The air is sucked out of the room, and Logan’s face goes white as a sheet, all humor gone. He almost looks sick.
There’s a slapping sound followed by a robust laugh. “Well, I’ll be damned! Wait until I tell your parents. Carl and Sharon are gonna go through the roof. Your mama’s been itching for you two to find some good people in your lives. They worry about you being so far from home.”
“Yep, tell Mama. Melanie’s definitely good people.”
All questions about me are gone, or at least temporarily forgotten, as he declares he needs to go. She tells him she loves him and disconnects with glowing satisfaction on her face.
“How could you?” Logan chokes out.
“Seemed like a good way to get him off my back.” She shrugs nonchalantly.
“Payback is hell, Grace. Remember that.” He leaves in a huff, and I feel kinda sorry for him. If their mom is anything like mine, she’s going to be calling in about five minutes.
She gives me a shy smile. “Sorry you had to witness that.”
I go to her, plucking her out of the chair and planting a quick kiss on her still smiling lips. “It was the highlight of my day.”
“Your day must have been really boring then,” she jokes.
“Actually, the day was perfect, because technically, it started with you in my arms until two a.m.,” I whisper in her ear.
She shivers against me, and I nip on her earlobe before stepping back and taking her hand.
“How was the rest of your day?”
“Good. Bizzy showed up before eight with my brothers close behind her. We ate breakfast while they grilled me about you. About ten minutes after they left, my mom called wanting to know all about you. Then I went to practice, watched a few films, and now I’m here.”
Her relaxed expression disappears. “Me? What did you tell them?”
“I told them the truth. Without giving up your grandma’s secret, I told them why you went home and what you’ve been doing the last few years. I explained we’re spending time together. I had to stop Bizzy and Shaw from crashing tomorrow night.”
“What?”
“They’re anxious to meet you, Grace. I made it known this morning that I’m into you.”
“You’re into me?” she asks so innocently my heart squeezes.
“Sweet Peach, you remember last night when I said curiosity led to crazy?”
She nods slowly.
“That crazy means crazy about you.”
“Oh my God,” she breathes out in a raspy tone.
“So I held them off tomorrow night, seeing as it’s our first official date. But all bets are off after that.”
She holds my stare, and I swear she’s holding her breath, too. I press her closer. “I want you to come to my game on Sunday. Shaw is getting you and Logan into his company suite.”
“Isn’t that for business and family?”
“Yes, and my family will be there.”
She remains still, staring at me. Uncertainty and apprehension are written all over her face.
“Say you’ll come.”
“I’ll come.”