Page 38 of Crossfire
But then everything about this guy was sexy. His dark hair accentuated his enigmatic eyes while his navy-blue shirt, rolled up to his elbows, strained against the sculpted contours of his biceps and shoulders. His jeans clung to his lean hips and thighsin a way that seemed effortlessly provocative, accentuating every line and curve of his lower body.
The gentle hiss of a milk foamer filled the air, its steady rhythm drowning out the low murmur of conversations around us, while the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans mingled with the sweet scent of vanilla and cinnamon.
“The ex is looking this way.” Grayson’s mouth tugged up on one side, victorious in our little agenda.
“He is?”
“He doesn’t look too happy that you’re having a friendly conversation with a guy who stepped between you two yesterday.” His eyes sparkled mischievously.
Grayson’s smile was just a carefully crafted facade, I reminded myself—a mask to disarm Pete. Yet I couldn’t help but be drawn in by its allure. The way his full lips curved, the dimple that appeared on his cheek.
Against my will, my damn pulse quickened, and my breath caught in my throat.
Under different circumstances, could someone as hot as Grayson ever be attracted to a girl like me? Might he be already? After all, he was sitting here with me. Maybe making Pete jealous was an excuse to spend time with me.
If not, you’d better look away, Ivy.
He’ll start to realize your smile isn’t completely phony, and then you’ll have to find a new coffee shop after all this.
“It looks like you’re ruining his morning.”
“How unfortunate,” I said.
“Laugh,” Grayson commanded.
I swallowed under the authority of his tone, finding more pleasure in it than I should.
It took me a second to shake out of the fog and wrap my fidgeting hands around my coffee cup to still them.
“Pretend I just said something funny.” Grayson smirked, making my nerves buzz even more, though I had no clue why.
Chemistry,my brain immediately answered.He’s sinfully handsome and dangerously charming, and there’s some frequency he’s giving off that’s activating your own in a way no other man has.
Focus, Ivy, on the conversation at hand.
“I don’t think I can do that,” I admitted.
“Why?” Grayson asked.
“I’m not a seasoned liar.”
Grayson studied my face for several seconds, as if what I had just said was fascinating.
“You want your coffee shop back?” He raised a brow, and damn it if it didn’t make him look even hotter.
Instantly, I wished Grayson and I were having a real conversation, not a fake one to make Pete jealous. In fact, I wanted Pete to just…go away, and if laughing might help, fine.
So, I did. And because Pete knew me, I made it believable.
Did I feel guilty? A little. But one morning at a coffee shop could prevent months of him trying to play with my emotions.
“Jackpot,” Grayson declared. “He looks pissed.”
I should just feel happy, not guilty. This guilt was stupid.
If only I had something else to focus on besides Grayson and this strange situation.
“I wish they weren’t out of chocolate cake.” I’d quickly glanced at their pastry section when I’d ordered, but I’d told myself it was a good thing; I didn’t need to be spending money on pointless desserts right now.