Page 23 of Mr. Green
Scarlett interrupts, “Hey, La La. I need to use the facilities. Do you think you could come out?” If I see her face and she’s trying not to smile, I’ll push her off the plane.
I reluctantly unlock the door and stick my head out. Scarlett is waiting with her arms crossed and bouncing her knee. It doesn’t look like there’s a smile, so I step out. She rushes in and I catch a glimpse of her lips turning up.
Goddammit! She tricked me!
I’m tempted to throw a fit and knock on the door until she gets out. Grant steps in front of the door and puts his arm up as if he’s showing me the way back to my seat like I must’ve forgotten.I know.
I trudge over to the bench seat where we were sitting previously. I’m looking for some way to get out of this. The door to the bathroom squeals as Scarlett opens it again. I could make a run for it, but I’m not in a threatening situation. The thought of smelling Grant’s cologne instead of the bathroom is a nice consolation. I stay seated, crossing my arms over my chest.
Just as I predicted, Paige and Jason have passed out in their chairs. Poor things just want to party. That means Grant and I are basically on our own now—in close proximity.Nothing could go wrong.
“I wanted to show you something. Scarlett and Matt have the weekend planned out, but there’s some free time. I made reservations for this whale tour. You’re welcome to come.” He shows me the evidence pulled up on his phone.
My jaw drops to the floor. The screen shows a catamaran-type boat and pictures of whales and dolphins. It includes a sunset dinner and drinks. There’s lots of people in the picture. The boat could hold twenty or so. It sounds wonderful and like the most perfect date I could ever dream of. I could skip the dinner and hang out on the deck the whole time. Surely that would help me escape making a mistake with Grant in a romantic setting. I’ll blend in with all the other people looking at the scenery.
I make the executive decision that seeing whales is more important than staying away from Grant. I’ve dreamed about seeing them again since my vacation long ago with my family. Maybe they could telepathically tell me what to do with my life—not that they care. They have more important things to worry about.
“I’ll go with you,” I start as Grant smiles, “ifyou tell me why you always call me Sunshine.”
His face turns serious. “I see you, Lana.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear, all without touching my face.
“You can see the moon, too, it doesn’t mean you have to go around here calling me moon baby.”
He smirks. “I know you’re hiding behind clouds, but I fucking see you, Sunshine.”
I look away from him, staring out the window. He keeps his arm behind me on my seat. We sit in silence as I mull around what it’d be like to be with Grant. A real guy who knows what he wants.
I want to lean into him. I want to kiss him. I want him to tell me he’ll never leave me. But that’s never going to happen. Even if he did promise to stay, he’d never be able to keep it. Guys like him don’t go for girls like me. I hope I’ll remember that tonight.
Chapter 15
Grant
She agreed. I finally get alone time with Lana. I wanted to say more to her on the flight here, but I also didn’t want to push her. I knew I’d be seeing her tonight where we’ll be alone. No pressure, no friends, just her and I on the water.
I’m stopping by her room on our way to see the whale tour. I heard the desk clerk assign her room 222. I’m at 246 so it’s not too weird to be waiting for her. Weareon the same floor after all.
Before I can reach her room, she comes out in a navy dress. It’s flowy and reaches her ankles. Her hair is down in waves. She turns quick to make sure the door is closed and the scent of a fresh shower and lavender hit me. I’d love to see what she tastes like.
Nope!
I need to take this slow with Lana. I don’t want her to bolt. I know she’s dealing with a bad breakup and I want her to know she can come to me. I could be her safe place. I want to show her I’m a guy she could be with—maybe forever, but that’s not going to happen in one night.
My eyes look up and down her body forcing me to put my hands in my pockets. The need to touch her is strong, but I need her to be comfortable around me first. This is the first time we’ll be alone together. I’m lucky she agreed to this activity and I don’t want to blow it.
Scarlett told me, after days of pestering her, that Lana has a thing about whales. I needed something to get her to think of me as a normal person. Thank fuckwhales come to Hawaii just when Matt and Scarlett are getting married. Timing is fucking fantastic on that one.
“You ready, Sunshine?”
“Yup.” She starts walking with that scent filtering in the hall in front of me and suddenly stops. Then she turns around and points a finger at me. “Don’t get any ideas. I’m doing this because I like the whales.”
My mouth ticks up on one side. “I figured.”
“What does that mean?” She squints.
“I didn’t think you’d say no to the opportunity to see your favorite animal.”
She looks stunned for a second and then puts her wall up. “You’d be right.” Then she tries to hand me a crisp hundred-dollar bill. “This is for my ticket. Thank you for buying them in advance.”