His whole day at work had crawled by, despite spending most of it in his car, checking the various 911 calls that had come in. So far he had dealt with two domestic disturbances, one complaint of someone shoplifting nail polish at the Main Street Grocery, and one irate customer at the Dairy Queen who wasn’t satisfied with the way the girl had made her ice cream cone. She said it wasn’t nearly as tall and swirly as the ad. Sloan had decided that people were crazy and there was no cure for being an idiot.
After work, he knew what he had to do. He’d gone home and showered before making the journey over to Grace’s house. The sun was setting, casting orange and pink swirls in the sky, as he pulled into her driveway.
Taking a deep breath, he got out of his truck and made his way to the front door. He knocked several times. No one answered.
She’s intentionally avoiding me. Not that I blame her.
“Grace, it’s Sloan. Can you please open the door?” He blew out a breath and waited.
No answer.
“Grace, I know you’re here. I see your car.”
She was going to make this apology hard on him.
He turned around and smacked into Grace.
Grace stumbled backward toward the steps. He reached for her before she fell, and pulled her into his chest.
“Are you all right?” He stared down into her deep blue eyes. He could feel her heart beating against his chest through her thin T-shirt. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you. I thought you were in the house . . .”
She arched her brow. “Did you think I was hiding from you?”
“Actually, that’s exactly what I was thinking.” He grimaced.
She glared at him and pushed against his chest. He released his hold.
“I wouldn’t blame you if you were.” His gaze took in every delicious inch. Her dark hair was pulled through the back of a white baseball cap and fell loose down her back. She wore cut off denim shorts that showed off her toned legs, and her white T-shirt hugged her curves. She made his mouth water and his dick ache.
She was gorgeous.
“I was working in the backyard.” She held up the hand shears and gave a little wave.
“Oh.” He nodded, unable to remember how to form words.
“I was cutting back the ivy on the gazebo. It has taken the whole thing over.” She brushed a smear of dirt off her T-shirt.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I had no idea there was a gazebo in the back. Then again, it’s been years since I’ve been over here.” He glanced out across her freshly cut lawn. “I see you bought a lawn mower.”
She glanced at the yard before meeting his gaze. “I borrowed it from Tabitha.”
“Tabitha has a lawn mower? I didn’t know she knew how to cut grass.”
Grace narrowed her eyes. “Is there something I can do for you, Mr. Jackson?”
He cringed, hating how formal she was being with him. He knew he deserved it.
“I came here to apologize. I was being a . . .”
“A dick?” She offered up the term with a sarcastic smile.
“Yes. I was being a dick and I’m truly sorry for what I said.”
“I see,” she said slowly.
“I need to explain.”
“You don’t owe me an explanation.”
“I do owe you an explanation.” He took a deep breath. “You see, after I broke up with my fiancée, Allison has made it her mission to set me up on blind dates.”
“Why? Can’t you get a date on your own?” She cocked her head.
“No. I mean, of course I can.” He shook his head. “What I’m trying to say is I’m not trying to get a date at all.”
“Are you gay?”
“What? No, I’m not gay.” Did he give her that impression?
“No need to get so defensive.”
“I’m not defensive. I’m just not interested in Allison meddling in my private life.”
“Good luck with that. I don’t know her well, but she seems to be the meddling kind.” She gave him a sympathetic smile.
He chuckled. “She is. In her defense, she means well. I think she wants everyone to have a happy ending.” His grin slipped. “She’s worried that you aren’t going to want to be her friend anymore because of me.”
She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. The angle showed off her perfect cheekbones. “I don’t judge people by the action of others. Allison didn’t do anything to me.”
“She has a big heart and has always worried what other people think. I just don’t want to be the reason your friendship is ruined. She really admires you.”
“Admires me? Why?” Grace’s eyes widened, surprise etched into her face.
“You moved halfway across the country to start a new life in a strange town. You’re making a life for yourself without anyone’s help. She admires you for your fearlessness.”
“I’m not fearless.” She looked away but not before he saw sadness flicker in her gaze.
“I don’t know. Not many people would do what you did. It requires courage.”
She shifted her weight, obviously uncomfortable with his praise. “I’ll talk to Allison. I was going to call her anyway to see if the offer to ride with her to the yard sale was still open.” She glanced at her oatmeal-colored sedan. “I don’t think I can haul anything in my car.”
He smiled as the tension left his chest. “Thanks. You’re saving my butt. If I had left here without getting anywhere, Allison would never forgive me. It would be microwave dinners for the rest of my life.”