Page 57 of Sidelined By Love

Grant is . . . blerg.

It’s not like he’s perfect. I know he has flaws.

But I’ve also seen how much he cares about Kenna and how he treats Denise and Jerry like family. He’s incredibly gentle with me. At his core is a faith that assures me he would never do what Joe Kellyn and guys like that do.

He makes me feel . . . safe. Like if Knight doesn’t call me back and I have to find a new career, I’ll be okay.

So long as I’m with Grant.

Pressing my forehead to the steering wheel between my hands, I scream. Bronco howls along but off-key.

Because even the dog knows as well as I do that I have no—absolutely zero—business thinking about a life with Grant. Being with him will just make working for my dad harder and drive the wedge between me and my family deeper.

I should go back to Nan’s, hide from the world, and settle for daydreaming about that kiss—that perfect kiss.

For the rest of my life.

Dramatic much, Zoe?

A sudden knock on my car window makes me jump and Bronco bark. I jerk my head up to find Kenna standing on the other side, her smile nearly breaking her face.

“Are you here to practice for my call-back?” she asks before I can get the door open more than a crack.

Pasting on a practiced smile, I nod. “Of course. Yes. Let’s make sure you’re fully prepared.”

“And you brought your dog!” She runs around the car and opens the door to let the wiggling guy out, but the silly boy can’t jump down from the seat. “What’s his name?”

“Bronco.”

She squats in front of him, scratching behind his ears until his eyes practically roll into the back of his head. “You’re so cute!”

“I think you’ve made a friend for life. No need for flattery.”

She laughs as I lift him to the ground and let him start sniffing along the grass line. This isn’t a sidewalk kind of neighborhood, but Bronco isn’t afraid of walking all over the neatly manicured lawn, and I think he’s about to find a place to do his business when the front door swings open.

“Hey, Kenna! Are you—?” Grant suddenly stops, our gazes locking across the distance. He blinks once as a slow smile rolls into place. “Hi.”

I lift my hand in the lamest wave ever witnessed.

But Grant doesn’t turn around. Instead, he strides across the grass, ignoring the paving stones and making a beeline for me. “I didn’t know if I was—I didn’t know if you were coming over today.”

Like a junior higher, I want to ask if he’s glad I did. Instead, I say, “Thought you could get rid of me that easily?”

“You thought that was me trying to get rid of you?” He scratches his head. “I might be more out of practice than I thought.”

I can’t swallow the snort that comes out. Because if that kiss was Grant out of practice, I’m not sure I’d survive one after he’s brushed up on his skills.

“What are you guys talking about? You’re not making any sense.” Kenna looks back and forth between us, her hands on her hips and head cocked to the side. Bronco is looking up at us with similar exasperation.

“It’s nothing, kiddo.” Grant plops his hand on top of her head. “Did you take the trash bins out to the curb?”

“I forgot,” she says, then immediately darts toward the far side of the garage.

We both watch her go, and I take a few deep breaths before turning back toward him. Everything inside me wants to reach for him, but I cross my arms over my stomach and force myself to stay still. It doesn’t mean I miss the uncertain movement of his hand, like he’s reaching for my arm. He pulls back before he touches me. Then tries again before stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I think I see a flash of desire in his eyes. Like maybe he’s not sure he could let go once he touches me. Like the lightning between us would leave us permanently connected.

Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that, Zoe.

---