Page 64 of The Accidental Beauty Queen
Susan stands, and it feels really strange to be the only one still seated, so I stand too. My hand brushes against Gray’s as I rise to my feet, sending a cascade of goose bumps up and down my arm.
“It’s nice of you to come and support your daughter,” he says.
It takes every bit of willpower I can muster not to look at him. Because if I do, I’ll probably grin like a love-struck teenager and everyone will know that I’ve got feelings for him. And no one can know that, least of all Gray.
But he’s not looking at me either, and it feels deliberate. Necessary, even. The fact that our eyes don’t meet seems far more meaningful than any actual eye contact.
“We wouldn’t miss it.” Susan smiles.
Dad nods. “We’re very proud.”
“We know we can’t attend the rest of the preliminaries, but we thought it would be nice to come a little early because Ginny’s...”
I lurch forward, stumbling toward Susan as if I’m about to strangle her, or more accurately, clamp my hand over her mouth. She’s about to mention Ginny’s twin.Me. And Gray can’t know that I exist.
“Whoa.” He reaches for me, slipping an arm around my waist and righting me before I crash into my stepmother. “Are you okay?”
“So sorry.” I gesture toward my pageant stilts. “It’s these heels. I’m still not quite used to them, I guess. I’m fine.”
I’mnotfine.
That was a close call. Too close. My nerves are all tangled up in knots. But somewhere beneath the swirl of panic, I’m also hyperaware of Gray’s hands on me. His fingertips rest just a second too long on my hip—a second in which I practically melt into a puddle at his feet.
You’re avoiding him now, remember?
Right. That’s the plan. As plans go, it’s a very good one. A smart one. Amandatoryone. I’m just not sure I can actually follow through with it.
“Are you steady now?” He crosses his arms, and I pretend it’s his way of stopping himself from touching me again. Judging by the suddenly firm set of his jaw, that might actually be the case.
“Steady as a rock.” Another lie. I’m weak in the knees.
I clear my throat, ready to thank Gray for stopping by and insist that he move along because we shouldn’t monopolize his time. After all, there are forty-nine other contestants who’d probably love to chat him up over brunch.
But before I can say anything, he turns toward my dad and resumes their previous conversation.
I wrap my arms around myself, trying my best to hold it together. I’m on high alert, ready to cause another awkward distraction if the discussion veers anywhere near identical-twins territory.
“I’m sorry the prelims aren’t open to the public, but there are a lot of great things to do around here. The resort has all kinds of amenities, like golf and tennis. Plus there’s the spa.” Gray clears his throat, and his gaze flits toward mine. Just for a second. Just quickly enough for me to know that it was intentional. “The swan boats are lovely. It would be nice to take one out for a paddle around the lake sometime. In the moonlight maybe.”
Gray shifts his weight from one foot to the other. When his arm brushes against mine, he doesn’t pull away. Neither do I.
To the outside world, it probably looks like nothing. Just two people standing side by side. But the innocent contact is enough to make my cheeks warm. I feel lovely and floaty, as though I’ve been drinking the champagne he sent to my room last night.
Gray flashes a grin at my parents. “Just a thought.” Then his gaze collides with mine. And holds. “Tonight would be nice.”
I blink.
Am I hearing things, or did he just ask me out on a secret date?
No, surely not. He was merely making small talk with my parents. Wasn’t he?
Of course. That’s exactly what he was doing. And yet...
Why do I know that if I show up at the swan boats tonight after the evening gown competition, I’ll find Gray Beckham waiting for me?
My dad nods. “We’ll certainly give that some consideration, although Susan doesn’t swim so we tend to stay away from boats.”
“That’s a shame. I think there’s supposed to be a full moon tonight. It would be lovely.” He glances at me again, and that’s when I’m sure. He’s definitely sending me some sort of secret signal. “Maybe a stroll around the resort instead.”
