Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Aria wished she wore a longer jacket, or even a shirt. But instead, she had no choice but to rush upstairs and imagine him grossed out at how big her rump was. At the top of the stairs, she dreaded looking at him, but forced herself to turn toward him and wait for the response.
He pulled out his keys and flicked the lock.
“Wanda’s home, just so you know. Don’t freak out. She won’t … you know, run to the door or anything, but she might growl as you’re the first person I’ve brought home.”
“How is Wanda doing?”
“Better, but I still don’t like how she’s behaving.”
They stepped into his apartment, and as soon as Aria joined Grant’s side, she heard a growl.
He reached out, flicking on the light, and there was Wanda sitting near the door, but the moment the light was on, the growl stopped, and Aria smiled at the large dog.
Wanda was huge, but the kind of dog you just loved. At least, she loved.
Grant petted her head. “It’s nice to know you care, girl.”
Aria touched her head afterward and smiled. “Thank you for not going for me.” She wanted to sink her face into the fur on Wanda’s head, but instead she settled for a stroke.
She loved dogs. Always had. She had to wonder if it was time for her to get a dog since she loved them so much.
Following Grant into his kitchen, she stayed perfectly still as he put the kettle on top of the stove.
“Here, let me take your coat,” he said.
She turned and handed him her coat. Aria watched him as he threw it over the sofa, and then returned to the kitchen.
“You can take a seat if you like,” he said.
He pulled out a chair and she thanked him, lowering down into one of the chairs and then waiting. Nibbling her lip, she glanced around the room, as Grant started to move. He went to the fridge and then to his stove.
“You said you’re not allergic to anything, didn’t you?” Grant asked.
“No, I’m not.”
“Good.”
She didn’t have a clue what he was doing.
“So, do you have plans to stick around with Jase?” Aria asked. She didn’t know if she was going to be able to handle working out with Grant around watching her every move. She might call Jase and ask if they could arrange for another time or even other days.
“I have no idea. I’ll see if it sticks, and if it doesn’t, I’ll move on.”
“You know, I did hear you were a damn fine mechanic. That you can fix any problem.”
“I do what I need to do,” Grant said. “Why are you working out?”
Aria opened her mouth, closed it, not exactly sure how she should answer that. “It’s good. It was a Christmas present.”
“A Christmas present?”
“Yeah. From my mother.”
“Fucking bitch,” Grant said.
Aria chuckled. “Wow, okay.”
“No, seriously. That is a shit gift and you know it. There’s more to life than visiting the gym.”
“Says the guy who is currently working at one.”
“Nothing sticks, Aria. Gym today, diner tomorrow, and I don’t know what I’ll be doing the day or days after.”
He put something on a plate and then moved toward her, placing it in front of her.
“A fried peanut butter sandwich.”
Aria smiled, but in the back of her mind she had to wonder just how many calories this had. She wanted to ask him but didn’t want to be rude, so she picked it up and took a bite. Grant had joined her on the other side of the table. She enjoyed peanut butter. She had never had it fried, though, so this was a whole new experience for her.
“It’s good,” she said.
Grant winked at her. “Trust me, whenever you have a shitty day, nothing beats a peanut butter sandwich.”
“Have you had a shitty day?”
“I’ve had better days.”
She wanted to ask him about them, but at the same time, not pry. This was her very first date. She wasn’t sure of the protocol or what was expected.
Grant had cooked for her, and in an odd way he’d shared what he considered his comfort food, and that just meant so much to her. She took another bite, and the peanut butter melted in her mouth. It had been months since she allowed herself a taste, and it was so freaking good.
****
The following morning, Grant felt restless. The dinner date last night had gone well, but he’d fucked up with Jase at the gym. He didn’t like the man after he had taken Maddie on as a client. Now he was trying to change Aria, and he didn’t agree with that.
Their fried peanut butter sandwiches had been a hit, but it hadn’t been the date he wanted. After the food, he had no choice but to walk her home. She had surprised him by suggesting she walk home on her own. That shit wasn’t happening on his watch.