Page 61 of Running
“Great game, I’m going to head home,” I say to the back of everyone’s heads. A mixture of waves and goodbyes comes back in my direction, including from Grace and Landon as they make their way to his car.
Once I arrive at my house, I throw my duffle down, grab a water, and sink into one of my couches. Resting my head back, I close my eyes for a beat.
I think I know what we’ll need to do to give us a chance, and now I have to see if she agrees.
CHAPTER 19
Grace
Iexpect to be nervous as I get ready to go to Johnson’s. I’m not, though.
I’m filled with hope.
Don’t get too far ahead of things, I tell myself…
Except, he keeps showing he means it when he says he’s interested in me.
He’s kept in touch even when football should be his main focus.
He’s been transparent that the Landon dynamic is the only thing holding him back.
And now he wants to figure out a way past that.
I believe him.
And from that foundation, my hope for a real chance to explore whatever this is between us has started to bloom.
As I step up to the front porch of his house, the door swings open, and there he is.
“Hi, Grace.” A wide grin on his face is evidence that he’s as excited for the promise of tonight as I am. “I saw you in the Ring camera and didn’t want to make you wait.”
“What a good host,” I tease.
Studying him, I see he’s not wearing athletic gear for the firsttime I can remember. A royal blue button-down hugs his strong shoulders, and on the bottom, he’s wearing a classic pair of khakis.
“Am I underdressed?” I have on a short, pink cotton sundress.
He admires me for a moment, his eyes roving up and down. “You look beautiful, as always. I wanted to dress up for you, like a normal guy spending time with a girl, for once.”
He gestures for me to come into the hallway, and out of the corner of my eye, I see him grab something off the side table.
“I got these for you.”
I turn back around andoh, Johnson has two dozen yellow long-stem roses in his hand.
“Wow, they’re gorgeous.” I can’t keep the surprise out of my voice. No one has ever gotten me flowers before.
“I read on Google that yellow flowers can signify fresh starts, or new relationships,” he explains. “Also, it’s your color, at least to me. Golden.”
“I didn’t—you really didn’t need to do all of this for me, Johnson. But thank you.”
The curve of his mouth turns up, and his brown eyes flare with some combination of affection and vulnerability.
And now I’m melting simply from the way he’s looking at me.
Standing here together, with him only a couple of feet away, I suddenly feel self-conscious. Should we kiss hello? I mean, wedidkiss the other night.
He doesn’t make a move though, and I’m definitely not going to. Instead, he gestures towards the back of his house.
