The Borrowed Boyfriend (20 page)

The following night was Allison and Grady’s turn to cook, so they’d need to pick a menu and purchase supplies. Since Thursday was St. Patrick’s Day, they all thought it would be fun to eat at the local Irish pub. Then, their final night together, they’d hold their group potluck. Allison was amazed at how the week was whizzing by, and pleased that everyone appeared to be getting along with Grady. She didn’t know what weird thing had transpired between Brevard and Grady before dinner, but by the time dessert was served, everyone seemed to be over it.

“Do you want me to light the fire?” Grady asked after their door was closed and latched. Allison hadn’t even noticed he’d laid a fresh one.

“When did you do that? Bring in more wood?”

“This morning while you were bathing. I wasn’t sure when we’d be using it again, but with the weather today…” He motioned to the darkened windows, where tiny specks of white dotted the night. “I thought it would be good to be ready.”

Allison smiled at his thoughtfulness. It confounded her that Kate had said,
Grady never thinks about anybody but himself.
That only proved how little Kate knew him. There was a whole other Grady right beyond Kate’s reach that she’d never had access to. In a way, Allison felt sorry for Kate, but in another way she didn’t. While Allison didn’t like to think of herself as possessive, believing that Grady had selectively revealed his kinder, gentler side only to her made her feel special. “A fire would be awesome.” She set the glasses down by the corked bottle of wine. “Should I pour us each a glass?”

“I’d love a nightcap, Allison. Thank you.”

Grady had to be an expert fire builder, because he started a healthy blaze with just one match. “Impressive,” she said, motioning toward the hearth with her glass while handing him his.

“Yeah, well, I’ve done a bit of camping. I’ve learned it pays not to waste resources. A little preparation goes a long way later.”

“Like perfectly placed kindling and positioning the logs at just the right angle.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Seems like I’m not the only one who knows about fire starting.”

Boy, wouldn’t she like to start a fire with him. Allison recalled the warmth of his touch on her lips from this morning and her temperature spiked. “I got a badge in it.”

“Merit badge?”

“Girl Scouts.”

Grady laughed. “That’s right. I forgot. You’re a nature girl.” He studied her a prolonged moment. “Hey, you wouldn’t like to…? What I mean is, how long has it been since you’ve gone camping?”

Allison thumbed her chest and sputtered a giggle. “Me? Gosh. Has to have been ten…no, make that twelve or thirteen years.”
 

“That’s what I figured.” His face fell in disappointment. “Probably not your thing anymore.”

Allison couldn’t imagine anything more romantic than being alone with Grady in the great outdoors. “I didn’t say I wasn’t interested.” Her tone said she definitely was.

Grady smiled in surprise. “Great! Then maybe we’ll go sometime? I mean, later. You know.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” she said, unable to believe they were actually discussing it. Grady hadn’t out-and-out said it, but it was clear that he wanted to date her. “Although…” Her eyes traveled to the closet where they’d stashed the sleeping bag. “I don’t own any camping equipment.”

“No worries. I’ve got plenty to keep us covered.”

“I was talking about a sleeping bag.”

“Darling,” he said, and her heart fluttered. “I’ve got a spare.”
 

Allison felt herself flush, but her color deepened when he winked and added, “It’s a double.”

“Grady O’Brien!” she said with fake haughtiness. “I’m not that easy.”

“I never imagined you were,” he returned smoothly. “I was only thinking of keeping us warm.”

His eyes sparkled in the firelight and Allison felt more than warm; she was sweltering. “Ha-ha! Good one!” Allison set down her wine and retreated to the bathroom, walking backward as she went. “Just going to grab some water!”
 

But before she filled her glass, she ran the tap icy cold and splashed some on her face.

Grady sat in the chair by the fire and took a slow sip of wine. It had been open a few days but was still holding up. A very good year. He was excited to think Allison might actually go camping with him. Kate wasn’t into it, and he’d never bothered to try and convince her to accompany him on any of his treks through the Virginia mountains or along the Appalachian Trail.
 

It would be something altogether different—and fun—to venture into the wilderness with Allison. He’d only been razzing her about the double sleeping bag. He’d never push Allison into something she wasn’t ready for. And the truth was, he wanted to feel ready himself. Somehow he imagined it would be a whole lot easier to entertain those notions about her than it had been to think about becoming intimate with Kate. But another part of him knew a deeper secret.
 

Allison wasn’t a casual-sex kind of girl, and he wasn’t that sort of guy. If they wound up together that way, it would be because they’d built something significant and expected a future together.

The bathroom door opened and Grady’s hand jerked, nearly causing him to spill his wine. He hadn’t even started
dating
the woman, and he was already contemplating forever?

Allison reappeared, her face scrubbed pink like she’d just washed it and her hair up in a ponytail. She held two glasses of water in her hands. “I brought one for you.”

“Thanks.” He stood and offered her the chair. Other than the bed, it was the only sitting space in the room. She declined, saying she was happy to sit and visit on the bed again.

Grady sat back in his chair while Allison propped herself up against some pillows. “You’re just angling for squatter’s rights,” he teased.

“Huh?”

“You figure you get on the bed first, you get to stay there.”

“That’s not true.” Allison picked up her wine. “I’m happy to take turns if you’d like. Tonight, I’ll take the floor.”

“Sorry,” he said briskly. “It’s mine. Already claimed it.”

“Suit yourself,” she said with a grin.

Allison was still recovering from her bruising and Grady knew she’d be much more comfortable in the bed. Therefore, he wanted her to have it. He was used to sleeping in a lot of hard places. And being in tough spots, he reminded himself, thinking of Kate. “I think I’d better send Kate a message.”

“What will you say?” Allison asked softly.

“Just that we need to talk when we get home.” He stood and walked to the dresser where he’d stashed the phone in a drawer this morning. “I feel like it’s only fair to give her warning. I mean, put her on notice that a serious discussion is coming.”

“Are you breaking up with her?” Allison cupped her hand to her mouth. “I’m sorry. That was too blunt. And, frankly, none of my business.”

Grady put down the phone and went to her, sitting on the side of the bed. He rested his hand beside hers on the comforter, but didn’t dare touch her. If he did, he might be tempted to take her in his arms. “Allison.” He leaned toward her and his hand slid over. Their skin was so close he swore he felt the tingles of her touch. “It certainly is your business, because I need you to know that I am who I say that I am.”

Her face was awash with guilt. “I don’t want to be the cause of trouble between you and Kate, or the reason—” She dropped her chin.

“You’re not. You have to believe it. Things never would have lasted between me and her. They weren’t real, can’t you see? Kate and I, we were never meant to be together. With her, there was always winter.” He brought his hand to his heart. “In here, way down deep. But now…” He dove into her eyes, which were as blue as an April sky. “I feel springtime. Everything inside of me. The part of my soul I thought had died—frozen up—is experiencing a…” He searched for the words. “Very satisfactory deep thaw.”

“That’s beautiful.” A single tear rolled down her cheek and Grady resisted the urge to stroke it back with his thumb.
 

“It’s the truth. You do believe me?”

Allison nodded and he smiled gently.

“I’m glad. Now, let me text Kate.”

Grady dispatched the message quickly, then returned his cell to the dresser drawer. It buzzed almost immediately, but he ignored it, retaking his seat in the chair.

“You’re not going to check that?”

Grady sipped from his wine, observing the fire. “Not tonight.”

Allison understood that he needed some space, but their quarters were tight. There was nowhere else for Grady to go to be alone with his thoughts. Except for out on the porch, where it was freezing.
 

Laughter sounded from the great room, indicating that the others were still awake, talking animatedly or playing games. “If you need a few moments, I can go back out there with the others.”

“No, stay.” He locked on her gaze and Allison’s heart thudded. “I mean, please.” He smiled softly but that smile looked a little sad. “I like having you here.”

Allison spoke to herself, almost in a whisper. “Endings are hard.”

“Yeah, they are.”

She took a swallow of wine. “At the end of the day, I might be shopping for another roommate.”

“It’s probably something you should prepare yourself for. We don’t know how Kate’s going to take this double-whammy. Our breakup and the news that I’m falling for another girl.”

Allison gripped the edge of the comforter in her hand, hoping she wasn’t dreaming. Grady was falling for her, just like she was for him. That wasn’t just marvelous, it was a miracle, particularly given where they’d started. And yet, it was hard to feel happy while Grady’s expression exhibited pain. He shook his head and said hoarsely, “I don’t deserve you, not really.”

Allison fought the urge to go to him. “Of course you do. I’d like to think we’re made for each other. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? Getting hit by a Mack truck?”

Grady chuckled in surprise, his dark mood suddenly lifted. “A Mack truck?”

Allison stammered in embarrassment. “Um, yeah. You know. It just—
wham!—
smacks right into you? Bowls you over! Often when you least expect it?”

Amusement danced in his eyes. “What does?”

“Love!” Allison bit into her lip when Grady blanched. Had she actually just said that? Okay, where was the sinkhole that was going to appear beneath the bed and swallow her up?

Grady finished his wine in one long swallow, then spoke gently. “Why don’t we just take things one step at a time? All right?”

“My thoughts exactly,” Allison replied, her face flaming.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Allison was glad the next day was Movie Day because the last thing she wanted to do was open her big mouth again around Grady. Shortly after she’d dropped the “L” bomb, both she and Grady had feigned sudden exhaustion and quickly prepared for bed. Allison didn’t know if she was falling in love, but she sure felt like she’d been worked over by something. She was probably just sore from her harrowing ordeal near the lighthouse, and her achy body was messing with her mind. Not to mention her heart. Hey, it was anatomy, and everything was connected in one way or another.

Grady sat beside her on the sofa, clearly engaged in the film they were watching, the fourth installment of a long saga set in a fantasy realm. While Allison enjoyed the series too, she’d had a hard time focusing on the movies. She kept reliving last night’s faux pas and wishing there was a way to take it back, when—of course—there wasn’t. Grady had been really nice to her today and once again had brought her morning coffee, but he’d skipped the flirty bit about calling her his lady. In fact, he’d pretty much eliminated flirting altogether.

It was still cold and gray outside, but the sky had stopped dumping precipitation on them and it was supposed to clear up tomorrow. Wind whistled down the chimney, fanning the flames of the fire and causing them to leap higher. When the doorbell rang and their pizzas arrived, everybody cheered. After a short bathroom break, the group gathered around the table. Queenie, who was dressed in a sparkly top and designer jeans, popped open the lid of a pizza box and a heavenly aroma escaped. “Mmm, pepperoni.” She looked cheerily at the others. “What are y’all gonna eat?”

Brevard jokingly nudged her and stole a piece. “Move over, woman. I like pepperoni.”

She sharply arched her eyebrows. “Who says I’m your woman?”

Brevard stunned them all by boldly leaning toward her and planting a kiss on her lips. “I do. Any objections?”

The group hooted and hollered, while Queenie adjusted the shoulders of her top. “Not at the moment.” Then, when Brevard turned to accept Bruce’s high-five, she stole the pizza slice off his plate and placed it on hers. Everybody laughed, including Brevard, who helped himself to another piece, then passed around the box. Deb and Patrick declined the pepperoni and each had a slice of vegetarian instead. Allison couldn’t decide, so she had one of each.

Carla made a ravenous sound and sank her teeth into a piece of the plain cheese pie. She and Bruce had skipped out on the second half of the film fest, claiming they were sleepy and needed a nap. Patrick had to keep adjusting the volume on the television to disguise the noise from squeaking bedsprings upstairs, but nobody commented on it. When the doorbell rang and the pizzas arrived, Carla and Bruce had miraculously reappeared. Allison noticed Bruce helping himself to three slices, one from each box.