Page 21 of Allie

Roan: Remember, we're just a call away.

Me: Thanks, my knight.

A ripple of something like joy—or was it anticipation?—through me.

Roan: Always.

My heart fluttered at the single word that held so many promises to it.

10

ALLIE

Tapping a rhythm on the counter, I glanced at the clock, counting down the minutes until freedom. One hour to go.

The bell above the door jingled, snapping me out of my mental drum solo. In sauntered Grant, his typically unruly auburn hair even more disheveled than usual. A playful smirk curled his lips. But it was brief before his resting-grump-face expression returned.

"Lost your way or just couldn't resist my charming company?" I teased, leaning forward on the counter.

"Maybe a bit of both," he grumbled, but there was a twinkle in his eye that told me he wasn’t always grumpy. "I passed by and saw you were here. I didn’t know you worked here."

“My first day. Nat is my sister.” I indicated to the sign with the store’s name on it.

"Ah. I see.” His lips twitched into a reluctant smile. He slipped his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

I opened my mouth to ask him if he’d like to meet up later when my phone buzzed from its hiding spot under the counter. I fished it out, swiping the screen with a flourish. A group text from Roan, Draven, and Asa blinked up at me.

Draven: Dinner tonight?

Asa: I vote O’Malley’s.

Roan: That’s cool with me.

"Looks like we've got plans," I murmured, more to myself than Grant. But his sharp ears didn't miss a beat.

"Who's 'we'?"

"Roan, Draven, Asa, and I," I explained, tapping a reply into my phone. "We’re going to dinner. Did you want to come?"

"Pass," he replied, quick as a whip-crack. Classic Grant, always playing his cards close to his chest.

I wasn’t offended. I had a feeling I’d see him again. My attraction for him grew each time we spoke, and I sensed it was the same for him, so I’d give him his space to come to terms with it.

"Your loss," I said with mock solemnity. "The food won't be the same without your discerning palate."

"Discerning palate" earned me an actual laugh, the sound warming the space between us like a shared secret. Then, just as quickly, he was back to his stoic self, offering a wave over his shoulder as he headed out the door.

"See you around, Allie."

"Later, grumpy," I called after him, watching the door swing shut. With a bemused shake of my head, I turned back to my phone, thumbs flying over the keyboard.

Me: Can’t wait.

As the conversation bubbled on without me, a flicker of excitement ignited in my chest. Dinner with the guys meant laughter, camaraderie, and maybe a little bit of mischief.

Work wrapped up in a blur of half-hearted tidying and clock-watching. I switched off the lights and locked the door behind me since Nat left about thirty minutes prior. She had a hot date with her long-term boyfriend.

When I reached the stairs to walk down to the first floor, I saw Roan stepping off the elevator. I turned and waited for him. “Hey.”