Page 10 of Mr. Green

My friends. I love Scarlett and Paige. I can’t wait to see them soon.

Jason. He’s already helped me feel better.

There. That was easy. Now, time to get to work.

Chapter 7

Grant

I’m hanging out atPrestige Fitness Club and Spa, waiting on Matt to get out of Scarlett’s office, when my Sunshine pops through the doors. My heart rate kicks up knowing I shouldn’t be calling Lana that. She won’t even acknowledge me. I clench my jaw wishing I could go up to her and talk to her without making her uncomfortable.

She looks so sad every time I see her, but I know that’s not her normal self. I’ve seen her smile light up the room. I can see her for who she really is—a gorgeous bombshell.

I saw her around when I was younger. I grew up in Washington and her older brother, Josh, was a good friend. She was five years younger than us. She was like a sister to me—one I’ve always been protective over.

Now she’s twenty-eight and she has grown up into a fucking goddess. The day I saw her at the housewarming party, I couldn’t believe I was seeingher.I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Her little frame has gotten curves that could make you melt. Her glasses make her look sophisticated and elegant instead of nerdy. Her dimple is still the same, adorable as ever, even though it doesn’t appear as often as it used to.

I’ve made several attempts to talk to her. Instead of her conversing back, she keeps staring at me like I’m agremlin. I’m getting the impression I make her nervous and I don’t know how to help her feel at ease around me. She seems to stumble whenever I see her, and she avoids eye contact with me whenever we’re in the same room. Then she’ll leave at the first possible moment. It’s the only reason I’m not going up to her right now.

I’ve been flying out to Washington with silly excuses like checking on the new office, going over numbers, and trying to see buildings that are a possibility with hopes of running into her. I can do all those tasks from Texas, butshe’snot there. Josh would probably kill me if he knew how attracted I am to her—he’s protective over his sisters.

I’ve never been this man who gets on a plane every possible minute. My father drilled the message of putting business above all else into me. It’s what he did. He always wanted the perfect family, perfect house, perfect life. It’s far from perfect, though.

To say I’d be fine with never seeing my dad again would be an understatement. I went to college in Texas to get away from him. Lucky for me, I met Matt there and he’s been the best business partner I could ever ask for atReding and Green. We went to college at Baylor and have been buds ever since. I was offered a full scholarship since I was so good at golf—something I don’t really care about, but did it because my dad demanded it of me.

Being around Lana makes me want to forget about the entire business. Even though she’s seemed sad today, there’s something different about her. She’s holding her head up high, and she has a small smile pasted on her delicate face. It’s not big enough to see her dimple, but Iknow it’s there. She’s glowing.

What’s going on?

I’m frozen where I stand.Has she met someone? Has she found a new job? Is she moving?

All I can do is stare from a distance at the girl who looks different. The other day in the café I saw her in baggy clothes. Today she’s wearing tight black pants that hug her juicy ass. She still has a black, baggy T-shirt on, but she’s showing off some of her body.

I stroke my beard with the need to go over to her. I’m not going to—I don’t want to scare her further, but it’s hard to keep my distance. I know she’s sweet, smart, and funny. She’s down to earth and the best thing about her is she could care less about the things I have.

I’ve always liked being in a relationship. Being committed to what I started was drilled into my head since I was a baby, I’d imagine. I’d rather have a girl at home with me than trying to find someone new every night. Lana is drop dead gorgeous and everything about her is pulling me in. Too bad she’s out of reach—for now. I need to find a way to get her to at least be okay with talking to me.

My eyes follow her walking to meet Jason, one of the personal trainers here. She greets Jason with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen from her. Not that I see her a lot, but from what I have seen, this is a new smile. One that I want her to giveme.

Now I’m jealous of a trainer, great.

I figured they would go to the studio for Lana’s work, but instead they’re beginning a workout on a machine.

I wish I could go up and ask her some questions. Take her out on a proper date. Get to know her, but she’s not in the same headspace as I am. She needs some timeto get to know me and that’s okay—I’ll wait.

Lana is a ray of sunshine hiding in the clouds. I know she wants to come out and play.

Let me see you, Lana.

Chapter 8

Lana