’t get back on the team.”

She could see it in his eyes—a quiet desperation for something just out of reach. She recognized it because she saw it in her own eyes every single day. Odd as it was, she thought she and Grady Benson might actually have something in common.

“So, what, am I spending the night or are you going to let me walk?”

“You are not walking all the way to Cedar Grove.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Fine with me.”

“You can sleep on the couch.” She stood. “I’ll go get you a pillow and blanket.”

This is a very bad idea.

She disappeared into the bathroom, the only room in her whole loft with an actual door on it, and drew in three deep breaths. What was happening? Why was she suddenly feeling sorry for him?

Get a grip, Quinn. He’s just a guy who needs a couch to crash on. That’s it.

But as the thought left her mind, she wondered how on earth she was going to sleep knowing there was only a thin partition at the foot of her bed separating the two of them.

A knock on the door startled her, but she pulled it open, again doing her best to look nonchalant.

Grady stood on the other side. He’d taken off his coat and now wore only a gray T-shirt and jeans. Unfortunately for her, she couldsee the definition of his muscles under the shirt, and that did nothing to calm her jumpy nerves.

He leaned against the doorframe and stared at her.

She met his eyes, wishing she didn’t feel as unsteady as he looked.

“Can I get a glass of water?”

She clung to the doorknob more tightly than necessary. “Of course.”

“Thanks.” He walked off, leaving her standing there, reminding herself that this man was a terrible dose of really bad news.

He was the kind of guy her father had always warned her about, and she knew it.

Remember that, Quinn.

She grabbed sheets, a blanket, and an extra pillow from the linen closet and went back into the living room. She set the blanket and pillow on the end of the couch and unfolded the sheet, then spread it across the cushions.

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