Page 9 of Running
Today is no different. Nothing she’s wearing is deliberately seductive. But as I take in her fitted light orange polo over a knee-length khaki skirt, there’s never been anyone more alluring to me.
I don’t let those thoughts marinate, though. Nor would I let myself do anything about them. At this point, I have extensive practice stuffing my attraction down.
Landon’s sister. Landon’s sister. Off-limits.
My mantra. Made easier by her avoiding me for months. Only now she’s at my house.
I start moving in her direction, even as I repeat the mantra in my head. My legs are apparently unconvinced by those constraints. Instead, they lead me right to her presence.
“Hi, Johnson,” she says as I approach. There’s a subtle trace of caution in her voice, and I’m not sure why. She brings her right arm across her body, that hand grasping onto her left forearm.
“Hey, thanks for bringing Rawley.” I can’t think of anything else to say.
“Your invite came at the perfect time.” A small smile crosses her face. “We were about to have a tug of war over what to do with the rest of the day. Nothing better than getting Rawley out on a field.”
“Great.” Damn, I still can’t think of anything more interesting to say. Tongue-tied like a fifteen-year-old who’s scared of girls.
I throw out the only thing I can come up with. “Do you want to come inside and get something to drink? Bailey and Rawley look fully occupied.”
Her arm relaxes and drops back to her side. “Sure.”
We walk across the grass, and I shout out to the guys that we’re headed to grab a drink. I can’t help but watch Grace out of the corner of my eye as we step across the yard towards the back of my house, the long curtain of her blonde hair swaying, her legs striding with purpose.
“Your house is even bigger than Landon’s,” Grace observes with a little awe in her voice as we reach the door.
I get the reaction. Her family and mine grew up with the same middle-class background.
“Yeah, it’s a little over the top, but I wanted to find a home base that I wouldn’t have to leave as my career progresses.”
We make our way into the kitchen. As we near the fridge, I turn back to face her. Her eyes shift down for a beat before reclaiming eye contact. “It was really nice of you to invite us without Landon here.”
“You’re welcome anytime.” Oh wait. “I mean, any of you.”
“I haven’t been sure.” She stops herself abruptly on the last word.
Hmmm.She wasn’t sure she was welcome?
Shit, maybe she thinks I don’t want to hang out because of that night at school? The one Imade messy?
I’d assumed that she’s avoided me because she isn’t interested in being around me. But if she was worried about whetherIwanted her around—well, that would explain a lot of her behavior the last few months too.
“Yeah, anytime, really,” I say, trying to infuse warmth into my tone. She reacts with a small nod.
Remembering why we’re in the kitchen, I reach for the fridge door and turn my head back to her. “So I have sparkling water, lemon water, diet soda….”
“OH MY GOD, IT’S HIM,” a high-pitched voice screeches from the direction of my living room.
“JOHNSON SAMUELS,” a second piercing voice shouts.
My head jolts over in the direction of the sounds.
Two preteen girls are jumping up and down in front of my couch, hands-clasped, continuing to squeal.
Ah, my agent Aiden must be here, as expected. I recognize those two excited faces from a picture in his office. His nieces.
CHAPTER 3
Grace
