Page 54 of Crash and Burn

"You're a morning person?" he groaned. "I take it back. I don't think this is going to work out after all."

I laughed and cuddled against his chest for a minute before hopping off the bed.

"As much as I would love to laze around I've still got some pieces to work on."

"For Carling?" The corner of Grant's lips twitched downward.

"No, it's my own stuff." I let the frown pass. At least he hadn't said anything about it. I couldn't fault him for a facial expression. "I've got a dress I'm working on and it's already taking me longer than I wanted."

"Need me to be your mannequin?" he asked.

I eyed his broad shoulders and long, muscled legs.

"Somehow I don't think you're the right size," I replied.

"Then how about I start the eggs and toast while you get set up?" he offered.

I suppressed a happy little squirm. Grant was going to make me breakfast. It was such a domestic gesture. It was also everything I ever could have wanted.

I went to my work station with all my various fabrics and threads. Mittens had clearly been having the time of her life rolling all over my desk because every bit of fabric was covered with small cat hairs. I had to take a lint brush to the piece I was working on before I could get started.

"Breakfast is served!" Grant called out from the kitchen while I was still picking off the last few stubborn hairs.

I joined him at the table where he'd placed two plates with eggs and toast.

"Sorry I couldn't give you more to work with," I apologized. "I should probably keep my fridge better stocked."

"Next time we'll have brunch at my place and I'll make sure to at least get a piece of fruit on the plate," Grant said.

Next time. The thought gave me the urge to squirm with happiness again. This definitely wasn't a one-time thing. Grant was thinking about the future. Our future.

I pinched my thigh under the table. Yep, this was still real.

I wondered how many times I'd have to pinch myself until I fully believed it.

"Do you have any more photoshoots planned?" I asked Grant as we tucked into our eggs and toast.

"There's only one more on the schedule right now," he said. "I decided to try and do what you said."

"What did I say?" I asked, having completely forgotten any such conversation.

He gave me a sort of sheepish smile.

"I'm going to feed my artist's soul," he said. "I'm going to dedicate more time to working on my own projects."

"That's wonderful!" I said. "Is it that project you mentioned that you were being so coy about?"

He nodded.

"I don't want to give too many details away, yet," he said. "I'm still not sure exactly what direction I'm going to take things in. But eventually, I'd love you to be a part of it."

"Of course I'll help," I told him. "I'd do anything for you."

Grant cocked his head as his eyes crinkled with amusement. I fought the urge to flush. Did that sound clingy or desperate? Before yesterday, I would have been mortified if something like that had come out of my mouth.

But today everything was different. Grant knew how I felt about him.

Or, at least, he knew I had feelings for him. Neither of us had actually used the L-word. It was probably too soon for that, anyway. We'd been friends forever, yes, but this was a brand new relationship. Better to start off slow.