Page 28 of Faking Romance

Cam smiles. “It’s the best.”

“I’ll get the fire going. Anyone want the hot tub tonight?” Troy asks as he walks over to the fire pit.

“Me!” Ava squeals.

“Ava, you can make one s’more. But then we have to go to bed. You have school tomorrow. Remember?” Carly says.

“But, Mom!” Ava protests as everyone chuckles.

Carly sighs.

“How about you and me and your mom have another s’more night this weekend?” Brayden asks.

“Really?” Ava replies. “You promise!”

“Pinky promise,” he says with a grin and holds up his pinky finger. She wraps her little pinky around his and her smile radiates up at him like he’s the center of her universe.

“Don’t forget about us. We’ll come up here for more hot tub time too,” Margie calls out from the chairs where she sits with Jessa and Cornelia.

Everyone chuckles.

Al comes back with the s’mores supplies and Grayson follows a few minutes later with his cello. The sky is darkening and Cam and Drew sink into the jacuzzi while having a debate about Kasen’s whereabouts. A few others chime in with ideas. Hutch pats the seat next to him and we each put a marshmallow on sticks. I twirl mine until it’s golden brown.

Grayson sits on a bench and begins to play a classical piece of music. I think it’s Beethoven or Mozart. I’m not sure, but it’s beautiful. A calm quiet descends on everyone as we listen to the melody. I study Gray as he plays. His eyes close and his body seems as in tune to the instrument as his mind. His fingers press down on the strings and draw the bow back and forth over them. He sways a little with each note as if he feels it in his soul. It’s mesmerizing to watch. I make my s’more, keeping my eyes on him. I groan a little as I taste the chocolate and Gray’s eyes open, meeting mine. He watches me intently as I lick some chocolate from my finger. I make way more of a show of licking it off than I should because, for some reason, I want to tease this man.

His gaze seems to penetrate mine, and I notice him smirking. Jackass. He knows exactly what I’m doing.

I look away, ending our little battle of staring.

“OK, last s’more, kiddo. Say good night to everyone,” Carly says to Ava as Ava finishes her creation which includes sprinkles that Al had up at the bar. Ava called them unicorn desserts, which made everyone laugh.

“’Night,” she says on a yawn.

“I got her,” Brayden says as he picks up a very sleepy Ava. Carly trails behind them giving everyone a wave.

I lean over to Drew because I feel like Drew and Cam know all the building gossip. “Is there something between Carly and Brayden?”

Drew laughs. “Uh, no. Those two are oblivious to the chemistry between them. They’ve been thick as thieves since Carly moved in here a few years ago. And I’ve never seen either one make a move for the other.” He shrugs.

“Hey, Gray, play the theme song fromTitanic!” Cam shouts out.

Gray groans. “Seriously, Cam? You always request that.”

“It sounds so good on the cello, please?” she asks, drawing out the last word.

He rolls his eyes but complies. She claps her hands excitedly and leans over Drew. “He’s so good, right?”

I nod. Because he is good. He mentioned that he studied music in college, but worked in his family business until two years ago. I wonder what made him decide to do music full-time. The thought nags at me as I continue to listen.

Gray finishes and sets down his instrument. “Hand me a marshmallow,” he asks Hutch. Hutch tosses him the bag.

I watch as he burns a marshmallow to a crisp and makes a s’more. “Is there anything left of that marshmallow besides char?” I tease.

“Don’t knock it till you try it,” he retorts as he takes a bite.

I put one last marshmallow on my stick and carefully rotate it. I place it on the graham cracker over exactly four squares of chocolate and then finish with a second graham cracker half. I take a bite and close my eyes as I relish the taste of the warmed chocolate.

When I open my eyes again, I find Gray watching me.

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