Not being able to pull my eyes from Grayson, I watched as he made his way out back.
“He’s something else,” Ashley said.
“He certainly is,” I barely said.
“Friends huh?”
My eyes snapped over to Ashley. “Excuse me?”
With a tilt of her head, Ashley crossed her arms over her chest and gave me a smile that said, you’re not fooling me.
“Grayson has brought plenty of friends home before.”
My heart felt as if it physically ached from that statement.
“And none of them have been girls.”
The smiled that spread across my face was involuntary.
Shit. That last statement made me much happier than I should be.
With a nervous laugh, I opened my mouth to talk as I stole a look at Grayson through the huge bay windows in the eating nook.
“Well, I won’t lie to you and tell you we’re just friends. I mean, we are friends. Just friends with ben . . . um . . . I um.”
Oh Jesus H Christ. Was I really about to say that?
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I wished I could dig a hole and crawl into it. “Oh gosh, I can’t even believe I was about to say that. What I mean is . . . ahh.”
Ashley laughed as she stood up. “Let me put you out of your misery, Meagan. You can think all you like that my son only sees you as a friend with benefits, but I know Grayson. I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. I would dare say you are much more than what you think you are in his eyes.”
I swallowed hard as I looked back out to Grayson. Maybe what was between us was more than just casual sex. I chewed on my lip as I let the idea of Grayson and I together settle in. Did I truly not see how he really felt about me?
“Now, let me heat up some chili for the two of you for an early dinner. I’m sure Grayson wants to beat this storm before it really blows in.”
With a grin, I stood. “Would you like some help?”
“Sure! You can grate the cheese.”
Ashley and I settled into an easy conversation as I helped her get the chili ready. A few times I would glance out at Grayson and she must have noticed.
“He’s turned out to be such an amazing man. I was worried how it would affect him after his father left us and it was just me raising him.”
With a slight smile, I stole another look at Grayson before directing my attention back to Ashley. “You did an amazing job with him. He really is a great guy.”
Ashley beamed with pride. “Thank you, Meg. That means a lot to me.” Grayson was just finishing up bringing in the firewood when Ashley called him to the table. I carried over the grated cheese and crackers as Ashley set three bowls of steaming hot chili on the table.
“Damn, Mom. That smells heavenly.”
Ashley’s face blushed as she grabbed three beers out of the refrigerator and set them on the table.
Grayson grabbed some cheese and tossed it into his chili followed by a handful of crackers that he crumbled up and tossed in the bowl. It was clear to me that Grayson and his mother had a close relationship. I started to imagine what Grayson would be like as a full on boyfriend and that caused my lower stomach to clench. Deciding I needed to stop where my thoughts were going, I focused on the food in front of me.
Taking a bite, my eyes about rolled into the back of my head. “Oh. My. Gosh. Ashley this is amazing!” I said as I shoved another spoonful in.
“She has a secret she won’t tell me. I’m convinced she keeps it a secret so I’ll keep coming home.”
Chuckling, I took another bite. “Well, whatever it is, it’s amazing.”