Page 68 of Breaking Point
“Where is this mystery date?”
“Wouldn’t be a mystery if I told you now, would it?”
She clicks her tongue. “Touché.”
My truck roars to life as she crosses her legs and turns to me. I can feel her eyes lingering along every inch of me. Down the navy button-up, along the black trousers, and I can even feel when she gets to the pulse along my neck. Her eyes on me are like a gentle caress.
I can’t help but squirm in my seat at her scrutinization. “I have a proposition,” I say, the deep gravel of my voice filling the truck interior.
I didn’t turn on the radio in hopes that she would fill the silence. I’ve missed her voice around the house. It was as if I got a taste of peace for the first time in months and then the breath of fresh air was sucked out. I’m sure if I brought this up to the grief counselor I’m scheduled to see on Monday, they’d be evaluating why this woman brings me such comfort when, truth be told, I don’t know her.
“I’m all ears.”
But I want to know her and that’s why I say, “Tonight, we should play a game of twenty-one questions.”
Her laugh fills the truck, such a soft, breathy sound full of warmth I wish it’d never end. “I haven’t played that since high school.”
I shrug, my eyes never leaving the road. Not even for her. They will never leave the road again. “We need to come across as if we’ve been dating for a while, and to do that, we need to truly know each other. We won’t get that with just one date.”
“But we’ll get that with twenty-one questions…or more,” she teases.
I can’t help but smile. “Exactly. This isn’t a real date, so wewon’t have any rehearsed answers. We’ll just tell each other the truth.”
“Are you sure you want your assistant to know everything about you?”
My truck slows at the red light and I finally glance over with my foot firmly on the brake. “You’re more than an assistant.” Winking, I soak up her surprised blink and say, “You’re also my fake girlfriend.”
Laughter explodes through the truck as the light shifts to green.
Pride blooms through my chest. I made her laugh. It’s such a beautiful carefree sound, I’ll do whatever I can to hear it again.
Bella lets out a small gasp as I flick on my blinker and turn into the large parking lot.
“Oh my god!” Bella’s excitement is palpable as she squeals. “I haven’t attended a carnival since high school!”
I preen a little at picking the right activity. “I find dinner to be a boring first date, and a little awkward.”
She’s sitting on the edge of her seat, leaning forward to take in all the lights. “And thank goodness you do. This is so much better than a stilted dinner.”
I’ve barely put my truck in park by the time Bella is flinging open her door and rounding the car to openmydoor. I can’t help but snort at her.
I knew we would have fun and hopefully laugh, but if I had known she would be this excited, I would have picked her up sooner. She’s practically bouncing on the balls of her feet, her grin spreading so wide it makes my own flourish.
“Were you a carnie in your past life?”
Her eyes are wide, sparked with delight. “I hope so.”
After locking my car, I rest my hand on the lower part of herback, hating how the leather jacket she wears conceals her skin, all the while despising how badly I want to feel her skin. Leading us toward the entrance, I’m not surprised to see a few people recognize me. Being six foot four is hard to conceal. The height draws the eyes, but my face draws the cameras. But Bella doesn’t notice the turned heads, not when her eyes are glued to the endless stalls and rides.
I step up to purchase two tickets, giving the teenager in the front booth the chance to work up the nerve to ask me for a photo. I’m not being egotistical, it’s just when you’ve had as many interactions with fans as I have, you pick up on cues. Especially the younger boys who are nervous to ask for a photo.
Bella clasps the tickets and speedwalks to the booth with the map of the circus.
I smile. I can’t remember the last time I’ve ever seen someone so excited for something.
A throat clears in front of me.
“G-Grayson? Grayson Crawford?”
