Grayson showed up right before the lunch crowd arrived, and we were slammed. It was busier than it had ever been. I was thankful we’d hired more staff because there was no way I could’ve handled it on my own with only Grayson behind the bar. Our chefs were amazing and the food tasted like heaven. Their love for cooking definitely showed up in the flavors; they cooked all of Grayson and Austin’s recipes.
Luckily, a break came around three o’clock and it usually stayed slow until around five. Grayson was wiping down the bar when I approached, and he greeted me with a smile. At least it wasn’t a look of disdain. “I’ve noticed you staring at me a lot today,” he teased. “I was starting to get a complex.”
I sat down, and he passed me a glass of water. “Thank you. I guess I’ve just been a little worried.”
“About what?” he said, focusing on me. “Evan?”
I nodded. “I was afraid of what you and your family would think.”
“Are you kidding me?” he laughed. “We’re happy for you. Mom called me today, crying. She said you looked amazing in that picture. They’re all excited about it. They like Evan.”
“Do you?”
“I do, but I think the question you really want to ask is what Austin would think about this.” Sighing, I closed my eyes and nodded. “Austin would want you to be happy, Sum. And if that happiness comes from being with Evan, then so be it. You can’t live your life in guilt if you fall in love with another guy. Have you been holding back because of that?”
“Kind of,” I admitted truthfully.
“Then stop and tell him how you really feel. Once you’re completely honest with him, you’ll be able to move on. Why don’t you go and talk to him?”
“Now?” I asked incredulously.
He rolled his eyes. “No, tomorrow. Yes, now. I want you to be stress-free for the night shift. Also, I want us to have a private party for our friends next Wednesday in celebration of our article. Invite the team and anyone you want.”
“But not Luke,” Lara said in passing.
Grayson growled low. “Now that, I agree with,” he said to me. “Don’t invite that scumbag.”
“Why, so you can have her all to yourself?” I teased.
Shaking his head, he circled around the bar and pushed me toward the door. “Get out of here, Summer. If you come back and the door is locked, just wait outside.”
“Oh my God, don’t you dare have sex in my restaurant.”
“Correction, it’s our restaurant. And how do you know we haven’t already?” he said with a sly smile.
Lara snorted and smacked him on the head. “I heard that. Summer doesn’t need to know everything, dumbass.”
I stood there with my mouth gaping as they both smiled smugly at me. “Ugh, you two are going to drive me insane. I’ll be back in a little bit.” My purse was in the office, so I scurried off to fetch it and opened the back door.
“Take your time,” Grayson called.
“All right, if you don’t see me until eight o’clock don’t get mad.” I wouldn’t do that to him, but it was obvious he didn’t care because I didn’t get a response. I wasn’t about to go back into the restaurant for fear of what I would see.
—
On the way to the practice facility, I called Kate and told her I was making a surprise visit. She met me at the door and let me in so I could sneak onto the field unnoticed. The team was split, all of them doing various exercises. Evan was on the far end with Gavin, just like he said he would be. It was hot outside, and I could feel the sweat beading down my back and soaking the white sundress I wore. I didn’t care. I could go inside and watch through the window, but it was completely different being able to see Evan up close, the way he handled the ball and helped Gavin. Gavin was an exceptional player, but he wasn’t as fast as Evan. If coaching was what Evan wanted to do after he retired, he’d be amazing at it.
“You do realize you haven’t moved from that spot in two hours,” Kate said sometime later. The other players started to disperse, but Evan remained on the field.
Without turning to look at her, I smiled. “What can I say? I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.”
“He should be done soon. Cooper and I are going to go home. I’ve been having some of those Braxton-Hicks contractions and it’s driving me crazy.”
This time I faced her, excitement bubbling inside of me. “It means your baby will be here soon. Just hold out until after next Wednesday. Grayson and I are having a private party at the restaurant. I want you to be there.”
She rubbed her stomach. “If this little tyke holds out, we’ll definitely be there. Lara told me about the magazine contacting you. What an honor!”
“Thanks. We’re excited about it.”
About that time, Cooper ran up and gave her a sweaty kiss before racing off toward the back, laughing the entire way. With her nose scrunched, she wiped off her face. “Do you see what you have to look forward to?”
“Yes,” I said, laughing.