Thankfully, he doesn’t dwell on that part of what I’ve said. “And you think he’ll be okay with it now? Knowing I’m a ruthless head-hunter for up-and-coming athletic talent?”
I lock eyes with him and lean onto the table. “I don’t think you understand; my dad is insane about sports. Like ‘teenage-girl-obsessed-with-vampires’ insane,” I explain, gaining another deep chuckle from him. Even though this newly-learned information about Greyston might help me soften the blow, I’m not naïve enough to think my father won’t still be initially upset about everything.
“So, I realize that it’s kind of personal, but the more information I can give to my parents, the better my chances are of not being put into solitary confinement,” I half-kid. Greyston laughs, but I don’t think he really gets that my dad would probably go to such lengths to keep me safe—not that Greyston is really a threat to my safety.
Getting up, Greyston heads back to the fridge and grabs the pitcher of lemonade, topping up both of our glasses before setting it on the table and sitting again. “Well, my full name is Greyston Evan Masters. I’ll be twenty-eight on January twentieth. My parents, Daniel and Jocelyn, live here in Phoenix. My father is a financial analyst. They live pretty comfortably, so my mom was fortunate enough to get to stay home while I grew up, and we wanted for nothing. Once I went off to college, she took an interest in interior design as a hobby.”
“Any siblings?” I ask.
Greyston shakes his head. “Nope. Like you, I’m an only child.”
Greyston and I talk a little bit more about his upbringing in a small town just south of Phoenix before my phone vibrates in my pocket. I notice the time first and realize I’ve been here for more than two hours. It seems only right that my mom is calling.
“Sorry,” I apologize to Greyston before pointing to the patio door. “Do you mind?”
Greyston winks, and I damn-near fall out of my chair. “Hey, it’s your house now too.”
Yeah, I think I’m about to die and go to Heaven.
Trying to calm my now-thundering heart, I stand up and answer my phone, sliding the door open and stepping out onto the deck. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, baby. How did it go? Did you find the place okay?”
“Yeah, I did. It’s amazing, Mom. You’ll love it.” I look back over my shoulder to see Greyston cleaning off the table. Naturally, my eyes fall back to his ass as he leans over to wipe the wooden surface. I apparently have no sense of morality left. “I’m actually just finishing up, I think. I’ll be on my way home soon, okay?”
I stay outside for a minute after hanging up, looking out toward the desert from the back porch. A breeze picks up, and I inhale the fresh air as the sun peeks out from behind the clouds and warms my face.
“Everything go okay?”
I turn toward the voice and smile when I see Greyston leaning against the doorframe. “Yeah. I didn’t realize how much time had gone by. I’m surprised she didn’t have my dad dispatch a search unit.” Greyston eyes me curiously. “Oh, he’s a cop.”
“Impressive.”
“It kept me from getting into any real trouble as a teenager, I suppose,” I joke, slipping my phone back into my pocket. “I should probably get going, though.”
Backing up into the kitchen and making room for me to pass through the threshold, Greyston nods. “Of course.”
“I’ll call and let you know when I plan to start bringing my things over, if that’s okay?”
Smiling, Greyston walks me to the door. “I look forward to it.”
I let the words repeat over and over in my head, wondering if he’s flirting with me. The idea that he might be is appealing, but the possibility that he’s not is more likely.
“Thanks again for everything, Greyston. It was nice meeting you,” I tell him, holding out my hand for him to shake. Truthfully, I want to hug him, but it’s probably inappropriate—especially since I’m not sure I could control myself enough to eventually let go. Even from a foot away, his scent is intoxicating. I wonder what cologne he wears…
“And you, as well, Juliette.” Before I am able to, Greyston reaches out and opens the door for me. It’s sweet, just like when he pulled my chair out for me in the kitchen. “Feel free to call me if you need anything in the meantime, okay?”
My heart skips a beat, and I can’t seem to stop my smile from widening almost painfully. “Yeah, okay. Um, bye.”
“Bye.”
Walking down the stairs feels weird, almost like it’s not right. Was this what my mom was talking about last week? I laugh at myself as I approach my car because the idea that I could feel this way after only a couple of hours is silly. It’s just not logical. Maybe I feel like this because Greyston has offered me an incredible opportunity, and I’m seeing him as some kind of white knight.