One Enchanted Summer

Chapter 16

CHAPTER

SIXTEEN

Quinn

I hope he believed the casual chill vibe I was putting off, because on the inside I’m freaking out. He’s going to be working with someone he had sex with. He’s going to see her and talk to her daily – all day, every day. I can feel myself spiraling. I wrap his arms tighter around me, trying desperately to stop the spiral. Grayson is the third person I’ve had sex with. I’ve never had a casual “fling” like he said. I don’t jump into bed with people. Now I’m scared that he does. But that’s not the biggest fear. The comparisons are flowing and I can’t stop them. Is she prettier than me? Maybe she’s thinner than me. She’s probably stronger than me, I wonder if he’s into that. Does he wish I was more muscular? How good was the sex? Does he still think about it? Does he still think about her?

Grayson softly kisses behind my ear, a spot that usually gives me instant goosebumps. I’m too far gone to even notice. His lips gently trace down my neck and I lean forward away from him.

“I’m pretty tired tonight. I feel bad that I haven’t been home with Gertie as much. I think I’m going to stay at my house tonight,” I say as I stand up.

He looks surprised. I guess my casual facade worked. He nods and leads me to the door.

“You sure you’re okay?” he asks.

“Mhm,” I nod. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I give him a quick peck and turn before he can stop me.

Gertie is still awake when I get home. Normally, she’s asleep by now, so I jump a little when I see her standing in the kitchen, an open word search on the table.

“Are you okay?” I ask, concerned.

“Fine. I just couldn’t sleep. I’m making myself some tea,” she replies, waving me off. “How was your night?”

I collapse into a chair at the table as I admit, “Not great.”

“Uh oh. Trouble with that boy toy of yours?”

“He’s not my boy toy,” I reply.

“Boyfriend, boy toy, beau, lover,” Gertie continues.

“More like casanova.”

“Ooh, sounds like you have your own tea,” she smiles. “That’s what the kids say these days right?”

I don’t answer her; I’m still thinking about the conversation with Grayson. “A girl he had sex with might be working with him at the park.”

Gertie doesn’t reply as she pours herself a cup of tea and another. She slowly makes her way to the table and sets a cup in front of me. She takes a sip then sets her cup down and looks at me.

“A girl he had sex with? Did they date?” she asks.

“No. He said it was just a one time thing.”

Gertie nods once. “And this bothers you.”

“Well, yeah. Wouldn’t it bother you?”

“Not really.” She pauses and asks, “Did you know I was your grandpa’s first?”

I look at her in surprise. “No. I don’t know why I would know that.”

She chuckles. “Fair. But yes, I was the young maiden that took your grandpa’s virginity.”

I laugh, “So you don’t know how I feel,” I say.

“No, I don’t. But I know how your casanova feels. Your grandpa wasn’t my first.”

“Gertie!” I declare.

“I know, very scandalous, especially in my time. But I’m not sorry. All of those experiences led me to the wonderful man I married. It was hard for him sometimes I think. He didn’t talk about it much but he didn’t always need to tell me something, in words. I knew him so well I always knew what he was thinking. I loved him more than anything in this world. I wouldn’t have traded him for any of my past lovers. I have a feeling Grayson feels the same way about you.”

My stomach somersaults at her words. It fills me with love and hope instantly. I try to ignore the insecurities telling me we haven’t been together long.

“How do you know that?” I ask her.

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I have a lifetime of experience with that look.”

Tears well up in my eyes before I can stop them. I don’t know if I’m crying for myself or for Gertie. I know how much she misses my grandpa. She reaches out and gently takes my hand in hers.

“It’s okay to be scared. Loving someone is scary. But it’s also the greatest thing this world can give you,” she says.

“I never said anything about love.”

“Oh sweetie, you didn’t have to. It’s written all over your face.”

I get a text from Grayson with a picture of him and his castmastes halfway through my shift the next morning. They are soaking wet and laughing. The text says

another casualty of the Florida rain storms

This happens sometimes to them. Florida has a habit of random rainstorms when you’re least expecting it. The sun disappears, and suddenly it’s raining. I peek out the window and see that it’s still raining.

I laugh and text back

Guess you’re done for the day?

At least for a little bit.

I glance at the time, I have an hour left of work. I hope it stops raining before then.

It doesn’t.

It rains harder.

“Glad I’m not off yet,” Tatum remarks as she sees me grabbing my bag. “It’s crazy out there.”

“Thanks,” I laugh as I wave. I’m only a few steps from the front door when I freeze. Standing outside, under an umbrella, is Grayson. He grins back at me.

“Oh helloooo,” Tatum says in a low voice next to me.

I slowly open the door, and a gust of wind blows the rain against me.

“What are you doing here?” I shout over the rain.

“I figured you’d need an umbrella!”

Time feels like it’s moving in slow motion as I walk to join him under the umbrella. The rain fades to background noise as I look up at him. He grins down at me, his blue eyes shining. I reach up and drag a finger along the jawline that I crave.

Gertie was right. I love him.

He lowers his face and presses a slow and sweet kiss against my lips. I inhale and smell his woodsy scent mixed with the rain. It might just be my new favorite smell. I wish I could bottle it up.

He walks me to my car, the rain and wind crazy around us. It feels like we are safe in our little umbrella bubble. I don’t miss the obvious metaphor for my life. As the wildness surrounds us outside, he has brought calmness directly to me.

Grayson walks me right to the car, and I turn to face him before stepping inside.

“Thanks for this,” I say, motioning up to the umbrella.

“No problem,” he shrugs. He steps closer and lowers his lips to my ear, “I wouldn’t want you to get wet.”

My cheeks flush with heat as he pulls back and looks at me with a fierce look. I meet his lips halfway, this time less gently. His mouth opens and I take advantage. He places his hands against my hips and gently presses me against the car. I can feel how badly he wants this, wants me. And with that, all my insecurities and fears quietly slip into the background. Grayson drops the umbrella; instantly we’re both soaking wet, but we still don’t stop. I drag my hands through his short brown hair as droplets slide down his face. I fumble to open the back door of my car, and when I do, I see recognition flit across Grayson’s face.

He guides me so I’m laying on the back seat and then follows, keeping his body hovering above mine. His shirt is plastered against his body, revealing all of the muscles I love. The rain is still pounding around us. It’s a soothing sound. We feel completely alone in our own little world out here. In the car, I can smell him and it’s like an aphrodisiac. I grab his shirt and slowly peel it off of him. His shoulders flex as he lowers himself back on top of me. A droplet of rain falls from his hair. He shakes his head and showers us both in water. I laugh. How is he this incredibly sexy and funny all at the same time? Somehow, he can make me laugh and also melt one second later.

“I love you,” I say as I laugh. Then I freeze. I look up at him and his eyes crinkle as he grins down at me.

“You love me?” he asks.

I swallow the lump that suddenly formed in my throat. I wasn’t planning on telling him that, not today and not like this. It just snuck out. I realize it feels fast and I’m nervous I’m going to scare him away.

“Yeah, I think I do.”

I watch as Grayson’s grin grows wider. He kisses me once on the lips and then trails quick kisses down my neck. He pulls back and looks at me, his face is bright, his smile broad.

“I love you too, Q,” he says.