Page 46 of Give Me Love

“Grant Ranch.”

“And there are dogs?”

“Yeah. Great Danes. Doc and Holliday.”

“That’s clever,” I reply to the names of the dogs that live on a horse ranch. He chuckles and I kick my shoes off and bring my knee up, loving the way his chuckle sounds.

“Come to a movie with me,” he says. I hear footsteps on a porch and a screen door squeak open.

“A movie?”

“Yeah.”

“Bryce, is that you?” a woman calls out.

“Yeah, Emily.”

“Who’s Emily?” I ask, running my fingers over my knee.

“Only the best woman in the world.” There’s a smile in his voice when he says it, and I wish I could see.

“That so?” I reply, smiling myself.

“Hundred percent.”

“That’s a pretty bold statement. I’d like to meet this best woman in the world.”

“You will.”

He says it so casually like it’s to be expected, causing nerves to tingle in my chest, but also confusing me even more. How can he be so closed-off about certain things and yet he wants me to meet important people in his life?

He clears his throat. “So, the movie? I’ll pick you up around seven.”

“I didn’t say I’d go,” I reply with a laugh.

He sighs. “Well, I’m waiting.” I hear the sound of a beer bottle cap popping off.

“You never told me the movie.” I don’t know why I’m keeping this up because, of course, I’m going. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to a movie with this guy?

“An old black and white.Bringing Up Baby.”

“You’re into black and white?” I pick at the skin beside my thumbnail.

“We didn’t have but so many channels growing up. I watched a lot of movies, and those just happened to be the only ones my mom liked,” he says.

“Okay,” I reply.

“Okay, you’ll go?”

“Yes, Mr. Bossy. I’ll go.”

“Mr. Bossy?” he says on a laugh.

“Absolutely. You’re insanely bossy. No wonder I’m your only friend.” God, I wish I could see his face.

“I don’t have time for friends, so you’re lucky.”

I smile. “I’m so lucky that Bryce Grant makes time for little ol’ me,” I say sarcastically.

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