“What did they say to you?”
“Just that I might want to watch myself.”
Sophie was so focused on the television that it took her a few minutes to realize Grady was being unusually quiet. When she glanced over, she found him staring at her, hands on his hips, from his spot next to the stove.
“What?”
“You’re just telling me now that two police deputies threatened you?”
“They didn’t really threaten me,” Sophie said. “They were just kind of rude.”
“You had a spat with two deputies, and then were run off the road two hours later,” Grady said. “That doesn’t strike you as odd?”
Sophie’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Why are you so mad?”
“Because you were almost killed yesterday and you’re waiting until now to tell me pertinent information.”
“I don’t really consider it pertinent information,” Sophie said. “I assumed the guy who came after me was the same one from the newspaper that day. A cop wouldn’t be stupid enough to use his personal vehicle to run me off the road in broad daylight. That makes no sense.”
“That’s neither here nor there,” Grady said. “You still should’ve told me.”
“Well, forgive me for being distracted,” Sophie snapped. “I didn’t realize I had to report my every move I make to you.”
Grady moved his head like he was having a silent argument with himself, and then turned back to the stove.
“Are you over there calling me names in your head?” Sophie asked.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“No.”
Sophie couldn’t fight her smile. “Is my breakfast almost done?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to stay over there until you aren’t mad anymore?”
“Pretty much.”
“Okay. Just checking.”
AFTER breakfast, Grady cleaned up the dishes and joined Sophie on the couch. He was still angry, but he was trying to pretend otherwise. Despite his best efforts, he was certain Sophie could read his mood.
“Do you want to watch a movie?”
“Sure,” Sophie said. “What did she bring?”
Grady reached into the bag and looked at the three movies, surprise on his face. “She is a sick woman.”
“What are they?” Sophie peered over, dissolving into giggles when she saw the titles. “All chick flicks, huh?”
“We have The Notebook, When Harry Met Sally, and Pretty Woman.”
“Those are all good movies,” Sophie said.
“I don’t understand why she would pick these,” Grady said. “I’ve seen her movie collection. It’s filled with science fiction, fantasy, and horror.”
“Maybe she was trying to go mainstream?”
“I think she was trying to torture me,” Grady said. “That’s the only explanation I can come up with.”
Sophie’s smirk was obvious. “Let’s watch The Notebook. I love that movie.”
Grady didn’t argue, instead getting to his feet and popping the movie into the Blu-Ray player. He settled back on the couch, leaning back to lounge against the pillows, and then opened his arms.
“Do you need a hug?”
“Get over here,” Grady growled. “If I have to watch one of these things, I at least get to cop a feel.”
“I thought sex was off the menu?”
“Maybe I changed my mind.”
Sophie shuffled along the couch and settled on Grady’s chest. Grady took the remote from her and started the movie, smoothing down her hair so he could see the television over her head.
As the credits started, Grady glanced at the table where Sophie had spread the rest of Mandy’s goodies. “I get why she sent the movies and magazines,” he said. “I get why she bought chocolate. Why did she send the nail polish?”
Sophie laughed, remembering Mandy’s admission from the bar a few nights before. “I think she knew you wouldn’t be able to keep to the no-sex promise.”
“But what does nail polish have to do with anything?”
Sophie shrugged. “You’ll have to ask her.”
“You know something, don’t you?”
“You’ll have to ask her.”
“Does my brother have some freak foot fetish or something? Wait, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”
“Watch the movie,” Sophie murmured, resting her head in the crook between his neck and shoulder, wrapping her arm around his waist. “You might actually like it.”
Grady has his doubts, but he turned his attention to the television. He just knew he was going to be haunted by thoughts of nail polish when this was all said and done.