Page 79 of Sidelined By Love

“I noticed.” There’s a growl in his voice, a hunger that I’ve only ever heard once before. Right before he kissed me the first time. My insides remember, too, and they set off in flight, swarms of butterflies that threaten to carry me away.

Only I don’t want to be anywhere else.

Grant’s warmth is like a beacon, and I lean toward it.

This is my moment. This is my shot. Now or never. “I missed you.”

I steel myself for his smug grin, but it doesn’t appear. Instead, his eyes search mine, looking for only God knows what. But I don’t look away. I’m laying the truth bare today.

“What happened to it all being a waste? To us being a waste?”

I shake my head hard and fast. “I was stupid. And I didn’t want to be like your ex—dragging you through the proverbial mud. And then I didn’t get the audition, and I hated that you wasted your free time in the middle of your season when I clearly can’t keep myself out of the tabloids.”

His free hand cups my face, his thumb smoothing the line of my cheek, fire in its wake. I lean into it as a slow smile steals across his mouth. “Time with you—that’s never a waste.”

My heart slams against my ribs, forcing out a little giggle. I try to hold it in, but I clap my hand over my mouth too late, and it hangs over us like our foggy breath.

I sound like a teenager with her first crush.

Strangely, I feel like a teenager with her first crush. Grant turns everything inside me to jelly, so I sag against his free side, ignoring Rico’s territorial glare.There’s enough room for both of us, buddy.

As Grant slides his arm around my waist, his hand settling against my hip, I tuck my fingers between us. He is so much better than gloves at keeping me warm. Basically my own personal heater.

I could get used to this.

“I’m sorry that I made you think I didn’t care. The truth is . . .” Come on. Say it. Say it.

“The truth is that I’m . . .” My voice gives out, and I gulp in the chilly air.

His eyebrows begin to pull together, his jaw clenching and unclenching beneath a two-day shadow. I never did get to kiss him when he was clean-shaven. But I’m not sure I really care.Because this version of Grant is my favorite. No, that’s not quite true.Everyversion of Grant is my favorite.

Risking frozen fingers, I reach up to press my thumb into the corner of his mouth.

“The truth is I’m going to stay in Colorado Springs.”

My new mantra is on repeat, but I can’t seem to get all of the words out even ifthe truth will set me free.

His smile dims, and a shadow crosses his face as three little lines form at the top of his nose. “You’re staying? You’re not going to LA?”

I thought he’d be happy, but this is definitely not that.

“I . . . I’m going to stay with Nan and see about getting a job at a local theater company. Do you not want me to stay?” Worse—does he want me togo?

I don’t really have anywhere else to land. I thought staying would give me more time with Grant. Unless. Unless he doesn’t want me.

No matter how hard I bite into it, my lower lip insists on trembling. My whole body stiffens, and I try to pull away. Grant’s fingers only dig in to hold me in place. Confusion still covers his face, and Rico yaps into the tension he can probably feel.

He hushes the dog without ever taking his eyes off me, searching deep and long. If he can see into my soul, he doesn’t understand what’s there.

Finally, Rico barks loudly, breaking into the moment.

With a sigh, Grant sets him down, letting him run to the end of his leash as he sniffs in Bronco’s direction.

Then Grant ushers me toward the sunshine-yellow front door and drops down onto the stoop. I follow suit, only to bolt right back up when my seat hits the cement. Icy fingers consume me at even the briefest contact, but I hate towering over Grant, whose elbows are resting on his knees as he stares at the dogs.

“Why would you stay in the Springs?”

“Do you want me to leave?”

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