Page 24 of The Boyfriend Boycott
We finish up at the store and wander back out into the mall, bags in hand. Grady bought more than he initially thought he would, and I credit myself and my impeccable sense of style for that.
“Spencer!”
I turn on my heel at the sound of my name to find Eleanor walking toward me, arm extended in a wave. She’s the chair of the Heartwood tourism board, and the last person I expected to see today.
“Hey, Eleanor.” I greet her with a warm smile and a one-armed hug. She’s been nothing but gracious and welcoming since I arrived. The brand deal with WanderLuxe played in Heartwood’s favour too, and she’s gushed about it non-stop.
“What a coincidence seeing you here. Oh, hi Grady,” she says, and Grady gives her a curt nod in greeting. Eleanor turns back to me, eyes wide with excitement. “I was just telling my husband this morning how much I’m looking forward to having you for dinner this week.”
The dinner. Right. I totally forgot that I agreed to have dinner with her and her husband later this week. Eleanor wanted to thank me for what I’ve done to promote Heartwood.
“Yes, absolutely, me too,” I fake, my voice rising to that octave I use when I’m feigning excitement. Eleanor’s eyes flick towards Grady, and then back to me.
“Feel free to bring a date if you’d like,” she says behind a hand that is meant to conceal what she’s saying. I catch Grady looking down at his feet awkwardly, a smile playing on his lips.
“Uh, Grady and I aren’t—” I start, but Eleanor interrupts me.
“Well, he’s more than welcome if you change your mind.” She checks her watch quickly before adding, “I’ve gotta run, but we’ll see you soon. Hopefully both of you.” She saunters off with a wink in my direction.
“She doesn’t have anything to do with the event you’re planning, does she?” Grady asks once she’s out of earshot.
“No, I totally forgot that I agreed to have dinner with her,” I say, contemplating how I need to rearrange my schedule to fit everything in.
“Can I propose another phase?”
“Oh no,” I protest. “I am the decider of the phases of Grady. We can’t just go running amok here throwing in phases willy-nilly.” I’ve earned myself a glare, and the eye contact makes my face heat.
“You said yourself that you’re making it up as you go.”
Fuck.
“Fine,” I huff. “What is your idea?”
“Bring me to dinner with Eleanor.” I’m already shaking my head before he can get the words out.
It’s a good idea, maybe even a great idea, and I can see why Grady would suggest it. But it means going to dinner with him, and that is strictly against the rules.
“No way. No. Absolutely not.”
“She already said I was welcome to come,” he counters.
“Yes, and she meant as a plus one. We are not in a relationship, so I cannot bring you as my date. We’ll find another way to win her over.”
“You can go out with someone and not bedatingthem, Spencer,” Grady argues. My mouth twists to one side as I consider the potential ramifications and the ripple effect this might have. Sure, would it be helpful to get the chair of the tourism board to back Grady at the council meeting? Absolutely. Would it look great in my portfolio to show that my plan is garnering support for Grady already? Yes, in a way that I don’t think I can reasonably say no to. Am I willing to make exceptions to my rules in order to achieve it?
“Okay,” I say and Grady’s expression lifts. “On one condition.”
“Cool. More rules.” His voice is monotone and unimpressed.
“No boyfriendy stuff. It’s not a real date, so don’t act like it is.”
“Nope. You already agreed to the date,” he says, and he takes a step forward so we’re close enough to be sharing breath. “And if I’m taking you out, even if it is just to Eleanor’s house, I’m not going to half-ass it.”
“We agreed on those rules, Grady.Youagreed to them.” I’m getting angry now, my hands forming fists at my sides.
“I’m just about ready to say fuck the rules, Rebel. After all, aren’t rules meant to be broken?” His lip lifts into a smirk and I hate it. Whatever that perfectly fitting button-down awokewithin Grady, I hate it. I hate that it makes me want to kiss him, right here, right in the middle of a goddamn shopping mall.
Grady and I hit a few more stores after our encounter with Eleanor, and I struggle to keep my thoughts under control as he tries on outfit after outfit that makes me want to rip them right off his chiseled body. My mind has been like a runaway train, careening into territory that I actively want to avoid.
