Page 13 of Mr. Green
Chapter 10
Lana
Grant’s arm leaves from behind me and my eyes follow him walking away. He used to be slim and fit in high school, but he was tall. Now he’s become all man, built like a building and broad as fuck. His easygoing attitude and overall nice persona add to his attraction level.
His smell of pine and fresh shower enveloped me, making me want to lean into his heat. Now that he’s left, I can breathe again, even though I miss the smell more than I want to admit. I bet it’d feel like a furnace wrapped in his arms.
No, no, no!
I’m not falling for a guy. I don’t need one, least of all Grant fucking Green. I may have thought he was like a god growing up, but I know better now than to trust anyone with a dick. It’s not happening.
I turn to Scarlett and point a finger at her. “You knew he was coming, didn’t you?”
“Matt was coming and asked his friend to come along.” Scarlett shrugs.
“You told me to bring him,” Matt mumbles. Scarlett looks at him like she’ll be smothering him with a pillow tonight.
“Goddammit, Scarlett!” I half yell at her with my eyes bulging out of my head. “I can’t trust him. You know I don’t want anything to do with guys. I’m quite happy being alone. Stop trying to force someone on me!”
I’m embarrassed my friends feel the need to meddle in my personal life. I know it’s been a while, but a new guy in my life isn’t going to help get myself together.
“Lana, you need to move on. You’re far from happy. Grant is an amazing guy! Give him a chance.”
“Why would he want me? I think you’re forgetting about what everyone at this table wants.”
She gives me a sorrowful smile. I cross my arms over my chest, trying to shrink away from any stares, especially pity ones.
I’m not pretty. I’m not interesting. Definitely not anyone he’d want to love. I have nothing to offer him. I’m a nobody who looks plain as day. My ex made sure I knew. He’d suggest ways I could become more...presentable. Things like keeping my figure healthy, wearing my contacts, putting makeup on, blah, blah, blah. I know he was suggesting ways to be a better version of myself, but if I had to do any of those things before walking outside right now, I’d die. The sheer effort of putting so much work into my appearance seems stupid. It hasn’t gotten me anywhere. I’m certainly not trying to attract anyone, so I’m sticking with my sweats and messy bun. Fuck ’em.
“Lana, why wouldn’t anyone want you?” Scarlett asks. “You’re funny, smart, beautiful, poised. I think you forgot all of those qualities. I just want you to be happy. I know you feel something for Grant. I’m not saying he’ll fix anything, but he could help. You’ve had a crush on him for forever!”
My cheeks heat. I thought I kept my cool about being into him. I know Grant. My brother and him used to be friends. We saw each other in passing, mostly me looking out from my bedroom window as they hung out at the front of the house, thinking Grant was the most attractive man on the planet. There was never much of a reason for me to hang out with them, even though I tried. Besides, Grant never gave me much notice no matter how hard I tried—wearing colors, expressing my opinion, trying to hang with mybrother. I don’t know what I was expecting back then. He was a senior in high school when I was still in middle school. Of course he wasn’t going to notice me inthatway, but it never stopped me from being attracted to him or tryingto get him to see me.
She leans in with a grin. “He can’t stop asking about you. Maybe there’s something there.”
Now he’s giving me attention, but I’m not sure why. I’m not the same as I used to be. Maybe he just sees us having a friendship. Teasing is something you’d do to a friend. I can’t do a relationship right now, it wouldn’t be fair to my partner or me.
I look over to Matt to see if he’ll give me any clues. He doesn’t. He keeps caressing Scarlett’s arm while staring at me like a statue. He should be in the CIA or something—that face of his wouldn’t tell you shit.
Grant comes back and sits, putting his arm back over my chair. My breathing becomes shallow once again. I’m fighting the urge to lean on his arm and rest my head on his shoulder. I bet it’d feel so easy to give in and cuddle with him. Just for a second.
No, no, no! Penis alert!
I’m only here until the waiter brings the check. My card is ready in my hand. I’ll be the first to get this absurd dinner and get the fuck away from Mr. Perfect.
“You guys ready? Maybe get some dessert from a place that serves dairy,” Grant asks with a smirk.
“We have to wait for the check.” I roll my eyes.
“I took care of it. We’re all set, baby girl.”
I look at him with heart eyes for a second. Then I remember I need to stay far away from him.
“I’m not your baby girl.” I get up, pushing his arm away and storm off. I need to get home where it’s safe from my crush who will plunder me.
Chapter 11
Lana