Page 57 of Grumpy Darling

“Any other suggestions?”

“Less scowling. You’ve been in a mood all night and didn’t eat any dinner.”

“I wasn’t hungry.” What was it with people and how much I had to eat?

“Are you sick?”

I ignored his question. “And I wasn’t scowling at her.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yes, I’m certain.” Truthfully, I wasn’t sure, but I could easily correct that. “Anything else?”

“Gray, you’re just going to have to trust your instincts.”

“Because that’s been working so well for me?”

Reed laughed, apparently losing the strength to hold it in any longer. “Sorry, it’s just really hard to concentrate when you look like some creature that’s emerged from the deep.”

All the good advice in the world wasn’t worth this, so I gave up and left the room. But just as I emerged into the corridor, Cammie appeared at the top of the stairs, this time with Parker in tow.

My younger brother’s eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning, while my sister’s filled with a menacing glee.

“Told you this was worth the trip upstairs,” she said.

I swore under my breath.

“Oh, Grayson.” Parker was shaking his head. “What has she done to you?”

“Smile,” Cammie added, before pointing her phone in my direction. I lifted a hand in front of my face, hopelessly attempting to hide from the photo. I did not need Cammie and Parker having this kind of material to use against me.

“You both better sleep with one eye open,” I growled before storming back to my room, their hushed laughter floating behind me.

Paige startled as I barged through the door. I’d probably been a little rough as I’d pushed it in a hurry to get away from my siblings. She nodded at my empty hands. “No snacks?”

“No, sorry, I was a little busy avoiding the paparazzi in the corridor.”

“Paparazzi?”

“Cammie, trying to get photographic evidence to blackmail me with.”

“Oh no.” Paige grimaced. “Sorry, that’s totally my fault. I thought the facial would be relaxing for you. I messed up.”

“It’s fine, Pidge. My face smells like summer. Those idiots can take all the pictures they want.”

She smiled up at me. “Like summer, huh?”

“Yeah.”

She walked over to me and placed her hands on my chest as she reached up on her tiptoes to sniff me. I froze under the contact. Reed had suggested I use the facial as an excuse to get close to Paige, and here we were. But I had no idea what I was supposed to do next.

“Mm. You do smell good,” she said. “I kind of want to lick you.”

“Uh . . .” My throat constricted. Was she serious?

But then she laughed and pulled away all too fast. I stood still for several moments as I tried to reboot my brain and gather some coherent thoughts. Some dating coach I was. The perfect opportunity to make a move presented itself, and I froze like a rabbit in the headlights.

Paige skipped back over to the bed, made herself comfortable, and started selecting a movie on my laptop. When she caught me watching, she gently patted a spot on the bed next to her. “Come on, help me pick. You know I’ll just scroll through the entire library.”

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