Page 69 of Grumpy Darling

She shook her head. “I think the fact you enjoyed it means you’re going after the wrong guy.”

“I think you’ve spent far too long editing newspaper articles today. You’re seeing stories where they don’t exist.”

“Or maybe I’ve just uncovered the best story of the year...”

“You’re crazy,” I said, closing my locker.

“Crazy observant,” she replied. “My reporter’s nose can catch wind of these things a mile off.”

“Well, your nose must be wrong. Even sniffer dogs aren’t always completely accurate.” I swung my bag over my shoulder and started for the exit, hoping that might put an end to her conspiracy theories.

She quickly fell into step beside me. “Okay, maybe you’re right, but you better be careful. All this flirting practice with your bestie sounds like it’s going to your head.”

It was hard to completely disagree with her, especially after my dream last night. But she was seriously reaching if she thought there was more to my feelings than friendship. It was just a little bit of pretend flirting. It would mess with anyone’s head. Bonnie’s nose was off this time, I was sure of it.

“Perhaps our retail therapy tonight will get my senses back on the right track,” she added.

“About that...” I started. “Grayson wants to come.”

Bonnie’s eyes practically popped out of her head. “He does?”

“Yeah, he thinks I need a guy’s opinion.”

“I mean, I guess a guy’s opinion couldn’t hurt. I just didn’t think clothes shopping was his thing.”

“It’s not,” I replied. “But he’s trying his best to help.”

“Well, you need all the help you can get if you want to fix this.” She waved a hand at my outfit.

I actually thought I’d done quite well today. I was wearing a bright blue dress and a cute navy cardigan. The blue was to catch Damien’s eye and the navy... Well, the navy cardigan was just because I’d gotten cold, but still, I honestly had no idea how the outfit could be improved. The last time I’d worn the dress, Gray had commented on how this shade of blue suited me. I figured if it was nice enough for Grayson to compliment me, it was nice enough to entice Damien with.

I looked up at Bonnie. “I like what I’m wearing.”

“So does Ms. Shannon...” She nodded down the hallway to where our English teacher had just emerged from the staff room. She was wearing an outfit almost identical to mine.

“That’s a slightly different dress,” I muttered, although I wasn’t completely sure that was true. There was only one clothing store in the main street of Ransom, and it looked like I was no longer the only person from school who shopped there. Nope, it was just me and our elderly English teacher. Everyone else went to the big luxury mall just outside Sunshine Hills.

“Paige, you’re even wearing the same sensible shoes as her.”

I grimaced when I glanced down to find I was in fact wearing an identical pair.

“Okay, so, maybe my outfit happens to look a little bit like our super-cool teacher’s...”

Bonnie laughed. “Don’t worry. By tomorrow you’ll look like a super-cool seventeen-year-old.” She grinned and nudged her shoulder into mine when I glared at her. “This is going to be fun. You’ll see.”

When we emerged into the parking lot, I immediately caught sight of Grayson leaning against his truck. His arms were folded over his chest, and from this distance, it was clear why people were a little cautious around him. He was such an imposing figure, and his default facial expression was far from welcoming. But the moment his eyes landed on me they started to sparkle, and it was suddenly impossible to fathom how anyone could consider him scary.

“I’m parked over here,” Bonnie said. “I can just meet you at the mall.”

“You don’t want to go together? Grayson can drive us.”

“Uh, no, that’s okay. Once we’re done, I’ve got to pick up some baby formula for my mom and then head straight home. She was freaking out earlier because she’s almost run out.” She glanced over at Gray, who was still propped up against his truck waiting for us. “Plus, I think your bestie would rather the two of you rode alone...”

“Don’t be silly. He wouldn’t mind.”

“Uh, let’s not take the risk,” she replied. “I already spend far too much time skirting the edge of his shit list. Let’s not do something drastic and place my name firmly at the top of it.”

“He doesn’t have a shit list.”

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