Immediately, I stop laughing and Trey hops down from the table. Grant narrows his eyes but remains silent. “Man, you’re a buzz killer,” Trey says to her, and she bats her fake eyelashes his way.

“Well, I saw Grant and just wanted to say hello. I didn’t mean to disrupt your little show.” She crosses her legs toward Grant and places her hand on his arm. He pulls it away and squeezes my shoulder, bringing me closer.

“Emily, what do you want?” Grant asks, obviously annoyed.

“What kind of hello is that?” She takes her finger and slides it up and down his bicep.

“You do remember Jessa, don’t you, Emily?” he questions and her mouth drops open in surprise.

“I thought you dated someone more like…him,” she says, pointing to Trey and he cracks up.

“Is this girl for real?” He nods his head in her direction and I laugh.

“Unfortunately, yes,” I inform him and he smirks, shaking his head in amusement.

“Grant, why are you hanging out with these people?” she tries to whisper, although we can all hear her as clear as day.

“You do know we can hear you, right?” I ask. She does this fake giggle, tossing her hair over her shoulder, ignoring me.

“I’ll be right back,” Grant tells me and kisses my cheek. He nudges Emily out of the booth and then takes her by her elbow toward the front door.

“Do you want me to get the Jack?” Trey jokes and I shake my head. Dex, Brady, and Sadie all glance our way, curious as to what’s going on. Trey fills them in while Brady eyes Grant suspiciously. I decide not to turn around, although it’s taking everything inside of me not to. Instead, I try to decipher what’s happening by Trey’s reactions. He’s staring intently over their way, and when a smile comes across his lips, I know Grant must be on his way back.

He slides in next to me, placing his hands on either side of my face and drawing me closer. His lips lightly brush mine before he licks the crease between my lips. I happily open and the taste of beer mixed with pepperoni and Grant’s overall taste makes me whimper into his mouth. He presses me against the corner of the wall and bench, not letting up. Not that I want him to.

A mixture of hoots and hollers ring out and Grant breaks the kiss, moving over to my ear. “Never doubt me, Jessa. You’re mine and I’m yours.” A surge of heat hits my veins with his declaration. I didn’t think my lack of self-confidence was that noticeable to him. Regardless, I appreciate his affirmation of everything I feel.

“That a boy, Grant!” Trey winks at him and Brady grins before turning back around.

Our night continues without any further incidences. Eventually, Dex and Trey wander away, hitting on some girls that had been eyeing them. Brady and Sadie move over to our table, and the boys start reliving stories of their youth again. Sadie and I are wiping our eyes from laughing so hard. No one witnessing these two now would think that Grant and Brady just started talking again after six years. Watching him reminisce, I love seeing a more relaxed Grant begin to come out.

Throughout the night, his arm never leaves my shoulder and my hand never leaves his thigh. I never had this with Jason or Rob. After only one day, I feel a togetherness with Grant that I already know I don’t want to go without.

Chapter 9

Grant

Jessa and I spend most of our free time together. She’s even come down to Barbells to exercise while I’m working. Doug fell in love with her right away and constantly picked her up, attempting to bench press her, but I immediately put a stop to that.

My HR Management class is ten times better with her in it, even if she does try to soften up my views on workers in the workplace. She forever sees the best in people, whereas I see the worst.

I’ve given her space by not questioning her about her past, but I’m starting to grow impatient. I want her to feel comfortable enough to tell me though without having to drag the information out of her.

I’ve been anticipating today for the last week. Jessa’s going to meet Mr. C. She already knows his story, but they’ve never met. I look sideways at her on the bench seat of my truck as she sings. When she feels my eyes on her, she turns and gives me her usual casual smile. I grin in return, thinking about the fact that it’s only been a short time since I was here telling Mr. C that I’m not interested in love, and him trying to convince me it’s worth it. Looking at her now, feeling the way I feel, I can almost agree with him. I guess I’ll have to see when the inevitable heartbreak hits after she leaves me.

We pull up to Water Springs and Linda, the receptionist, greets me by name and I introduce Jessa. Linda smiles widely when she sees me place my hand in Jessa’s before I lead her to a chair. A minute later, Tessa comes in the room, calling out my name. She glances at Jessa and then back to me and rolls her eyes. I hope Jessa didn’t notice that. Tessa and I might have flirted innocently throughout the past weeks when I’ve come to visit, but it’s stopped there.

Once we’re situated in the room, waiting on Mr. C, I open a bottle of water from the counter and hand it to her. She thanks me while fidgeting with her fingers. “Are you nervous?” I ask.

“Of course. It’s like meeting your family.” She picks at the label wrapped around the water bottle.

“He’s not my father,” I reassure her.

“Whether you can admit it or not, he is, Grant. You look up to him. Come to him for advice. Care about his opinion. You look out for each other. Those are all things people go to their dad for.” For the first time, I realize she’s right. Mr. C is my family. He’s not just my father figure, he is my father. The only man who gives a shit about me.

“Regardless, you don’t have any reason to worry,” I say, placing my hand on her leg to still it.

Mr. C comes into the room and moves past me, right to Jessa. “I assume you’re Jessa,” he speaks directly to her, while holding his arms out for a hug.

“I am,” she answers, her voice so soft and innocent. She graciously accepts his offer for a hug.

“I’m Vince,” he says, pulling away from her, then waiting for her to take a seat. “Grant,” he greets me, placing his hand out to shake.

“Mr. C.” I shake his hand and he winks at me.

“So Jessa, tell me about yourself,” he requests and I see panic fill her eyes.

“Um…I’m an Art History major. From Colorado,” she starts. I notice her fidgeting, so I grab her hand to reassure her that it’s fine. The last thing Mr. C would do is judge her. She looks at me with fear.

“Tell me about Colorado, I’ve never been there,” Mr. C. asks of her and suddenly she shifts her body a little straighter, obviously uncomfortable with the question.

“You know…sun, ski bums, and hippies,” she answers quickly, trying to act collected, although she appears anything but calm.

“Never been a skier.” He gives me an inquisitive glance and then sets his focus back on her. “You’re roommates with Sadie?”

“Yes,” she answers and eases back into the couch with the change of topic. “She’s great,” she adds.

“That she is,” he agrees and I nod in agreement.

Mr. C steers clear of the Colorado topic for the duration of the conversation. Thankfully, Jessa is laughing and joking like her normal self by the time we leave. Mr. C gives her a hug good-bye and she thanks him for allowing her to come visit.

“Anytime, Jessa,” he says. “Do you mind if I have a word with Grant? It’ll only be a minute,” he assures her.

“No problem, I’ll be outside.” I watch her walk out the door and when it shuts behind her, I turn back to him.

“Grant, she’s a good one.” I hear the hesitation in his voice.

“But?” I ask, knowing what he’s going to say.

“She may need you to be understanding about something she hasn’t shared with you yet. Unfortunately, I think you share more than a mutual affection for one another; it seems you both have less-than-ideal pasts. But I beg you Grant, don’t run away from this. I can see a special love is there between the two of you. The sooner you share your past, the faster you can leave it behind you and move forward with one another.” He places his hand on my shoulder in his fatherly way.