Chapter 2
Rowan
Wide eyes hold me captivefrom across the table. Grace has been watching me with suspicion since I picked her up. I insisted we have lunch and sitting in the quaint restaurant, she’s still studying me rather than her menu.
She thinks I’m batshit crazy or a creep with ulterior motives. It’s right there in her lovely eyes. I can practically see her mind racing with the possibilities of the type of psycho that I might be.
I really should say something to put her at ease, but I’m not sure how much to tell her or where to start. Plus, I keep getting pulled into her hypnotizing gaze. Her eyes are incredible, with their different irises. One a glacial blue and the other a soft gray. Unique, just as she is.
Grace’s eyeballs slide away from me to dart from side to side, and then her face flushes. Her lashes lower to veil her eyes and she sits back. “It’s called heterochromia iridum.”
“What?” I blinked.
“You’re staring at my eyes. People always ask what’s wrong with them. There’s nothing wrong, I was just born with two different-colored irises. I’m normal,” she grumbles and folds her arms over her chest. Her forehead creases and her lips form an annoyed pout.
The corners of my mouth tug upward. I’m guessing she’s tired of explaining her quirk, which I find fascinating, to everyone. “I know what it’s called, and you misunderstood. I’m admiring your eyes.”
“Oh...” Pink blooms brighter in her cheeks, and she shyly tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I feel my smile grow at her reaction as I pick up my menu to look at it. It seems I can’t help smiling around her.
Grace’s gaze moves over my face. “Wow, you should smile more,” she whispers.
My gaze snaps back to hers and her eyes go round.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that... not that you’re... I just meant...” she splutters, and I don’t say a thing to save her because a flustered Grace is adorable. I don’t usually like women who could be considered adorable, but hell, I enjoy Grace’s reactions.
Red-faced, she snaps her menu open and holds it up to hide herself. “Let’s see, what’s good here? I’m famished.”
I grin harder because she can’t see me. “Funny. You told me you weren’t hungry when I offered to buy you lunch. That was just ten minutes ago and now you're famished.”
The menu lowers to reveal her sheepish expression. “Okay, I’m going to be honest here. I declined your offer before because I was reluctant to take anything else from you.”
“It’s just lunch, Grace.”
“Yes, but after an entire apartment, food, clothes, and everything else, it’s too much.”
Too much? Well. Damn. Now probably isn’t a good time to tell her I intend on loaning her the SUV I picked her up with today—my real reason for showing up to give her a lift. A few days ago, I asked if she owned a car. She explained that she’d been saving up to get one before she lost her job. That plan was put on hold to continue paying rent and taking care of other expenses. Since I have more vehicles than I need, I figured I’d loan her one.
Grace leans forward with beseeching eyes. “You have to stop giving me things, Rowan. I won’t be able to pay you back.”
“I’m not expecting you to.”
Her eyes narrow and just like that, the suspicion is back. I blow out a quiet breath. I prefer the admiration she once gazed at me with. In its place is apprehension. How do I explain to her that I’m going all-out in a crazy effort to get her out of my system?
She’s stuck in my head, and I want her out. I don’t know how I convinced myself that helping her is the way. She’ll think I’m certifiable. Maybe I am.
Confusion clouds her eyes. “Then what do you want?” Her voice quavers.
We’ll never enjoy lunch with her unease hanging between us. I have to say something. “Grace, I’m not a stalker with a dark agenda.”
“That’s good to know.” Yet, she clutches her menu like a shield.
“You know what I do. I literally pulled you out of a fire.” I hate bringing that up, but I hope the reminder will at least show her I’m not some weirdo.
“And I’ll never be able to thank you enough, but people are crazy.” She shrugs. “And you’ve been doing crazy good deeds for me, a stranger. I can’t help being skeptical.”
I sit back with a smile. “You’re right, there are plenty of crazies”—lord knows I’ve met a few—“but I’m not one of them.”
“And I’m supposed to just take your word for it?” Her eyes are steady on mine with challenge.
My interest in Grace goes up several notches. She’s sweet, courageous, and smart. Maybe taking her out for lunch wasn’t the best idea. Seeing more of her, talking with her, shows me she’s more amazing than I thought. Steeling myself against the attraction between us, I hold her gaze.
“I’m not telling you to. It’s smart to be wary of strangers. But I mean you no harm.”
Her distrustful mask slips. “Well... no... I wasn’t thinking along the line of physical harm.” She inhales deeply. “How did you know where I’d be today?”
“When I gave you your phone, you called someone before I left. Ashley, I think her name was. You mentioned checking out the fire victim support group today, and you were specific about the details. I couldn’t help overhearing.”
“Oh...” She nibbles her lower lip. I can virtually see her breathing a little easier. “Why pick me up? I could have taken a cab or walked.”
“I wanted to give you the SUV,” I reluctantly admit. This news is sure to cause an uproar.
I rarely come across people who don’t take gifts and help with gusto. Most people I’ve let remotely close in the past were always out for what they could get from me once they found out who I really am. Grace being so reluctant to take anything from me is surprising and refreshing.