Page 33 of Perfectly Grumpy

Tate leans on the boards, looking as cool as a cucumber while my body generates enough heat to roast those corn dogs and fry the bacon, too.

“The reunion she claims to love because of how chaotic and loud everyone is?” he asks, that smirk growing, his dimples making another appearance.

Everything in me goes full-blown wildfire. He is completely enjoying how mortified I am right now.

My lips tighten as I glare at him. “I thought we were keeping things…private.”

His grin deepens as he turns to my sister. “She’s a little shy about introducing me.”

“Well, you’d be more than welcome to join us,” Olivia says casually. “No pressure, of course.”

My glare intensifies as I cross my arms. “He can’t come.”

Tate leans on his stick, still looking far too amused. “Oh? Why not, Sunny?” The irony of that nickname is not lost on me.

“Because you’re busy, remember?” I say quickly. “You’re going to California to visit family.”

Tate’s expression shifts slightly. “Usually, I do, but not this year. My family made other plans. I might rent a cabin and work on a personal project, though. Other than that, I’m totally free.”

“You should come,” Olivia says, before turning to me innocently. “Oh, and don’t forget, you’ll need a partner for the Family Olympics.”

Tate tilts his head. “Olympics? What kind of events are we talking about?”

“Oh, the usual—water balloon tosses, canoe races, paintball,” Olivia says. “Lauren’s ex will be there competing with our cousin. They’re the team to beat this year.”

Tate studies me, his forehead creasing slightly.

“The whole situation is unfortunate,” Olivia says.

“And no partner?” Tate asks me, like he’s thinking something over. “I might know someone with excellent defensive skills.”

I give him a tight smile. “Sheriff, can I talk to you privately for a second?”

“Sure can,” he says.

We move over to the bench, far enough away that my sister can’t hear us.

“What’s the problem?” Tate asks innocently.

“You,” I say. “Currently, my number one problem. What are you doing leading my sister on, pretending like you’re coming to my reunion?”

He scoffs. “I wasn’t the one who told your sister we were dating. If anyone is leading your sister on”—he pauses—“it’syou.”

“Listen, I didn’t mean to get you involved. She saw our picture and jumped to conclusions. I may have even hinted that we had gone out. It seemed harmless at the time.”

Tate looks at me like he cannot grasp what I’m telling him.

I throw up my hands. “My ex is coming and I panicked, okay? I didn’t want to spend the entire reunion explaining why I’m still single.”

“Thendon’t,” he says simply.

“Tate,” I warn with a glare. “You can’t attend my family reunion. You wouldn’t last an hour with my relatives, let alone a week.”

He studies me for a second. “Is that a bet?”

I shake my head. “I’m just stating facts. And you’re someone who really likes facts.”

“That’s not a fact, Sunny.” He leans forward slightly. “You know, if you did need a backup boyfriend, I wouldn’t be the worst option. It’s a logical exchange—you’re saving my reputation with the league, I save yours with your family. Mutually beneficial.” There’s something in the way he says it, not teasing or sarcastic, more like an offerbetween friends.

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