Page 21 of Mr. Green (Mr. #2)

Lana

I pick a black dress with big white flowers on it that reaches my ankles.

The long dresses hide everything but are still comfortable, so I’ve been feeling good wearing them.

Usually I’d have brighter colors on, but the dark colors make me feel slim.

Plus, cheerful colors aren’t calling to me right now.

I put on simple sandals that won’t hurt my foot and head downstairs early. When I get out of the elevator in the lobby, Grant is waiting.

He greets me with his usual big smile once he sees me. “You’re here!”

I stare at him, confused. I’m ahead of schedule. What’s he doing here?

“Didn’t want to miss you. I was ready, so I figured I’d wait down here. How’s your foot? You feeling okay?”

I let a small smile break across my face. He’s so paranoid. “I’m fine, Grant. Still hungry. You want to head over to the restaurant?”

“Yes, yes! Of course, you must be starved. It’s just down this way.” He starts walking, but turns to make sure I’m coming. We end up walking together with him pointing every now and then in the direction to go.

We pass numerous stores—some high-end, some gift shops, and several little to-go food places.

Things like ice cream or pretzels. Then we reach the restaurant, Wave Grill and Bar, which is close to the spa.

It’s also right on the beach and open to the public.

There’s a huge water wall as we walk to the hostess stand.

“Welcome! How many?” the hostess greets .

“Two please,” Grant answers.

“Inside or outside?” she asks.

Grant turns to me. “Outside okay, Sunshine?”

I nod.

“Follow me,” she responds with a smile.

She leads us to a table under an umbrella with just a few people scattered about. The waves crash in the distance and tropical plants are strategically placed, making you feel like you’re in paradise—which we are.

Once we’re seated and we look over the menu, I find something healthy and fresh. Then I look down at my phone. There are a hundred text messages from Paige and Scarlett.

Paige: We’re getting bottomless mimosas at Crush. Come find us when you’re done swimming.

Scarlett: You okay? You haven’t texted us back or come to get these drinks.

Paige: CHHHHHAAAAAMMMMPPPPPSSSS

Scarlett: Okay, where are you? Did you get eaten by a shark?

Paige: Get on that Viking’s boat! ; )

Paige: GIF of a Viking on a unicorn riding a rainbow.

Scarlett: We just saw you in the lobby with Grant! Text back a letter if you’re okay.

Paige: GIF of a guy dry humping a tree.

Paige: Guess what? I’m in Hawaii, drinking!

Paige: I’m gonna take a nap.

Scarlett: If I don’t hear from you, I’m waking Paige up to go undercover and follow you. I have sunglasses and a hat on. No one will recognize me.

Paige: Scarlett needs some *eggplant emoji*

I let out a deep breath. My friends are nuts.

I text a letter back to Scarlett and put my phone down.

I don’t want to be rude to Grant. My head turns, looking over the surroundings to see if anyone with dark hair, sunglasses, and a hat on are in the vicinity.

I don’t see anyone suspicious. Hopefully, said person went and took a nap .

“Everything okay?” Grant asks.

“Yup. My friends were just texting. This is a nice place.”

“I thought you’d like it. Get whatever you’d like. My treat.”

“Oh, it’s fine. I brought my wallet.”

“You shouldn’t have. Your wallet is no good around me. It’s basically just a bunch of paper and cardboard in there as far as I’m concerned.”

The idea of being taken care of is new. Ryan and I would split everything from rent, to groceries, to utility bills, to eating out.

Actually, now that I’m thinking of it, I don’t know if split is the right word.

If I would offer to pay, he’d let me. I would offer most times since I didn’t mind.

At the time I thought Ryan and I were splitting things, but looking back, I probably paid for at least three quarters of everything we shared.

Grant and I aren’t even a thing, but every time we’re together, he insists on taking care of the bill. Taking care of me.

I’m not sure how to feel about it. Does he not see me as an equal or able to take care of myself?

Maybe he’s just being a gentleman. I’ve always liked the idea of chivalry, but when it’s up in my face, it’s making me worried I’m not contributing and he’ll expect me to pay him back in other ways.

I’m not going to kiss him, so he’ll have to get that idea out of his head as soon as possible.

“I’m not kissing you or having sex with you just because you’re getting lunch,” I blurt out. I bet I’m as red as a lobster.

“I wouldn’t expect you to, Sunshine. Getting the bill is what a gentleman does; he’s supposed to. I make more than enough. I don’t want you to worry about anything, so I’d like to take care of it. No strings attached.”

“Is it like a penis flex thing?”

He almost spits out his drink. “Uh-hmm. No, it’s like a, ‘I care about you and want to show it,’ kind of thing.”

I bite my bottom lip. “So, hypothetically, if you were to get married, you’d want the woman to do the housework and have babies. Would you go all caveman? Back to the dark ages?”

“You curious about my future wife? Do you think it’s you?” He raises his eyebrow.

I shake my finger side to side in front of my face. “No, no, no. That’s not what I said.”

“You seem rather intrigued.”

I’m sure I’m competing with a tomato—my face heats up like it’s boiling on a stove. “I said hypothetically.”

He smirks. “If my wife wanted to stay with the kids, I think that’s nice. If she wants to work, we’ll hire someone. If she doesn’t have time to clean, I’ll get a housekeeper. It’s not what’s expected of her, it’s what I’d like to give her.”

“Okay, but you said you didn’t like the women you were with because they only wanted what you could give them.”

“Yeah, because the emotional stuff was missing. There were no casual touches throughout the day, or kisses in public, or even a thank you. They just expected I would pay for things they wanted and took advantage of it. I want a connection, not to just be a paycheck. I don’t mind buying them things, but I want there to be something more—something shown by their love and appreciation. ”

My heart is melting. I think Grant is just as weary about relationships as I am.

He’s looking for love and connection, not a piece of ass.

He’s willing to put his heart on his sleeve and continue looking for his special person even though he hasn’t had any luck.

I’m looking for—well, I haven’t thought about it in a while.

But what Grant is telling me sounds really nice.

Someone at least recognizing what they love about you and being there for you, sharing a life together. Exactly what I’ve always dreamed of.

It could be all words, but he has shown a lot of caring action, so I don’t think he’s lying. I can’t help but lean into the guy in front of me, realizing my heart’s defenses towards him are hardly there.