“Did you always want to own your own bakery?” he asks.
“I was maybe eight years old. Aspen and I spent the weekend with our grandmother. We made cupcakes from scratch, and I loved it. Mixing the ingredients to create something incredible. I was addicted after that. The magic bars, they were her recipe. I just added a little twist, but it’s mostly the same.”
“They were delicious. I was right in buying the entire tray. Everyone devoured them.”
“Thank you.” I take a sip of the bottle of water he placed in front of me with our food. “What about you? What do you do at Riggins?” I rush to ask to hide my excitement that everyone loved my creation. I know Grant is not my ex, but old habits die hard I guess.
“It’s a family business. We’re a logistics company. My job is to oversee the day-to-day operations.”
“All five of you work there?”
“Yeah. My dad started the company, and when he retired, Royce took over as CEO. The rest of us have our own niche, so to speak, that we bring to the table as well.”
“How is it? Working side by side with your brothers?”
He shrugs. “We all get along. There are two years in between each of us. We’re stair-stepped in age. That’s what Mom calls it.”
“I’m sure your parents are proud of you. Of all of you.”
“They are. They’re saints to raise five rowdy boys, but they’ve done one hell of a job if I do say so myself.” He winks. “What about you? You and Aspen seem close.”
Butterflies. I don’t understand my reaction to this man. “We are.”
“I’m sure your parents are proud of you.”
“They are. It’s my grandma who I wish could have seen this place.” I look up, and the look in his eyes is unexpected. Sadness. “We lost her two years ago. Nothing tragic happened. It was just her time. Mom and Dad are still living in Memphis. It’s just Aspen and me against Nashville.” I feel a tug in my heart, just like every time I think or talk about Grandma Edna, and our parents. I miss them terribly. I know Mom and Dad are just three hours away, but I still miss them like crazy.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
I nod. The sincerity in his voice has me swallowing back my emotions. “Thank you. Thank you for lunch.” I place the remaining half of my wrap in the packaging.
“When can I see you again?”
“Grant—” I start, but he shakes his head.
“I’m not taking no for an answer. You name the day and time, and I’ll make it happen.”
“I work crazy hours.”
“Name it,” he says, his blue eyes boring into mine.
“I go to bed early, and I’m up at ungodly hours to start the day.”
“I want to see you again.”
“We’re closed on Sunday!” Aspen yells from somewhere in the kitchen.
“You need a sister?” I ask him.
“I have two.”
“I thought you had four brothers?”
“My sisters-in-law are my sisters.”
There he goes again, melting me with his words. “So, Sunday? My mom has Sunday dinner, but I can miss it.”
“No.” I’m quick to shut that idea down. “I don’t want you to miss out on family time.”
“Then come with me.”
“W-What?” I sputter. “I can’t come with you.”
“Sure you can. The more the merrier.”
“No.”
“Please?” He juts out his bottom lip, and I admit it’s hard to hold firm on my answer.
“I’m sorry,” I say, standing.
He does the same and steps in close to me. I can feel the heat of his body and his eyes. The blue is mesmerizing this close. “Sunday, you’re mine. Send me your address. I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
“I— No.”
“Aspen!” he calls out.
“Yes?” She’s grinning when she sticks her head outside of the kitchen door.
“I need your address.”
My sister rattles off her number. “Text me, and I’ll reply with all the info you need.”
“I like her,” he says, and my stomach sinks. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told by the men in my life, well, one man in particular that I should be more like my sister.
“Hey.” He cradles my face in the palm of his hands. “It’s you I want. It’s you I want to spend time with.”
My skin tingles from his touch. I guess I didn’t hide my reaction as well as I thought. “You can’t skip dinner, and I can’t go with you.”
“We can see how the day goes. Is that fair?”
“Say yes!” Aspen hollers out, making me smile, and Grant laughs.
“Say yes, Aurora.” He leans in close, and his musky scent invades the little space between us.
“Yes.” My eyes widen at my agreement, and he throws his head back and laughs.
“I’ll see you Sunday, beautiful.” He leans in and places a kiss on my cheek.
I stand frozen with my hand on my cheek as he walks away. “Bye, Aspen!” he yells over his shoulder before striding out the door.
“Holy shit, that man is hot, and he wants you.”
“I—” I start to reply, but I’ve got nothing. Aspen’s arms wrap around me, and I’m grateful to be able to lean on her. My knees are weak.
Grant Riggins is dangerous for my heart.
Chapter 5
Grant
I’ve spent the last few days obsessing over my date with Aurora. That’s not me. That’s not who I am. I don’t stress over dates. Hell, I rarely go on dates. It’s been… longer than I can remember. It’s Saturday night, and instead of taking Conrad and Marshall up on their offer to hit the club, I’m sitting at home, watching mindless television. I’m not satisfied with the date I planned for tomorrow, and that’s wigging me out a little. I want her to come to Sunday dinner with my family. I’ve never brought someone, and I know what it means if I do, what my brothers and my parents will think. I know what their assumptions about what she means to me will be. I can’t seem to find it in me to care. I don’t know what it is about her, but I can’t seem to get Aurora out of my head.
I stopped by Warm Delights every single day this week. I didn’t go this morning. Instead, I made myself go to the gym and meet my two younger brothers. I hated every minute of it. All I could think about was me missing the opportunity to hear her voice, and to see those beautiful hazel eyes trying to hide she’s secretly glad I’ve thrust myself into her life. Her eyes are so expressive. It makes me wonder what else I can see in them, how they would look as I hover over her gorgeous body, raking my hands over her curves as our bodies connect as one.
Reaching for my phone, I start to send her a text, but I know that won’t calm the desire to hear her voice, but calling her will. We’ve done nothing but text back and forth, but I need to hear her voice. Not giving myself the chance to change my mind, I click on her contact and place the phone next to my ear.
“Grant?” she greets me. Her voice is hesitant.