Weekend Wife (Sassy in the City 1)

He reached for me and I didn’t resist. Couldn’t resist. Why the hell would I resist?

“Grant, I love you too. I meant that when I said that. I just didn’t think that…” I didn’t know how to articulate myself. God, for being an actress I couldn’t express myself when it counted.

“Leah,” he said, cupping my cheeks and staring at me intently. “I’m a man who has always been alone and I thought I always would be alone. I accepted that because I don’t like opening myself up and being in a position to get my heart fucking stomped on. But I never stood a chance with you. You’re my person. Do you get that?”

Oh yeah, that was me melting. Straight up puddle. “You’re my person too. You’re my Grant.”

The kitchen was loud and hot and staff was moving all around us, but I didn’t notice. I’d been in New York too long to be distracted by people. Every day was surrounded by the chaos of the city.

He hauled me against him.

I had a question first before I kissed the stuffing out of him. “Did you pay Lou to get my job back?” I asked.

Grant shook his head. “No. I struck a deal with Lou. I worked a shift here yesterday in exchange for you getting your job back. He was short-staffed and I think he wanted to see the rich guy waiting tables and washing dishes. Little did he know, I washed dishes in the navy.”

That made me grin despite my confusion and mixed feelings. “You definitely ruined it for him. He likes to torture people.”

“Did you get the tips I had delivered to you last night?”

For a second I didn’t know what he was talking about. Then I remembered the two hundred bucks that had showed up on our doorstep when I’d been a bottle and a half into a chardonnay pity party. “I did, thanks. I’m impressed with your haul.” I usually made more than that, but for a novice, he hadn’t done bad.

“Thank you.” He caressed my bottom lip with his thumb and gave me a look that made me weak in the knees.

“What is it you want exactly, Grant?” I asked softly. “For real.”

“For real I want whatever you want as long as you’ll let me in your life. I just want to be with you in whatever way works for you.”

I closed my eyes briefly, knowing I was way too in love with him to say anything other than yes. “Do you really think two people who barely know each other can make a serious relationship work? Could make marriage work?”

“Who says we barely know each other? You know me, Leah, despite what I said at my parents’ house. And I know you.”

He was right. “I do love you, Grant. It may be crazy, but I do know you, and you’re a good man. My man.” Javier was right. We could either make it work or not. It was up to us and I couldn’t let fear of failure stop me. Because that’s all it was. Fear.

“Does that mean you see us dating? Because I have to tell you, I will serenade you every day until you give me another chance.”

That made me laugh. “That’s so not necessary. But yes. Dating. Living together. Getting married. Driving your family nuts together. The whole happily ever after.”

“Then I guess there’s only one thing left to do.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m going to kiss you.”

And he did. He kissed me like there was no tomorrow. Like I was the only woman in the world. Like he was out of air and I was oxygen.

I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him back, loving the way he tasted, felt, sounded. Loving him.

One of the cooks catcalled and we broke apart, breathing hard.

“Hi, Grant,” I murmured, gazing up at him with a soft smile.

“Hi, Leah.”

The kitchen door swung open. “Leah! Get out here. Fun’s over. Hit the bricks, Caldwell.”

“I have to go,” I said, amused.

“Apparently, I do too. I’ll see you after work. I’ll be right here when you get off.”