“Speaking of accomplishments, our amazing class of 2010 also has the honor of—” His gorgeous eyes suddenly met mine and he stopped talking. He blinked a few times, then squinted—as if he was trying to determine if what he was seeing was real.
Several seconds passed, and he still didn’t say a word. He simply clenched his jaw.
He picked up a glass of water and took a slow sip, keeping his eyes on mine the entire time. Keeping me pinned to my spot.
Clearing his throat, he let out a short breath. “Sorry about that,” he said. “I just realized that this is only our seven-year reunion. Does this mean we don’t have to put up with the ten-year one?”
The crowd laughed, and he continued his speech.
“We also have the honor of being the class that has somehow kept in contact the most. I’m not sure how they keep up with that type of thing, but I can honestly say that some of my best friends and memories—” He clenched his jaw again. “Those were all made right here on this campus.”
I tried my hardest to look away from him, to slip some place into the crowd where his eyes wouldn’t find mine but I couldn’t get my feet to move. All these years and he still had the ability to make my world stop with a single syllable. To make my heart race with a single glance in my direction.
The second he finished his speech, he finally looked away from me and the room gave him a well-deserved standing ovation.
I immediately took my chance.
I made sure my name and phone number were legible in the book, and then I pushed my way through the crowd, rushing toward the exit.
My heels clacked against the floor as I raced through the hallway, but before I could reach the doors, a familiar hand grabbed my elbow from behind and spun me around.
With my heart racing a mile a minute, I looked directly into Grayson’s eyes, unsure of what to say.
He opened his mouth to speak, but no words fell from his lips. Then he looked me up and down, taking a slight step forward.
“Okay,” he finally said, his voice strained. “Where the hell have you been?”
“You look nice tonight.” I changed the subject. “Life seems to be treating you well. I mean, I figured it would be, since you have the career of your dreams now, but wow. I really liked your speech, too. Our class was really great, huh?”
“Charlotte ...” He pulled me close and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest at the familiar feel of his hands against my body. “I’m not going to play games with you, so here’s an easier question: Why are you here?”
“Because just like you, I believe I graduated from this school and was invited to the reunion.”
“You know what I mean.” He lowered his voice. “Why are you here when you’ve never made it out to anywhere I was? Did someone have to force you to come?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I said. “I didn’t even know you were going to be here tonight. And trust me, if I’d known that was the case, I would’ve never come here.”
“So, you were forced.” He looked as if he was torn between dropping me to the floor or kissing me, but he held back. “At least, I’m sure that’s part of what you’re telling yourself so you can feel better about ruining what we had.”
I didn’t ruin anything. YOU did.
“Look, Grayson.” I hesitated. “What we had in college, all those years ago was honestly—”
“Fucking perfect.” He interrupted, daring me to deny it.
I didn’t respond to that. “Fucking Perfect” was the only thing that could be said about that.
“I’m honestly just happy to see you again.” He sighed and slowly let me go. “You feel like catching up?”
“Right now?”
“Right now.”
“I ...” This was a bad idea. “What if I say no?”
“Then it’ll just confirm that you still can’t lie worth a damn.” He smiled. “Have you gotten pulled over by any police lately, or have you finally learned how to drive?”
“No.” I stepped back. “No, I haven’t been pulled over by any police lately, and you know what? I’ve changed a lot over the years, Grayson. I’m not the girl you once knew and I’m sure you, Mr. Professional Football Player, are not the guy I once knew. So, as wonderful as a night of walking down memory lane sounds, I’m going to have to pass.” I started to walk away, but he blocked me.
“You want to do this at Eat’n Park or Highland Coffee?”
“Highland Coffee. But only for one hour.”
“Two.”
“Fine.” I relented. “But wait. Don’t you have to give another speech before the fireworks?”
“Not anymore.” He clasped my hand and my body went warm at the contact. My mind immediately raced with our memories as we walked right out of the cathedral, down the icy sidewalks like we’d done too many times before.