Page 63 of Perfectly Grumpy

Me

No, but let’s just say, I think she’s on to us.

Lauren

How do I sneak up to the house without anyone seeing?

I glance over to the table and catch Granny glancing over at me like a hawk as she settles Camden back in his chair. Yeah, Lauren is definitely going to need to watch her back this week, sneaking in and out of my cabin.

Me

Make a run for it. If anyone asks, you were up early, taking Annie for a walk.

Granny hurries over, opening the pantry door. “Anyone see a mop?”

“I’ll get one,” I volunteer, heading toward the basement, stalling for time.

She frowns, but hands me the key to the maintenance closet. “I thought you were taking Lauren her coffee before it gets cold?”

“I want to help you first.”

Granny gives me a pleased smile. “What a gentleman.”

I take my time finding the mop, then lumber up the stairs, dragging everything out for as long as possible. When I finally reach the dining room, I check the window that faces the woods.

A blur of golden-brown hair ducks behind some bushes, then Lauren, hunched over in full stealth mode with Annie, darts across the yard.

“Is that Lauren?” Aunt Karen asks, craning her neck to get a good look. “Why is she hunched over like that? Does she have a back problem?”

“Probably the rock-hard mattresses in this place,” Uncle Bobby says, pouring milk onto his cereal.

Granny glances at the window, then at me. “I thought you said she was sleeping?”

I frown. “Huh. Must have been wrong.”

A few seconds later, Lauren slides into the kitchen, slightly out of breath.

“Lauren, nice to see you this morning,” I say, handing her the coffee mug.

“How did you sleep last night?” she asks, giving me a little smile I’m starting to like too much.

“Never better.” I play along. “You?”

“Except for my roommate, it wasn’t bad,” she says, giving me a wink before taking a sip of coffee.

Without thinking, I rest my hand at the small of her back as she steps closer, a gesture that feels surprisingly natural. Her eyes meet mine for a split second before she leans slightly into the touch.

Olivia passes through the kitchen, giving us both a look. “You two act like you haven’t seen each other since last night or something.”

“One night is a long time,” Lauren says.

“You owe me,” I mouth to her.

TWENTY-TWO

lauren

Aunt Karen steps up in front of the group, her hands on her hips as she surveys the contestants gathered on the sprawling back lawn of Bear Creek Lodge for the first Family Olympics match—the water balloon toss. She blows her whistle, going into elementary school teacher mode and shushing the entire family, including the uncles, because the old guys are always the worst at listening to directions.

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