My feet carried me to Grace’s shop anyway.
A bell announced my entry, and I saw her on top of a ladder changing a mannequin.
“One second,” she called.
“Take your time.”
Her head jerked toward me when she heard my voice, and she immediately lost her footing on the ladder. I was there in an instant and caught her right before she hit the ground.
“Oh my—thank you,” she said breathlessly. “I’m surprised you were able to catch me.”
“Why’s that?”
“I’m not exactly thin.”
I rolled my eyes. “Baby, any man who can’t lift you should go back to the gym.”
Her shocked laugh was beautiful, and I slowly put her back on her feet. She tucked a strand of curly hair behind her ear. She was wearing yet another perfect outfit. Instead of a skirt, she wore cheetah print pants that hugged every inch of her, and a crop top that showed the slightest bit of stomach.
“You should have used that panty-melting line a few days ago. It would have instantly worked.”
Would it work again? I had to stop myself from saying it and a loud silence took its place.
Grace cleared her throat and looked away. “So, are you here for your makeover? I have a pink dress with your name on it.”
I crossed my arms, feeling unusually tense talking to her. I hadn’t felt like this since high school. “I was heading out, actually.”
Grace’s eyes went wide. “Is the coffee shop done already?”
“It is. The rest is just painting and decorating, which Theo insists on doing himself.”
“Wow. It feels like you just got here.”
“I’ve been here for a while. I spent most of it staring at you, though.”
“If you weren’t so hot, that would be creepy.”
“You’ll have to give me a little ... grace.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh,wow.Never heard that one before.”
I held my hands up. “I didn’t mean it as a pun ... unless you’re into that.”
She laughed once more before her gaze landed on me. “So, why are you here then, Dean?”
I considered it. Should I tell her I couldn’t stop thinking about her? Should it be that I wanted her again? Or should I say I just wanted to talk to her once more?
Because all of it was true.
Instead, I took one step forward and pressed my lips to hers. She made the most adorable little squeak I’d ever heard.
But then she pulled away. “Dean?”
“One more time?” I asked. “For the road.”
“I thought you didn’t do things again.”
I didn’t. This alone was out of character for me, but I was leaving anyway. I’d never see her again. Once more couldn’t hurt. “Once just isn’t enough for a woman like you.”