We walked outside and paused just beside the door. “So, what’s with the getup? You look nice.” I gave the compliment easily. Because it was true.
She flushed a little and that made my chest tighten. “It was my first day as a fulltime writer at the magazine,” she announced with pride.
“Oh, wow, that’s awesome, G! How did it go?” I asked her.
I had called her G.
Sometimes it just slipped out.
That level of familiarity.
I couldn’t help it. It was still there no matter how hard I had tried to pretend it wasn’t.
“It was pretty cool. It’s an amazing opportunity. One I never really thought I’d have, so I’m beyond grateful for it,” she said, shoving her hands down into her coat pockets. It was cold. Too cold to be standing outside shootin’ shit but neither of us seemed in a rush to go anywhere.
“Well, you’ve worked hard for it. I’m really proud of you, Gracie. You’ve come a long way,” I said.
“Sometimes I think about what happened before, when I almost died, and I can hardly believe I’m still standing here.” A piece of her hair got stuck in her earring and before I knew what I was doing, I reached out and tugged it free.
My fingers fell to the side of her neck and lingered there. Cold skin to fevered flesh. I could smell her. She still smelled like strawberries. I hadn’t been able to stomach the scent for almost a year after…
I dropped my hand, realizing I was still touching her.
“You’re too tough to let anything stop you. I always knew it. I’m just glad you’re finally figuring it out as well.” My voice shook, damn it. But I meant it. Every word.
“Thanks, Mitch. That means a lot.” And I could tell it did. Gracie had never been able to lie to me.
Except when you let her into your room and you thought you had a future together. She lied to you then. She made you think that by giving you her body, she was giving you here heart. She made you actually think that you had a chance.
“I’d better get going,” I said, jerking my thumb in the direction of my car.
“Yeah, me too. I’ve got to hit the grocery store before going home. Fingers crossed I don’t walk in to find Cole walking around naked in the kitchen, again.” Gracie made a face.
“Well, you can always use Chunky Monkey.” I hadn’t meant to say it. But I did. It was out there now.
Why did I keep doing this? Reminding the both of us of who we used to be to each other?
Because being back in Bakersville made everything different. We both felt it.
She gave me a small smile but didn’t respond to my offer. It was probably for the best. It had been a moment of weakness. I had a lot of those around her.
“You’re still driving that thing? It hasn’t blown up yet?” I asked her, indicating the ten-year-old Honda she had always driven.
“Not all of us can afford brand new Jeeps.” She motioned to my vehicle, one of the few splurges I had allowed myself with the advance money from the label.
“You need to get those tires changed. You’ll cause an accident,” I couldn’t help lecturing. I noted how bald they were. She shouldn’t be driving that thing. It was a death trap with bad weather in the forecast.
I couldn’t stand the thought of something happening to her…
“You should let me drive you home.”
Gracie laughed, shaking her head. “You’ve always been such a worry wart, Mitch. I’m fine. But I promise to get my tires sorted ASAP,” she promised even though it didn’t make me feel better. “I appreciate you looking out for me. It’s nice,” she paused. “I’d forgotten how much.”
Warmth flooded through me. My heart thudded painfully in my chest.
I had to go. I couldn’t stand there with her when I was supposed to be somewhere else. With someone else…
Sophie…
“Yeah, well make sure you do. I’ll be giving you grief if you don’t,” I threatened with a smirk.
“I’m counting on it,” she countered.
“I’m sure you are.” My voice sounded husky.
Were we flirting?