Perfect Embrace by Kaylee Ryan
Chapter 3
Laken
“What was that?” Justine asks as we exit Java Jitters.
“What was what?”
“That. Grayson’s daughters adore you.”
“They’re little girls who are excited to have the attention of an adult for a few hours. Grayson’s mom, Jackie, brings them by every Thursday afternoon. I read to them while she takes a break and reads on her own.”
“Do you read to everyone’s kids? Or is it just those two?” She raises her eyebrows, and I laugh.
“All the kids, if time allows. Thursdays are always a slow day for the shop, and I don’t know. It just kind of started, and now it’s our routine. Jackie wanted to get the girls into reading.”
“What’s this story they’re talking about?” she asks.
I go on to explain their visit to my bookstore, One More Chapter, on Thursday afternoon. I even tell her how the four of us sat in the reading nook and read two stories.
“That explains it,” Justine says, pulling out of the parking lot.
“Explains what? Why are you talking in riddles?” I ask, amused.
“The tension between the two of you.”
“Tension? What tension? Are you feeling okay?” I ask my best friend. I’m hoping like hell she believes my lack of understanding. I’m not ready to talk about what she describes as tension between Grayson and me. Surely, it’s just all in my head.
“Go on. Pretend like it’s not there. I know what I saw.”
“How long has it been since you’ve had an eye exam?”
“Laugh it up,” she tells me. “There is something there.”
“You’re projecting my crush. I’ve always had a thing for him. However, we’re adults now. He’s got two little girls who are his world to focus on.”
“Single parents can date,” she counters.
“I know they can, but Grayson, he’s still grieving. He’s not the same lively person he was before losing Holly. There is no timeline on mourning the love of your life.”
“I agree with you, and I’m not saying that he’s not still tore up about losing her. My heart breaks for him and those little girls. However, I know she would want him to move on. If it was me, I would want that for him and for those girls.”
“He’ll move on when he’s ready.”
“And what are you going to do when he moves on with you?”
“Have you been drinking?” I ask, partly just to mess with her and the other part to change the course of the conversation. Grayson has always been my crush, so to speak. I knew in high school that he and Holly were it for one another, and she was so nice it was impossible to hate her. I would never have done anything to jeopardize what they had, and still today, no matter how sexy he is with his toned body and a full sleeve of tattoos, I still won’t. Without question, his daughters are his number one.
“Stop.” Justine grins. “I’m just saying. I could feel the energy.”
“What you were feeling was the energy from those two little girls of his. I’m telling you, they are so sweet, and I’m sure such a handful. I’m kind of excited to hear the story they came up with. I have no doubt that their imaginations ran wild.”
Those little angels already own a piece of you.
“There is no energy. I’m just being a friendly neighbor.”
“You’re not his neighbor.”
“You know what I mean. That’s what we do in Mason Creek. We look out for the town and the people in it. If me reading to his daughters once a week brings them joy, then that’s what I’ll do.”
“Come on now, don’t pretend that it’s just those girls who love it.”
“You’re right. I love it. I love books. It doesn’t matter if it’s a children’s book, a romance, or a mystery and anything in between. Hence the reason I opened my own bookstore.”
“I just want to go on record that I called it.”
“You’re crazy.”
“You should go for it. Make it happen.”
“He’s not ready.”
“Is he not ready? Or are you afraid you might fall?”
“What’s with all this deep conversation?” I’m not afraid of falling in love. In fact, I want that. However, I’ve crushed on Grayson Davis since I was a teenager. I’ve watched him struggle losing his wife and now become a single father. It’s not as simple as us dating. There are two other little hearts involved.
Justine shrugs as she pulls into the parking lot of the mall. “I guess I just want you to be as happy as Tucker and me. I know you think that the odds are stacked against you. I know he lost the love of his life, but he’s young, and he can find love again. Give me one good reason why he can’t find that love with you?”
I don’t reply because I don’t have an answer. In high school, he was my crush. Now that I’m an adult, there is still some attraction there. I mean, he’s a firefighter, his body is muscular and carved to perfection, and the ink… the ink is sexy as hell. I don’t know if it’s Grayson that I’m crushing on or the idea of Grayson. He checks off all of my boxes. Not to mention, he’s an amazing father to those two little girls. I don’t know any woman who would see him with his daughters and not swoon over him.
Just as we’re getting ready to exit the car, I get an alert on my phone from the MC Scoop. I usually ignore it—in fact, I should delete the app—but something tells me to open it. I regret it as soon as I do. Tate is at it again; only this time it’s me, and Grayson, and his daughters she’s speculating about. “Ugh,” I say, handing Justine my phone. She reads the small blurb, and throws her head back, laughing. “It’s not funny.”
“It kind of is,” she replies.
“Yeah, well, Tate is a pain in the ass with this blog of hers.”
“Come on.” She reaches for her handle. “It’s out there. There is nothing you can do about it now. Once people see the two of you aren’t together, the speculation will die down.”
I hope she’s right, I think to myself as I shove my phone back into my purse and climb out of the car.
* * *
“You should wear that denim skirt tonight,” Justine says, pulling in front of the bookstore.
“You think so?” I ask with amusement. “And what are you wearing?”
“Hopefully nothing once Tucker gets home.” She wags her eyebrows.
“I mean to Pony Up.” I can’t help but shake my head at her antics. It’s so good to have her back home. I missed her so much while she was living in New York.
“I’ll wear mine too.” She points to the back seat of her car. “They’re cute.”
“Agreed. Okay, what time are we meeting?”
“I’ll just swing by and pick you up. Tucker is going in early to set up. I’ll be here at sevenish.”
“Perfect. Thanks for today. It was fun.”
“See you in a couple of hours.” She waves as I shut the door and step back. With my arms full of bags, I struggle with unlocking the door to the store. I usually only use the back entrance after hours, but it was just easier for her to pull out front and drop me off. Besides, this is closer, and these bags are heavy.
Finally, I manage to get the door open. I drop my bags inside and pull the door closed, locking it. Loading my arms up again, I drag my purchases upstairs to my apartment. It’s a small studio-style space. I have my queen-size bed in the far back corner and the kitchen in the opposite corner. The rest is living space, a couch, bookshelves, a small television, and my reading chair. It’s one of those huge round ones that swivel back and forth. It’s big enough for another person and me. Depending on who the person is, we’d still have room. I love it. I keep my “one more chapter” pillow and a super soft throw that Leni got me for Christmas a few years ago draped over the back. It’s the perfect reading spot.
When I bought this place, this space was the deciding factor. I always had dreams of owning a bookstore, and when Nana passed, she left my sister, Lenora, and me a small inheritance. I wanted to purchase a home of my own and a business. This building allowed me the freedom to do both.
It takes me some time to unpack all of my purchases from today. It’s been forever since I’ve gone shopping like this. I’m just about to strip down for a shower when my cell rings. I smile when I see it’s my sister. “Hey, you.”
“What are you getting into tonight?” Lenora asks me.
“Heading to Pony Up with Justine. You?”
“You want some company?”
“What?”
She laughs. “I asked if you wanted some company.”
“Are you here?” I ask, my voice rising an octave.
“I’m here.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“What about Trace?”
“He’s here too. And all of our stuff.”
“Explain,” I demand of my sister.
“You were right. This is where I want him to grow up. This is where I want to be. So, I tied up some loose ends, called Mom and Dad, and here we are.”
“You’re home?” I ask, tears welling in my eyes. “You’re really here?”
“I’m here.”
“I’m mad at you for not telling me, but I’m thrilled that you’re back. That you’re home for good.”
“Good. You need to help me find a place of my own. I love Mom and Dad, but I don’t know if I can handle living with them again after being on my own for so long.”
“Done.”
“So, Pony Up?”
“Yes. Justine is picking me up at seven, but I’ll call her and tell her that we’ll meet her there. I’ll pick you up. This is your night to cut loose. And it’s long overdue, Leni. Mom and Dad have Trace covered. You get to cut loose, and I’m here for it,” I say, making her laugh. “Go get ready. I’ll be there around seven.”
“Fine.” She pretends to be irritated. “You twisted my arm.”
“You’re damn right I did. See you soon.” I toss my phone on my bed and do a little dance around the bed. I can’t believe they’re home. Finally. I’ve missed my sister and my nephew. He better get ready for Aunt Laken to spoil him rotten. I mean, I do from afar, but having him close is so much better.
* * *
Pulling up to Mom and Dad’s, I climb out of the car and rush up the steps. Well, not really rush, this denim skirt and these ankle boots don’t really leave room for rushing, but I do hustle as much as my outfit will allow. I don’t bother knocking as I push open the door.
“Where is my favorite nephew?” I call out. I hear Trace’s sweet laughter and follow the sound.
“I’m in here!” he replies, laughing.
I make my way to the living room, following the sound of his laughter, and he rushes me, wrapping his little arms around my waist. “You have to stop growing,” I tell him, returning his embrace.
“I missed you, Aunt Laken, and guess what?”
“What?” I ask, running my hands through his hair.
“We live here now.”
“What?” I feign shock.
His little head bobs up and down so hard I’m fearful he may have whiplash. “We do.” He turns to look over his shoulder at my sister. “Right, Mommy?”
“That’s right, sweetie,” Lenora replies, tears shimmering in her eyes.
“Well, I think this calls for a sleepover at Aunt Laken’s house.”
He gasps. “Can we do that?” he asks.
“Of course we can. Not tonight. I’m taking Mommy to dinner, but soon.”
“Yes!” He jumps up, throwing his hands in the air as he cheers.
My throat swells with emotion. I knew I missed them, but I didn’t know it was this bad. I step away from Trace, and my sister sees me coming. She stands, and we hug each other tightly. “I’ve missed you,” I whisper.
“I’ve missed you too.”
“And me.” Trace squeezes his little body between us, making us laugh.
“Definitely you,” I assure him, stepping back.
“Trace, you be good for Mamaw and Papaw,” Lenora says in her best mom voice.
“I will.”
“You ready?” I ask her.
“So ready.” She smiles.
After another round of hugs, we’re out the door and on our way to Pony Up. I’m barely out of the driveway when she mentions the MC Scoop.
“Please tell me Mom and Dad didn’t see it.”
“Of course they did. How do you think I knew about it? I’m the new girl in town, remember,” she replies.
“Shit,” I mutter under my breath.
“Relax. Mom was excited, and Dad just said that Grayson is a good man.”
“We’re not together!” I protest.
“I told them that. Apparently, Tate has a knack for fishing out information and reporting it, and usually, she’s spot on when it comes to relationships.”
“Seriously?” I ask her. “Let me guess, Mom told you that?”
“Yep. I guess she nailed it when it came to Wyatt and Sadie, and even Justine and Tucker. According to Mom, the list is a mile long of her love connections.”
“What? That’s absurd. She doesn’t make love connections.”
“She might not make them, but it sounds like she might be good at sniffing them out.”
“Well, she’s sniffing up the wrong tree this time.”
“It’s barking up the wrong tree, and I don’t know… sounds like she has a talent for this kind of thing.”
“Can we forget about Tate and the MC Scoop?”
“If you say so.” She grins, then smashes her lips together, pretending to zip them up and throw away the key.
* * *
“No way!” Justine shouts as we walk through the door of Pony Up. “Leni!” She pushes back on her chair and comes rushing toward us. “It’s so good to see you,” she says, wrapping my sister in a hug.
“Good to see you too, Just,” Lenora replies.
“Come sit. And you—” Justine points at me. “How dare you keep this from me.” There’s no heat behind her words.
“I just found out myself. She called and asked if we wanted company.” I shrug. “I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“Hell no, I don’t mind. Come on, you two.” She links her arms through both of ours and leads us to the table where our friends Olivia and Charlotte are already sitting.
“Hey.” Lenora waves.
“Good to see you,” Charlotte and Olivia say at the same time and dissolve into a fit of laughter. It appears they did a little pregaming with the alcohol before we got here.
“Get me some of what they’re drinking.” Lenora grins.
Before we can move to get drinks, Grady Jackson appears. He kisses Charlotte on top of her head before setting a tray of shots in front of us. “Thanks, babe.” Charlotte tilts her head back to look at him.
“Love you, Charlee,” he says, not bothering to lower his voice.
He’s gone just as fast as he appeared. Our entire table turns to watch him leave. He’s sitting with Tucker, Ryder, Malcolm, and Grayson. My heart rate kicks up at seeing Grayson out. It’s not something he often does, and I know it’s going to take extreme effort to keep from drooling over him all night. I make a mental note to limit the amount of alcohol I consume. I need to keep my wits about me.
“You’re drooling,” my sister leans in to whisper.
I wipe at my chin, making her laugh. That’s when I realize I’m the only one still staring at their table. My cheeks flame with embarrassment. I grab my shot from the tray, tilting it back.
So much for limiting my alcohol.
“So…” Charlotte grins. “How about we talk about the latest edition of the MC Scoop?”
I groan as the table hoots with laughter. Eyeing the tray, I see there is one shot left. I grab it, tilting it back, then slamming it on the table. “Let’s not.” I grimace. My friends get the hint and leave me alone. I try my best to not look in the direction of the table the guys are sitting at, but it’s really difficult. Instead, I keep emptying my glass and refilling it. Over and over again.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been this wasted.
