Page 28 of Crash and Burn

"We're still pretty new," he said with a nod. "We met at one of those photoshoots."

"I see."

I supposed it wasn't surprising. Grant was a handsome guy, broad-shouldered with gorgeous eyes and full lips and a toned chest and—

I cleared my throat.

Grant was handsome, and if he was surrounded by equally attractive women, sooner or later one of them was going to snag him.

Just like I should have done ages ago.

"It's actually sort of a problem," Grant said, looking vaguely embarrassed. "Missy and I have ended up working together a few times and it's always been awkward. I want to try and keep things between us a little more subtle, you know? I'm there to do my job."

I sensed Grant's problem already, because I had seen it in action.

"I saw Missy blowing you kisses in between taking photos," I said.

His expression turned rueful as the corner of his lips dipped into a frown.

"I don't want it to look like I'm flirting with all the models I'm working with," he said. "Or have rumors start going around that I'm sleeping with a bunch of them. That's a one-way ticket to a ruined reputation."

"You want people to take you seriously," I nodded. "I get it."

"Missy doesn't seem to," Grant said. "I've tried explaining it to her, but she gets upset and thinks I'm saying that I want to keep our relationship a secret or something. Like I'm ashamed of her."

Why the hell anyone would be ashamed to be dating someone like Missy was beyond me. Maybe the girl had her own personal hangups. Either way, it was clearly a point of contention between the two of them.

"I'm sorry," I told him. "That's a tough situation to be in. She thinks you want to hide your relationship, but you're just trying to keep things professional."

"Exactly." Grant let out a sigh. "I don't want us to fight about it, but if we keep working together as much as we have, it's going to become an issue."

"Maybe you can compromise?" I suggested. "Let her know that she can tell everyone the two of you are dating, but that she has to cool it on the physical displays of affection while you're behind the camera."

"That might actually work," Grant said thoughtfully. He gave me a grateful look. "Thanks for listening to me, Liz."

I returned his smile, even as my heart ached.

I'd just told Grant how to fix things with his girlfriend. I was proud of myself, if not a little exasperated. Any other person might have tried to sabotage his relationship. But I couldn’t make myself do that. Not to Grant.

"You always know what to say to make me feel better," Grant continued. "It's hard to talk to other guys about this stuff, you know?"

"I'm always willing to give you a woman's perspective," I told him.

His lips curved into a soft smile. “I know I’ve said it before, but you really are the best friend a guy could have.”

The ache in my heart was bittersweet.

"Are you going to eat that last bite of baklava?" he asked hopefully.

I laughed and pushed the plate over to his side of the table.

"Go ahead," I told him.

I had to come to terms with this new world I'd found myself in. Grant was my friend. One of my best friends.

The fact that someone as awesome as Grant considered the same of me was amazing. It was flattering. It was wonderful.

I wasn't going to take that for granted.