Read Online You Smiled by S. Jane Scheyder - Free Book Online Page B

in a room full of women, uncharacteristically unshowered, in public, after a workout. The day was turning out to be full of surprises. Judging by Grace’s demeanor, the surprises might not be over.
    Becky continued. “He’s usually friendly and pretty easy going, but you can tell this has him worked up.”
    The dog or the brother? Alex shook his head.
    Grace nodded as though this was all the motivation she needed to confront her sibling. “I’m planning to stop out there this afternoon,” she replied. “I’d be happy to bring the coffee then, if you’d like. I was going to call you earlier to offer, but it’s been a busy morning.”
    Becky stood. “I don’t mind waiting.” She picked up her purse and smiled at Alex. “It was nice meeting you.”
    “Nice to meet you, too.”
    “Let me know how it goes with Tank, ” Becky said to Grace.
    “I will. Thanks for, you know, taking care of him out there.”
    Becky shrugged. “Well, he’s an interesting problem, anyway. The other guests are all behaving, but they’re a little boring.” She grinned wickedly. “I’m going to find out his name - give me a week.” She tossed her bag over her shoulder and walked over to a group of women at one of the tables.
    Alex wondered briefly if Grace was going to follow and go back to work. His heart sank at the thought.
    She finally walked over to the other side of the booth and sat down. Adjusting the band on her watch, she and folded her hands on the table.
    “She’s a pretty girl,” Grace observed, watching Becky interact with a group in the middle of the store.
    “She is.” It wasn’t necessarily what he wanted to talk about, but he’d follow her lead.
    “It’s funny to think about her taking my brother on,” she mused.  “Becky’s so cheerful and he can be, well, pretty grumpy.”
    “They might be good for each other.” Speaking of which …
    Grace finally looked back at him. “I don’t think he’s her type.”
    Alex nodded, waiting. He really didn’t have an opinion on the subject.
    “So, it looks like I’m going to be busy today.”
    “Yes, it does.”
    She had trouble making eye contact. “When do you leave town?”
    “Tomorrow afternoon.”
    “I see.” She traced one of the nondescript carvings in the tabletop. “You’ll stop in to say good-bye?”
    “I was hoping to spend a little more time with you before I leave.”
    She definitely seemed uncomfortable. “There’s just so much going on. My brother’s ready to talk, the shop is so busy, yet barely breaking even. I just don’t know if I can do this right now.”
    “Do what, Grace?”
    She shook her head. “I don’t know. This.” She look ed around the store, as though the definition of their relationship was written on one of the walls.
    “ This being?” He wasn’t about to let her get away with not describing this. This might end up being a very good thing.
    She did look at him then, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. “I don’t know. Trying to figure out if I’m falling in love with an old high school friend.”
    That was more than he expected.
    “I guess love is a strong word. But whatever it is, I’m not sure I’m ready for it.”
    Alex leaned back and regarded her. “Do I get to say anything about it?”
    She eyed him warily. “You’re leaving town tomorrow. What could even happen?”
    “I’d like to find out.”
    “Find out and then go back to Chicago.” She looked at him pointedly. “I’m not sure that works for me.”
    “I’m not a careless person, Grace. I would never be careless with you.”
    A spark of hope flickered in her eyes and she quickly looked away. “And another thing. It’s not cool that I never noticed you in high school, but now that you’re…” she looked back at him and colored.
    “Don’t, Grace. This isn’t about how I look.” He grimaced at how he currently looked and probably smelled. “Your sitting here with me now is testimony to that.” The humor he tried to inject